2023 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  It's been a stressful week, and I am happy to have some time to relax this weekend and what better way to start a weekend than with a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight I have opened a bottle from one of my long-time favorite producers from Walla Walla, Seven Hiss Winery!  The 2023 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a full Cabernet harvested from the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted by Casey McClellan and his father back in the early 1980s.  Let's see how this latest vintage is treating us!

The wine has the classic look of a nice quality Cabernet, dark at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak and a cascade of ripe cherry and marionberry with undertones of freash herbs and floral notes.  The first sip is a rush or ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry and marionberry that transitions easily to flavors of mocha, cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic example of a quality Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer dishes, from barbecued ribe, burgers and brats to charbroiled steaks or alder planked salmon.  Tonight, I am taking the traditional route and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse topped with grilled hatch chiles (yes, it's finally hatch chile season!) and roasted gemstone potatoes.  Cheers!

2023 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  It was a rather mellow day here, so I took the opportunity to cut the grass and do some laundry before the new work week begins.  And now after a bike ride, it's time for dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon.  The 2023 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Franc is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color, with an inky black center, of a similar characteristic to a Cabernet Sauvignon.  A gentle swirl and the nose reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and peppery spice, amid hints of lavender.  The first sip is a rush of cherry cola that eases into some ripe black fruit and dark chocolate midpalate, before heading into some pronounced acidity and oak at the finish.  The tannins are very well structured, allowing for the velvety smooth and lingering dry finish that will last until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's really a nice example of the potential of a common blending varietal.  This wine is ideal for summer and would pair with a range of dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecue and tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic summer patio dinner of barbecued beef ribs, corn on the cob and sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2020 Dablon Vineyards Tempranillo Tannat

Happy Sunday!  It's been a whirlwind of a day, went to church this morning, then to the airport to see a B-29 bomber, and then off to the Elkhart County Fair to see all the animals and tractors and now that I have a horrible sunburn, I am ready for a relaxing glass of wine and dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that a friend gave me a few weeks ago.  The 2020 Dablon Vineyards Tempranillo Tannat is a blend of Tempranillo (90%) and Tannat (10%) from the Dablon Estate Vineyard in Baroda, Michigan. I will admit, I am generally not a fan of Michigan red wines, though I have found a few gems over the years, let's see with this one is a gem.

The wine is a lighter bodied, ruby color in the glass and the nose presents aromas of green grass, dried herbs and cherry cola.  The first sip is a rather subdued combination of blackberry and tart cherry with quite a bit of acidity, which transitions to some dried herbs and smoke midpalalte.  The tannins are so subdued as to be unnoticable, yet the finish is tart and dry, but brief.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's interesting but typifies the challenge Michigan growers have with red varietals, though the lighter complexion would make this a plesant drinking summer red.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer fare, from barbecued ribs to burgers and brats.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon, steamed rice and some steamed Italian green beans.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!

