2022 Reininger Malbec

Happy Father's Day!  To all you fathers out there, I wish you the very best and hope you had a wonderful time with you kids today!  As I thought about a manly dinner for tonight, I also thought about a manly wine to celebrate and decided to open a bottle of 2022 Reininger Malbec!  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let see if this wine live up to my manly expectations!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, bordering on the look of a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and spiced meat, raspberry and tawny elements of aged leather and oak.  The first sip is rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of spicy black pepper and earthy notes of dusty limestone.  The tannins are robust and well structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of a quality Malbec from the northern hemisphere, perfectly welcoming to the gauchos bringing in grilled beef.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from braised short ribs to roasted rack of lamb, but what it really yearns for is a big steak!  Tonight we are in luck as I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye topped with truffle butter along with some oven roasted beets and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in the cellar long, as I recently purchased it from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from a stellar Napa vintage and sourced from vineyards in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is performing after 14 years!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, without a hint of amber at the edges, looking quite fresh.  A gentle swirl of the glass and the nose reveals aromas of ripe blackberry and prune amid undertones of smoke and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that eases into some dried herbs and black pepper spice midpalate.  The acidity is still vibrant, offering some tartness on the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid wine that still has plenty of life left in it.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, braised short ribs, steaks or grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye with wild mushroom risotto and grilled asparagus.  The fruit and bright acidity of this wine is ideal to cut through a fatty ribeye.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a relaxing day, so I've decided to open a bottle of wine from one of my all-time favorite Walla Walla producers.  The 2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Merlot is a classic Merlot from a region of the country with acute expertise in producing Bordeaux varietals, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of classic leather, oak and gentle floral notes that will have you anxious to take a sip.  That first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that wash over your palate before transitioning to some wonderful earthy notes of dusty limestone and black pepper spice.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still supportive of the long, smooth dry finish that will have you easing back into your easy chair. 

Overall,. I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a perennial favorite Merlot that really treats this varietal with the respect it deserves.  This wine could be enjoyed as an easy sipping wine with friends or family, but it would also pair well with grilled steak, hearty baked pasta, beef stew or grilled lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bone-in ribeye on a bed of sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms, grilled broccoli rabe and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2023 Pepper Bridge Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a relaxing day, but a cold day, and a good day for a hearty red wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2023 Pepper Bridge Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Cabernet Franc (12%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Malbec (9%) all harvested from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington. So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a very deep ruby color in the glass, with the exact look you'd expect from such a Cabernet dominant wine.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals the classic earthiness of this Walla Walla wine, green grass, mushroom, earthy peat and black pepper spice with hints of umami and floral notes.  The first sip is a rush of earthy elements emblazoned with spice, blackberry, cherry and currant that eases into some notes of baking spice, dusty limestone and tart cherry notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing the base for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until you take your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it represents the quintessential Walla Walla Bordeaux-style red blend that has me coming back year after year. This wine would pair well with winter, whether simply sipping next to the fireplace, or enjoying with a hearty supper of beef stew, braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bone-in ribeye, grilled asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc

Well, it was a busy Saturday, working, then working in the yard, then running errands and now I am more than ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a month or so ago from Costco, the 2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc.  I am a big fan of the Medoc in France, as this was one of the first wines I fell in love with on my first trip to France in 1995.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, so what could go wrong?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic Bordeaux look.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, leather, basalt and a classic Bordeaux funk.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit at first, which instantly transitions to some notes of earthy peat and ripe plum, before transitioning to notes of black pepper spice, leather and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple yet firm, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that is classically Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking classic red wine, that was a terrific value at under $20 (I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think it was around $18).  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, hearty pasta dishes, or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared prime New York strip over a bed of sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms with some oven roasted potatoes.  Cheers!

2022 Woodward Canyon Grenache Mourvèdre Syrah Malbec Red Wine

Happy Easter!  Although the weather forecast was for rain, it's been an absolutely beautiful sunny day in the low 60s, perfect for relaxing and finishing the last bit of yard work for the weekend.  And of course there is Easter dinner to look forward to, and tonight is a good one, ideal for a new blend from Woodward Canyon that arrived a week or two ago.  This is what I affectionately call a GSMM blend with the addition of Malbec.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (41%), Mourvèdre (29%), Syrah (24%) and Malbec (6%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  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 blend.  The nose presents rustic aromas of green grass, earthy peat and undertones of ripe blueberry, cherry and currant.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that wash across you palate with just the right amount of sweetness before transitioning to some notes of forest floor and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are youthful but well behaved, providing for a wonderful smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a step up from the standard GSM blend, as the Malbec really gives this wine some nice backbone.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to pappardelle Bolognese, lamb to ratatouille.  Tonight, I am going the classic lamb route, but rather than the standard rack of lamb, I found a lamb loin roast at my local market, so a boneless rack of lamb!  I served this herb crusted with mashed potatoes, oven roasted Brussels sprouts and a red wine reduction.  Cheers! 

