2023 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been an odd weather day, starting with heat and humidity, then thunderstorms and now a return of heat, humidity and wildfire smoke from Canada.  I just hope the rain holds off as we are supposed to have our Independence Day fireworks tonight as they were postponed due to storms two weeks ago.  Whatever happens, at least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of my early wineries that I visited on my first trip to Walla Walla more than 25 years ago.  The 2023 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Weinbau, Bacchus and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards in Washington State.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine has the classic Cabernet look, with deep indigo and bright ruby.  The nose presents an elegant expression of ripe blackberry, leather, cocoa and just a hint of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of black currant, tart cherry and a bit of earthy peat that gives way to some dried herbs and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a lush mouthfeel that envelops your palate ahead of the lingering dry finish that will leave you satisfied.

I would easily rate this wine a solid 9, with claims to a 9.5 with a bit of age.  This wine represents the pinnacle of Washington Cabernet, rich character and earthiness that connects you to the soil.  As for pairings, enjoy it with a range of hard cheeses, grilled lamb or slow cooked ox tail stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone over grilled leeks with oven roasted sweet potatoes and carrots.  Cheers!

2020 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I had a rather uneventful Sunday, did a little laundry, went to the gym, ran some errands and now I'm ready to finish my weekend with a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a rather special wine, that is seemingly always at the top of the ratings.  The 2020 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Malbec (3%) sourced from the Sagemoor, Wienbau and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards in Washington state.  I can't wait to take a sip!

The wine has an inky black look at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, anise, black currant, lemongrass and cocoa that egg you on to take that first sip.  And that sip is a delight as you experience a rush of ripe black fruit that fills your mouth as your brain catches up.  Soon, you are whisked to an Ivy League library with rich leather, anise and vanilla caramel midpalate, before the firm yet smooth tannins set you up for the long, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's exemplary of what great Washington Cabernet can be.  While this is likely not an everyday sipper, it's well worth opening with family and friends for a special evening.  This wine would pair well with braised short ribs or rack of lamb, but who are we kidding, this big wine wants nothing but steak!  Tonight, I am doing just that, and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus ribeye, blistered tomatoes on the vine, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes and gravy.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Our crazy weather has continued this week, going from snow and the 30s to the 80s and back to rain and the upper 30s this weekend.  Needless to say, I did  not get all of the yard work done that I'd hoped this weekend, but at least there is good food and wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2021 "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec (2%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from some of the premier vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this big wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with the look of a big bold Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of  blackberry, cherry, leather and oak, a bit more subdued that some of the current range of big Cabs.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of ripe black fruit with a range from blackberry and cherry to currant and plum, that transition easily to some notes of vanilla bean and cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth providing for a long, lush finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid Cabernet that is very approachable in its youth.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from hard cheeses and charcuterie to grilled steaks and chops.  Tonight I am pairing this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip that I picked up at my local market, topped with Béarnaise along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers! 

2018 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's finally beginning to feel like spring as it hit 84 yesterday and today we were in the upper 70s.  So it's definitely grilling and sipping wine on the patio weather finally!  Tonight I've decided to settle my Washington Syrah challenge obligation by opening a bottle of a recent wine club shipment, the 2018 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  This particular vintage came from the Birdhouse block of the vineyard during a record hot vintage, so let's see how it's tasting. 

The wine is a wonderfully rich garnet color in the glass as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  A quick whiff and you're greeted by aromas of blackberry and currant, with undertones of beef and earthy mineral notes.  Take a sip and a rush of ripe black fruit washes over your palate, with blackberry, currant and cherry that ease into notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, with a balanced acidity that ushers you into a smooth dry finish with hints of cocoa at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a beautiful example of a solid Washington Syrah with great curb appeal for a variety of dishes.  This wine would pair well with grilled lamb chops, venison or even a hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a nice rare grilled porterhouse along with some grilled broccoli rabe and a baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

