2020 Helix Cabernet Sauvignon XM

Happy Sunday!  I made the critical error of pulling weeds and then mowing in the current heatwave, and now that I've been indoors for 4 hours I think I may have finally recovered from the heat!  In any case, it's time for a nice dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Helix Cabernet Sauvignon XM, which is one of the latest trends pioneered by Chuck Reininger in allowing wine to age in barrel for an extended period of time, hence the XM for extended maturation.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%), Tempranillo (7%) and Malbec (4%) from the Phinny Hill, StoneTree, and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see if this wine was worth the wait!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, but a bit lighter than your typical Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak amid hints of black pepper, umami and black olive.  The first sip is a rush of ripe cherry, blueberry and currant that transitions easily to notes of charred meat, tobacco and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are smartly structured, providing a velvety, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an interesting departure from your typical big, bold Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with summer dishes, from grilled burgers and brats to steaks and barbecued ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an eclectic Sunday dinner of a grilled porterhouse with garlic scapes, steamed purple broccoli and risotto alla milanese.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Pentad

Today was my annual pilgrimage to Illinois to plant flowers at the cemetery for all my family members and at least the weather was very pleasant.  Five flats of flowers planted and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine, before the serious flower planting commences tomorrow.  Tonight I've opened a perennial favorite, and although I have gone out of order in reviewing the 2021 vintage before this one, I am happy to share the 2020 Seven Hills Pentad this evening.  This wine is a blend of the five primary Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere, but I can't find the fact sheet for the 2020 vintage, so we'll just have to enjoy this wine without knowing the breakdown of the blend.  Here goes nothing!

The wine is has a hearty look in the glass, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of green grass, leather and undertones of blackberry and currant.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit that transitions easily to some earthy notes of olive tapenade, and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully dry finish that has just enough earthy funk to pay homage to the Bordeaux heritage.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's a classic version of what Walla Walla does so well with Bordeaux style blends.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from rack of lamb to braised short ribs, thick steaks to grilled octopus.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak with cowboy crust seasoning, oven roasted purple fingerling potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2015 Reininger Tahoma

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month, meaning it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the special day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Reininger Tahoma, a classic Bordeaux style blend that is a specialty of Washington wine makers.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Of note, this wine was aged in barrel eight years before release, giving a very different character to this wine.  Just a couple months ago I reviewed the 2017 vintage, so let's see what the older sibling has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a heartier look than the prevalence of Sangiovese would suggest.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, leather, and hints of floral.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and blackberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of earthy peat and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and well structured, providing for a very dry yet velvety smooth finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of a Washington blend, but also highlights the creativity of Chuck Reininger and his team.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic ratatouille to Yankee pot roast, hearty pasta to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I had a rather relaxing day, doing some chores, going to the gym, and now getting ready to make Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from some of the oldest blocks of the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from this Cabernet led Bordeaux style blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blueberry and hints of lavender amid subtle notes of tobacco and black pepper.  The taste is a mind-bending rush of tart cherry, intertwined with blackberry and blueberry creating a fruit cocktail before transitioning to some notes of dried herbs and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but well structured to provide the backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you easily reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Washington version of a Left Bank Bordeaux.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, braised lamb shank or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan seared filet mignon, mashed potatoes and shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, pomegranate and 25-year white balsamic.  Cheers!

2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpinia Aglianico

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month (and new year!), that magical time where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that has actually been in my cellar only a month or so, as I bought it in a mystery six-pack of red wine from Wines Till Sold Out not too long ago.  The 2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpinia Aglianico is from southern Italy and is one of the first mature bottles of this varietal that I've tried, as usually I have consumed Aglianico when younger.  So, let's see how a bit of age has expressed itself in this wine!

