2019 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  I did a lot of chores today, from laundry to mowing to transplanting some flowers and now I am ready for a nice Sunday dinner.  It's been a little chilly here lately, so I decided to opt for some warm, hearty Italian food for dinner tonight, which calls for a nice Tuscan style wine, and thus we have the 2019 Reininger Cima.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Merlot (25%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this pairs with dinner!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, a testament to the balance between the Sangiovese and the Bordeaux varietals.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, red currant with undertones of leather and charred oak.  The first sip is an intriguing rush of tart cherry and raspberry that ease into some earthy notes of minerals, oak and black tea midpalate.  The tannins are firm and well integrated, providing for a classic Super-Tuscan style long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, and although the quality is comparable to the many vintages I've tried (see my posts on the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages) I find this vintage to be a bit more interesting and complex than past vintages.  This wine would pair well with friends on the patio, hearty Italian dishes, or hard cheeses and charcuterie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a hearty bucatini with some hot Italian sausage and spicy arrabbiata sauce, a perfect Tuscan dinner on a chilly evening.  Cheers!

2010 Tiedmann Signature Series Napa Valley Red Wine

Well happy Saturday, and since this is the first Saturday of the month it's also Cellar Saturday, that magical day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that although it was harvested 14 years ago, has been in my cellar for less than two weeks!  The 2010 Tiedmann Signature Series Napa Valley Red Wine is a new one for me, as after doing some sleuthing on the web, I learned that this wine was made by or for a local resident who would source wines from Napa and either blend them himself or have them made and bottled.  Unfortunately, I also learned that this person passed away in 2022, but somehow I managed to find a few bottles of the 2010 vintage at my local wine store, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

Although a blend, this wine has the classic look of a Napa Valley Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and cassis, reminiscent of a university library.  The first sip is a wonderful blend of blueberry, blackberry and currant with undertones of sweetness that transition easily to some earthy notes of basalt and black tea midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a lengthy and very dry finish that lingers until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking blend from a local guy in Elkhart, Indiana with a passion for making great wine.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue and fajitas, to roast lamb or grilled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan seared prime filet topped with béarnaise and served with oven roasted purple potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well hello there!  It's been almost a week since we've talked, and now that work is getting back to a more normal pace, I am hopeful that I can enjoy some of the wines that have been stacking up around my house.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, the 2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (79%), Petit Verdot (7%), Malbec (7%), Syrah (5%), Carménère (1%) and Petite Syrah (1%) from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and currant, with undertones of spice box and vanilla bean.  The first sip and you're awash with wonderful black fruit that coats your palate before easing into some notes of dark chocolate, black tea and some dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide the foundation for a very Bordeaux-esque style dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very respectable Walla Walla Cabernet that's also a terrific value at just $35, before any wine club discounts.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty and rustic dishes, from braised short ribs to grilled lamb, but more than anything, this wine would cry out for a big, juicy steak.  Well, wouldn't you know it, my local market had ribeyes on sale, so tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms, corn on the cob and steamed brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan "Crazy Mary" Mourvèdre

Happy Sunday!  It was the first full day of leaf activity, with the blower, the vacuum and lots of tiring labor!  But, at least I've caught up for a week and am ready to enjoy Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2020 Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, which is a blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Syrah (22%) from the Ciel du Cheval and Red Willow Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, which is characteristic of the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass unlocks aromas of strawberry, red currant and hints of smoke and pipe tobacco.  Take a sip and you know you're in for a ride with crazy Mary in the driver's seat, a rush of strawberry and sweet red berry fruit up front veers into some spicy pepper notes before spinning right back to some earthy tar, tobacco and black tea notes before heading right off the cliff for some salty mineral notes on the finish.  The tannins are supple and unobtrusive, making a parting gift for the long, smooth dry finish that beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better vintages I've tried, with wonderfully intriguing characteristics that would be wonderful to enjoy with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from venison to roasted rack of lamb, hearty beef stew or braised short ribs, but tonight I am going the Pacific Northwest route and am enjoying this wine with salmon!  Specifically, I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of crispy skin black pearl Scottish salmon, steamed brown rice and some oven roasted baby carrots and beets.  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Well, the weekend is almost over, and we even lost an hour during the course of the 48, but at least being leap year we're still ahead by 23 hours for the year so far.  I got a few things done that were on my to do list today, but it seems no matter how hard I try that list never gets any smaller.  But at least there's wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers, the 2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (11%) and Petit Verdot (10%).  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from this blend.  The nose is a classic for a Bordeaux style blend with aromas of rich leather, cherry, blackberry and a hint of tobacco and black pepper.  The taste is a voluptuous affair with smooth dark fruit, intermingled with anise, black tea and a bit of dark chocolate all dancing in time.  The tannins are smooth and well structured, providing just the right backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it just ticks all the right boxes for a great red blend.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks to soups, tacos to pizze and pasta, or my favorite just for sipping on its own.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse along with some bacon roasted purple carrots and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Primitivo

