2020 Doubleback Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Tonight, It's been exceptionally hot and humid here lately, but despite the heat, I am enjoying a special dinner, so I've decided to open a special bottle of wine to match.  The 2020 Doubleback Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a very special wine, one that I think arrived at my door a couple years ago and I'm just now opening a bottle!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdor (10%) and Merlot (3%), from the McQueen and LeFore Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  The wine has been patient, aging 22 months in barrel, and now I'm finally getting around to opening a bottle, so here goes nothing!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, and it seems like a monster of a wine.  A brief swirl of the glass releases a banquet of aromas, from ripe blueberry to green pepper, basalt to mocha.  The first sip is like a warm hug from your mom, blue fruit up front along with some earthy mineral notes that transition easily to some warm white pepper spice, vanilla bean and red currant midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and supple, providing the ideal backbone for the long, smooth dry finish that provides a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, it's s pricy bottle, but worth every penny, as this is perennially one of the nicest Cabernets to come out of the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie as an appetizer, braised short ribs or hearty salmon, or as it practically begs, a wonderful steak!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon from Snake River Farms (my local market just started carrying their steaks) along with some oven roasted beets and leeks and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  After doing laundry and a bit of work, I had the chance to go out on my first bike ride of the summer, which was very nice.  And now that I've stopped sweating, I thought I'd open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a recent wine club selection from Seven Hills Winery, the 2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine comes from the original vineyard planted in the 1980s by Seven Hills Founder Casey McClellan and his father, making this a very special wine.  Let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, classic for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of candied plum, blackberries and vanilla bean intermingled with toasted oak and earthy basalt.  The first sip is a rush of warm black fruit that easily transitions to notes of vanilla caramel and hints of earthy minerals and oak midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a perennial favorite, but I just don't think the 2022 vintage has quite reached its prime yet.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to barbecue, fajitas to earthy mushroom risotto, or simply enjoying with friends on the patio.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus ribeye, grilled asparagus and broccoli rabe and some creamy orzo.  Cheers!

2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva

Happy Sunday!  It's been rainy all day, but I still feel like I've been going non-stop all day (have I mentioned that I need a vacation?) but now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva is made from Nero di Troia, a varietal from Puglia that I haven't tried before, so this evening is getting more exciting by the minute!  

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a sturdier body than your typical Sangiovese.  A little swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, earthy mineral notes of basalt amid undertones of plum and red currant.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly subsides into pleasant flavors of raspberry, toasted oak and a bit of spice box reminiscent of an old Italian market.  A thread of acidity seems to permeate the taste throughout, making this a little more lively than a typical red wine.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a food friendly and pleasant drinking wine that was a terrific value (I bought this one on sale for $13, but even at the regular price of $17 this is a winner).  This wine would pair well with hearty steaks and chops, grilled lamb or any number of hearty, classic Italian dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some stuffed shells I made for Sunday dinner, using some of my homemade sauce from a few weeks ago.  Cheers!

2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine

Happy Independence Day!  I am always happy for the 4th of July, the heat of summer and all the outdoor cooking and eating, it's just an all around pleasant time of year!  We had a lot of rain today, which may have impacted the parade and early fireworks, but it cooled things down enough for a great cookout and a good excuse to open up a nice red wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine!  Some of you more astute fans may recognize this branding as it was what Bledsoe used for the family Cabernet Sauvignon from 2015-17, but then it became the Bledsoe Family Cabernet, so let's see what this throwback blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, reminiscent of the old Cabernet, though we are uncertain of this current blend!  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, green grass, tart cherry and lavender that hearken back to the old wine, but there is something just a bit different.  The first sip is a rush of rich, black fruit, plum, currant, cherry and blackberry that thickly coat your mouth before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes and eucalyptus midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing a solid base for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's not quite to the level of the old Flying B Cabernet, but it's a very interesting and lovely red wine to enjoy with food or sipping on the patio with family and friends.  Speaking of food, this wine would pair well with steaks and chops, but it won't stop there, as it would be great with grilled vegetables, hearty pasta or spicy fajitas.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my 4th of July dinner of grilled picanha with fire roasted poblanos and smoked black beans, corn and rice.  Cheers!

2021 Mas de la Baronne Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Today I did some actual work as well as some chores around the house, went for a bike ride and was run off the path by an idiot pedestrian that didn't want to move, so now that I've stopped the bleeding on my shin I am really ready for a glass of wine!  And since it's still 82 degrees, it must still be rosé season despite the face that it's October!  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mas de la Baronne Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out over the summer.  This wine is  blend of Grenache and Syrah, so, let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, very light as seems to be the recent popular trend in rosé.  After a gentle swirl, the wine offers aromas of peach, lemongrass and strawberry.  The first sip is a surprising rush of ripe berry, raspberry, strawberry and currant, that transition to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and very dry with some mild acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic rosé from Provence that would be an ideal summer sipper, especially at a value price of just $10.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fish, from pan fried lake perch to a nice salmon filet, summer salads or a cold pasta salad.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some roasted chicken breasts that I coated in bread crumbs mixed with a bit of Nashville hot spice powder I recently bought, along with some pasta and sugar snap peas.  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!

