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!

2017 Reininger Tahoma

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday, so let's make this a little special.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla winemakers, the 2017 Reininger Tahoma.  This wine is not a regular production wine, but the most recent vintage (I reviewed the 2012 vintage here and I have a bottle or two of the 2015 vintage in the cellar, but chose to go out of order!).  Tahoma is a Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Merlot (25%) from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this latest vintage is tasting!

The color is deeper than a Sangiovese but lighter than a Cabernet, a perfect cross for the blend.  The nose is a welcoming combination of leather, candied cherry, and dried floral notes, that will have you picturing a grocer in Little Italy.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry, that easily transitions to earthy notes of graphite intermingled with vanilla caramel midpalate.  The tannins are a bit sharp, but still a nice foundation for the lingering dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine today, but likely to become more interesting over the next few years, highlighting Chuck Reininger's creativity in winemaking.  This wine would pair well with about any dish you could enjoy on a Roman holiday, from pasta to steak, Tuscan toast  to lobster risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with oven roasted cauliflower and blistered cocktail tomatoes.  Cheers!

2019 Backstage Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased during a Cabernet event at Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Backstage Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Green Room Vineyard in the Howell Mountain AVA of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big, bold Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals luxurious aromas of leather, candied cherries and oak, with undertones of mocha and dark chocolate.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum, that ease effortlessly to some notes of earthy tar and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing and ideal foundation for the long, velvety smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a pleasant drinking and classic example of the big Cabernets of Napa Valley.  I could enjoy sipping on this wine on a lovely fall evening in front of a fire, but I could also enjoy this wine with rustic charcuterie, a big grilled steak or a rare rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with grilled leeks and hatch chilis, and some linguine tossed with broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2021 Nathaniel J. Moore Zweigelt Rosé

Happy Sunday!  It was a more subdued day today as I did some work and finished my laundry before going for a bike ride just before the rain began.  Now I've opened a nice bottle of wine from my recent vacation which included a stop in the Finger Lakes wine region in New York State.  One of the wineries I visited was the Inspire Moore Winery, where I picked up a bottle of this wine.  The 2021 Zweigelt Rosé is bottled under the Nathaniel J. Moore label, which is the namesake of the current winemaker and the second generation of this family owned winery. Nathaniel succeeded his father who unfortunately passed away in 2019 just as Nathaniel graduated from a local Enology & Viticulture program.  

As head winemaker, Nathaniel has continued his father's passion for Austrian varietals, including this wine.  Zweigelt is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, and has become one of the most planted red varietals in Austria.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!  The wins is a bright pink color in the glass, somewhat deeper in color than the typical rosés of the past few years.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of green grass, tart cherry and a bit of minerality.  The first sip is a subdued blend of strawberry, candied cherry and some earthy peat that eases into some notes of cranberry toward the finish.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully crisp dry finish ideal for the closing days of summer.

Beyond the wines, I must admit, I was impressed with the cozy tasting room at the winery in Naples, as I had the chance to enjoy a tasting on the deck overlooking the vineyard, an idyllic place to sip wine!  And when you finish, there is a lovely restaurant next door that has some fantastic lunch fare.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very interesting varietal with a great flavor profile less likely to overwhelm the food you pair it with.  This wine would be wonderful with light summer fare, a variety of seafood and salad.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared, sesame crusted tuna steak, steamed jasmine rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2020 Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Easter!  I have gone back and forth on Easter dinner, between ham and lamb, and tonight I've settled on the latter, so what wine to pick?  Thankfully, I've recently received a wine club shipment from Bledsoe Family Winery that I think might be perfect with lamb, the 2020 Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Franc.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with hints of fuchsia along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of candied cherry amid hints of anise and smoke.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a masculine rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that ease into some notes of mint and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for velvety dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's really a remarkable single Bordeaux varietal offering that strikes me as very food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to mushroom risotto, to Yankee pot roast.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with by new classic Easter dinner of herb crusted rack of lamb with herb mashed potatoes and red wine reduction, along with some oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Tinazzi Vinum Italicum Opera No. 3 Red Wine

