2017 Giordano Barolo

Happy Saturday!  I spent my day running errands and then mowing and fertilizing the lawn before it might rain tomorrow, and now I am ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I have modestly broken an unwritten rule about never opening a Barolo until it's at least a decade old, but I really wanted something Italian with my Italian inspired dinner this evening.  I have opened a bottle of 2017 Giordano Baraolo, and hopefully this 9-year-old Nebbiolo is having a well behaved year, so let's find out!

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents classic aromas of cedar, ripe raspberry and dried herbs amid undertones of lavender and kirsch.  The first sip an interesting combination of black cherry, cedar and earthy peat that transitions to some funky notes of dusty limestone and powerful floral notes midpalate.  The finish is subdued, with mellow tannins providing for some dryness amid a lingering earthy funk.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8, as it has great potential, but seems to be misbehaving like a petulant child this evening.  I have another bottle, so perhaps I'll try this one again in a few years.  This wine would pair well with some hard cheeses or hearty southern Italian cuisine that can put this little child in its place.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers along with linguine sauteed with garlic, olive oil, asparagus and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2015 Château Faugères St.-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, so it's time to raid the cellar and find a bottle that's at least a decade in the making!  Tonight, I've gone back to the genesis of my love of red wine, a classic Bordeaux, in this case, the 2015 Château Faugères St.-Émilion Grand Cru Classé that I purchased a few years ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  This particular vintage is a blend of Merlot (80%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), so let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine seems to be as fresh as the day it was bottled, with deep ruby color throughout.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, charred oak and tawny herbaceousness that will leave you with a firm impression of classic Bordeaux funk.  The first sip is a surprising rush of ripe fruit, tart cherry, raspberry and currant that wash over your palate before easing into some notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that reminds me of springtime in Paris.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classically formed St.-Émilion with plenty of fruit, structure and funk to have Bordeaux fans standing at attention.  This wine would pair well with a range of classic French dishes, from Coq au Vin to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rather unconventional dinner of an oven roasted stuffed pork chop, steamed sugar snap peas and mashed potatoes and gravy.  Cheers!

2015 Château Les Giraudels de Milon Saint-Emilion

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of a new month, when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I believe I bought from Wines Till Sold Out almost three years ago and it's been sitting in my cellar ever since.  The 2015 Château Les Giraudels de Milon Saint-Emilion is a blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Cabernet Franc (12%), so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity and just a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents classic Bordeaux aromas of cherry, currant and rose petals with just the right amount of underlying funk beneath the surface. The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry, toasted oak, dusty limestone and forest floor that all dance together to create the classic Bordeaux funk we love.  The tannins are still a bit sharp, but well suited to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic Saint-Emilion, but may have a bit too much funk for comfort.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from herb crusted rack of lamb to braised beef short ribs, wild mushroom risotto to grilled pork tenderloin.  Tonight, I am taking a bit of a different path and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin black pearl salmon, pearled couscous and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to open a bottle of something that's been at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's only been in my cellar for a month or so, as I purchased this bottle at a wine store in Hillsdale, Michigan on a recent steam train excursion.  The 2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc does not list a specific blend, but given the requirements of this appellation on the left bank of the Gironde, I would guess this is weighted toward Cabernet Sauvignon, along with some Merlot, Petit Verdot, and perhaps a bit of Malbec.  Let's see how this wine is tasting. 

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, a testament to this classic Bordeaux blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry, and hints of lilac, a very refined and rich bouquet.  The first sip is just classis Bordeaux, with a rush of blackberry, currant and fig that eases into the classic Bordeaux funk, earthy peat and white pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is supported by soft tannins, providing the classic smooth dry finish that doesn't linger, but makes itself hardly noticeable.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid examples of one of my favorite Bordeaux wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to braised short ribs, grilled lamb to classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye along with some grilled portabella mushrooms and linguine tossed with sautéed garlic scapes and broccoli rabe and topped with parmesan.  Cheers!

2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc

Well, it was a busy Saturday, working, then working in the yard, then running errands and now I am more than ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a month or so ago from Costco, the 2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc.  I am a big fan of the Medoc in France, as this was one of the first wines I fell in love with on my first trip to France in 1995.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, so what could go wrong?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic Bordeaux look.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, leather, basalt and a classic Bordeaux funk.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit at first, which instantly transitions to some notes of earthy peat and ripe plum, before transitioning to notes of black pepper spice, leather and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple yet firm, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that is classically Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking classic red wine, that was a terrific value at under $20 (I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think it was around $18).  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, hearty pasta dishes, or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared prime New York strip over a bed of sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms with some oven roasted potatoes.  Cheers!

