2023 Reininger Syrah

Happy Sunday!  It was a bit cloudy today, so I didn't get much done in the yard, but at least I finished the laundry, so it wasn't a complete waste.  And now I am ready for a nice Sunday dinner, which of course means that I need to pick an appropriate wine.  Tonight, I've settled on a perennial favorite, but a new vintage with the 2023 Reininger Syrah.  This wine is a 100% Syrah harvested from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's have a taste, shall we?

The nose is a rush of roasted game and fruit, with aromas of cherry, blackberry and currant intermingled with dried herbs, leather and beefy notes, amid charred oak.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry, boysenberry and currant amid dried herbs, earthy peat and dusty limestone that transition easily to some notes of tawny port bank black olive notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of spice. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a consistent high-quality Syrah that pairs well with food.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer dishes, from summer salads to alder planked salmon, barbecued ribs to grilled brats.  Tonight, I am taking a classic approach and am enjoying this wine with a herb crusted rack of lamb over potato puree and steamed snow peas.  Cheers!

2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I spent the day running errands and now I am getting ready to head over to Notre Dame to do some volunteer work, rescuing food from the stadium.  But before I go, why not have a taste of the wine that I'll be enjoying by a fire when I get back?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought on Thursday when I stopped at Costco, the 2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine, which seemed a little premature, but I was intrigued by the painted label and the fact that this was a liter of wine rather than the standard 750 ml.  So, let's see how this new wine is tasting!

'The wine is a lighter body, with a clear ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, candied plum, and hints of violet, perhaps indicating this might be a bit more sweet and fruit forward.  The taste is nothing that my nose expected, with a rush of tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transition to some notes of earthy tar and some tobacco notes midpalate.  The finish is quite dry, with well integrated tannins providing for a pleasant dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it was not impressive, but it was a pleasant drinking wine for $15 per liter.  This wine would pair well with a range of cheeses and charcuterie, burgers and brats, or just sipping around a fire with friends.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms, with steamed Italian pole beans.  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!

2020 Forgeron Sagemoor Vineyard Barbera

Well, it's Taco Tuesday, and I thought a nice Barbera would be a good wine for this evening.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Forgeron Barbera, a 100% Barbera sourced from the Sagemoor Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  I have enjoyed Forgeron's Barbera for a long time, from the 2008 Vintage all the way to the 2021 vintage though to be fair, although I went out of order (not the first time) the '21 vintage was not sourced solely from a single vineyard.  Let's see how this wine is tasting nearly five years on!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, the perfect weight for the varietal.  The nose presents a lovely homage with the wines of northern Italy, with aromas of leather, ripe cherry, pipe tobacco and dried herbs.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly gives way to some boysenberry and some bright acidity before transitioning to some earthy notes of toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are supple and subservient to the acidity on this rather abrupt but very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking, food friendly wine that is comfortable in a supporting role.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pasta dishes, summer barbecue, tacos or steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with may classic Taco Tuesday dinner, with chorizo and steak tacos and all the toppings, especially some fresh jalapenos.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Pentad

Happy Saturday!  It's been a somewhat relaxing day today, finishing up a few chores and errands before settling in for dinner before the theatre tonight.  For this post, I've opened up a bottle of 2021 Seven Hills Pentad, a classic Bordeaux style blend of five grape varietals (hence "Pentad") from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (19%), Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (9%) and Cabernet Franc (8%), so let's see how this previous vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with an inky center, a testament to the heavy hand of Cabernet Sauvignon on the blend.  The nose presents welcoming aromas of leather, cedar and ripe blackberry amid undertones of baking spice.  The first sip is a marked departure from the Cabernet heavy expectations, as you are awash in mellow notes of boysenberry and plum, before the heavy hand of Cabernet makes its presence known with a rush of acidity, leather and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are up front but well structured, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it represents the best of Walla Walla when it comes to blending Bordeaux varietals, and although I think it's drinking well now, it will likely improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with hearty meals, pasta, beef stew, braised short ribs or lamb rack, and of course steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a cowboy crusted ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, oven roasted potatoes and steamed sugar snaps.  Cheers!

