2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, this Saturday was a busy one trying to get caught up with work around the yard and house, but I think I made it and now it's time for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Frost Vineyard in the Mendocino County AVA of California.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, perhaps a bit more subdued than some of the bigger California Cabernets.  The nose is a pleasant affaire with notes of leather, ripe cherry and herbal notes.  Take a sip and you'd be forgiven for mistaking this wine for a Zinfandel with a rush of jammy fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum with a pronounced peppery spice throughout. The tannins are subdued providing for a sharp dry finish with lingering spice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very nice everyday wine, that is a good value at just $12,50.  This wine would pair well with steak, tacos, barbecue or hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled beef kabobs with zucchini, onions, red peppers, yellow squash and shitake mushrooms, and fresh corn on the cob, and ideal Midwestern summer dinner.  Cheers!

2013 Il Palagio Sister Moon Rosso Toscana

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's the day I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to share.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been in the cellar for a while, so long in fact that I can't recall where I bought it!  The 2013 Il Palagio Sister Moon Rosso Toscana seems to be a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Merlot (20%) for a classic Super Tuscan blend.  Let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a medium body, a testament to the impact of Cabernet and Merlot on the blend, with lighter garnet and a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of black plum, rich leather and oak, interspersed with fig and rose petals.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum with a wave of tartness washing over the top before easing into some earthy notes of dusty loam, tar, tobacco and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated, providing for a long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it still exhibits more oak than I would prefer, but I think it's also aged fairly well.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to grilled steak, branzino to summer barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with my first summer grilled dish, some asada beef kabobs with onions, peppers and mushrooms served with black beans, corn and rice.  Cheers!

2019 Sequoia Grove Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy day of yard work, but alas I am all finished and ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the most recent Wines Till Sold Out mystery bottle event, which is always a fun surprise.  This time it was the 2019 Sequoia Grove Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) from three separate blocks in the Vineyard, along with Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (8%) all from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine has the classic look of a big Napa Cabernet, with brooding darkness lined with bright ruby.  The nose is nestled with oak intermingled with sage, leather and graphite, underscoring the subtle black fruit that tries to peak through.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, blueberry, blackberry and plum that dance around a balanced acidity with some black pepper spice.  The tannins are well structured for a velvety mouthfeel and a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until you reach for your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderfully classic big Napa Cabernet at a price that didn't break the bank.  This wine would pair well with much outdoor cooking this summer, from barbecued ribs to beef kabobs, cedar planked salmon to big grilled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled rare and garnished with the first garlic scapes of the season, along with steamed parsley potatoes and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2022 Reininger Syrah

Happy Sunday!  I've been somewhat relaxed today, taking a break before doing a full day of flower planting and yard work tomorrow.  So, to celebrate my doing nothing, I've made a wonderful Sunday dinner and have opened a bottle of 2022 Reininger Syrah.   This wine is a 100% Syrah sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass and you're greeted with aromas of rich black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum just dripping with sweetness amid undertones of anise and baking spice.  The first sip is an intriguing rush of ripe black fruit that melts into notes of tea, black licorice and earthy loam midpalate.  The tannins are silky smooth, with bit of acidity on the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant example of the vibrant Syrah that Chuck and his team are producing in the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would be ideal for sipping on the patio in front of a fire, or if you must eat, try this one with some grilled venison, lamb or carne asada.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with my Sunday dinner of rack of lamb with potato puree, red wine reduction and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Well happy Saturday!  I spent much of the day mowing, then running errands and completing a little work before having dinner and heading to the theatre for our penultimate performance!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my all time favorite Walla Walla wineries, the 2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is 100% composed of Cabernet Sauvignon from the McClellan Estate Vineyard, with some of the older vines in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine has a classic look of a quality Cabernet in the glass, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals a nose chock full of ripe black fruit and earthy elements that make Walla Walla wines so special, leather, limestone and peat.  The first sip is a rich mouthful of ripe blackberry, currant and plum that dance around your palate with hints of mint and and dried herbs.  The tannins are subtle but well structured, providing for a long, smooth, dry finish that decidedly more European in character.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fabulous example of the high-quality Cabernet that the Walla Walla Valley is capable of.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, braised short ribs, or pappardelle Bolognese, but it would also feel right at home in a summer cookout of burgers and brats.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms, along with some oven roasted asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I have to admit, I had intended to get a bunch of work done today, but I ended up spending some time with friends, going to the farmers market and picking up some groceries and before I knew it, it was time to make dinner and get to the theatre for tonight's performance!  Oh well, the best laid plans of mice and men I guess, but at least there is wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2022 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Walla Walla Red Wine.  This latest vintage is a blend of Merlot (40%), Malbec (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) all from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from these varietals.  Swirl the glass gently and you're treated to aromas of blackberry, plum and cherry intermingled with baking spice, sage and a bit of vanilla caramel.  The first sip is a rush of candied cherries and boysenberry that is the opposite of what your nose had you expecting, before you take another turn toward some dusty limestone and green cedar midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a delightfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite and a prime example of why Walla Walla does so well with Bordeaux style blends!  This with would pair well with a wide range of hearty dishes, from beef stew to braised lamb, hearty pasta to cedar planked salmon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime New York strip, with blistered cherry tomatoes and some linguine tossed with garlic, asparagus and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2015 Château La Tour De Mons Margaux

