2016 Sodaro Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month, which makes this 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 hasn't been in the cellar very long, but still worthy, the 2016 Sodaro Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a solid Napa Valley Cabernet.  The nose presents luxurious aromas of leather, green grass, blackberry compote and prune amid undertones of anise and expresso.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry and black currant that easily gives way to some earthy peat and herbal notes of mint and sage midpalate. The tannins are well integrated for the cool, smooth dry finish that lingers like an old friend.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant, classic Napa Valley Cabernet, with depth of character that matches its age.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised short ribs or rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared Angus ribeye, wild mushroom farro and steamed sugar snaps.  Cheers!

2023 Eberle Côtes du Rôbles

Well, what do you know, three days of posting in a row!  I thought it was a good idea to open another one of my mistakenly free bottles of wine, this time it's the 2023 Eberle Côtes du Rôbles.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (58%), Mourvèdre (34%) and Syrah (8%) all harvested from Paso Robles, California.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a seemingly heavier body than you might expect from a GSM blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals enticing aromas of strawberry, rose petals and green grass that will have you fully engaged.  The first sip is an unexpected rush of sweet ripe fruit, cherry, strawberry and a hint of raspberry that easily transition to some earthy notes of tar and espresso midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, providing for a pleasant dry finish, with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant and easy drinking Rhône-style blend that would pair well with a variety of dishes, from fish to tacos, barbecue to grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared salmon filet, steamed rice and sugar snap peas, as I sip this wine for the remainder of my Monday evening.  Cheers!

2020 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  On Friday, I needed to stop at my local market to pick up ingredients for a team meeting and cooking event at church, and as I walked down the quiet aisles (pro tip, shopping at 9 pm on a Friday avoids the crowds!) I happened upon a display of clearance alcohol.  I usually check to see if there are any interesting wines on clearance and what should I find but four bottles of tonight's wine for just $10.97 each!  Needless to say, I bought all four that were left and tonight I am enjoying the first bottle of 2020 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I reviewed the 2008 vintage here on a Cellar Saturday, highlighting the aging potential of this wine.  Let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center, bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is chock full of juicy, ripe fruit, blackberries, cherry and plum, with undertones of eucalyptus and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that gives way to some more nuanced notes of blackberry and currant, before transitioning to some earthy notes of leather, dark chocolate and espresso midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a smooth dry finish that will leave you reaching for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a lovely example of a big Napa Cabernet that would be well worth it, even if it wasn't a spectacular bargain!  This wine would pair well with many hearty winter dishes, from beef stew and braised lamb shank, Bolognese pasta or Yankee pot roast.  But who are we kidding, this wine practically begs to be paired with steak, and tonight I am enjoying it with a rare grilled thick ribeye along with oven roasted sweet potatoes and cauliflower.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec

Happy Saturday!  It's been a crazy weather day today, with cold and freezing rain, but I made it through grocery shopping and am back home for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been hanging around and ignored with it's siblings from 2020 and 2021.  The 2019 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec is a 100% Malbec sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard (86%) and Stone Valley Vineyard (14%) in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting after a few years in the cellar!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a classic Malbec.  The nose presents aromas of violet, espresso and blackberry, an fresh earthy blend that will have you anxious for a sip.  The first taste is a rush of tart cherry, blackberry and espresso that gives way to some earthy loam and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide for the perfect foundation for the smooth, long dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a quintessential example of the promise of Malbec in the capable hands of a Walla Walla winemaker.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, but honestly this wine just begs to be paired with steak, like the gauchos of Argentina.  Well, we're in luck as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon, mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was the day of my annual Christmas Party, and we had a great crowd which means there were not a lot of leftovers!  I use this party as an opportunity to try some new dishes for the guests, and this year we had three new ones that were all well received.  Today, after spending a good portion of the afternoon cleaning up, it's now time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy a good dinner.  Since this is the last Sunday of the month, it's also Dinner in the Diner Sunday, the last one of this yearlong effort, but more on that later.  For the wine, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the original vineyard planted by Seven Hills founder Casey McClellan and his father back in the early 1980s.  The other vintages I've enjoyed (including the 2017 and 2019) were well worth it, so let's see how the 2020 is faring!

