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!

2017 Seven Hills Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's a beautiful Tuesday, it's sunny and about 75 degrees outside so it seems like springtime has arrived in earnest!  And tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, Casey McClellan and the 2017 Seven Hills Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  I'm anxious to go sit out on my porch and enjoy a sunset with this wine so let's get to it!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, classic for a great Cabernet.  The nose is a very Bordeaux-esque affair with lots of ripe cherry, dried herbs, oak and tobacco that just dare you to take a sip.  The taste is a rush of black cherry and plum up front that transitions easily to some notes of savory herbs and dark chocolate midpalate.  The dusty tannins mark a pleasurable surrounding for such a wonderfully full, structured dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasure to drink right now, but would like improve even more with some time in the cellar.  With a limited production of just 149 cases, this is a wine to grab while you can!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from lamb to mushroom risotto to hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with some of the biggest bacon roasted Brussels sprouts I've seen!  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Sunday!  I am happy to report that I got a lot accomplished today, including my laundry and going to see the new Star Wars movie, it was not that great, but I suppose given what they had to work with it was as good as could be expected.  In any case, tonight I've decided to open a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Malbec.  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA 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, just as you'd expect from a Malbec.  The nose exudes aromas of leather, graphite, anise and smoke, that is often present from wines produced in the Wahluke Slope.  The taste is a rush of ripe berries and plum that transitions easily to some earthy notes of sage and dried herbs before some white pepper spices comes out at the finish.  The tannins are dusty but well integrated, creating the foundation for the wonderfully velvety smooth, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's right up there with the 2014 Vintage as a favorite Malbec.  This wine sould paird well with a variety of dishes, from classic steaks to barbecue to pizza, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple bucatini Bolognese for a nice, hearty Sunday dinner that pairs so well with this wine.  Cheers!