2015 Château La Tour De Mons Margaux

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month, so time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a classic Bordeaux, the 2015 Château La Tour De Mons Margaux, which I think I bought perhaps five years ago, though I don't recall where I bought it.  This wine is a classic Cabernet focused Bordeaux blend from the left bank of Gironde, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux.  The nose presents aromas of leather, tar, lilac and cherry, the classic earthy funk of Bordeaux.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transition easily to some earthy notes of smoke, oak, dusty limestone and tar midpalate.  The tannins are expertly crafted, providing a classic Bordeaux dry finish that will have you forgetting you were even drinking wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Margaux and such a pleasure to enjoy with a great meal or just sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with braised lamb shank or beef short ribs, classic steak au poivre or hearty stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared, grass fed New York strip with sautéed onions and peppers, oven roasted purple potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Inspire Moore Winery "Change" Blaufrankisch

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Of course having just a bit of Irish in my heritage, I still use this holiday as an excuse to stink up my house with aromas of corned beef and cabbage, because it's so delicious!  But what wine to serve with it?  I'll admit my usual go to is a nice dry rose, but I didn't have any available, this being technically still winter, so I've decided to open a wine I picked up in the Finger Lakes of New York on my summer vacation.  The 2021 Inspire Moore Winery "Change" Blaufrankisch is a pure example of the varietal, that they espouse as their go to wine for barbecue (and I don't disagree) but let's see how it stands up to corned beef!

The wine is a very light garnet color in the glass, edging ever so close to rose, but still distinctly red.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of earthy tar, strawberry, sweet cherry and smoky oak.  Take a sip and you are treated to a rush of tart cherry, oak and a bit of funk that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and earth midpalate.  The tannins are ever so smooth, aiding the soft dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's an ideal light red wine for a St. Patrick's day dinner, that's also a pleasant departure from the standard fare of Pinot Noir.  This wine would be excellent with barbecue, burgers, tacos or pizza, the perfect midweek wine and it was a terrific value at just $20.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my traditional corned beef, cabbage, red potatoes and carrots.  Cheers!

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I know I didn't have a chance to post over the past week or so, but now I have a chance mid-week!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.  As a proud shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, it's always a pleasure to open a bottle, which in this case I found at my local Costco last weekend.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Pinot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, blackberry and plum amid earthy leather and a hint of oak.  The first sip is rush or ripe red fruit, raspberry, cherry and currant that evolve to some notes of warm pepper spice and just a bit of funk midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but offer a velvety smooth dry finish with a reprise of cherry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely right now, but might improve a bit over the course of the next year.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from salmon and seared tuna, to pasta or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an easy mid-week dish of tomato and mozzarella ravioli with some Italian sausage marinara.  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!

2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo

Happy Saturday!  Today was a bit of a relaxing day, though I may be the only one that finds running errands relaxing.  So, after the farmer's market, the supermarket and visiting with some friends, I am now back home and ready for a relaxing dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo.  This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (76%), Syrah (19%) and Malbec (5%) from the Stone Tree, Phinney Hill and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  After a gentle swirl, you're greeted with all manner of fruit and funk, blackberry, chalk, vanilla bean, peat and dusty limestone with just a bit of twang at the end.  Take a sip and the funk evaporates like a distant memory as you are treated to all manner of blackberry, from fresh to jam to compote, before easing into some notes of pipe tobacco and a hint of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing for a wonderfully full, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a pleasure to sip, but I just wish there was a bit more in the center.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from classic risotto and pasta, to hearty stews and robust fish dishes.  Tonight I am taking a different tack, and enjoying this wine with a dinner that should not be paired, a wonderful pretzel crusted chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2016 Timber Point Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week and I'm glad to open up a nice bottle of wine to start the weekend!  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently ordered from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2016 Timber Point Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine from a very solid Napa vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Merlot (8%), Petit Verdot (6%) and Malbec (4%) from vineyards in Rutherford and Oakville.  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 might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose is a rounded, earthy affaire, with aromas of leather, charcoal and cedar intermingled with bing cherry and red currant notes.  One sip and you're greeted with a mesmerizing collision of new world and old world, as some Bordeaux-esque herbs and funk intermingle with new world ripe black fruit and sharp acidity.  Ripe cherry, currant and some pomegranate combine with some dried herbs and acidic sharpness before transitioning to a wonderfully warm, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this wine is a somewhat more subdued version of a classic Napa Cabernet, at a price (just $18) that makes this into an easy everyday red wine.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, chops and hearty stews, in addition to some wonderful Italian pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some sun dried tomato and goat cheese ravioli with a spicy red sauce topped with shaved parmesan.  Cheers! 

