2015 Force Majeure Parvata

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that glorious time when I raid the cellar for something 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 earlier this year from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2015 Force Majeure Parvata is a Southern Rhone-style blend of Mourvèdre (46%), Syrah (34%) and Grenache (20%) from the Force Majeure Estate Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see if this wine is singing or if it's past its prime as some reviewers projected shortly after release.

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd like to see from such a blend.  The nose presents its own adventure with aromas of leather, blackberries and currant that jump to some smoked meat and dried herbs, then back to dark chocolate and hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is wildly decadent, with a rich velvety mouthfeel and flavors of ripe blackberry and plum up front, before an easing into some smoked duck and peppery spice, ahead of some earthy basalt at the finish.  The tannins are still right there, thick and chewy and playing their essential role in the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for what seems like ten minutes.

The experts were clearly wrong, as this wine is still singing well past their drinking window into 2023, and I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's one of the best Southern Rhone-style blends I've had from Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of soft cheese, rack of lamb or classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms along with a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  For most, you are enjoying a long holiday weekend, but now that I am teaching, I don't get many of the traditional holidays, so for me, this is just a routine Sunday dinner.  But at least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the 2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon!  I have reviewed many vintages (not always in the correct time sequence), going all the way back to the 2010 Vintage.  The current vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine has a classic Cabernet look, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges. The nose presents aromas of green grass, black currant and blackberry, with hints of floral undertones.  The first sip is classic Washington Cabernet, with a rush of black fruit, overtaken by earthy basalt and oak, that eases into some dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a very smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking very nicely now, but is sure to evolve meaningfully over the coming decade.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, as well as hard cheeses, but it seems like this would feel most at home with a big honkin' steak.  Well, as luck would have it, tonight I am enjoying this wine with perhaps the biggest tomahawk steak I've ever grilled (and don't worry, this will likely be my dinner for the entire week!), with the last of the hatch chilies I just roasted.  Cheers!

2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday! It was a great first week of classes, have I mentioned that I am now a teaching professor of finance?  In any case it was a good week, and now I am spending the weekend preparing for next week, but in the interim I can enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  You had me at Stag's Leap Costco!  So, let's see how this (likely too young) wine is tasting!

The wine has the look of a classic big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby all around.  The nose presents aromas of leather, Bing cherry, hints of white pepper and just a bit of dried herbs.  The first sip is an intriguing combination of green grass up front that transitions to some ripe cherry and blackberry and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it would have rated higher, but it's still quite young and has a bit of sharpness along the edges (if they release this a year later, this wine would be really singing!).  This wine would of course pair well with steak, but also with barbecue, braised lamb shank, or even a variety of pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest dinner of pan seared New York strip, over sautéed red onions and mushrooms with some corn on the cob (I am reliably told there is more than corn in Indiana).  I will likely enjoy the rest of this wine beside the fire this evening, cheers!  

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!

2020 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  I have been working on my annual sauce production today, combining 25 pounds of tomatoes, freshly roasted garlic, pancetta, basil, wine and olive oil to make a festive Italian treat for my friends and neighbors.  And as that is simmering, I have time for a glass of wine and dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Helix Petit Verdot, a highlight of a normal blending varietal for Bordeaux, so let's see how this wine is shaping up! 

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, almost having the look of a Cabernet, but just a bit lighter.  The nose presents aromas of leather, lilac and blackberry, with just a hint of anise over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry, blackberry, cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy loam midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of a single varietal that normally takes a back seat in a blend.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, but would also fare well with burgers, steaks and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone, with roasted hatch chilies, and some fresh corn on the cob that was just picked yesterday!  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch

It was another very hot and humid Sunday, so I decided to go see a friend of mine perform in a play and stay in the air conditioning for most of the day.  Now it's time to brave the heat and grill dinner, which means it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch, which I was surprised was the first vintage I've reviewed since the 2015 vintage!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the impact of Cabernet in the blend.  The nose is a a surprisingly floral affair, with aromas of violet and rose, intermingled with notes of must and blackberry, for what would portend to be a very earthy affaire.  The first sip is an unexpected rush of tart cherry and blueberry that transitions to some earthy mushroom notes midpalate.  The tannins are well balanced, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of oak at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's very pleasant drinking, but not a terrific value for the price.  This wine would pair well with steak, grilled lamb or barbecued beef ribs, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a trio of my summer favorites, a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with grilled hatch chilies and fresh local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2021 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Today it's been very hot and humid, and although this morning I spent a few hours helping friends clear out a house, the rest of the day has been spend huddling in the air conditioning!  At least inside, I can open up a nice bottle of wine to enjoy. Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a favorite Napa Valley producer, the 2021 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.   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 a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, ripe cherry and green herbs with some mineral undertones.  The first sip is a delight, a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that wash over your palate before retreating and allowing the earthy mineral and warm spice notes present themselves midpalate.  The tannins are firm but yielding, ideal for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a delightful Napa Valley Cabernet that tends to be much more affordable than the bigger names out there.  This wine would pair well with a variety of bold dishes, but as always it would be best with a nice big steak.  Well, we're in luck as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a nice big T-bone grilled rare along with some grilled hatch chilis, the first of the season that I picked up at my local market this morning!  Cheers!