The wine is a much deeper purple color in the glass, with just a hint of amber along the edges as one would expect with a bit of age.  The nose presents aromas of ripe plum, leather, spice box and dried herbs, with the classic aromas of anise and black pepper spice you often see in an aged Italian red wine.  The first sip takes me back to dinners in Rome in the 1990s, with a rush of fruit that is quickly overtaken by some wonderful notes of anise, leather and spice, leading to earthy notes of forest floor and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but supportive of a lovely dry finish that evolves with every sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a lovely expression of the nuance and complexity of aged Italian red wines.  This wine would pair well with many hearty Italian dishes, from classic carbonara to sausage and peppers, lasagna to classic spaghetti and meatballs.  Tonight, I am going the classic route and enjoying this wine with a stuffed manicotti, with marinara and a simple mixed green salad with sage blossom vinaigrette.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I'm glad to report that the weather finally broke here, as yesterday it was incredibly hot and humid, but a cold front came through and today we are enjoying highs in the low 70s and expected lows in the upper 40s tonight.  This was good news as I have been waiting for a cool day to don my long sleeves, jeans and gloves to remove some of the poison ivy that's grown up this spring (the price you pay for living in a personal forest!), but now it's time for a special dinner!  Tonight is the last Sunday of the month, which means it's time for Dinner in the Diner, where I craft dinner from a recipe served in the dinning cars of some of the great long-distance trains of the 20th Century.  But before we get to that, we have to open the wine! Tonight's selection is from Mark Ryan Winery, a personal favorite harkening back to my grunge years, the 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (95%) and Merlot (5%) from some of the oldest vines in the Quintessence, Red Willow, Ciel du Cheval Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how these old vines are producing!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, much different than some of the big Cabernets you commonly see.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, strawberry and red currant intermingled with dried herbs and a hint of green cedar.  The first sip is a rush of fresh green herbs that transition easily to ripe red fruit notes of cherry, currant and marionberry, before easing into some notes of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth and expertly integrated, providing for such a pleasing, long, dry finish that you'll be immediately reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just a wonderful example of the great quality of Cabernet being produced in Washington.  This wine would pair well with just about any red meat, from steaks and chops, to braised short ribs or classic burgers for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a classic recipe from the Northern Pacific Railroad, the sirloin of beef with mushroom sauce.  I took the chef's prerogative and adjusted this slightly to grilled T-bone instead of baked sirloin, but the roasted vegetables and mushroom sauce stayed true to the recipe.  Cheers!

2007 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which makes this Cellar Saturday!  This month I went deep into the cellar to find a bottle that I've had squirreled away for more than a decade, from one of the most stellar vintages of Napa Valley.  The 2007 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of those classic wines from a classic vintage, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center, and a bright ruby along the edges, without any hint of amber, you'd be hard pressed to tell this 16-year-old from a current vintage.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, anise, tar and just a hint of lilac.  Take a sip and you're greeted with ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum intermingled with some black pepper spice before transitioning to some notes of tarragon and pipe tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant and well structured to ease into a wonderfully smooth, dry finish that will have you appreciating this mature wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's truly lived up to the hype of this vintage, and maintained its structure and drinkability edging toward two decades on.  This wine would be fantastic just sipping with friends, but it's still hearty enough to pair with a big steak, braised short ribs or a hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with alderwood smoked salt, grilled asparagus and oven roasted baby potatoes with herbs de Provence.  Cheers!

2019 Backstage Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased during a Cabernet event at Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Backstage Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Green Room Vineyard in the Howell Mountain AVA of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big, bold Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals luxurious aromas of leather, candied cherries and oak, with undertones of mocha and dark chocolate.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum, that ease effortlessly to some notes of earthy tar and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing and ideal foundation for the long, velvety smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a pleasant drinking and classic example of the big Cabernets of Napa Valley.  I could enjoy sipping on this wine on a lovely fall evening in front of a fire, but I could also enjoy this wine with rustic charcuterie, a big grilled steak or a rare rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with grilled leeks and hatch chilis, and some linguine tossed with broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2020 Eberle Paso Robles Barbera