2007 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the magical first Saturday of a new month where I open a bottle that's been in the making for at least a decade.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for at least a decade, perhaps longer, such that I am not even sure where I bought it.  The 2007 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from the second label of prominent Napa Valley producer Merryvale, and this wine happens to be from the stellar 2007 Napa vintage.  So, let's see if this wine was worth the wait!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with just a hint of amber along the edges, as you might expect from this teenager.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry and prune with hints of cherry cola and mint.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of anise, blackberry and white pepper spice that eases into some mineral notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with a hint of mint a the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as at first I thought it was just a bit past its prime, but after an hour or so it really opened up into beautiful expression of  vibrant, sweet fruit, earthy minerality and a lovely finish that had me wishing for another bottle at the end of the night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip, topped with Béarnaise and grilled garlic scapes, with wild mushroom farro and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2018 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Thanksgiving!  It's a great time to get together with family and friends and recount all the blessings of the past year and remind us to be thankful for all the big things and little things in life, from health and cherished relationships, to wine and good food.  On such a day, it's a pleasure to open up a wine that would be welcome at the traditional turkey dinner, or another feast that strikes your fancy.  The 2018 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah is a 100% Syrah from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color, just as you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black currant and smoke, with undertones of floral that bring to mind the sights and sounds of autumn harvest season.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, with just a hint of jamminess, that transitions easily to some notes of cherry cola and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide a base for the long, smooth finish with a reprise of blueberry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the nicest examples of Syrah I've tasted this year.  This wine is ideal for a broad range of dished, from traditional Thanksgiving turkey to pork tenderloin or smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am taking a wild turn from traditional Thanksgiving and enjoying this wine with an herb crusted rack of lamb with a red wine and berry reduction, potato puree and oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2010 Syzygy Columbia Valley Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  And since it's the first Saturday of the new 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 I bought on the way out of town from my last trip to Walla Walla, as I met the winemaker at his tasting room near the airport (truly old school for those familiar with how Walla Walla's wine scene has developed over the decades).  The 2010 Syzygy Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of Syrah (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon(25%), Merlot (18%) and Malbec (12%) from the Conner Lee, Wallula and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting a dozen years in!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the heavy Bordeaux varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, lilac and prune.  Take a sip and you're greeted with vibrant fruit that belies the mellow nose, a rush of blackberry, currant and cherry cola that easily transition to some mineral notes and a bit of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and well structured for a velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I feared from the nose that I would be disappointed with a wine past its prime, but nothing could be further from the truth as this wine is vibrant and fruit forward more than a decade into its life!  This wine is also an amazing bargain at $27 (still available on the Syzygy website here)!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses and charcuterie, grilled steaks, lamb or mushroom risotto, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse along with some grilled leeks and broccoli rabe and some corn on the cob (it's the first of the year, likely from Florida, so I'm not expecting much!) cheers!

2018 Tenuta Gugi Valpolicella Ripasso

Happy Saturday!  It's been a rather mellow start to the weekend, with running errands and hanging out a bit with some friends, now I'm ready for a warm dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to take a bit of a spicy route to my meal, and with that I've opened a bottle of wine I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2018 Tenuta Gugi Valpolicella Ripasso, a wine that offers many of the flavors and boldness of an Amarone without the price.  This wine is a blend of  Corvina (60%), Corvinone (20%), Rondinella (15%) and Oseleta (5%) which undergoes a second fermentation with the Amarone skins (e.g. ripasso!).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a nice Amarone.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of leather, blackberry and Kirsch with undertones of hearty spice.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a rush of earthy mineral notes intermingled with ripe cherry and plum that just engages your palate before transitioning to some cherry cola an peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat sweet with lively structure providing for a wonderfully velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, even though it might benefit from a few more years in the cellar, it was also a solid value at just $14.  This wine would pair with many classic Italian dishes from risotto and pasta to hearty fire grilled steaks with farro.  Tonight I am taking a rather spicy route with this wine as I happened to find some very nice Hungarian hot peppers at my local market which would be great sautéed with onions and Italian sausage, served with a bit of pasta tossed with garlic and olive oil and topped with shredded Parmesan.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a full day of leave blowing and vacuuming, so I barely had time for anything but rest (in fact I fell asleep around 9 pm!).  But tonight I am in much better spirits, ready to cook a nice Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, that was a recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a full Cabernet sourced from the Heather Hill Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with a classic darkness at the center.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry cola, cedar and warm peppery spice that captures your imagination.  Take a sip and a flood of ripe black fruit envelopes your palate, black cherry, plum and marionberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of dried herbs and Asian spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated providing a great foundation for the long, smooth and beautifully dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that can stand up to some hearty fall dishes.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto, or classic barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, on a bed of grilled leeks with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2009 Syzygy Saros 136