The wine has the classic look of a big Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate, inviting you to take a sip.  That first sip is a wild ride of flavors as you experience and eruption of sweet cherry up front, that eases into some earthy notes of toasted oak and dusty limestone, before transitioning to some espresso and dark chocolate notes midpalate.  The tannins are youthful, but well behaved, providing for the wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic example of the age worthy potential of Walla Walla Cabernets.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from rack of lamb and braised short ribs, London broil to hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a main course derived from the dining cars of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, fried country ham with red gravy, along with some mashed sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.  Cheers!

2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Tonight's wine represents another installment of a great series of Washington wines that I've been reviewing since the 2010 vintage more than a decade ago!  I didn't say the latest, as I just received the next vintage in my wine club shipment a week or so ago, but at least I'm trying to catch up!  The 2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdot (7%), Merlot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate, Weinbau and Sagemoor Vineyards of Washington State.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, enticing ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a great Washington Cabernet.  The nose presents vibrant aromas of sweet cherry, violet and toasted oak, with an undercurrent of dark chocolate and espresso.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black cherry, marionberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of baking spice and dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are pronounced and expertly structured, providing for a silky smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of my favorite Washington Cabernets, given its quality and consistency over many years.  This wine would pair well with a big steak, grilled lamb chops, braised short ribs, or almost any hearty winter dish that needs a big wine to dance with.  Tonight, I am taking the advice of the winery and enjoying this wine with a big ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and classic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2020 Raymond Mountain District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a while since I've posted, and I blame that on a despicable work schedule along with a dreaded summer cold I've been battling (so my sense of smell might not be as accurate this evening!).  In any case, I'm ready for a relaxing Sunday dinner following a weekend of work (see above) and given my planned meal, I couldn't think of a better wine to open than the 2020 Raymond Mountain District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I think I bought this one several months back from Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how this fire tainted vintage is tasting.

The wine is a brooding ruby color in the glass, with a dark center as you'd expect on a nice Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of earthy leather, green grass and hints of blackberry amid undertones of minerality.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry, blackberry and currant that awash your palate before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and espresso midpalate.  The tannins are velvety and provide an ideal base for the long, classically Napa dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic big honkin' Napa Valley Cabernet that I bought for a solid value price at just $40.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta and braised short ribs, to barbecue and lamb.  Of course, for me a big honkin' Cabernet calls for a big honkin' steak, so tonight I am enjoying this wine with a tomahawk grilled Pittsburgh rare, served with roasted hatch chiles and fresh sweet corn I picked up at the farmer's market yesterday.  Cheers!

2019 Château Lalande de Gravet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Happy Sunday!  Well, since it's the last Sunday of the month, it's time for Dinner in the Diner, where I explore a recipe that once graced the dining cars of some of the classic trains of the 20th Century.  Tonight, I've once again decided to go with a nice Bordeaux with my dinner and I've opened a bottle of 2019 Château Lalande de Gravet Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that I purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) hand harvested from 45-year-old vines.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum, with undertones of espresso, cedar and classic Bordeaux funk.  Take a sip and you are immediately awash in tart cherry fruit that quickly eases into some sweeter notes of plum and blackberry, before transitioning to some notes of dusty limestone and green cedar midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide the base for a long, smooth dry finish that is classic old world.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant tasting Bordeaux that hits all the right notes at a value price of just $20.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a comfort food Sunday dinner of Corn Bread Pie using the recipe from the B&O Railroad (posted below), which is simple to prepare and has a sweet and spicy filling, with a hearty cornbread crust.  I took a few liberties with the recipe and topped it with come shredded cheese and jalapenos to add just a little more zip. Cheers!

2013 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month, which makes this Cellar Saturday, that magical day when I raid the cellar to find something at least a decade in the making to taste.  Tonight I've opened another vintage of a wine I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out (in this case I bought a 5-year vertical).  The 2013 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of prune, anise and dried herbs, with a faint undertone of mint.  Take a sip and you're awash in a cascade of blackberry and currant, with notes of espresso, dark chocolate and eucalyptus that transition to some notes of dried herbs that will have you envisioning an old-school Italian grocery.  The tannins are in your face, providing for a velvety mouthfeel and a long, dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking well now, but might have already reached its prime.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to baked pasta or braised lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some barbecued beef ribs, baked beans and some vinegar coleslaw.  Cheers!