Happy Sunday! I got back from vacation early yesterday morning, so it's taken me a bit of time to recover, but now I feel ready to get back at it.  I've been working in the yard this afternoon and doing laundry, so now it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of super Tuscan that I picked up at Costco a couple weeks ago, the 2019 Tinazzi Vinum Italicum Opera No. 3 Red Wine.  I am not sure of the blend, but I suppose it's Cabernet dominant since the label describes the wine as "full bodied, elegant, intense."  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is an inky black at the center with soft ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of oak, black cherry, hints of violet and spice box, quite characteristic of a super Tuscan blend.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of candied cherries and plum that transition to some earthy notes of tar and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish with a reprice of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an easy sipping wine at a great price of just $16 if I recall correctly.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steak to lamb, pasta to pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a summer barbecue with North Carolina style beef ribs, chipotle cole slaw, baked beans and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2017 Kevin O'Leary Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

I'll admit I used to watch Shark Tank regularly, and I could never figure out whether I like Kevin O'Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) or not.  Over the years I've seen him in the CNBC studio on the floor of the NYSE, and I recalled that he always had a thing for fine wines and even started making some on his own.  So, when I saw the 2017 Kevin O'Leary Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on Wines Till Sold Out, I couldn't resist buying a few bottles.  So, let's see if this wine is as wonderful as Mr. O'Leary thinks he is!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby, just as you might expect from a Napa Valley Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and baking spice with undertones of cedar and cocoa.  The first sip presents a rush of blackberry and plum that transitions nicely to some earthy notes of earthy peat and red meat midpalate.  The tannins as a bit subdued but still provide a nice base for the long. smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or two.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as I think it stands up well for a Napa Valley Cabernet from a somewhat lackluster vintage.  It may not have been such a value at the original price of $50, but for $20 from Wines Till Sold Out, this wine was a very good value.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, braised short ribs or hearty wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in bison ribeye with some oven roasted root vegetables and some grilled baby cauliflower.  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!

2017 Reininger Malbec

Happy Sunday!  I've been trying to relax a bit today, and I'm not exactly sure how that's been going.  But, things have to start looking up eventually, after all I just opened a bottle of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open up a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  The 2017 Reninger Malbec is a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Malbec.  After some air, you lift the glass and are greeted by the aromas of the gaucho, leather and hearty beef intertwined with white pepper spice and undertones of ripe black fruit, currant plum and a bit of cherry.  One sip and a rush of diverse flavors dance across your palate, plum and cherry fruit, earthy mineral notes with lingering smoke before transitioning to some wonderful candied cherry at the finish.  The tannins are somewhat soft but elegant in their structure, making for a voluptuous dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a wonderfully pleasant Malbec to sip for an evening or enjoy with a hearty meal.  This wine would pair very well with grilled steak, from beef to elk, along with earthy mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some braised short ribs, mashed Yukon gold potatoes and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2017 Lu & Oly Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Monday!  It was a busy day today and it seemed like I didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I had hoped, but at least there is wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent purchase from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2017 Lu & Oly Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is named after Mark's daughters and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (25%) and Malbec (15%) all from 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, though just a touch lighter than your typical big bold Cabernet.  The nose is a tempting combination of candied cherry, raspberry and a hint of cedar that beckon you to take a sip.  The taste is a surprising rush of rich black cherry, black raspberry and blueberry that transitions to notes of cocoa powder and a bit of spice midpalate.  The fine tannins and somewhat subdued acidity provide a nice base for the lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a terrific everyday drinking Cabernet, particularly at a full retail price point of just $30!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dished, but who are we kidding, a great Cabernet just demands to be paired with a nice steak and tonight I'm enjoying it with a thick cut New York strip grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2017 Forgeron Zinfandel

Today was Washington's Birthday, but unlike many government workers, I and many others like me had to work today, so it's time to relax and enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2017 Zinfandel.  This wine is a 100% Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  The 2017 vintage was a challenge given the record cold winter in Eastern Washington that year, so let's see how this food-friendly wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from the varietal.  The nose offers and intriguing blend of earthiness and refined fruit notes, smoke, oak and candied cherries get your attention quickly.  The taste is classically Zinfandel, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry up front that gives way to some notes of vanilla bean midpalate with a hint of white pepper spice as you approach the finish.  The fine tannins are ideal as a base for the long and elegant dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is a solid contender to challenge the quality of a classic Lodi Zinfandel.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of weekday dishes, from barbecue to burgers, steaks to pizza and tacos.  Tonight I am taking a cue from the Italian connection of this varietal and enjoying this wine with some slow cooked braciole with linguine and topped with shaved Parmesan and fresh basil.  Cheers!