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of October, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that wonderful opportunity to raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened another wine that's aged but hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I picked it up on my Walla Walla adventure back in July.  The 2009 Syxygy Saros 136 is a fascinating blend of Tempranillo (59%), Malbec (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this interesting blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, no doubt a credit to the Malbec and Cabernet in the blend, but also has some bright clarity as the Tempranillo provides some balance.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, overripened plum, spicy pepper notes and some earthy minerality.  Take a sip and you get a rush of cherry cola, blackberry and plum that transitions easily to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone, balanced with some spicy pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing for an exceptionally smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking very nicely now, but likely will peak in just a few years.  With a heavy Termpranillo hand, this wine would pair well with some old world paella, new world Cajun dirty rice, or just some nice fresh grilled meat and vegetables.  The latter is what I'm enjoying this wine with tonight, a rare grilled New York strip, some oven roasted white sweet potatoes, grilled leeks and peppers and steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

 Ok, let me start by saying by all accounts I should be asleep on the couch right now, after spending so much of the weekend battling the leaves!  Yes, it's ,y annual battle, but today was the epitome of the battle as not only was I battling the leaves, I was also battling wind and our first snow of the season!  But alas, I think we are now past the halfway point, so it's all downhill from here (famous last words!) and now it's time for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Hedges Estate Vineyard in the Red Moutain AVA.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, suggesting a big wine.  The nose is classic big Washington red wine, suggestive of a Bordeaux style, with some black cherry, and plum edging toward prune, vanilla bean and suggestive spices.  The taste is a rush of black cherry and cola, that transitions to some notes of mint, dark chocolate and spicebox midpalate.  The tannins are round, but I have to admit the finish left me wanting, as it was just a bit flat.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's probably approaching it's peak but still a nice easy drinking Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a lot of heaty fall and winter dishes, from beef stew, to the venison chili I had last night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of a rare grilled Angus T-bone on a bed of grilled leeks, some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2014 Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah

Happy Wine Wednesday!  So tonight I've decided to host a virtual wine tasting with some of my work colleagues, which in this remote work environment is both easy and safer (no worries about driving home when you're done tasting!), but the challenge with a remote tasting is finding a wine that everyone can easily buy locally.  So in that light I found that my local Meijer store had several vintages of the Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah on clearance for just $9.99, so my decision was easy, though I opted for the 2014 vintage, the earliest of the 2014-16 options.  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect for a Syrah.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and cherry with just a slight undertone of leather and spice.  The taste is classic Syrah, with a rush of ripe, jammy fruit up front, that transitions easily to some notes of cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate, before finishing off with some peppery spice.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, making for a moderately dry finish that lingers ever so briefly on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant drinking Syrah that is consistent wherever you can find this wine (which is just about everywhere) and it's a terrific value at just $10. This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks to pasta, to burgers and pizza.  Tonight I've gone big since I'm already at home and made a tasting menu of roasted beet and goat cheese salad with Neapolitan herb balsamic and grilled baby octopus with a range of grilled veggies.  Cheers!

2013 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Taco Tuesday, guess what I'm having for dinner?  Well, it's been a busy day and I'm happy to have a chance to relax and enjoy some dinner and a nice glass of wine tonight.  And for this momentous mid-week excursion, I've opened a bottle that I stumbled upon in the cellar over the weekend, the 2013 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot.  Last week, Seven Hills founder and wine maker Casey McClellan did a virtual tasting of some of these less popular varietals, so I suppose I was inspired.  Let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky purple at the center, with some bright garnet hues along the edges.  The nose is an intriguing combination of black fruit, sweet cherry, lavender and mineral notes that just make me feel like I'm enjoying a glass of wine in an old college library.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola and blackberry that transitions to notes of sweet-tarts (yes the candy!) and dusty mineral essence midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated and supportive of the wonderfully smooth, dry finish with a bit of bright acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a really pleasant drinking wine that is representative of a fabulous varietal that you don't often get to enjoy.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, pizza and pasta, but since it's taco Tuesday, tonight I'm enjoying this wine with steak tacos!  I had some trimmings from a whole tenderloin I bought last weekend after slicing some nice filets, so I seared those with some spices and sauteed them them with onions and peppers and created some fajita tacos.  Cheers!