2014 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of the month when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a producer that I've featured on previous Cellar Saturdays last year, featuring the 2013 and 2012 vintages, and not it's time for the 2014 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Atlas Peak region of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a classic Napa Cabernet, with an inky black center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of prune, blackberry and currant, with undertones of leather and tobacco that will have you imagining an Ivy League library.  The first sip is a rush of sweet black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that wash over your palate before transitioning to some notes of black pepper spice intermingled with caramel and vanilla notes.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a classic dry Napa finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really well made Cabernet that has stood the test of time.  This wine would pair well with a variety of aged cheeses, braised short ribs, wild mushroom risotto, or a classis grilled steak.  I've opted for the latter and tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak, blistered yellow grape tomatoes, grilled broccolini and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2020 Anvil Syrah

Happy Sunday!  And since it's the last Sunday of the month, it's time for Dinner in the Diner, where I explore a recipe from the dining cars of some of the most famous passenger trains of the 20th Century.  So, what to pair with my dinner?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Anvil Syrah, the premium label from Forgeron Cellars.  The 2020 vintage is a 100% Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has going on!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with moderate body and clarity, just what you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  The nose reveals aromas of blackberry, blueberry and eucalyptus with undertones of basalt minerality.  The first sip is a rush of sweet black fruit, blackberry, blueberry and currant that dance around a bit of cocoa powder and toasted oak midpalate, with a trail of black peppery spice.  The tannins are still a bit sharp, but still provide for a long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderful example of a single-vineyard Syrah from one of the premier areas of Washington for production of this varietal.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from braised short ribs, to rack of lamb, earthy wild mushroom risotto to Beef Wellington.  Tonight, I am taking a road less traveled and enjoying this wine with a recipe from the diner on the New York Central, the individual deep dish chicken pie from the 20th Century Limited.  The recipes for the filling, crust and rich sauce (this is superb) are presented below (though to be fair, I substituted boneless chicken breast for the white/dark meat combination suggested).  Cheers!

2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache

Happy first Saturday of October, which of course means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical day where I raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in August.  The 2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache is a 100% Grenache grown from old vines in South Eastern Australia, using whole berry fermentation with wild yeast, in an effort to enhance the Provencal character of the wine.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting 14 years after harvest!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with a hint of amber along the edges as you might expect from such a vintage.  A gently swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy tar, black cherry, vanilla bean and hints of leather.  The first sip is a rather surprising rush of fruit, with black cherry, fig and plum that easily transition to some earthy notes of peat and wild mushroom midpalate, before easing into some black pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I appreciate this wine for it's decidedly French character, despite being grown a half a world away.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes, from grilled lamb, mellow seafood or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Mediterranean classic of grilled octopus with grilled summer squash, red onions and peppers.  Cheers!

2019 B by Fonbadet Bordeaux

Happy Sunday!  Well the long holiday weekend is almost over, but there's still time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a nice bottle of Bordeaux that I think I bought a few months back at Costco, and I have no idea about the wine or it's composition, but being a Bordeaux, I can only imagine it has some Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and any other combination of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, so let's just try it out shall we?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Bordeaux.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, toffee, earthy mineral notes and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of stark minerality, with notes of basalt and tar, that transition nicely to some notes of black cherry and cassis, intermingled with black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are classically structured for a Bordeaux, leaving you with a dry finish that you scarcely notice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid example of a daily drinker in the heart of France, and like so many Bordeaux, this wine is very affordable as I think I paid about $15 for this one at Costco.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from pasta and jambalaya to hearty steaks and chops.  Tonight I am opting for the latter and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Cajun spiced ribeye with sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to see how it's developed along it's journey. Tonight I've taken a couple of cheats on my decade, first I've selected a Brunello, which by Italian law must be aged in barrel for six years, and then in bottle a further six months before release.  So, such a wine is already 65% of the way to a decade on release day!  Second, I recently bought some of this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so I let them do a little of the aging for me!  The 2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese Grosso (another requirement of Italian law), and Brunellos are usually just hitting their stride at the 10-year mark, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you might expect from the varietal.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of dried flowers, ripe cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and anise.  Take a sip and you're immediately transported to the Tuscan countryside, with layers of dried herbs, ripe cherry and some earthy notes of tobacco and graphite, which ease into some black pepper spice and a hint of thyme midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight at first, but gradually open up for a velvety mouthfeel leading into a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant and easy drinking Brunello that is just hitting its stride. This wine would pair well with classic Tuscan dishes, such as Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, pappardelle with a traditional ragu, ribollita, or a simple platter of salami and cheeses.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe ravioli with carpaccio truffle cream sauce, the spice of this wine is a perfect foil for the richness of the truffles.  Cheers!