2020 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!  And to help you celebrate your mom, I've opened the latest vintage of one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignons that just came in a wine club shipment last week.  The 2020 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Petit Verdot (6%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Octave, Tom Waliser 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 beautiful bright and brooding ruby color in the glass, classic for the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black plum, blackberry and cherry intermingled with hints of lavender and sage.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in tart cherry that eases into blackberry and plum, before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and some earthy minerality.  The tannins are wonderfully structured yet youthful, providing for an beefy dry finish that lingers for a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it lives up to prior vintages which have been a perennial favorite.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, wild mushroom risotto or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of rare, pan seared filet mignon topped with Béarnaise and served with oven roasted carrots.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been raining off and on all day here, so I've been doing some indoor chores before heading to the theatre for a play later this evening.  So, to enjoy my upcoming steak dinner, I've decided to open the latest vintage of one of my favorite Cabernets, the 2020 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, let's see how this wine 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 high-quality Cabernet,  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum, intermingled with hints of vanilla and oak.  The first sip presents a rush of cool black fruit and dried herbs that transitions easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are a bit chalky, but still providing a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully approachable wine, but not quite up to the level of earlier vintages (I've enjoyed this wine since the release of the 2014 Vintage).  This wine would be an ideal hearty beef wine, pairing well with anything from a classic seared filet mignon to a hearty prime rib.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip along with some grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull

Happy Wine Wednesday!  This is the second day of my long Christmas vacation as I had 11 vacation days left that I needed to use by year end, so I'm finally catching up on work around the house and blog posts among other things.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I brought back from my Walla Walla trip last year.  The 2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull is a classic GSM blend of Syrah (53%), Mourvèdre (25%) and Grenache (22%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see if I picked the right wine for my Wednesday dinner!

The wine is a bright garnet in the glass, exactly as you might expect from such a blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, anise, baking spice and a bit of dusty loam.  The first sip is a rush of sweet black cherry that transitions nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with just a kick of spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant example of what Washington wine makers are doing with Rhone varietals.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from lamb to butter chicken, hearty pasta to prime steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal rib chop along with roasted root vegetables and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2016 Otis Kenyon Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  So far on this long holiday weekend, I've had a chance to put together a piece of furniture (one more to go tomorrow hopefully!), put up all the outdoor Christmas decorations, make a dent in my Christmas shopping (I think all the kids are taken care of now) and finish my grocery shopping, so I feel like I've accomplished something, but there is always more to do.  So, in taking a break, I've decided to open a bottle I recently picked up at Total Wines when I was in Grand Rapids a few weeks ago.  The 2016 Otis Kenyon Merlot, is a classically styled Walla Walla Merlot that has become a favorite of mine.  So, let's see how this vintage is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, currant and blackberry, with just a hint of mint underneath.  It's the type of nose that brings you back to many of the barrel rooms I've visited in Walla Walla over the years.  Take a sip and you're awash with an unexpected rush of tart cherry, tarragon and roast venison that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a magnificent base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a terrific example of the sort of Merlot that Walla Walla is capable of producing.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pasta, game such as venison or elk, classic mushroom risotto or a big honkin' steak.  Naturally, I've chosen the latter and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, big baked potato with sour cream and scallions, and oven roasted leeks and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers! 

1992 Seven Hills Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  And of course, it's the first one of a new month, which makes this Cellar Saturday!  It's a magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, which I must say is getting easier as time goes on and I have a cellar full of teenagers (wait, that didn't sound right).  In any case, tonight we are going way back, to perhaps the second oldest bottle in my cellar, and from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers.  The 1992 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon was Founder Casey McClellan's fourth vintage, and the label notes this was still when the winery was located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon!  So, let's see how this wine is tasting three decades later!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with just the faintest hint of amber along the edges, showing how well this wine has stood up over time.  A swirl of the glass reveals classic aromas of prune, cedar and lavender with undertones of basalt, just what you might expect from a mature Bordeaux.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of tart cherry and rustic mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt.  The tannins are somewhat fading, but still provide for a nice dry finish that's reminiscent of a fine, well aged Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's probably a few years past its peak but still drinking very nicely for a 30-year old.  This wine would be ideal with a variety of fall comfort foods, from mushroom risotto, to hearty beef stew or Yankee pot roast, but as a former Pacific Northwest resident, I'm a big fan of Cabernet with salmon, which is my choice for dinner tonight.  I'm enjoying this wine with some crispy skin salmon, steamed rice and oven roasted white asparagus.  Cheers!