2014 Crosby Roamann Crosby's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  Today I've done a little work and a few chores, but mostly I've been relaxing as the rain pelts the yard.  So, I figured I've earned a nice glass of wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that a colleague gave me earlier in the year, the 2014 Crosby Roamann Crosby's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.  Since I suppose I can't complain too much about a gift bottle, we may as well see what it has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a Napa Cabernet.  The nose has wonderful fruit bursting forth, with more subdued layers of leather and tar.  The taste is very fruit forward with a rush of candied cherries, blackberry and currant that transitions easily to some notes of cocoa powder midpalate with some white pepper spice on the finish.  The tannins are well structured providing a classic Napa backbone to the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Napa Valley Cabernet, with the refined structured you'd expect from a quality producer.  Like many Napa Cabs, this wine practically begs to be paired with a big steak, so of course it's fortunate this bottle ended up at my house!  I am enjoying this wine tonight with a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare and topped with grilled garlic scapes, some bacon roasted asparagus and a baked potato.  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!

2006 Belpoggio Brunello di Montalcino

Well it's the first Saturday in May and that means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I reach back into the cellar to find some wine that's at least a decade from it's original vintage and tonight I have one that just came together with my dinner tonight.  I am a big fan of great Italian wines, and of course the granddad of them all is Brunello, that carefully crafted Sangiovese that works it's magic with almost any traditional Italian cuisine.  And since I maintain that a nice Brunello really doesn't start to sing until it's at least a decade old, I've decided to open a bottle of 2006 Belpoggio Brunello di Montalcino.  Now I let this one decant for about 90 minutes, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a wonderful garnet color in the glass with a tinge of amber along the edges.  The nose is classic Brunello, with aromas of anise, blackberry, spice box and some earthy notes.  The taste is remarkably fruit forward, with a rush of candied cherry, strawberry and a hint of thyme, but then it seems to be a bit tired midpalate, as it transitions to some earthy mineral notes of tar and peat.  The tannins are soft but well integrated, making for a long, soft dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's wonderfully developed, but the weakness midpalate was a drawback.  This wine would pair with any classic Italian dish, from Bistecca alla Fiorentina to classic pasta with hearty red sauces.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a dinner that started with a trip to Eataly in Chicago last Monday, where I picked up some fresh squid ink tagliatelle, which I am tossing with some mussels simmered in olive oil, garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, oregano and basil.  The classic briny seafood mixture is just perfect with this earthy wine.  Cheers!

2014 Peller Estates Cabernet Merlot

Happy Hump Day!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I bought a month or so ago when I was in Toronto.  I travel on business to Canada once or twice a year and when I fly I usually take Porter Airlines as they fly into the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which I find very convenient.  On the flights, they serve Canadian wines from the Niagara Penninsula and they have a really nice Cabernet Franc.   So on my last trip I decided to get a bottle of Niagara wine at the duty free shop, the one I've opened tonight, the 2014 Peller Estates Cabernet Merlot, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,  Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  So here goes nothing!

The wine is a bit light, with a consistency more like a Pinot Noir than a Cabernet or Merlot.  It's also a bit low on alcohol at only 12.8%.  The nose presents aromas of ripe berries and plum, with a hint of oak and candied cherries.  The taste is pleasant, with a rush of jammy fruit up front that transitions to some flavors of oak midpalate.  The tannins are firm providing a nice foundation for the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7, it is very pleasant for a mid-week wine and it was a nice value at just $13 CDN or about $11 US, but it was a little light for my tastes.  This would be a very nice summer red, as the lighter body is ideal for hotter temperatures.  This wine would pair well with barbecue or a nice simple steak as I'm enjoying tonight, along with some grilled asparagus and a baked potato.  Cheers eh?