2017 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Carmenere

Happy Saturday!  Well I got a some shopping done today since it was raining for much of the day, so I made a trip to Costco just for the halibut (Waka Waka!) which you can see more of below.  So what wine could I pair with my favorite fish?  I've decided on a recent wine club selection from Reininger, the 2017 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Carmenere.  This wine is a 100% Carmenere from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with a bit of dark indigo at the center.  The nose is an interesting combination of black currant, peppery spice and a bit of earthy peat..  The taste is a rush of tart cherry, raspberry, currant and a good portion of white pepper spice that transition to some lovely notes of cherry cola, cocoa and the barest hint of mint.  The tannins are very fine with a balance of acidity that brings a velvety dry finish that has you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really wonderful example of the "lost Bordeaux varietal."  This wine would pair very well with a broad range of rich dishes, from a cheese risotto to hearty pasta with cream sauce, roast lamb to a casual barbecue.  Tonight I am going a bit off the beaten path and enjoying this wine with a pan seared halibut filet along with some farro and oven roasted rainbow carrots, for a dinner that is both light and hearty.  Cheers!

2012 Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank goodness it's Friday!  I am certainly ready for the weekend, as it's been a long week (does it seem like every week is full of Mondays during a pandemic?!?) and now I'm ready for a glass of wine before my virtual happy hour with some fraternity brothers in a couple hours.  I haven't seen many of them in decades, so I'm looking forward to it as well as tonight's wine, the 2012 Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is from one of Napa's recent great vintages, and it's been waiting in my cellar for at least 6 years, so I thought tonight I would open it.

The wine is a deep inky indigo at the center with a bit of fuchsia along the edges, somewhat classic for a Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry, currant and prune with a bit of oak and mint over the top.  The taste is much cooler than the nose suggest, with a rush of ripe black cherry, plum, and cherry cola that swirls around before giving way to some decidedly Bordeaux-esque flavors of tar, tobacco and spice box midpalate.  The tannins are supple, but firm, providing a nice base to the voluptuous dry finish that just lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, perhaps even a 9.5 as this wine is really coming into its own nearly eight years from harvest.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes but like many big Napa Cabernets, this one practically begs to be paired with a nice steak.  So, it's a good thing I'm enjoy this wine with a prime ribcap grilled rare on a bed of grilled leeks and topped with some horseradish, with grilled asparagus and a loaded baked potato.  Cheers!

2014 CPR Carmenere

Happy Tuesday! Tonight is a special weeknight post since I have a couple of reasons for opening this wine tonight.  The first is the wonderful crock pot recipe that's been slow cooking all afternoon and the second is a virtual wine tasting tonight that's featuring this wine and it's maker!  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2014 CPR Carmenere, which Chuck Reininger will be tasting via Zoom later this evening!  This wine is a 100% Carmenere from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose is a wonderful combination of leather, ripe black fruit, peppery spice and forest floor that's brings a roaring campfire to mind.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola, black currant and pomegranate that dance around before transitioning to some notes of white pepper spice and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured with a bit of sharp acidity despite this wine spending its toddler years in barrel, ultimately letting loose for the wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this wine is arguably one of the best examples of this lost Bordeaux varietals that I've tasted.  This wine would pair very nicely with a rare grilled steak, pork tenderloin, hearty pasta or even just sipping on the patio this summer.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with my crock pot recipe of Cajun smothered potatoes with andouille sausage and shrimp.  Cheers!