 Well Happy Black Friday!  I must admit, although I'm not much of a black Friday shopper, I did go to Costco today, but mainly to get a wreath and some fresh garland to do my traditional day after Thanksgiving outdoor Christmas decorating.  Mission accomplished!  So now it's time to have a nice bottle of wine and a dinner that does not involve turkey of any sort.  Tonight's wine is the latest vintage of a wine that I've enjoyed for quite a while, the 2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (13%), Petit Verdot (1%) and Merlot (1%).  So let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass and the nose presents aromas of leather and green grass, before opening up to some lovely fruit notes of blackberry, currant and cherry amid warm spice notes.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that wash over your taste buds before transitioning to some notes of cedar, warm caramel and cocoa midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured presenting a lovely base for the long, and velvety dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's easily lived up to its namesake as one of the premier Cabernets of Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pastas to big steaks.  Of course I'm in luck as I happened to receive a shipment of steaks from Wild Fork Foods (I highly recommend them, see their site: https://wildforkfoods.com/) on Wednesday, so tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a big honkin' tomahawk ribeye grilled rare with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Well this wine almost went past the boards as I received eight bottles with my wine club shipments and I was down to three bottles (now two!) before I had a chance to review this wine.  The 2018 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (11%) and Syrah (11%) from the Bob Healy, Loess, Seven Hills and Golden Ridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up before I head out to the theater this evening!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, as you might expect from a nice Walla Walla Cabernet.  The nose is a rather subdued affaire, with a bit of green grass and mint under black cherry and fig aromas.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum and mulberry that transitions nicely to some dusty limestone and cocoa midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tightly wound, but well integrated for a lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it seems to have taken a step back in this vintage (formerly, under the "Flying B" label, this wine peaked with the 2016 vintage in my opinion).  This wine would be a very good steak wine, and would pair well with a variety of hearty fall and winter dishes, from beef stew to hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight I'm trying something new, as I bought some pre-marinated Korean beef bulgogi at Costco, so I've prepared that with some jasmine rice.  Cheers!

2016 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Friday!  It's been an inordinately long week, and although I haven't posted, you can rest assured that I still consumed a lot of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) and Petit Verdot (11%), from blocks 11 and 13 of the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Since I've been ready for a glass of wine since noon, let's see what this baby has to offer!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright garnet around the edges, just as you might expect from an expansive Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of fruit, black raspberry, cherry and currant intermingled with fresh herb notes lingering over the top.  The taste is a rush of rich black cherry that dances around your tongue, beckoning the flavors of green grass, cocoa and fig to join the dance.  The tannins are nicely rounded, providing for a generous mouthfeel and a solid base for the lingering dry finish that leaves you asking for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classically formed Washington tribute to the Bordeaux of the left bank.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pasta with Bolognese sauce, lamb chops to hearty chili.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' Angus T-bone steak grilled Pittsburgh rare with some grilled leeks and Brussels sprouts.  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!

2016 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Since I heard we had a Perigee moon last night and of course with a round of thunderstorms I couldn't see it, I figured I would celebrate it tonight with a bottle of one of my favorite wine blends from the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington, the 2016 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Malbec (7%) from the Seven Hills Estate Vineyard.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with beautiful darkness at the center.  The nose presents aromas of mint, green grass, blackberry and plum, somewhat of a subdued Bordeaux. The taste is a rush of cool, dark fruit, with ripe black cherry, blackberry and blueberry up front that transitions easily to some lovely earthy notes of tar, tobacco and cocoa midpalate.  The dusty tannins provide shapely structure to support the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Perigee is one of the most consistent, classic Bordeaux style blends produced in the Walla Walla Valley today.  This wine would be excellent with classic hearty dishes, from lamb to steak, pork tenderloin to steelhead filet.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a prime ribcap grilled rare atop some grilled leeks with some grilled asparagus and pureed potatoes with a Merlot reduction.  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Cellars Imaginarium Red Wine

