2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Proprietary Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I didn't do a whole lot today as I was trying to relax a bit before my theatre performance tonight.  That said, I still wanted to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent Napa Legends Mystery Pack from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Proprietary Red Wine is definitely a mystery as I couldn't find much on the blend, so let's just enjoy it anyhow!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, which likely reflects some classic Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  The nose presents aromas blackberry and currant, with layers of oak, leather and just the faintest bit of lavender.  The first sip is a rush of rich fruit that has a rather surprising warmth to it.  The ripe blue and black fruit accentuate the textured layers as you embark on a journey though blackberry and huckleberry before heading into the valleys of dusty minerals and graphite.  As you head back up to the finish, you leave the valley for some remarkably smooth and structured tannins that provide for a wonderful dry finish that has a distinctive old world sort of character.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's just an outstanding red wine with the character and boldness of Napa, but the sophistication of a winemaker at the top of their craft.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from wild mushroom risotto to braised short ribs, rack of lamb to it's destiny, a nice grilled steak.  And that's how I am enjoying this tonight, with a pan seared New York strip over a bed of sautéed onions and shitake mushrooms, along with pasta and steamed Italian pole beans.  Cheers!

2019 Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I feel like I got a lot accomplished this weekend as I managed to trim all the hedges yesterday before I had 16 people over for a cookout (and yes, my arms are really sore today, thanks for asking!).  Then today I finished the yard work with some mowing before easing into some dinner and wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Forgeron Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon that I got in a wine club shipment last spring I think.  In any case, this wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Minnick Hills 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, inky purple color in the glass, a testament to a pure Cabernet.  Take a whiff and you're treated to a cascade of aromas of ripe blackberry and currant, intermingled with floral notes of lilac and classic dark chocolate that is such a tradition of Walla Walla Cabernets.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black cherry, blackberry and cassis that transitions well to some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate, amid undertones of dusty minerality.  The tannins are a bit sharp early, but they open up nicely with some time, supporting the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a really pleasant drinking wine now, but I think it will improve markedly with a few more years in the cellar.  It's also a good value at just $35 before any club or case discounts.  This wine would pair well with a variety of late summer and early fall dishes, from grilled steaks and barbecue to eggplant parmesan or hearty beef stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, grilled poblanos and hatch chiles and some roasted white and purple potatoes.  Cheers!

2018 Seven Hills Pentad

Happy Friday!  It's been a long week, but at least it seems to have gone by relatively fast, so now I can relax a bit on the weekend.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine shipment I received from Seven Hills Winery, one of my favorite Walla Walla wine producers (this was even before they started shipping to my home state!).  The 2018 Seven Hills Pentad is a special blend that is not produced with every vintage, as historically Casey (and presumably now Bobby is continuing the tradition) would only produce Pentad when all the stars were aligned to make a truly special wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (13%), Malbec (12%) and Carmenere (8%) al sourced from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, reminiscent of a big bold Cabernet (which is likely a major contributor to the blend).  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and cassis joined with some dusty mineral notes that will have you thinking of an classic college library.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit encased in some dusty minerality before transitioning to some notes of tobacco and cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and perfectly suited to the velvety, bone-dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's a really remarkable wine that would be ideal for a special occasion.  This wine would pair well with big juicy steaks, rack of lamb or venison tenderloin.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic pairing, a rare grilled dry aged porterhouse that I picked up at a local butcher yesterday, along with some oven roasted rainbow carrots.  Cheers!