Happy Saturday!  Today was a day of modest achievement, as I visited with some friends, then went grocery shopping, then came home and started preparing for my taxes, which was quite the adventure (at least is doesn't seem like I'll be writing any large checks in April!).  And now it's time to relax with a bottle of wine as I cook some of what I bought at the store today.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Eberle Paso Robles Barbera, which was a Christmas gift from my aunt and uncle, as they are big fans of this winery and Paso Robles wines generally.  This wine is a 100% Barbera from the Bootjack Ranch (35%), Steinbeck (33%) and Partridge (32%) vineyards in Paso Robles.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, fig and cherry, with undertones of vanilla bean, dried sage and toasted oak.  A first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, plum and blackberry that easily shifts gears toward some oak and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still provide for a very smooth dry finish than lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a range of dishes.  This wine would be ideal with hearty Italian pasta dishes, lamb, venison, or earthy wild mushroom risotto. Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner a day early, herb crusted roast beef with carrots, celery, onions, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, along with a fresh gravy I made with the broth. Cheers!

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Sunday!  As you may know, I've been a happy preferred shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards for a few years, so it's always a treat to review a wine that I have an equity interest in producing!  I previously reviewed the 2018 vintage here and the 2020 vintage here, so let's see what the current vintage has to offer!

The wine is a medium bodied ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you would expect from a nice Pinot Noir.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, plum and a hint of mint, with undertones of earthy peat and mineral notes.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe, sweet fruit, strawberry, currant and marionberry, that transition easily to some notes of black pepper spice, green tea and the faintest hint of tar midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish, that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, though I think this wine is just a bit better than the 2020 vintage.  This wine is very approachable and would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue to Asian, but tonight I am taking a traditional Pacific Northwest approach.  I am enjoying this wine with a baked steelhead filet with lemon dill cream sauce, along with rive and some oven roasted baby carrots and leeks.  Pinot and salmon, you can't go wrong, cheers!

2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of November which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I found while rummaging for a half case of a 2004 Rhone that I mentioned to someone last week, and there is was, the 2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape, a bottle that I bought more than 10 years ago when I was still living in Grand Rapids.  This wine of the Pope is fairly traditional in terms of blend, with Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%), Cinsault (10%) and Syrah (5%) from the southern Rhone region of France.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, with just a hint of amber along the edges which comes with this level of maturity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, herbs de Provence and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  Take a sip and you're awash with warm fruit and spice, strawberry, cherry and currant with hints of black pepper spice that transitions easily to some notes of peat and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still well structured and provide a wonderful base to the smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasing example of this classic Rhone blend that would pair well with a range of dishes, from lamb to bouillabaisse, braised beef short ribs to hearty mushroom risotto.  Cheers!