2018 Gramercy Cellars Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Saturday!  I started the day running all sorts of errands, then I got home and worked all afternoon, so now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine. Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, who occasionally sources some outstanding Washington wines, and tonight's is no exception.  The 2018 Gramercy Cellars Walla Walla Syrah is a blend of Syrah from three different vineyards, Les Collines, which is a perennial strong source of Syrah, their own estate vineyard, Forgotten Hills and Holy Roller Vineyard, from the Rocks District, which has its own identity in the world of Syrah.  As a fan of Syrah, I can't wait to see how this wine has developed!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a more medium body.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of boysenberry, lavender and a good bit of forest floor, revealing the earthy character of Walla Walla Syrah.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that backs off to reveal some blackberry and boysenberry fruit, easing into some umami and dusty limestone and black pepper spice midpalate that is classic for Rocks District Syrah.  The tannins are voluptuous, providing for a velvety, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a shining example of the Walla Walla terroir and its impact on producing great Syrah.  This wine was also a terrific value at just $25, one you could sip on the weeknights, or enjoy with friends at a nice dinner party.  Speaking of which, this wine would pair well with a range of dished, from rack of lamb and risotto, to classic salmon and steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared, crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon filet, mushroom pasta and oven roasted broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a very busy few weeks for me, with work, the theatre and just trying to keep up with household chores, I haven't had much time to post!  Yesterday I finally picked up my lawnmower from being repaired and today I got to mow for the first time this year as well as digging up a 5-gallon bucket of dandelions!  And now it's time to relax with a glass of wine and a nice dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with deep ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a pure Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, leather, oak and a hint of marionberry, with undertones of vanilla and tobacco.  The first sip takes your breath away with a lush expression of ripe black fruit, boysenberry, cherry and currant, with a gravelly underbelly.  The tannins are perfectly structured providing for a velvety mouthfeel and a classically smooth dry finish with just a hint of mint at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wine that would pair well with some of the biggest of dishes but keeps it's composure just sipping on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with big steaks, rack of lamb or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Asian barbecued ribeye served with grilled leeks, oven roasted fingerling potatoes and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Well, after a long holiday weekend of planting flowers, cleaning off the patio furniture and grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for a dozen guests, it's nice to be back to normal.  It's funny how holidays tend to be so much more work than actual working!  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers.  The 2020 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah is a 100% Syrah sourced from the Pepper Bridge (69%) and Seven Hills (31%) vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, reddish purple in the glass, with bright ruby at the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  After some time to breathe, the nose presents a lovely cascade of aromas ranging from ripe blackberry, plum and kirsch, intermingled with leather and lilac amid undertones of earthy loam and meat.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in fruit, boysenberry, black raspberry and lingonberry that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are expertly integrated to support the velvety smooth, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a fabulous example of the lovely Syrah being produced in the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer dishes, from grilled pork tenderloin to barbecued ribs, steaks to caprese salad.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal loin chop with herbs de Provence along with Portobello mushroom farro and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Syrah

Happy Sunday!  As you know, I've been cast in a local production of "Murder on the Orient Express" and we just finished our first weekend of performances, which is why I've been so slack in my posts. But since today was a matinee, I've had a chance to come home to cook a nice Sunday dinner and open a nice bottle of wine.  Today, I've opened a bottle of 2019 Reininger Syrah, which was a wine club shipment from a few months back.  This wine is a 100% Syrah sourced from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry, boysenberry and plum, along with notes of toasted oak and blackened spice.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a rush or tart cherry at the outset, which transitions to some floral notes and a bit of charred meat midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate with notes of peppery spice and a hint of smoke. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an incredibly easy-drinking Syrah that could be enjoyed with a variety of dishes, or simply sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from hearty pastas and risotto, to a rare charbroiled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a more Rhone-esque dinner of an herb crusted rack of lamb with Yukon gold potato puree and some maple bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2016 Lasorda Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I've spent the afternoon wrapping presents and getting ready for my first neighborhood Christmas party this evening.  But first I need to cook dinner and enjoy a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I bought a couple years ago at a local wine shop, the 2016 Lasorda Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of prune, boysenberry and toasted oak, with just a hint of mint underneath.  Take a sip and you're blasted with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and cassis that transitions nicely to some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are refined, providing the base for a very long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking everyday Cabernet that would pair well with a variety of big beef dishes, from steaks to prime rib to braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Kansas City strip along with some bacon roasted white asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2019 Forgeron Barbera

 Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I spent a good part of the afternoon getting everything ready for summer, including setting up the patio dining area, putting out the wine drinking chairs on the front porch and setting up the new fire pit on the patio.  Needless to say, with the beautiful weather today, I think I might inaugurate my patio dining for the summer!  So, with all the dining, I've decided to open a recent wine club wine from Forgeron Cellars, the 2019 Forgeron Barbera from the Sagemoor Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of cocoa, tart cherry and ripe black fruit with some earthy undertones.  Take a sip and you're first greeted with some ripe sweet cherry that transitions to some blackberry and boysenberry before easing into some earthy notes of basalt and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tightly wound, but still provide a solid base for a wonderfully long, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a nice example of the varietal, offering a very easy going and food friendly wine.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of summer patio fare, from burgers and ribs to steaks or brats.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some classic beer brats along with sriracha slaw and some fresh corn on the cob!  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Zinfandel

Happy Saturday!  I apologize for the lack of posting last week as I had to be in Charlotte for work, so I     had no time for blogging (though I did have time for a few instagram posts).  So I'm back at it today, and just in time for summer to arrive.  After the arctic blast that had our lows at freezing or below over the past few weeks, this week we reached the upper 80s and I have been sweating nonstop for the past two days!  But at least with the heat it seems that it's finally time to barbecue, and what's better with barbecue than Zinfandel?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Forgeron Zinfandel, which is a pure varietal from the Alter Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  Let's see if this one is rib ready!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Zinfandel.  A swirl of the glass and you slowly inhale to reveal aromas of boysenberry, raspberry and leather with undertones of dark chocolate.  Raise the glass and take a sip to have a rush of candied plum and cherries wash over your palate before easing into some earthy mineral notes and a touch of graphite at the finish.  The tannins are well structured providing for an added textural component to the long, smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the nicest Zinfandels I've had in quite some time.  This wine would pair exceptionally well with barbecue, from ribs and chicken to pulled pork and brisket, this one would do well.  Tonight I am taking a bit of a detour from our traditional rich midwest barbecue and enjoying this wine with some smoked baby back ribs finished with some South Carolina mustard barbecue sauce, along with some coleslaw and baked beans.  Memorial Day is next weekend, but I couldn't resist starting a week early!

2015 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot

Ahh, what a pleasant Sunday spent relaxing and slow cooking, all in preparation for a classic comfort food Sunday dinner.  And of course we'll need some wine to go with that, so I've opened up a bottle of Washington Merlot, so I could satisfy my Merlot Challenge early this month!  The 2015 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot is produced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard, from one of the hottest vintages on record (I was visiting Walla Walla in August 2015, and I recall the harvest was in full swing by the time I left!).  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, classic for a 100% Merlot.  The nose is a real treat, with layers of sweet ripe fruit, cherry, strawberry and plum, with just a hint of prune.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry up front that transitions to some earthy notes of grass and cedar midpalate, with just a hint of mint and dark chocolate on the finish.  The tannins are velvety smooth, with bright acidity providing for a wonderfully smooth and dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as Helix Merlot is a perennial favorite for the varietal and this is a wonderful vintage.  This wine would pair well with a variety of casual, weeknight dinners, from steaks to pizza, tacos to barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a slow roasted barbecued pork shoulder, scalloped potatoes, green beans and cornbread.  Cheers!