2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to open a bottle of something that's been at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's only been in my cellar for a month or so, as I purchased this bottle at a wine store in Hillsdale, Michigan on a recent steam train excursion.  The 2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc does not list a specific blend, but given the requirements of this appellation on the left bank of the Gironde, I would guess this is weighted toward Cabernet Sauvignon, along with some Merlot, Petit Verdot, and perhaps a bit of Malbec.  Let's see how this wine is tasting. 

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, a testament to this classic Bordeaux blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry, and hints of lilac, a very refined and rich bouquet.  The first sip is just classis Bordeaux, with a rush of blackberry, currant and fig that eases into the classic Bordeaux funk, earthy peat and white pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is supported by soft tannins, providing the classic smooth dry finish that doesn't linger, but makes itself hardly noticeable.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid examples of one of my favorite Bordeaux wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to braised short ribs, grilled lamb to classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye along with some grilled portabella mushrooms and linguine tossed with sautéed garlic scapes and broccoli rabe and topped with parmesan.  Cheers!

2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been another inordinately hot weekend, with highs in the mid- to upper-80s with high humidity, so working out in the yard today was just exhausting as I think I must have sweat through a gallon of water.  Now, I am tired and sore and ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco a few months back, the 2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a classic Columbia Valley Cabernet with fruit sourced from the Browne Estate Vineyard (30%), Shaw (25%), Quintessence (17%), Red Mountain Vineyard (9%),  Blackwood Canyon (9%), Pepper Bridge (5%), and Aqualini (5%).  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic look for a Columbia Valley Cabernet.  The nose is a rush of leather and oak, with support from ripe blackberry, candied plum and hints of violet.  The first sip is a surprisingly fruit forward affaire, with blackberry, blueberry and plum that give way to a bit of tart cherry before heading to some toasted oak and earthy minerality midpalate.  The tannins are graceful yet firm, providing just the right foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above it's weight class (I think I bought this at Costco for around $20, but even the full retail price online is only $35).  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks and chops, roasted vegetables, cedar planked salmon or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with butter and rosemary, mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the month and time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from one of the earliest wine producers in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  The 2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Syrah is harvested from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the heart of Walla Walla.  So, let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, candied cherries and mild undertones of mint.  Take a sip and your palate is awash is ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum that transition to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone with an added measure of Bordeaux-esque funk midpalate.  The tannins are still very well structured, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's proven to be a great age-worthy Syrah that has stood up for 15 years and is drinking remarkably well.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from alder planked salmon to cold Thai noodle salad, grilled chicken kabobs to steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled Angus T-bone, with grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Château Lamothe Bordeaux

Happy Saturday!  It is hot as blazes here today, I did just a bit of yard work and could not stop sweating, so I decided to run errands and do my grocery shopping in air conditioned locations instead!  Granted it was only 95 today, but with the 70% humidity it was remarkably unpleasant, though not entirely unbearable.  In any case, now that the sun is low, it's time for dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a few months ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2022 Château Lamothe Bordeaux is a classic right bank Bordeaux with a heavy hand of Merlot (80%) accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Malbec (4%).  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, a testament to the Merlot influents.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of rich leather, earthy peat and oak with defined aromas of blackberry, currant and black olive.  The first sip is a rush of lovely black fruit, blackberry, plum and currant that ease into earthy notes of dusty limestone and olive tapenade midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide the ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that is classic Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches above its weight class, especially considering the price as this wine was a bargain at just $15!  This wine would pair well with a ranges of dishes, from hearty steaks and chops, to pasta or seared salmon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms and some grilled corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  After doing laundry and a bit of work, I had the chance to go out on my first bike ride of the summer, which was very nice.  And now that I've stopped sweating, I thought I'd open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a recent wine club selection from Seven Hills Winery, the 2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine comes from the original vineyard planted in the 1980s by Seven Hills Founder Casey McClellan and his father, making this a very special wine.  Let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, classic for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of candied plum, blackberries and vanilla bean intermingled with toasted oak and earthy basalt.  The first sip is a rush of warm black fruit that easily transitions to notes of vanilla caramel and hints of earthy minerals and oak midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a perennial favorite, but I just don't think the 2022 vintage has quite reached its prime yet.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to barbecue, fajitas to earthy mushroom risotto, or simply enjoying with friends on the patio.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus ribeye, grilled asparagus and broccoli rabe and some creamy orzo.  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!

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!

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!

2022 Accendo Cellars Laurea Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  It's been chilly and rainy all day here, so I did some laundry, had our first rehearsal of tech week, and now I'm ready for Sunday dinner.  As for the wine, tonight I opened a surprise bottle from Wines Till Sold Out, well I guess technically this was a "mystery pack" of deeply discounted, higher end wine.  The 2022 Accendo Cellars Laurea Napa Valley Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) and Petit Verdot (6%) from the Napa Valley, Yountville, Diamond Mountain  and St. Helena AVAs.  Since I love surprises, let's see how this surprising wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a quality Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents a cascade of ripe blueberry and blackberry intermingled with earthy leather, cedar and dusty loam, with just a hint of lavender.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit that eases into some earthy notes of leather and dusty mineral notes, before swinging back around to some backing spice and a reprise of blackberry.  The tannins are well structured, providing for an elegant, lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an overall, pleasing Cabernet that will stand the test of time.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from braised short ribs to hearty wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am taking a more traditional approach and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, seasoned with Cowboy crust along with some asparagus with hollandaise and parsley buttered red potatoes.  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!