Well, it's been raining since lunch time, so I've been doing a lot of indoor chores today with hopes of getting out to do yard work tomorrow.  In the meantime, I've decided to open a bottle of wine that I've been looking forward to trying for a while, the 2016 Forgeron Cellars Imaginarium Red wine, the first in their Artist series (and you can see from the label, the artwork is very impressive!).  This wine (which will be a future wine club selection for my peeps) is a blend of Merlot (65%), Syrah (15%), Grenache (15%) and Malbec (5%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So let's see how the wine compares to the art!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with nice clarity, classic with the heavy hand of Merlot in the blend.  The nose is a somewhat subdued affair, with a bit of smoke, cassis, cocoa and a hint of floral notes over the top.  The taste is a rush of ripe red berries, cherry, raspberry and currant that transitions to some interesting mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated, supporting a velvety smooth and dry finish with a reprise of Bordeaux-esque funk at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a remarkably consistent and interesting, but approachable and all at a price that could easily make this an everyday wine (if not for the limited production of just 503 cases!).  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from lamb to beef stew to braised beef ribs.  Tonight I am taking a completely different approach and enjoying this wine with a classic moules frites!  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  The last of Washington Wine Month, so tonight I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers.  Of course it helped that I happened to stumble upon this wine this afternoon as I was looking for something to have with dinner, the 2016 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Klipsun Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.  So let's see how this one is shaping up after being opened for an hour or so.

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet around the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant over earthy elements of leather and dusty granite.  The taste is a rush of jammy black fruit that washes over your palate as notes of blackberry and cherry dance with dried fig before pressing on to some notes of cocoa and sage.  The tannins are robust and prime for a velvety mouthfeel cascading to the smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a terrific Cabernet and a fine illustration of the Red Mountain terroir.  This wine would pair very nicely with steaks, smoked beef brisket or summer barbecue, but tonight I'm going in a completely different direction for a weeknight dinner.  I am enjoying this wine with some bucatini with andouille sausage prima vera.  Cheers!

2016 Pepper Bridge Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I have to admit, it's been a long week as I've been traveling for work and came home just in time for a nice snowstorm and subsequent shoveling of the driveway (to be fair, part of the motivation for shoveling was to clear a spot for the grill so I could make a steak tonight!) so I am all tuckered out.  But at least there is wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2016 Seven Hills Vineyard red wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Cabernet Franc (22%), Merlot (18%), Malbec (4%) and Petit Verdot (4%), all grown in the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.  So let's see how this wine tastes!

The wine is a beautiful deep garnet color in the glass.  The nose is chock full of ripe fruit, blackberry, black currant, cherry, blueberry and plum interlaced with leather and a bit of mocha.  The taste is a wonderful expression of the vineyard, with vibrant fruit balanced by earthy flavors and spice, hints of cocoa and tobacco give way to a bit of spice at the finish.  The tannins are very well developed and ideal in providing structure to the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking quite nicely now, but should improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine is not your typical big steak wine, as I could see this pairing very nicely with a variety of dishes, from lamb to pasta to braised short ribs.  But of course, tonight I'm enjoying this wine with steak, in fact, steak and tots!  A rare grilled New York strip, with grilled asparagus and tots, finished with a touch of horseradish.  Cheers!

2014 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  I've spent the afternoon raking and blowing leaves and trying to get my leaf vac to run, but without luck today (more on that in another installment of "I'm not a mechanic, nor do I play one on TV").  At least the day is done and it's time for some dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open another bottle of the recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2014 Helix Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Unfortunately I lost my tech sheet on this wine, but I'm confident that it's mainly Cabernet Franc, with a bit of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to bring some added complexity, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, somewhat lighter in color than a Merlot.  The nose a fabulous array of aromas, from candied plums to fresh herbs to hints of violet.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, raspberry and plum that transitions nicely to some notes of cocoa and green herbs midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tightly wound, providing a bit of a snap on the finish, which is long and extraordinarily dry, with just a hint of funk at the very end.  This is a wine that reminds me of some of the best right bank Bordeaux, with lovely fruit, earthy undertones and a great finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's only the third vintage since 1997 and this one has the potential to develop nicely over time.  This wine would pair well with a wide array of dishes, from lamb to grilled pork tenderloin, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a alder planked wild Alaskan salmon filet over a bed of baby arugula and topped with fresh pineapple jalapeno salsa with some steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2013 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Oh my word, the weekend is here!  I came home from work, ran some errands and went to they gym and now it's time to relax with a nice dinner and some wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Washington producers, L'Ecole No. 41, and the 2013 Walla Walla Cabernet Franc, a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  So let's see how this one is going to set the tone for my weekend!