2007 Stag's Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah

 Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month and that means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making and tonight I've opened a special wine from a stellar Napa Valley Vintage, the 2007 Stag's Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah.  I am a fan of Petite Syrah as I find that it's generally neither petite nor very Syrah like, as it tends to be a much bigger, bolder wine.  I've decanted this wine and let it open up a bit so let's see how it's shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, much more reminiscent of a Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit intermingled with a bit of mint, green herbs and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  The taste is exactly what you might expect from the aromas, with a rush of jammy fruit that quickly subsides to reveal flavors of green olives, white pepper and a bit of earthy funk midpalate.  The tannins are quite subdued revealing a soft, voluptuous dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an excellent sipping wine that might be a year or two past it's prime.  This wine would pair well with just about any Labor Day fare, from grilled steak to barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York Strip, along with some grilled leeks, fire roasted peppers and grilled corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2018 Casillero del Diablo Carmenère

 Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted as I've been on a vacation road trip over ten days, driving from Indiana to Yellowstone and stopping at all manner of sites in between.  Tonight I hosted a virtual wine tasting with some of my coworkers and since we were focused on tasting a single varietal (Carmenère), I needed to find a bottle that everyone could find at their local market.  So, I chose the 2018 Casillero del Diablo Carmenère from Chile.  I was inspired to do this varietal tasting based on one held by Chuck Reininger a few months back that highlighted this lost Bordeaux varietal.  Let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, typical of a nice Carmenère.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, raspberry, green grass and a bit of Bordeaux style funk.  The taste is far less fruit forward than suggested by the nose,with subdued flavors of blackberry and currant that transitions to some earthy notes of tar and graphite intermingled with cocoa powder and black pepper.  The tannins are well structured providing a base for the soft dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's a nice everyday drinking wine at a value price of just $10.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steak and lamb to chorizo tacos.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a truffle salted filet mignon along with some roasted baby potatoes I picked up at the farmers' market in Douglas, Wyo. last saturday and some steamed green beans with slivered almonds.  Cheers!

2012 Doubleback Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well this weekend just flew by!  The weather was near perfect for early spring, so I had a chance to do a little yard work and a few projects around the hours and now it's time to wind down before starting the work week tomorrow.  And tonight I've decided to go big as we near the end of Walla Walla Valley Wine Month, and open up a bottle of 2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine has really become a favorite for the more old-world style of Washington Cabernet, produced by Drew  and Maura Bledsoe and their chief winemaker Josh McDaniels, which I had the chance to taste on a trip to Walla Walla back in 2015 (see Tasting at Doubleback) before they moved their tasting room out to their new and fancier digs.  So let's see how this stellar vintage has evolved over the five years since I first tasted it.

The wine is a brooding, inky black affair at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, suggestive of a bigger wine.  The nose is classically old world, with aromas of blackberry, prune, leather, lavender and just a hint of Bordeaux-style funk.  The taste is just magical, with a rush of ripe black fruit dancing with hints of floral, before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and sage midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, supporting a long and luxurious dry finish with a reprise of sweet cherry at the back end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's probably one of the finest examples of this stellar vintage of Walla Walla Cabernet that I could imagine.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, but let's be serious, this wine screams to be sipped with a big steak!  And as luck would have it, I have one available!  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a prime New York strip grilled rare, along with grilled asparagus and cipollini onions (man those are a pain to peel!) and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2008 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  That magical first Saturday of the month where I raid the cellar and try to find something at least a decade in the making and tonight is a treat.  This wine is not only a vintage 12 years back, it's actually been in my cellar for nearly a decade, as I bought this bottle in October 2011!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the 2008 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a year off from the stellar 2007 vintage, but as I recall when I tasted this at the time I bought it this was a fairly hefty wine.  I've decanted this wine for a couple hours, and there was a good bit of Bordeaux-esque funk when I opened it, but it seems to have settled a bit since then, so let's check it out!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of rich leather, ripe blackberry and plum, with just a subdued hint of funk.  The taste is remarkably smooth and well structured, with a lot of dark fruit rushing forward, blackberry, cherry and blueberry envelop the palate, before transitioning nicely to some smoky oak and just a hint of lavender midpalate.  The tannins are firm but well behaved, and the acidity is still pronounced despite the age, providing for a long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's really as good as I remember it, and it's really reaching its prime.  This wine might pair with a variety of dishes, but as a big Napa Cab, this wine practically begs to be consumed with a big honkin' steak, and tonight we're in luck!  As I'm enjoying this wine with a big honkin' New York strip grilled Pittsburgh rare with sauteed onions, a big baked potato and grilled asparagus.  The fruit and acidity of this wine is perfect with red, red meat.  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!