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month, so time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a classic Bordeaux, the 2015 Château La Tour De Mons Margaux, which I think I bought perhaps five years ago, though I don't recall where I bought it.  This wine is a classic Cabernet focused Bordeaux blend from the left bank of Gironde, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux.  The nose presents aromas of leather, tar, lilac and cherry, the classic earthy funk of Bordeaux.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transition easily to some earthy notes of smoke, oak, dusty limestone and tar midpalate.  The tannins are expertly crafted, providing a classic Bordeaux dry finish that will have you forgetting you were even drinking wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Margaux and such a pleasure to enjoy with a great meal or just sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with braised lamb shank or beef short ribs, classic steak au poivre or hearty stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared, grass fed New York strip with sautéed onions and peppers, oven roasted purple potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  On Friday, I needed to stop at my local market to pick up ingredients for a team meeting and cooking event at church, and as I walked down the quiet aisles (pro tip, shopping at 9 pm on a Friday avoids the crowds!) I happened upon a display of clearance alcohol.  I usually check to see if there are any interesting wines on clearance and what should I find but four bottles of tonight's wine for just $10.97 each!  Needless to say, I bought all four that were left and tonight I am enjoying the first bottle of 2020 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I reviewed the 2008 vintage here on a Cellar Saturday, highlighting the aging potential of this wine.  Let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center, bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is chock full of juicy, ripe fruit, blackberries, cherry and plum, with undertones of eucalyptus and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that gives way to some more nuanced notes of blackberry and currant, before transitioning to some earthy notes of leather, dark chocolate and espresso midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a smooth dry finish that will leave you reaching for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a lovely example of a big Napa Cabernet that would be well worth it, even if it wasn't a spectacular bargain!  This wine would pair well with many hearty winter dishes, from beef stew and braised lamb shank, Bolognese pasta or Yankee pot roast.  But who are we kidding, this wine practically begs to be paired with steak, and tonight I am enjoying it with a rare grilled thick ribeye along with oven roasted sweet potatoes and cauliflower.  Cheers!

2015 Titan Spring Valley District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It has been a weekend full of leaf blowing, raking and carrying, but it's almost over and over the past month, I've managed to carry about 6 metric tonnes of leaves to the front of my house in anticipation of the city coming to collect them next week!  Needless to say, I am pretty exhausted and ready for a nice bottle of wine with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Titan Spring Valley District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out about six months ago.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents an intriguing set of aromas, plum, eucalyptus, black cherry and notes of violet, that beckon you to take a sip.  That first sip is a rush of old world Cabernet flavors, black cherry and blueberry, intermingled with aged leather and rustic spice box which transition easily to some notes of white pepper spice and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well structured, providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to punch much higher than its weight class as a $30 wine.  This would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs and hearty pasta, to rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a hearty Sunday dinner of rare grilled porterhouse with grilled asparagus and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2022 Post & Beam Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend of volunteering and leaf blowing, and I am very tired now, and surely ready for a nice bottle of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that I bought on sale at my local wine shop yesterday, as it reminded me of my old boss who liked Far Niente wines (he was a bit of a Napa wine guru) and when I saw the 2022 Post & Beam Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon I had to buy a couple bottles to try it.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (6%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Cabernet Franc (1%), so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine seems a bit lighter in body than your typical over-muscular Napa Cabernet, which is a potentially good sign.  The nose reveals aromas of blackberry and cassis, with undertones of vanilla and a bit of earthy green grass.  The first sip is a rush of bold black fruit with just a hint of sweetness, blackberry, cherry and plum, that transition to some notes of mocha and cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are supple, but well structured, supporting a lengthy, smooth dry finish that exhibits more complexity than many big Napa Cabernets.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasing wine to sip, but would also pair with a broad range of dishes.  On sale for $38, this wine was also a reasonable value.  This one would pair well with the Napa classics of big grilled steaks, lamb and duck breast, but would also feel right at home with a classic risotto, crispy skin salmon or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare pan seared New York strip, topped with rosemary and flaky salt, with bacon maple Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.  Cheers! 