The wine is a deep, inky color, with some bright ruby along the edges.  The nose perfumes of leather, cedar, black cherry and kirsch, all combine to let your taste buds know something wonderful is about to come their way.  The taste is a rush of black cherry at the front that transitions to some wild flavors of black pepper, dried herbs and cocoa midpalate.  The finish has an air of lingering spice along with some lovely tobacco notes that has you reminiscing about that weekend at a rustic mountain lodge as the wonderfully integrated tannins usher in the long, smooth and pleasantly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a beautiful example of what some of the most talented winemakers in Walla Walla can do with a blending grape!  This wine would pair well with a variety of Northwest dishes from salmon to dungeness crab, to the more traditional meat and potatoes.  Which is a good thing, since I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime sirloin over a bed of grilled leeks, roasted asparagus and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2014 House of Cards Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a busy travel week, being in Toronto on Monday and Montreal yesterday, but now I'm home!  I went to the gym after work and now I feel like the entire evening has slipped away, but at least there's wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a recent Costco purchase, the 2014 House of Cards Napa Valley Red Wine, which is so appropriate as lately I feel like my entire life is a house of cards!  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center, more reminiscent of a nice Napa Cabernet as opposed to a blend.  The nose is a pleasant array of leather, smoke, tobacco and dried herbs over some more subtle fruit notes.  The taste is more classic red blend, with some lovely ripe berries at the outset that transition to some wonderful notes of cocoa and Italian spice midpalate.  The finish is very nice, with rather mellow tannins supporting a nice, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a pleasant drinking everyday table wine and a very good value for just $15!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple midweek dinner of Kielbasa with kraut and pierogis, a throwback to my childhood on the south side of Chicago, where every grandma force fed you smoked sausage, cured cabbage and giant pasta pockets every Sunday!  Cheers!

2011 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident"

Happy Saturday!  I've been working in the yard all afternoon so now it's time to relax with a glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open up a bottle of wine I brought back from my 2013 trip to Walla Walla, the 2011 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (29%), Syrah (28%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Mourvedre (7%) and Petit Verdot (6%).  I've tasted several of vintages every time I go to the tasting room in Walla Walla, and I've loved this wine, so let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents inviting aromas of black plum, cocoa powder, tobacco and licorice.  The taste is lovely, with flavors of blackberry and cherry up front that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is luscious, with firm tannins setting the stage for a long, smooth and very dry finish that makes you reach for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an outstanding Bordeaux style blend that reaches its height in Washington's Columbia Valley.  This wine would be great just sipping on the patio, or perfect with steak, so tonight I am enjoying this one with a rare grilled prime Porterhouse from Allen Brothers Steaks, some cajun rosted potatoes and grilled asparagus and rainbow carrots.  Cheers!

2012 Ryan Patrick Vineyards Rock Island Red

It's time for Sunday dinner, perhaps my favorite meal of the week and of course that means I need to open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with the meal I've worked so hard to make!  Tonight it's the 2012 Ryan Patrick Vineyards Rock Island Red from the Wahluke Slope of the Columbia Valley AVA.  This blend is a nice combination of Merlot (58%), Syrah (36%), Petite Sirah (5%) and Primitivo (1%).  I've reviewed the 2010 vintage earlier this year, and you can compare notes here.

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of rich black fruit, blackberries, plum and black cherry with a bit of oak intermixed.  The taste isn't nearly as fruit forward as the nose would suggest, with lovely flavors of dark cherry and cassis that give way to some notes of cocoa and baking spice midpalate.  The supple tannins provide the most ideal backbone for the earthy flavors that grace the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it has great structure and is drinking quite well even at this early age.  It was also a good value at about $20.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Pacific Northwest summer meal of cedar planked wild Alaskan sockeye from the Copper River along with some grilled golden beets and heirloom carrots and some pesto linguine.  Cheers!