2011 Fattoria di Travalda Santa Lucia Toscana

Happy Saturday!  I've been relaxing a bit today, visiting with some friends and doing a bit of reading, so nothing too strenuous.  And now it's time for a bit of wine with my dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, and a future office wine club selection, the 2011 Fattoria di Travalda Santa Lucia Toscana, a super Tuscan that's has more similarity with a Bordeaux than a traditional wine from Tuscany.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Merlot (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%), so let's see how good the Italians are at making French wine!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a Cabernet heavy blend.  The nose is wonderfully Bordeau-esque blend of aromas, leather, smoke, anise, dried herbs and a hint of mint over the top.  The taste is a rush of cool, black fruit, black cherry, boysenberry and plum, that transition to some mineral notes along with black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but provide for an exceptionally long, dry finish, with a reprise of anise at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just about reaching its peak potential now, and it was a great value at just $15!  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Mediterranean dishes, steaks, wild game or nice earthy mushroom dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some wild Alaskan pollack filets seasoned with herbs de Provence along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and some farro.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Malbec

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It's been a long week and I'm definitely in need of a weekend.  So to start things off right I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 Reininger Malbec, a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.  So let's dive right in, the weekend is wasting away!

The wine is a deep, inky purple color in the glass with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  The nose is a wonderful, warm cascade of ripe fruit intermingled with earthy notes of leather and cedar.  The taste is classic Malbec, with a rush of black fruit, blackberry, boysenberry and currant that envelops the palate befoer giving way to hints of mint, cedar and black pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is delightful, with the fine grain tannins providing for a soft and supple finish that is dry but not nearly as sharp as I've found on many Argentine interpretations of the varietal.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really wonderful example of a Malbec with somewhat of a softer side.  This wine would pair very well with grilled steaks and chops, a smoked beef brisket, or barbecued beef ribs, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with pacific northwest steak, or a coho salmon steak as they call it here!  The salmon steak is served with a molasses bacon glaze along with some steamed wax beans and wild rice.  Cheers!

2015 Buty Conner Lee Vineyard Merlot-Cabernet Franc

Happy Monday!  I came home today to find my garage door not working, and then realized that it wasn't working because the power was out all over the neighborhood.  So, I did what anyone would do, yard work!  As I finished mowing, the power was restored and you all got to have this wonderful wine blog post.  Tonight I've opened up a bottle of a future wine club selection, the 2015 Buty Winery Conner Lee Vineyard Merlot-Cabernet Franc. This is my first wine from Buty, and this one is a classic Columbia Valley Bordeaux style blend of Merlot (67%) and Cabernet Franc (33%).  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you'd expect from Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  The nose is a wonderfully earthy combination of dusty limestone, leather, musk and candied cherries that has a distinctly Tuscan sort of vibe.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and boysenberry that completely envelops the palate before transitioning to some notes of white pepper spice and a hint of lavender.  The silky tannins are well integrated for a wonderfully complex, long dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderful example of some of the great blending in the Columbia Valley.  This wine would be great paired with a big steak, but it would also sing with some pizza or barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some braised beef short ribs, mashed potatoes and some bacon roasted broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2015 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Friday!  It's been a long week and I am surely ready for the weekend, and what better way to kick it off than with a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that came in a recent shipment, the 2015 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot, a blend of Merlot (96%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and XL Vineyards.  I was in Walla Walla in August 2015, just as harvest was starting - one of the earliest harvests on record, so it's nice to finally taste the product I saw being harvested a little over three years ago.  Let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a nice Merlot.  The nose presents wonderful aromas of ripe dark fruit intermingled with leather, oak and a touch of floral undertones.  The taste is a rush of fruit, to say this is fruit forward is an understatement as notes of black plum, boysenberry and cassis envelop your palate before transitioning gracefully to flavors of cocoa powder and sandalwood midpalate.  The round tannins and bright acidity make for a vibrant foundation for a long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this is a perennial favorite Merlot, and this vintage is a bright one.  This wine would be perfect with a big grilled steak, pasta, pizza or nearly anything grilled, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple dinner of linguine tossed with some broccoli rabe sauteed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2013 D'Angelo Sacravite Rosso Basilicata