2016 Bergevin Lane Vineyards Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy day of cooking and work, but at least this evening I have the opportunity to relax a bit with a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened up a bottle that I brought back from my road trip to Walla Walla last summer, the 2016 Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon.  I had the chance to buy some of their 2009 vintage from a local restaurant when I first moved back to Elkhart (you can see my review of that wine here) so I was thrilled when I happened upon their tasting room on my last trip, bringing back a few bottles.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you would expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of green grass, earthy limestone and hints of green herb, a breath of the Walla Walla Valley, as I took a whiff and was immediately taken back to my visit last summer.  Take a sip and you're treated with a rush of fruit, tart cherry, black raspberry and currant, that transitions effortlessly to some warm spice notes, along with some earthy minerals midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured providing a great base for the long, smooth dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic rendition of a Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  I really enjoyed the 2009 vintage when I tried it, and this one is no different, a refreshing taste that brings me right back to the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with big hearty meals, from steaks and chops, to Yankee pot roast, venison loin to rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in bison ribeye along with some roasted golden beets and potatoes, along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Pepper Bridge Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I admit it's been a while since my last post, but I've been so busy between work and the play I was in at our local civic theatre, but the last performance was a Sunday matinee and now I am officially done with work for the year, so expect more than a few postings between now and early January!  Tonight, I've opened a perennial favorite Merlot, the 2019 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (77%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Malbec (8%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Waliser, Pepper Bridge and Octave 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 in the glass, somewhat lighter than the more boisterous Cabernets, but just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry with an overlay of baking spice, cocoa powder and just a hint of green cedar.  At your first sip, you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and currant that transition easily to some warm spice notes, intermingled with some earthy minerality.  The tannins are supple and velvety, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish that already has me reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's always a wonderfully build Merlot.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty, comfort dishes so prominent in the winter months, from braised short ribs to Yankee pot roast, wild mushroom risotto to truffle mac and cheese.  Tonight though, I am enjoying this wine with a tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, along with some oven roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been raining all day, with temperatures in the 40s, so I decided to make some butternut squash soup today, which turned out well.  And now I'm ready for a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of good wine. Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Merlot (13%), Malbec (11%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) from four different vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.  

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a great Cabernet.  A quick swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry with undertones of earthy minerals.  The taste is a lovely combination of tart cherry and ripe blackberry up front that transitions easily to some earthy notes of graphite and cedar midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are ideal to support the long, velvety dry finish that lingers to your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's young and drinking nicely now, but will doubtless improve over the coming decade.  This wine is a classic Cabernet that demands to be paired with a big, juicy steak which is fortunate as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big porterhouse grilled rare along with some grilled leeks, steamed cauliflower and a baked potato.  Cheers!

2015 Prodigo Lazio Syrah

Happy Sunday!  Today I got some work done in the yard, despite the heat and humidity, I succeeded in permanently installing the windmill from my uncle's house, I dug up a number of unwanted trees and shrubs and transplanted a small ginkgo sapling.  And now it's time for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Based on my dinner choice, I opened a bottle of 2015 Prodigo Lazio Syrah, a 100% Syrah from Italy that I purchased from Wines Till Sold Out a few months back.  So let's see how this Italian Syrah is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  A quick swirl releases ample black fruit aromas, blackberry, blueberry and currant amid undertones of leather, cedar and peppery spice.  A sip reveals wonderfully rich black fruit flavors with just a hint of sweetness before transitioning to some tobacco and earthy mineral notes midpalate.   The tannins are subtle, but still provide a nice structure to the smooth, dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's not a spectacular wine, but a nice everyday sipper, and a terrific value for just $10!  I would normally say Zinfandel is the best varietal with barbecue, but recently I've come to the realization that Syrah is also a great wine for barbecue, which is what I'm pairing this wine with tonight, barbecued pork spare ribs along with some mustard baked beans and sriracha slaw, an ideal patio dinner as we near the end of summer.  Cheers!

2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Well, it was an eventful Saturday, as I got the truck out and traveled to Illinois to move a windmill from my uncle's yard back to mine.  It was rather uneventful, as I prepared for the worst and had it removed and placed in the truck within about 10 minutes!  So, I got back early and had time to go to the hardware store and pick up some spray paint to repaint it before finding a spot to put it in the yard.  So, now that I have some time to sip some wine and make dinner, I've decided to open a bottle of 2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, which is a wine that I'm pleased to be an owner of, but also one that I think will go well with my classic Labor Day dinner.  So, let's see how this wine tastes!