2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot-Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  The weekend is almost over, and this weekend time seems to have been going by faster than usual, so here we are with a bottle of wine and Sunday dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that was recently delivered from Woodward Canyon, the 2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot-Cabernet Franc is a blend of Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%) that was the result of a collaboration between vineyard manager and second-generation owner, Sager Small and winemaker, Kevin Mott to commemorate the birth of Sager's daughter just before the 2020 harvest.  The wine was aged for 20 months in 100% neutral barrels, in an effort to highlight the character of each varietal.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the heavy weighting of Merlot in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry and currant, intermingled with some dusty gravel and a hint of anise.  The first sip leaves your palate awash in ripe black fruit, plum, currant and blackberry that subside in some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are plump and well structured, giving credit to the impact of the Merlot in the blend, providing for wonderfully smooth dry finish, with a reprise of current at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an interesting and pleasant drinking blend.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from traditional steaks and chops, to braised short ribs or rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am taking a different approach as I tried my hand at Indian butter chicken, though I couldn't resist adding a bunch of vegetables as well, served over basmati rice with a bit of naan on the side.  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!

2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's been a busy day, from running to the farmers market to having lunch with two cousins who flew in from Chicago, to blowing leaves and mowing the lawn, I am about ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of Washington wine that I recently purchased at Costco, the 2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  As I recall, the last time I visited Walla Walla, Browne Family Vineyards had just opened a tasting room in the same building that Rotie Cellars was located (or maybe next door, my memory isn't what it used to be!).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky indigo at the center, with garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Cabernet.  A little swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, graphite, oak and cassis reminiscent of an Ivy League library.  The first sip is a velvety rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that coat your palate, before transitioning to some pipe tobacco and violet notes midpalate.  The tannins are big but well behaved, providing for a wonderfully dry finish with a bit of bitter herbs at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking Cabernet, but I admit I am not as much of a fan of the bitter end notes.  This wine was also a good value, as I found it at Costco for just $25.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to grilled steak, rack of lamb to hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime filet mignon with a big baked potato and some oven roasted broccolini and shishito peppers.  Cheers!

2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine

Happy Independence Day!  I am always happy for the 4th of July, the heat of summer and all the outdoor cooking and eating, it's just an all around pleasant time of year!  We had a lot of rain today, which may have impacted the parade and early fireworks, but it cooled things down enough for a great cookout and a good excuse to open up a nice red wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine!  Some of you more astute fans may recognize this branding as it was what Bledsoe used for the family Cabernet Sauvignon from 2015-17, but then it became the Bledsoe Family Cabernet, so let's see what this throwback blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, reminiscent of the old Cabernet, though we are uncertain of this current blend!  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, green grass, tart cherry and lavender that hearken back to the old wine, but there is something just a bit different.  The first sip is a rush of rich, black fruit, plum, currant, cherry and blackberry that thickly coat your mouth before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes and eucalyptus midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing a solid base for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's not quite to the level of the old Flying B Cabernet, but it's a very interesting and lovely red wine to enjoy with food or sipping on the patio with family and friends.  Speaking of food, this wine would pair well with steaks and chops, but it won't stop there, as it would be great with grilled vegetables, hearty pasta or spicy fajitas.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my 4th of July dinner of grilled picanha with fire roasted poblanos and smoked black beans, corn and rice.  Cheers!

2022 Stolen Horse Syrah

Happy Memorial Day!  It's been a busy long weekend of planting flowers at the cemetery and then planting even more flowers by my house, and with rain much of the weekend, I'm pretty tuckered out by now!  So, I've decided to open a bottle of one of my favorite wines from my recent wine club shipment, the 2022 Stolen Horse Syrah from Bledsoe Family Winery.  This wine is a classic Syrah (98%) co-fermented with Viognier (2%) sourced from the Loess, Flying B Estate and LeFore Estate Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is starting out!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with a bit of brooding purple at the center, just as you'd expect.  The nose presents aromas of lavender, black cherry and plum intermingled with a bit of ripe olive and tobacco notes.  The first sip is rush of ripe, sweet cherry that evolves into some earthy notes of peat and minerality before an explosion of peppery spice near the finish.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Syrah, that would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from holiday burgers and brats, to pasta or braised lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic holiday barbecue of baby back ribs, hot honey baked beans and sriracha slaw.  The wine has all the structure to stand up to such a sweet and spicy meal, cheers!