2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Today was day of a lot of random chores, from yard work to laundry to making an apple pie, I was all over the place today.  but at least it's time now to relax with a nice Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a product of Girard wine maker Glenn Hugo (I opened a bottle of 2007 Girard Artistry on a Cellar Saturday a few years ago and needless to say, I'm a fan.  So, let's see how this more recent wine is faring!

The wine is a deep, inky black in the glass, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and a bit of allspice, with a slight undertone of leather.  Take a sip and you have a rush of black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry, with a hint of mint under the surface.  The rich fruit transitions to some wonderful black pepper spice midpalate, as the tannins take command for a wonderfully complex, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to punch well above its weight class for this $20 Cabernet!  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from summer barbecue, to pizza and tacos, but it's also ideal for fall, and I could see this wine paring with roasts, beef stew or chili.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a transitional summer to fall dinner, a rare grilled prime ribcap, along with some oven roasted leeks and white asparagus, along with some mashed sweet potatoes.  Cheers!

2017 Cave Dog Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy day of cooking for a range of folks, but now it's time to relax a bit with a nice glass of wine and some hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2017 Cave Dog Napa Valley Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (50%) from a stellar vintage in the Napa Valley, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby red color in the glass, a testament to the blend.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, earthy cedar, cardamom and peat that has a definite old world sort of vibe.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of cool black fruit that washes over your palate, transitioning easy to some earthy notes and spicy pepper midpalate.  The tannins are robust, creating a wonderfully vibrant dry finish that lingers as you reach for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking, quality wine at a value price of just $20.  This wine would pair well with steak, slow roasted pot roast, or vibrant Italian dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus, bone-in ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some bacon maple Brussels sprouts and oven roasted baby carrots.  Of course, I'll likely be finishing this bottle on the patio with a wonderful fall fire.  Cheers!

2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc

Happy Sunday!  I've been working in the yard all afternoon, so I am not pretty tired and ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc that I recently picked up at Costco, which was also a pleasant choice since one of my personal favorite Bordeaux from my first visit to Paris in 1995 was the Haut-Medoc.  This wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot is an ideal way to end my weekend, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from this Cabernet heavy blend.  A swirl of the glass reveals classic Bordeaux aromas of leather, black cherry and cassis that beckon you to take a sip.  After imbibing you are confronted with a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with hints of mint that eases into some black pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that is classic Bordeaux. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of the Haut-Medoc I grew up on in the mid-1990s, and it was a terrific value at just $18!  This wine would play well with pasta, seafood and steaks, as well as a great charcuterie wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap (also from Costco) on a bed of grilled leeks and topped with horseradish and fresh rosemary, some tomato basil farfalle with some fresh pesto and shredded parmesan, and some bacon maple roasted brussels sprouts!  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Today has been a mixed bag of weather, so rather then working out in the yard, I spend some time running errands and cooking!  The weather held out, so I suppose I could have done work in the yard, but there's no sense in crying over spilled grass clippings.  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which is a single varietal wine from Clone 191 grown at this vineyard, in this case the 2017 vintage of which I was able to snag a few bottle recently thanks to my friends at Seven Hills.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a classic deep ruby color as you would expect for a quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, cherry and currant with undertones of black pepper spice and green grass.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with rustic dried herbs, and earthy notes of peat and basalt that create a real sense of place in the Walla Walla Valley.  The tannins are wonderfully structured, providing a solid backbone for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, which I think is about the average rating for every vintage of Summit View Cabernet as it's just always a great wine to sip.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of hearty dishes, from summer barbecue, burgers and brats, to prime steaks and chops.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic steak and a new dish that I learned from Don't Go Bacon My Heart on Instagram, Caprese burrata pasta (you can find the recipe here) which is rich, zesty and fun, as well as some roast hatch chilis, because I can!  Cheers!