Happy Friday!  It's been a bitterly cold week and I am ready for the springlike temperatures in the 30s projected for this weekend!  We were smack in the middle of the Polar Vortex this week, with highs below zero for much of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, reaching a new record low of -22, so today it seemed almost balmy getting up near 20 degrees!  And with such a heat wave, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine, and tonight it's the wine for the February wine club selection, the 2013 D'Angelo Sacravite Rosso Basilicata, a 100% Aglianico from the Basilicata region of Southern Italy.  I've had a variety of experiences with Aglianico, from lighter floral wines to heartier, earthier wines, so let's see where this one lies.

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of ripe black fruit, plum, cherry and boysenberry with undertones of lavender and rose.  The taste is wonderfully approachable, with a rush of ripe berry that just screams Italian, before settling into some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are robust but well integrated, giving wonderful structure to the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very easy going and food friendly red wine and a terrific value at just $10.  This wine would pair well with a broad array of dishes, from steaks and barbecued ribs, to pasta and pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Friday night dinner of steak and tots, with a rare grilled prime New York strip over a bed of grilled leeks and some classic tater tots.  Cheers!

2015 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Tuesday!  It's been a busy week for me so far and it's not even hump day yet, so here's hoping a nice glass of wine will help smooth things out.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of my most recent wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2015 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah!  I am a big fan of Chuck Reininger's wines, as his creativity and blending talent really highlight the great quality of wines from the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass.  The nose is a cascade of earthy aromas, leather, peat, intermingled with floral notes of lavender and a hint of lilac, with undertones of ripe black fruit.  The taste is a wild rush of intensity, with rich blueberry, boysenberry and currant that transitions almost imperceptibly to flavors of olive, dusty limestone and cassis midpalate, before being treated to a hint of white pepper on the cusp of the finish.  The tannins are silky smooth and provide the ideal backdrop for the long, and exquisitely dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the most pleasing Syrah's I've ever enjoyed.  This wine would pair well with a wide variety of dishes for fall, from braised beef to stew and chili, to wonderful Mediterranean dishes.  But tonight I'm going off script and enjoying this wine with some pan seared sea scallops on a bed of escarole along with some rice and steamed broccoli.  The rich fruit and wonderfully earthy notes of this wine are perfect to counter the richness from the sea.  Cheers!

Fruit Hills Winery Cabernet Franc

Happy Tuesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of local wine!  Local wine, you say?  But you live in Indiana?  Absolutely right, and I freely admit that I'm not a big fan of much of the red wine that's produced in Northern Indiana or Michigan, but I actually tasted this wine a couple years ago at a local art show and I liked it, so I bought a bottle.  So, I thought what the heck, Tuesdays are slow, so let's enjoy a bottle of non-vintage Fruit Hills Winery Cabernet Franc!  Fruit Hills Winery is a nice little winery in Bristol, Indiana, that's on an orchard that's been around since the 1850s and it's a pleasant place to stop by on your next visit to Amish country!  But what about the wine?  Here goes nothing!

The wine is somewhat lighter in color than many examples of Cabernet Franc, as this one looks more like a Pinot Noir.  The nose gives the impression of a wine produced in a much more sophisticated wine region, rich leather and smoke over ripe fruit notes of blackberry and plum.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit up front, tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transitions to some modest notes of Kirsch and limestone mineral midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but provide some bright acidity for the smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, as this is a local dry red wine that I enjoy and would have no qualms serving to guests.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks to barbecue to chili, but tonight is Taco Tuesday, so I am enjoying this one with some chipotle rubbed sockeye tacos with a fresh red cabbage and cilantro slaw.  The acidity of the wine is a perfect foil to the richness of the salmon, cheers!