2022 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carménère

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful day, though I admit mine was a bit subdued, with yard work and chores around the house followed by a bike ride, so now I'm ready for dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of one of my favorite lost varietals from one of my favorite Walla Walla winemakers.  The 2022 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carménère is a 100% Carménère from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, that was only available to wine club members, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of sweet blackberry, leather and fresh herbs.  Take a sip and experience a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum with a bit of acidity that easily transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and pipe tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, making for a mellow finish that while dry, is not in your face about it.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a consistent favorite for a food friendly varietal.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from barbecue to tacos, steaks to pizza.  Tonight, I am enjoy this wine with some hatch chile barbecued chicken, pan roasted baby potatoes with onions, peppers and mushrooms, and some fresh broccoli slaw.  Cheers!

2018 Château Le Conte Marquey Puisseguin St-Émilion

Happy Sunday!  Tonight I am embarking on a new adventure for 2024, this time on the Food side of this blog.  Last year I bought an interesting cookbook, called "Dinner in the Diner" which is a compilation of 300 recipes from the dining cars of famous railroads and trains of the 20th century.  For this year, I am devoting the last Sunday of each month to exploring the recipes in the book and pairing them with a nice wine.  Tonight, the wine is a 2018 Château Le Conte Marquey Puisseguin St-Émilion that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (95%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) from an appellation located to the northeast of the village of Saint-Emilion.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with bright color on the edges, just as you might expect from a heavy Merlot blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, leather and a bit of tawny port, amid undertones of violet and forest floor.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit, with woody undertones, blackberry, plum and cedar with hints of peppery spice as the tannins seem to sing in harmony with the earthy flavors.  With the well-structured tannins, the wine ends with a lovely dry finish that lingers on the palate with just a subtle reprise of Bordeaux funk.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is an easy drinking and well structured wine that's also a terrific value, as this wine was part of the WTSO case sale at just $12.49 a bottle!  This wine would pair well with wonderfully rich French dishes, or beautifully sauced dishes, from Italian to Moroccan to Thai.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a Curry chicken recipe from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, a dish which may have been served on such classic trains as the Capitol Limited, along with some steamed rice and oven roasted carrots.  The recipe is reprinted below.  Cheers!

2015 Cinco Reserva Red Blend

Happy Saturday!  Yesterday I stopped at my local wine store and went into the "back room" where they have all the better and more expensive wines and I found the wine I've opened tonight.  The odd thing was that this wine was only $12.97, so I'm not even sure why it was in the pricy wine room.  In any case, I was intrigues by this wine, "Cinco" as it's a blend of five different varietals from Chile: Carmenere (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (7%) and Carignan (5%).  So. let's see how this Cinco blend is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the impact of the Cabernet on the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and cherry with hints of peppery spice undertones.  The first sip is a rush of ripe plum, cherry and blackberry that transitions easily to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a velvety smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a wonderfully easy drinking red that could be an everyday wine at this price.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and lamb to barbecue or tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some mustard barbecued chicken thighs, oven roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I so love the Season that the joy is overflowing!  I hope that all of you and your families are enjoying a time together enjoying each other's company and realizing the true nature of this season as we think on the birth of Jesus as the savior we all need.  I confess that as much as I've tried to have traditions for this time of year, none of them have taken root, so what you see is what you get!  Tonight, as I make a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars, the 2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (92%) and Petit Verdor (8%) from the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a Washington Cabernet.   A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of warm blackberry, plum, baking spice amid hints of oak in the background.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of cool ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to some earthy mineral notes midpalate, before easing into some white pepper notes heading into the finish.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Dionysus Cabernet is a perennial favorite of mine.  This wine is ideal for the winter months, as the hearty structure and ripe fruit make it perfect for the hearty dishes we all enjoy this time of year.  This wine would pair well with steak, lamb, hearty pasta dishes or rustic risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared center cut prime ribeye, haricots verts almondine and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2019 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  I was in full holiday mode today, watching Christmas movies while writing out cards and wrapping presents, and now it's time to wind down with a little dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of  2019 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  I know some of the best Syrah I've tasted came from XL, so hopefully it does as well with Cabernet Franc!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, dark at the center, just as you'd expect. A gentle swirl reveals aromas of Italian herbs, with some spicy pepper and a hint of oregano amid rich notes of ripe black plum.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of black fruit, plum, raspberry and cherry, with an undertone of tawny port, that easily transition to some mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a velvety mouthfeel as you ease into the long, smooth dry finish with a bit of mocha at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better examples of a pure Cabernet Franc that I've tastes.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from steak to lamb, hearty pasta to shepherds pie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a taste of the Pacific Northwest, as my local market had fresh sockeye salmon on sale, so I've enjoying this wine with a pan seared sockeye filet along with some linguine sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with asparagus and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!