2018 Terroir Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Monday!  Yes, it's the beginning of the week, but why not enjoy a nice dinner and a bottle of wine?  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2018 Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) from a variety of Napa Valley Vineyards.   So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Napa Valley Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases luxurious aromas of leather, anise and tobacco with undertones of violet and ripe blackberry, cherry and currant.  Take a sip and you're palate is awash in black jammy fruit that transitions easily to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and black pepper spice and a hint of dark chocolate.  The tannins are a bit youthful, providing for a vibrant, but very dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it a very pleasant Napa Valley Cabernet, and at just $17, it can be an everyday red wine too!  This wine would pair well with big steaks, but I could also see enjoying this wine with lamb, barbecue or even a warm winter beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare pan-seared filet mignon along with some cheesy potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of the month when I raid the cellar and open a bottle that's been in development for at least a decade.  I am a lover of Sangiovese, and since Brunellos usually hit their stride at the 10-year mark, why not spend a Cellar Saturday on one of these?  So, I've opened a bottle of 2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva that I know has been in my cellar for at least five years, so let's see if it was worth the wait!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with just the faintest hint of amber along the edges, just as you might expect from an adult Brunello.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of anise, prune, cedar and spicebox that bring be back to the aromas I smelled when walking into a small grocer in Florence.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a surprisingly vibrant bit of fruit, strawberry, red currant and raspberry that ease into earthy notes of tar and tobacco, with a hit of black pepper spice over the top.  The tannins are still quite vibrant, providing for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasing example of a nice Brunello from a somewhat lackluster vintage.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Italian fare, from risotto to classic pasta, steak or veal.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a poor man's version of bistecca Fiorentina, a porterhouse grilled Pittsburgh rare on a bed of grilled leeks with a baked potato and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2010 Syzygy Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the first Saturday of August, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical day when I raid the cellar for something developing for at least a decade.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that's over a decade old, though it's only been in my cellar for a month!  On my recent Walla Walla vacation, I had the chance to meet with Syzygy proprietor and wine maker, Zach Brettler at his tasting room by the airport on my way out of town, and I was impressed with the wines.  He had taken a bit if a hiatus from winemaking for nearly a decade and has been selling some of the last of his 2009 and 2010 vintages, which are a treat.  The 2010 Syzygy Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet from the Conner Lee, Sagemoor and Klipsun Vineyards grown during a year that featured a solar eclipse.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with garnet along the edges.  The nose practically screams mature cabernet that is just hitting its stride, with aromas of leather, oak and earthy peat intermingled with notes of blackberry, cherry and plum that brings back memories of so many barrel rooms.  Take a sip and you are greeted by unexpected bright fruit flavors, strawberry, black cherry and plum that dance around your palate before giving way to some lovely black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured and expertly integrated for the velvety smooth, dry finish that lingers on for what seems like several minutes.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully built Cabernet that is just singing right now.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from pasta and steaks, to lamb and smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am taking a page from my summer growing up, as it was very common when it was hot (with no central air conditioning) and very humid in the Midwest that my mom would routinely serve corn and tomatoes for dinner during the summer.  It was simple, but delicious with sweet corn and tomatoes in season.  Given that I did a lot of work around my uncle's house today and I seemed to have yet to stop sweating, I am enjoying some corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes for dinner, though unlike my mom, I've decided to add a rare grilled New York strip as well.  Cheers!

2018 San Pedro "1865" Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  It seems that summer is starting to calm down, we've seen hot and humid and rather chilly evenings on consecutive days, so I'm hoping for consistency!  As I get ready for Sunday dinner, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent Costco find, and one of my favorite varietals, Carmenere, the lost Bordeaux grape.  Carmenere was long thought extinct thanks to the phylloxera plague in 1867.  It was later discovered in Chile, having been cultivated since 1850 from French cuttings mistaken for Merlot.  The 2018 San Pedro "1865" Carmenere is named for the winemaker's founding year, and is sourced from a variety of vineyards in Chile's Del Maule Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from a pure Carmenere.  A quick swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, plum with some mineral notes of basalt and a hint of green cedar.  A taste reveals flavors of black cherry and currant that ease into notes of tobacco and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are rather subdued, but still find time to support a supple, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking wine and a solid value at just $13.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from tacos to pizza, pasta to steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the latter two, a rare grilled New York Strip along with some garlic scapes and asparagus sautéed in olive and tossed with linguine and topped with shaved parmesan and a bit of purple basis.  Cheers!

2018 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, we went from mini-winter to blazing summer in the blink of an eye, and it's been sweltering, hot and humid here for the past couple weeks, which makes me wonder why I've chosen to open a big Cabernet for dinner this evening.  No worries, the A/C still works, so I think I can handle the 2018 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  I've been a fan of Raymond Vineyards since visiting them on a trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train back in 2015, so it's always a pleasure to dive into one of their wines, this one being a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Atlas Peak District of the Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  After letting it breathe for an hour or so, a quick swirl and whiff releases aromas of leather, green grass, blackberry and currant, which just dare you to take a sip.  That sip reveals wonderful black fruit flavors, effortlessly integrated into notes of umami, black pepper and dried herbs, with a mild kick of acidity at the finish.  The tannins are well integrated to support a long, dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this may be one of my favorite vintages of the Atlas Peak Collection (see the 2016 Vintage here and the 2015 Vintage here).  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to hearty pasta or risotto.  Tonight I am pairing this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, topped with grilled garlic scapes along with grilled asparagus and some steamed red potatoes with butter and parsley.  Cheers!