2017 Mark Ryan Crazy Mary Mourvèdre

Happy Saturday!  I have to admit I have been looking forward to some virtual wine tasting this weekend in conjunction with Sean Sullivan of the Washington Wine Report who is conducting a virtual tasting and tours of wineries that were a part of Taste Washington that was scheduled for this weekend but unfortunately was cancelled with all the pandemic issues affecting all of us.  So I encourage you to visit Sean's site (see Virtual Taste Washington) and participate in the fun!  I am doing my part by opening a bottle of 2017 Mark Ryan Crazy Mary Mourvedre.  This wine was a recent wine club release and it's a 100% Mourvèdre from the Ciel du Cheval and Force Majeure Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a dark center, somewhat reminiscent of a nice Merlot.  The nose is an intriguing mixture of chewy blackberry and blueberry intermingled with leather and a hint of vanilla with a bit of smoke over the top.  The taste is a real departure from what your nose was expecting, with a rush of black cherry cola up front that transitions nicely to some notes of tobacco, peppery spice and a bit of mint midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth in support of the luxuriously dry and long finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fantastic example of new world style in an old world varietal.  This wine would pair well with a range of Mediterranean dishes, from classic bouillabaisse, to roast lamb to fresh pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an oven baked Cajun spiced wild Alaskan pollock filet with some oven roasted asparagus.  The fruit and spice of this wine really pair well with a mild white fish like this.  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Well, this is officially my 1,000th wine blog post, which is quite an accomplishment considering I started this thing on a lark nearly nine years ago!  And it's come a long way (please don't go searching for those early posts, it's quite embarrassing!) as we now routinely feature lots of photos and additional color on the wines and foods I'm enjoying.  And now, for such a momentous occasion, I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, the 2016 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval, a classic Walla Walla Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's give it a shot!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, a tribute to the heavy hand of Cabernet in the blend, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a delightful array of earthy aromas, leather, graphite and oak under-girding a virtual basket of ripe black fruit aromas, cherry, plum and currant.  The taste is cool rush of fruit, blackberry, plum, currant and a hint of cherry cola that washes over your palate before transitioning to some subdued mineral notes and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat gritty, but I suspect they might mellow a bit with a few years in the cellar, in support of the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's still young but clearly not as good as some of the better vintages like the 2009, 2010, or 2014 but I still enjoyed it.  As for pairings, this wine paints with a fairly broad brush, and I could enjoy it with anything from steaks and chops to pizza or pasta.  But tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some classic tacos!  Cheers!

2015 DaMa Collage

Well, it's officially the first day of autumn (yeah, don't get technical with me, I know the astronomical autumnal equinox is supposed to be Monday, but the first day of fall has always been the 21st of September).  And since it's now fall, it was of course time to bust out the leaf vacuum, as my yard was already partially covered in leaves!  Ironically enough, it was also crazy hot today, as I think we peaked at 87!  So, tonight I'm resting in the air conditioning with a glass of wine, specifically, the 2015 DaMa Wines Collage, a blend of Merlot (53%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, tart cherry and fig, with hints of lilac over the top.  The taste is cool and smooth, with a burst of cherry cola at the front that evolves into some vanilla bean and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are firm but well structured, layering the long, 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 just a very pleasant sipping wine that would pair well with a variety of dishes, from pasta to steaks to wild salmon.  Since I'm tired and not in the mood for cooking anything elaborate, tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple dinner of Trader Joe's lobster ravioli topped with tomato cream sauce and shaved parmesan.  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Winery Walla Walla Merlot

Happy Sunday!  I apologize for the long hiatus since my last post, but last week was just insanely busy for me, so perhaps this week I might make up for it.  Tonight I've decided to open up a bottle for Sunday dinner from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla wineries, Seven Hills and the 2016 Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot, made from Merlot on some of the oldest blocks of the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The color is classic Merlot, with a deep ruby in the glass with a somewhat darker tone at the center.  The nose is a cascade of dusty limestone, cherry and an overlay of soft floral aromas that just exude the high quality of the wine.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola, that transitions to some spicy black pepper notes midpalate, before easing into some notes of kirsch on the finish.  The tannins are nicely structured and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a consistent performer and favorite Merlot for me.  This wine would be ideal paired with a broad range of dishes, from summer grill favorites, to hearty pasta to grilled salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a lovely Sunday dinner of a rare grilled filet mignon with a red wine reduction, haricots verts almondine and a baked potato.  Cheers!