2019 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I had the chance to go to the farmers market today to pick up some interesting produce items to enjoy with my dinner and I also happened to meet up with the "Basil Brothers" who are two young people (I can never judge age, but my guess is they are between 10 and 12) and they produce some marvelous smoked herb salt which I will include in my meal prep this evening (also bought a bottle of chive blossom vinegar that I'm anxious to try!).  In any case, tonight I've opened a bottle of wine from I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (7%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Malbec (1%).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful bright ruby color in the glass, a bit lighter than your typical big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and cassis, intermingled with hints of espresso and cocoa powder.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe black fruit with herb influences throughout that ease into some notes of vanilla and peppery spice.  The tannins are somewhat subdued providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a solid Napa Cabernet and a good value at just $23.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from weeknight pizza or tacos, to steaks, braised short ribs or barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York Strip along with some mashed potatoes and grilled orange cauliflower and hatch chiles (they are finally here!).  Cheers!

2017 Domaine de Fabrègues 'Le Coeur' Languedoc

Happy Sunday!  It's been raining her for much of the day, which is good as it's been very dry for the past month and the farmers and my lawn can use it!  After accomplishing some inside chores today, it's time to make dinner and open a nice bottle of wine.  My selection tonight serves two purposes, first to enjoy a nice wine, but second to try out a new gadget I recently bought.  You see, the wine I am opening is a magnum, which I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, and not wanting to drink to excess tonight, I plan to try my new Rabbit vacuum wine preserver!  So, after a few glasses tonight, I can seal up the rest of this large bottle until I'm ready to enjoy it.  Now, about the wine, the 2017 Domaine de Fabrègues 'Le Coeur' Languedoc is a blend of Syrah (80%) and Carignan (20%) from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of the South of France.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect with such a Syrah heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of vanilla, blackberry and blueberry, with hints of vanilla and earthy mineral notes.  Take a sip and you experience a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, blueberry and tart cherry that ease back into some warm spice, espresso and mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and dark, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish than lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a fine example of the wines of the south of France, and it was also a solid value at just $33 for the magnum!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty stew, pasta with wild mushroom cream sauce, or hearty fish dishes.  Tonight I am taking the latter approach and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin salmon filet with some roasted rainbow carrots and baby beets and steamed purple asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2011 Alienor 'Le Troubadour' Lake County Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of March, which make this Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that hasn't actually been in my cellar very long, as I recently bought it from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2011 Alienor 'Le Troubadour' Lake County Red Wine is a blend of  Merlot (41%), Syrah (32%) and  Cabernet Franc (27%) from the Lake County AVA of the North Coast of California.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from the heavy hand of these varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blueberries, prune, dried moss and undertones of mint and anise.  Take a sip and your tastebuds surprise you with a rush of fresh ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum, that transition to notes of subtle spice and earthy gravel, intertwined with a dark espresso.  The tannings are still quite robust, leading you to the smooth, dusty dry finish that lingers through your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking wonderfully right now, and at just $20, you could easily sip this throughout the week.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty, earthy dishes, from duck to wild mushroom risotto, grilled lamb to a smoked curry.  Tonight I am taking a completely different road and enjoying this wine with some quick tacos before my second to the last performance this evening.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Friday!  I've been waiting for the weekend, though not to relax as I have a lot of leaf gathering yard work to accomplish over the next two days.  So, since it's dark by the time I'm done with work, I can't start early, so I may as well enjoy a bottle of wine before the hard work begins.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a wine club shipment I received today, the 2018 Forgeron Malbec, a 100% Malbec from the StoneTree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of smoke, ripe blueberry and currant, with undertones of leather and earthy limestone.  Take a sip and a wash of ripe fruit overruns your senses, blueberry, blackberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes intermingled with espresso and white pepper, for an intriguing combination midpalate.  The tannins are supple and fully comfortable in a supporting role 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 a Malbec that tastes and feels like something more than a Malbec.  This wine would pair well with a variety of rich and hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to linguine carbonara, as well as midweek easy dinners like pizza or burgers.  Tonight I am going with the latter and enjoying this wine with some chorizo and black bean tacos on corn tortillas and topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado and fresh sliced jalapenos.  Cheers!