2018 Helix So Rhô

Happy Memorial Day!  This is a day that we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.  It's a day that I spend each year heading to the cemetery to plant flowers on the graves of my family members.  But in addition to the more somber aspects of this holiday, it's also a time for parades and spending time with family and friends enjoying the first cookouts of the summer.  Today I am definitely participating in the food aspects, and to set the mood I've opened a bottle of 2018 Helix So Rhô, a southern Rhône style blend of Mourvèdre (42%), Cinsault (30%) and Grenache (28%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is tasting.

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with nice clarity.  Raise the glass and you're greeted by aromas of black raspberry, currant and strawberry intermingled with an intriguing blend of dried herbs that hint at the adventure that awaits.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe red fruit flavors, cherry, strawberry, plum and currant that take a easy detour to some notes of dark chocolate and black pepper spice midpalate.  The fine grain tannins make an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish with just a slight kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's just another stellar vintage in a long line of successful Rhône style blends the Chuck and his team have produced.  This wine would pair well with some hard to pair dishes, like Indian curry, Moroccan dishes or even barbecue.  Which is fortunate as tonight I've made some South Carolina style barbecued chicken breasts, with a tangy mustard barbecue sauce, along with corn on the cob, pasta salad and Sriracha cole slaw.  Cheers!

2013 Raymond Reserve Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon catching up on a few projects, then I went for another bike ride since it was once again sunny and in the 60s.  So, now it's time for Sunday dinner, and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2013 Raymond Reserve Selection Napa Valley Merlot.  I've been on a Raymond kick for a while, but this wine I just happened to find at my local wine store, which seemed like it might have been there collecting dust for a while.  At any rate, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a wonderfully deep ruby color in the glass, a bit lighter in composure than you might expect for a Napa Merlot.  A quick swirl and a whiff reveals some rather old world style aromas of candied plum, vanilla bean and cassis, with undertones of green grass.  A sip provides a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that linger for a bit before transitioning to notes of tobacco and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are a bit sharp for their age, but wonderfully integrated for a long, very dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really pleasant drinking Merlot, that at $32 was not unreasonably priced.  This wine would pair well with a variety of meats, from steaks to lamb chops to veal, but would also be at home with barbecue or pasta.  Tonight, I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus porterhouse over some grilled leeks, with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and some mashed potatoes and gravy.  Cheers!

2017 Eminent Archon Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a busy week already, so I might have to keep this short.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Eminent Archon Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino County in California, which I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Our (I've apparently been on a WTSO kick lately!).  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was also a fairly good value, so let's see what it has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, perhaps a little lighter bodied than you might expect from the varietal.  The nose seems a bit tight, with some aromas of blackberry, vanilla and a bit to thyme.  The taste is rather pleasant, with a rush of tart cherry and black plum up front that eases into some black pepper spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, providing for a nice smooth dry finish, with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, as it's not really a memorable wine, but certainly one that's easy drinking for a weeknight and at $10 there's no guilt!  This wine is a good casual red and would pair well with a variety of easy meals, from burgers and pizza to pasta and steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip, served on some grilled leeks and topped with blistered grape tomatoes along with some asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2017 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Friday!  It's been quite a busy week, so I'm glad to settle back and open a nice bottle of wine to start the weekend.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  The 2017 Helix Cima Piccola is a super Tuscan style blend from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This vintage is made up of Sangiovese (49%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek, Stone Tree and XL Vineyards.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of the Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  Take a whiff and the aromas of blackberry, cherry and currant intermingle with earthy notes of leather and dried herbs.  A sip reveals the Tuscan roots, as notes of black cherry dance with espresso bean, as black pepper bursts forth from a dusty spice box at the finish.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide for a wonderfully dry finish amidst peppery spice notes and balanced acidity.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this might be my favorite vintage of the Cima Piccola!  This wine strikes me as a very versatile food friendly wine, which would pair well with steaks, veal chops or barbecue as well as it would with hearty Italian dishes from risotto to classic pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of off the beaten path Italian, some basil and garlic linguine that my aunt sent for Christmas tossed in some Boursin cheese sauce with smoked sausage and shallots.  Cheers!