The wine is a wonderfully bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity to create such a gem like appearance.  A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of strawberry, a bit of tart cherry and the faintest hint of rose petals.  Take a sip and you have a rush of tart cherry up front that eases into some earthy mineral notes with a bit of tar midpalate.  The tannins are supple, creating a base for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  This wine would pair well with a range of dished, from lamb to salmon, barbecue to asada beef tacos.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my classic Labor Day dinner, of steamed lobster and corn on the cob.  Back in my sophomore year of college, the Civil Air Patrol would sell live Maine lobsters for $5 each for a fundraiser, so our first weekend back on campus was always a lobster fest in our fraternity house.  Since my local market had live lobsters on sale today, I've recreated my Labor Day lobster dinner.  Cheers!

2016 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  I'll admit I spend most of the afternoon working and then mowing, so I'm definitely ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that I picked up at my local supermarket yesterday, the 2016 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot.  Given the unpopularity (is that a word?) of Merlot when compared to Cabernet, there are usually bargains to be found as in this case.  My market was apparently discontinuing this wine, and it was marked down to $19, so how could I resist?  I put four bottles in my cart and then the friendly cashier reminded me if I bought six I'd get an extra 10% off, for a net cost of around $17!  So, let's see if this bargain was worth the price!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a Napa Merlot.  A quick swirl reveals aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis, with undertones of dried herbs and baking spice.  Take a sip and your palate is enveloped by a velvety cascade of ripe black fruit interspersed with some earthy mineral notes and hints of anise and violet.  The tannins a lush, providing a nice backdrop for the long, voluptuous dry finish.

Overall, this wine was well worth the bargain price and I'd rate this one a solid 9, as it's a classic Napa Valley Merlot.  This wine would pair well with hearty pasta dishes, soft cheese, or a nice steak.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse topped with sautéed sweet and red onions, along with steamed broccoli and oven roasted purple potatoes.  Cheers!

2020 Elizabeth Chardonnay

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I had the pleasure of enjoying a virtual wine tasting with Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels of the Bledsoe Family Winery!  It was a real treat to listen to these two great influencers of Walla Walla wine.  I learned of Drew's grandmother Betsy who is the namesake for the Elisabeth Chardonnay and things just got more interesting from there.

Drew and Josh spoke at length about the Bledsie Family Winery, and their vineyards as well as the community feel they have for the other wine members of the Walla Walla Valley.  The wine itself was really nice, and you know I'm not a white wine fan.  This Chardonnay was not the classic buttery, oak laden wine that so many are used to.  The nose presents lovely floral notes, with hints of green grass and earthy mineral elements.  A taste reveals notes of pear, citrus and hibiscus that just scream summer/  The summer flavors ease into some wonderful mineral notes midpalate. before leading to a long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking Chardonnay that is ideal for sipping on the patio on a summer evening.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer salads. but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic lemon pepper sockeye filet with wild rice and baby cauliflower.  Cheers! 

2019 Stolen Horse Syrah

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy one for me, as I went to a graduation party and then completed a few projects around the house, and now I'm definitely ready for Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery that arrived on Friday.  The 2019 Stolen Horse Syrah is a classic Syrah (98%) co-fermented with Viognier (2%) sourced from the Lefore, Flying B, Loess and Kenny Hill Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this new vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nearly a Cabernet sort of feel.  After letting this one breathe for an hour or so, a easy swirl reveals aromas of green grass, smoky oak, and hints of wild berries that beckon you to taste.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a cascade of flavors, from blueberry reduction, to olive tapenade, smoke and earthy mineral notes.  The mouthfeel on this wine is a real treat, with velvety texture and well structured tannins to provide for a delightfully dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's such a solid example of the varietal, but also such an intriguing wine.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a hearty meat dish, from a grilled pork tenderloin to barbecued beef ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of herb crusted rack of lamb with potato puree, red wine demi and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2019 DaMa Wines Columbia Valley GSM

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I just finished mowing since I couldn't do it on Sunday since it was raining, and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2019 Columbia Valley GSM, because who doesn't like a nice GSM?  This wine is a blend of Grenache (46%), Syrah (39%) and Mourvèdre (15%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with a somewhat lighter weight and great clarity.  Swirl the glass and take a whiff and you're greeted by classic aromas of strawberry, red currant and hibiscus with undertones of earthy minerals.  Take a sip and the rush of red fruit washed over your palate, with flavors of raspberry, strawberry and sweet cherry that transition nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are soft, but just the right base for a long dry finish, with some bright acidity right at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is a really fruit forward, easy drinking blend, just what makes a GSM so great.  Casual sipping or enjoying with dinner, this food friendly wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from wild mushroom risotto, to steaks, to barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Bison New York Strip along with oven roasted baby potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!