2017 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Friday!  It's been quite a busy week, so I'm glad to settle back and open a nice bottle of wine to start the weekend.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  The 2017 Helix Cima Piccola is a super Tuscan style blend from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This vintage is made up of Sangiovese (49%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek, Stone Tree and XL Vineyards.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of the Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  Take a whiff and the aromas of blackberry, cherry and currant intermingle with earthy notes of leather and dried herbs.  A sip reveals the Tuscan roots, as notes of black cherry dance with espresso bean, as black pepper bursts forth from a dusty spice box at the finish.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide for a wonderfully dry finish amidst peppery spice notes and balanced acidity.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this might be my favorite vintage of the Cima Piccola!  This wine strikes me as a very versatile food friendly wine, which would pair well with steaks, veal chops or barbecue as well as it would with hearty Italian dishes from risotto to classic pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of off the beaten path Italian, some basil and garlic linguine that my aunt sent for Christmas tossed in some Boursin cheese sauce with smoked sausage and shallots.  Cheers!

2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Tuesday!  It's been a busy week so far, and I have to admit I'm still sore from all the yard work I did last weekend.  I had the brilliant idea of buying a new Stihl hedge trimmer on Saturday and spent all Sunday afternoon trimming all of my hedges around the yard!  So now that things are getting back to normal and I'm once again able to smoothly lift a wine glass to my mouth, why not open a bottle of Merlot to get back on track with Sean Sullivan's Washington Merlot Challenge (I'm sure I drank a Washington Merlot last month, but I never blogged about it!).  Tonight's wine is the 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Merlot, a blend of Merlot (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) blended in equal parts from two vineyards, the Ferguson Vineyard and the Seven Hill Vineyard.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of black cherry, blackberry and currant intermingled with earthy aromas of leather and basalt.  The taste is a very old world style of Merlot, with a rush of ripe black fruit up front, black cherry and blackberry that eases into some notes of dark chocolate and espresso midpalate, with just a hint of black pepper spice on the finish.  The tannins are robust and well integrated for a long, smooth and satisfyingly dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's perhaps my favorite Merlot so far this year.  This wine would pair well with a variety of meat dishes, from lamb chops to venison, steak to bison filet.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with grilled asparagus and garlic scapes and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2016 Helix Columbia Valley Sangiovese

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend of gardening and projects around the house and now I just need to relax with a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to make some comfort food for dinner with a bit of Italian flavor, so why not open a bottle of Italian inspired wine?  Alas, I've settled on a recent wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2016 Helix Columbia Valley Sangiovese.  This wine is a 100% Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, just as you'd expect for the varietal.  The nose is classic Sangiovese, with aromas of leather, cherry, dried herbs and a hint of rose petals.  The taste is just divine, with a rush of ripe cherry and strawberry fruit at the outset that expresses some wonderful tartness before transitioning to some notes of white pepper spice and a hint of espresso midpalate.  The fine tannins offer ideal structure with balanced acidity for the wonderfully smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of my favorite vintages of Chuck Reininger's efforts at Sanviovese (he's been making Sangiovese from Stillwater Creek since the 2004 vintage!) and one that is ideal for food.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Italian dishes, from Caprese salad on the patio this summer, to hearty pasta and pizza, but tonight I am doing comfort food and enjoying this wine with some stuffed peppers!  The acidity and spice are the perfect match for the oregano and basil in the stuffing and the richness of the cheese and sauce.  Cheers!

2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson

Happy Monday!  It's been an uneventful start to the week, though it was in the mid-70s today which means I need to grill and enjoy a glass of wine on the patio, and not necessarily in that order.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson, which is officially last year's vintage as I just got a few bottles of the 2016  in my recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec (7%) from the Ferguson Vineyard in Walla Walla.  So let's see how this vintage stacks up!