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week and I finished work a bit early today, only to do more work in the yard to prepare for a cookout I'm hosting tomorrow.  It seems my labor never ends!  At least tonight as I am cooking some food ahead for tomorrow, I can enjoy a nice glass of wine and a decent dinner.  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Primitivo, from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a wonderful bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose is a cascade of black tea, dried herbs and notes of red berries overlaid with some earthy notes of leather and graphite.  The taste is a rush of ripe red berries, strawberry, raspberry, currant and cherry that subside to usher in some notes of cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with well structured tannins supporting a long, smooth and dry finish, that still features a mild reprise of red berry jam.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a very pleasant, easy drinking wine that I could easily sip on a summer evening like tonight!  This wine would pair very well with Italian pasta dishes, particularly with an spicy red sauce, but tonight I've taken a different route.  I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared halibut filet that I picked up yesterday at Costco, along with some farro with porcini mushrooms and oven roasted root vegetables.  Cheers!

2012 Orin Swift Abstract

Happy Saturday!  I spent much of my day at a Board meeting in Chicago, so of course that meant a quick stop at Eataly before heading home (more on that later on in this post!) and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I found in the cellar recently, I remember buying it but don't remember drinking it, hence I've opened it tonight, the 2012 Orin Swift Abstract.  This wine is a Rhone style blend of primarily Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah from Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties in California.  I find that Orin Swift produces some interesting blends, so let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine is a deep inky color at the center with bright ruby along the edges that reminds me more of a Cabernet than a Grenache heavy blend, no doubt a nod to the Petite Sirah in the blend.  The nose is chock full of blackberry, plum and some wonderful dried sage.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, plum and kirsch that transitions nicely to some notes of black tea and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well structured, providing for a lingering and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely blend that would resonate with anyone that appreciates the art of getting varietals to play well together.  It was also a very good value at just $30.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, barbecue or pasta, but tonight I've gone down south and am pairing this with a pan-seared, cajun spiced veal loin chop, some red beans and rice and steamed asparagus.  The wine is just a great combination with the spice and wonderful earthy flavor of the veal.  Cheers!

2014 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  The first Friday of the new year in fact!  Tonight I just returned from thy gym, so I'm ready for some relaxation, perhaps a glass of wine might be ideal!  Well tonight I have a good one, a bottle from my Fall wine club shipment from DaMa wines, the 2014 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Golden Ridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine will start my weekend!

The wine has the classic Cabernet look, with deep garnet and ruby colors.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather and sage over hints of mint and black tea, somewhat of a deviation from your traditional big, bold Cabernet.  The taste is a remarkable shift, with some lovely floral notes up front that transition to some wonderful black fruit notes of blackberry and plum, before hitting its stride with some earthy black olive notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a velvety smooth and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very interesting and pleasant Cabernet that just sings of the terroir of Walla Walla.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, salmon, or a hearty pasta dish.  Tonight I'm enjoying this one with a rare grilled prime sirloin, steamed broccoli and a big baked potato with butter, sour cream and scallions.  Of course, once dinner is over, I'll still be sipping this wine for the rest of the evening, it's such a treat.  Cheers!