2012 Encantado Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Do you know what day it is?  Do you...know what day it is?  That's right, it's hump day, and for me it was an exceedingly long hump day as I didn't leave the office until nearly 7 pm, and although I was supposed to go to the gym tonight, I was just too tired, so I decided to make it a wine Wednesday instead!  And tonight's wine is one that just arrived from Wines Till Sold Out today, the 2012 Encantado Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a cabernet blend from several select blocks in Napa produced by Pine Ridge Vineyards in a 200-acre estate that spans five appellations: Stags Leap, Rutherford, Oakville, Carneros and Howell Mountain.

The wine is a deep, inky purple color in the glass edging toward some lighter ruby.  The nose is rather oak laden with a hint of green cedar, with some dark fruit notes mixed in.  The taste is really quite nice, with a veritable explosion of dark, jammy fruit up front, plum, blackberries and a hint of cocoa that transitions nicely to some dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are remarkably mellow for such a young wine, and the velvety, rounded mouthfeel makes for a long, dry and quite pleasant finish.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8 with room to improve with age, and best of all it was an absolutely spectacular bargain at just $19!  Tonight I am pairing this with a rather low maintenance dinner of heirloom tomato and basil ravioli with some creamy pesto sauce (I highly recommend the Three Bridges Refrigerated Pasta for quick, easy but delicious midweek meals where you really don't feel like cooking, like wine Wednesday!

2009 Reininger Carmenere

So last night I got back from my wine tasting adventure to Walla Walla, so wouldn't it make sense to immediately taste more wine from there?  Yeah, but whoever accused me of making sense!  Tonight I've decided to taste a wine from one of the few producers that I didn't have an opportunity to visit on my recent trip, Reininger and specifically their 2009 Walla Walla Carmenere.

Well, needless to say, I'm still sort of jet lagged and am fully prepared to eat dinner at 11 pm, so this was an interesting evening.  I came home at about 7:30 and began cooking by first opening a bottle of this wine!  It's a beautiful deep purple color in the glass, and the nose evokes great aromas of anise, sharp spice, cinnamon, and cocoa.  The taste is very fruit forward with some notes of black cherry, plum and cassis that evolves into some lovely baking spice and earthy notes midpalate, including some cedar and limestone.  The finish is quite refined, with ample tannins creating a tight yet well structured long, dry finish that makes this wine excellent for food or for drinking while cooking (I speak from experience!).

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 with a great change for improvement with a bit of time in the cellar, it was drinking very well now though!  Tonight I paired this wine with a lovely thick cut Angus T-Bone grilled rare, along with some wonderful grilled veggies, including some Walla Walla sweet onions, asparagus and golden beets (which I just learned are good for the body's natural detoxification process, nudge nudge, poke poke!) and a great baked potato.  The wine stood up well to the beef and would be a great pairing to a variety of big dishes like that. Another day of Walla-Yum!

2007 Fitch Mountain Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

It's been a long day, definitely time to open up a bottle of wine.  And since it's snowing, I feel like a big hearty red, so why not the 2007 Fitch Mountain Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon?  That ought to warm things up a bit!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, and the nose is a pleasant combination of leather, oak, anise and dried spices, a perfect combination to warm you up on a cold evening.  The taste is a lovely fruit blast at the outset, with flavors of ripe berries, tart cherry and ripe plum, that provides an intriguing combination of sweet and sour.  Midpalate we transition to some lovely spice notes and a hint of cocoa, before the vibrant tannins lead you to the long, smooth, dry finish.  A nice Cabernet that though reminiscent of those from Napa Valley, provides a bit more fruit and a different overall feel when drinking it.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, and maybe I'm being generous, or maybe I just really needed a glass of wine, but so be it!  As for pairings, I am going against the grain tonight, enjoying this big, bold red with some butternut squash ravioli and some sun dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce.  The bold fruit and spice notes of this wine provide a great contrast to the creamy smoothness of the ravioli, delish!