2018 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  The weather really turned cold here this weekend, with highs in the 20s and lows approaching single digits, so it's definitely time for some hearty wine and warm comfort food.  As for the wine, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington State.  So. let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with excellent clarity, perhaps a bit lighter in color than some big Cabernets.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, Bing cherry, green herbs and a bit of lilac.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of cherry and plum that gives way to some earthy graphite and black pepper midpalate.  The velvety dry finish is based on some well structured tannins and features a bit of vanilla caramel right at the end that brings the wine together.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant Walla Walla Cabernet that's sure to acquire a bit more heft with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am definitely taking the comfort food route and enjoying this wine with a slow cooked bison Yankee pot roast, with potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and turnips topped with a bit of scallion and fresh parsley.  Cheers!

2017 Tyrus Evan Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah

Happy Thursday!  The weather has turned decidedly winter like over the past week, with today's high reaching only 19 degrees (it hasn't been above freezing for more than a week!) so what better activity that sitting down with a nice glass of red wine?  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2017 Tyrus Evan Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah, a 100% Syrah sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with a bit of fuchsia along the edges, a bit more vibrant than the typical Syrah.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and a bit of vibrant floral notes of violets and a hint of cedar.  The first sip leaves you with an impression of a dark forest, with ripe black fruit flavors of plum, cassis and currant rushing over your palate before transitioning to some notes of cocoa powder and a hint of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still provide a nice foundation for a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic Walla Walla Syrah, with great fruit and peppery spice, unlike the latest trends in bold minerality from the Rocks District.  This wine was also a terrific value at just $19!  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from classic beef stew to hearty pasta of Yankee pot roast.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chorizo and black bean tacos, topped with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, avocado and fresh jalapeno.  Cheers!

2018 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank heavens it's Friday!  It's been a long week and I am surely ready for a break.  Between work and rehearsals for an upcoming community theatre production I'm in, it seems like I was up at 5:30 each morning and then running non-stop until 11 pm!  But, no rehearsal tonight so I get to enjoy a bottle of wine and a dinner that does not consist of quickly reheated leftovers.  So, with that in mind, I've opened a bottle of 2018 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon, a second label Columbia Valley Cabernet produced by Woodward Canyon Winery, a winery that I first visited over 20 years ago!  Let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a mellow Columbia Valley Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of ripe black plum, currant and cherry, intermingled with notes of black pepper spice and a bit of green cedar.  A first sip reveals a rush of black fruit, dried herbs and a hint of leather, that just has a wonderfully velvety mouthfeel.  Midpalate provides a bit of vanilla bean wrapping up with some black pepper spice on the finish.  The tannins are well structured and approachable, for a lovely dry finish that will have you soon reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a solid everyday Cabernet at a value price of just $25.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty, winter comfort dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a mid-rare grilled bison New York strip along with some oven roasted potatoes and beets, and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

While most of the country was desperately spending money on holiday presents today, I decided to spend the entire day trying to finish the leaves in my yard, and though I made progress I did not finish (though my back may be telling me that I am indeed finished!).  So, now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful ruby color in the glass, with a bit of indigo at the center, just as you might expect from a quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of black cherry, earthy graphite and hints of peppery spice.  Take a sip and you quickly realize the Bordeaux styling of this Cabernet with a rush of black cherry and currant at the outset, that transitions easily to some notes of cedar, dark chocolate and black pepper spice that has a nice bit of acidity at the finish.  The tannins are nicely integrated to give backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really nice example of they classic Walla Walla Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb or hearty pasta.  The winery recommended pairing this wine with prime rib, which is ironic as I actually bought a prime rib roast and sliced it into some steaks since my local market didn't have any thick cut ribeyes!  That thick cut steak grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some steamed asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato make for a perfect dinner with this wine.  Cheers!

2006 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot

I had such high aspirations for how this day would progress, the yard work and errands that I would accomplish, and I pretty much got nothing done except spreading some GrubX on the lawn and going for a bike ride.  At least it's the first Saturday of the month, 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 of 2006 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot, from Chuck Reininger's second label, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a nice Merlot.  A quick swirl in the glass and you can drink in aromas of candied plum, black currant, toasted oak and an array of spice notes reminiscent of an old Italian grocery.  A long sip reveals a rush of blackberry, cherry and currant that washes over you before transitioning to some wonderful earthy notes, smoke and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish with a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a beautifully old-world style Merlot that is meant for sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and lamb to risotto or seared tuna steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' Angus ribeye that was grilled rare, along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and horseradish to round it out.  Cheers!