The wine is a deep purple color at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, a testament to the concentrations of Cabernet and Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of dusty basalt, with hints of leather, mocha and blueberries throughout.  The taste is a rush of black cherry with a bit of tartness that transitions to notes of tobacco, espresso and dark chocolate midpalate.  There is quite a bit of minerality in this wine, a testament to the varietals in this Bordeaux style blend.  The tannins are refined and well structured, providing for a lingering dry finish that holds the mouth for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's quite impressive, but just a bit short of the 2014 vintage in my view.  In any case this is still a fantastic wine and perfect for a big honkin' steak, which is a good thing since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a gigantic cowboy cut bone-in ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and grilled leeks.  And no, I could not finish the whole steak but there's always tomorrow!  Cheers!

2014 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a nice bottle of Merlot, and a bottle that will likely be a wine club selection soon, the 2014 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot.  This wine is a Merlot blended with a bit of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that likely provides a bit of added heft and complexity.  I also selected this wine based on what I'm having for dinner, which I began cooking at lunchtime if that provides you any hints.  So let's see how this wine tastes. 

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with deep, inky purple at the center.  The nose is a pleasant combination of ripe black fruit, green cedar and some wonderfully subtle floral undertones that exemplify the level of complexity in the wine.  The taste is classic Merlot, with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and cassis that envelop the palate.  Midpalate, you're treated to some notes of dark chocolate and espresso with a reprise of black cherry before the wonderfully structured tannins provide for the smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful Merlot that's boosted by the added Bordeaux varietals.  This wine would pair well with a variety of steaks and chops, fresh pasta dishes, or since we are entering the fall months, hearty stews and roasts.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic braised short ribs over mashed potatoes with chives along with some steamed broccoli.  The freshness of the wine and wonderful fruit really brings up the richness of the short ribs.  Cheers!

2013 Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I've been doing some chores, like laundry and also doing a bit of relaxing this afternoon, so now it's time to get down to business, namely the business of enjoying a glass of wine as I'm preparing dinner!  And tonight it's a special one that I brought back from my recent trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train, the 2013 Charles Krug Vintage Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) and Petit Verdot (6%). so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black color at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a high quality Cabernet.  The nose is a pleasant combination of blueberry, espresso and a hint of smoke,  The taste is a wonderful rush of ripe fruit up front, blueberries, blackberries and cherries, that transition nicely to some wonderful notes of vanilla bean and caramel.  The tannins are wonderfully structured to provide for an elegant and exceptionally dry finish that seems to last several minutes.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's truly an exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet, ideal for wonderfully decadent dinners, like the rare grilled Angus porterhouse I am having tonight with a baked potato and some steamed sugar snap peas.  This wine is priced at $100, but I think they were running a special gift pack with the 2013 "Generations" which made this wine a bit more approachable.  Cheers!

2013 L'Ecole No. 41 Ferguson

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy one as I started out at my uncle's house south of Chicago, we went to the cemetery and planted flowers on graves as is our custom on Memorial Day weekend.  But now I'm home and ready for a nice glass of wine!  Today I've decided to open a bottle of 2013 L'Ecole No. 41 Ferguson, not realizing of course that I've tried the 2011 vintage (see that review here) but haven't yet opened a bottle of the 2012!  So I guess I'll just stick with odd years on this one.  In any case, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec (4%) from the Ferguson Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.

The wine is a lovely deep, inky purple in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of leather, dusty limestone, espresso and a hint of cherry pipe tobacco.  The taste is a lovely burst of fruit, cherry and blueberry that transition nicely to some notes of mocha and some complex mineral notes midpalate.  With the lovely basalt layer just beneath the soil at Ferguson, the wines from this vineyard almost always have a mineral complexity that makes the wines so enjoyable, particularly with a nice big steak!  The finish marries the mineral notes with luxurious tannins that make for a long, smooth and very dry finish that compels you to reach for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's still quite young, but drinking very well right now.  I expect this wine will be even better with a few years in the cellar, but today it's an ideal wine for braised short ribs or a nice big grilled steak.  That's where I'm headed tonight, with a rare Angus T-bone, some grilled sweet corn and steamed haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!