2005 Eeden Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  That wonderful first Saturday of the month where I dig deep into the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to enjoy.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up a couple of months ago from Wines Till Sold Out, that intrigued me, the 2005 Eeden Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Eeden was founded in 2002 in St. Helena, in the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley, on property that was originally owned by Berenger Family as far back as the 1930s.  The family has since replanted the vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah, for their limited production wines.  So let's see how this one tastes!

I'll preface this by noting that I have decanted the wine for a couple hours before tasting.  The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a Napa Cabernet.  The wine is exuding some wonderful Bordeaux-esque aromas, leather, blackberry, olive and a good bit of funk making this one exciting to try.  The taste is remarkably fruit forward, with a rush of cherry and blueberry at the front which gradually gives way to some wonderful mineral notes of dusty limestone and peat midpalate, before a reprise of cherry and white pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are at once supple and structured, providing for a wonderfully velvety smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very old-world style Cabernet, which is very unusual for Napa Valley.  This wine would pair with a variety of dishes, similar to a nice St. Emilion, it would pair well with lamb, steaks and chops, pasta or even summer barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap with grilled garlic scapes, some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2007 Liberte Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  I don't think I can recall the last time the first of the month fell on a Saturday, so this is a bit of a bonus Cellar Saturday, that magical first Saturday of the month when I raid the cellar looking for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I likely bought nearly a decade ago, and honestly I bought it because I loved the label, the 2007 Liberte Cabernet Sauvignon, a whimsical Cabernet from Paso Robles.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine has the classic color of a Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is chock full of rich, jammy fruit that's quite reminiscent of a Zinfandel, blackberry, candied plum and black cherry intermingled with sandalwood and a bit of spice box.  The taste is remarkably vibrant despite it's maturity, with a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry that transitions nicely to some earthy leather and peat, with a nice touch of peppery spice toward the finish.  The tannins are very well structured, providing a lovely foundation for the long, smooth and very dry finish, that is remarkably Bordeaux-esque.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this would stack up well some some prime Napa Cabernets, but as I recall, this wine was a bargain well under $20!  It would pair well with a big steak, casual summer meals such as barbecued ribs, burgers or even grilled trout.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a prime Filet Mignon grilled rare with a big baked potato, and grilled leeks and fresh asparagus (the new crop from Michigan finally came in!).  Cheers!

2016 Michel-Schlumberger Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I've just come home from an eye appointment with good news on my recovery from eye surgery as the doctor said everything looks great, so why not celebrate?  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, but is one I've enjoyed for at least a few vintages, the 2016 Michel-Schlumberger Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oakville District in Napa Valley.  This wine sourced from Sophia's Vineyard consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (97%) and a touch of Cabernet Franc (3%).  So let's get to it!

The wine is a typical deep garnet color in the glass which is typical of a nice Napa Cabernet.  The nose expresses abundant anise, leather, violets and ripe black fruit.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry and cherry that transition easily to notes of tar, graphite and a bit of white pepper spice midpalate.  This wine is very much crafted like a fine Bordeaux with a good bit of funk throughout.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers just a bit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking and surprisingly old world style of Cabernet, and it was a good value at just $30.  This wine would pair well with steak, hearty pasta dishes, or Sunday pot roast without much effort, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled, prime 28-day dry aged sirloin I picked up from Eataly in Chicago on Monday, grilled rare and topped with a bit if white truffle butter, along with a honkin' baked potato and some grilled cauliflower.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Well, it's been a busy weekend, and just like that it's almost over!  Well at least there is still food and wine and tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I barrel tasted back in 2017, the 2016 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.  I remember tasting this wine on my visit and it was impressive, so let's see if it remains so!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for the varietal.  The nose is a layered affair, with a bit of leather and cedar on top of blackberry and currant with a hint of lilac in between.  The taste is a rush of black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry that transitions effortlessly to some earthy notes of peat and cedar midpalate.  This finish is supported by some tight tannins that gives you a rush of Bordeaux style funk before easing into a long, smooth and deliciously dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely now, but will likely get better with a year or two in the cellar.  This wine is a perfect wine to pair with some Mediterranean cuisine, whether great fish stews from the southern Rhone, or a wonderful linguine alle cozzi from Sicily, the earthiness and fruit would pair well.  But tonight I am enjoying this wine with food from an entirely different continent as I made some chicken and vegetables with masala curry sauce over basmati rice.  Cheers!