2014 Titan Wine Company Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's the magical day when I raid the cellar to find a bottle of wine at least a decade in the making to open and enjoy.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long as I purchased it from Wine Till Sold Out a month or so ago.  The 2014 Titan Wine Company Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley and from a very strong vintage.  So, let's see how this wine has performed over the past decade!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals tempting aromas of blackberry, aged leather and baking spice that is reminiscent of an old library, perfect for relaxing on a chilly winter evening.  The first sip is an intriguing adventure, with an introduction of peppery spice and green herbs that transitions easily to some blackberry and plum notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, supporting a long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of exotic spices at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an adventurous wine that belies the normal, boring big Napa Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with rustic dished, from hearty stews to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I have taken a traditional route, enjoying this wine with a big Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some grilled broccolini and oven roasted sweet potatoes with herbs de Provence.  Cheers! 

  

2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project Idle Hands Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  It's been a long and busy day for me, starting at the crack of dawn as this month I am volunteering to make breakfast for the worship team at church, then it was back home for a full day of yard work.  I trimmed a lot of branches, pulled weeks and then mowed.  By 5:30, I was ready for the end of the work day and now it's time for a nice glass of wine and a hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project  Idle Hands Red Wine.  This project started as a venture between Mark Ryan and the folks from Sleight of Hands Cellars, but eventually Mark Ryan bought out the venture to expand distribution.  In any case, particular wine is a blend of Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the Merlot and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, black cherry, green herbs and hints of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and cassis that ease effortlessly into some earth notes of peat, dusty loam and graphite.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking blend that is quintessential Washington.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to burgers, brats and barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, grilled hatch chiles, steamed green beans and corn on the cob.  An ideal summer Sunday dinner.  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 Birge Cellars Super Tuscan

Welcome to the long weekend!  It's been a busy day of running errands and grocery shopping (we'll see the results of that over the next few days!) and now it's time for a nice relaxing dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened up a special bottle from one of my colleagues who makes his own wine under his eponymous cellars label.  He gave me this bottle of Super Tuscan he made in 2019, and although I have no idea what the blend is, I can only guess that it blends some Sangiovese with other Bordeaux varietals sourced from Italy.  Given that I'm a firm believer that ignorance is bliss, let's dive into this wine!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, somewhat darker than your typical Sangiovese which is no doubt a testament to the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of green pepper, black cherry and a hint of floral undertones that I find intriguing.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a subdued black fruit blend of black cherry and plum, intermingled with some pomegranate and green herbs.  Midpalate, you see a nice transition to some earthy minerality with hints of mint and floral, before easing into the finish, with youthful tannins that support a classically dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very pleasant drinking wine that's really highlights the varietals that make a good Super Tuscan.  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty dishes, from big steaks to risotto, hearty stews to generous pasta.  Tonight I am taking the classic Italian route and enjoying this wine with some linguine topped with Italian sausage marinara, fresh basil and 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!

2013 Justin Isosceles

Happy Saturday!  I spent a good portion of the morning helping move and construct set pieces for the upcoming Elkhart Civic Theatre production of "The Music Man", but then I had the chance to relax a bit this afternoon and catch up on some errands and other projects.  After such an unremarkable day, I thought it would be good to head the other direction with a remarkable wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2013 Justin Isosceles, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (16%) and Merlot (9%) from Paso Robles that I find much more pleasing that about any wine from Napa.  So, let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from such a heavy Cabernet focused blend.  The nose is classic and rich, with notes of vanilla bean, smoke, leather and cedar that exudes quality.  The taste is a rush of cool fruit, black cherry, blackberry and plum that transitions effortlessly to some notes of green herb, mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, supporting a long, velvety finish with a reprise of black cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderful wine that illustrates the quality potential from this region, yet it's eminently approachable.  This wine is begging to be paired with a big steak, or perhaps even some barbecued brisket.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime filet mignon on a bed of grilled garlic scapes, with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts (is there a better combination of flavors?)
and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2015 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Monday!  It finally cooled off a bit here today, so I think I might actually have my dinner out on the patio tonight.  To celebrate I've opened a bottle of wine from one of my all-time favorite Washington wineries, Seven Hills.  Tonight it's the 2015 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc, a very limited production from fruit at the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley.  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine has a deep, almost inky color with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is wonderfully complex, with subtle notes of green herbs over earthy notes of leather and graphite intertwined with some wonderful fruit notes.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit, raspberry and blueberry that is intertwined with some lovely floral notes and a hint of mint.  The early fruit transitions nicely to some notes of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are robust but well integrated into the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this is one of my favorite Cabernet Francs I've tasted this year.  This wine would be ideal with a variety of dishes, from steaks and chops to barbecue or hearty Italian dishes.  But tonight I'm going off script and enjoying this wine with some seared sea scallops on a bed of baby arugula and some pasta with creamy pesto sauce.  The bright fruit and acidity of this wine are a perfect balance for the richness of the scallops and pasta.  Cheers!

2014 Spring Valley Vineyard "Muleskinner" Merlot

So I keep reading in different places that this is Merlot month or something like that, so I figured since I'm always late to the party it might be good to open one of these wines of the month.  So tonight I've opened up a bottle that's been in my cellar for a year or two, the 2014 Spring Valley Vineyard "Muleskinner" Merlot. This particular wine is 100% Merlot from the Spring Valley Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA.  2014 was a somewhat warmer vintage, but not as warm as the following two vintages, so let's see how this wine tastes.

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is very inviting, with aromas of leather and ripe black fruit, blackberry jam, plum and currant over a hint of dusty limestone.  The taste is rich, ripe and wonderfully smooth, with a rush of ripe fruit up front, black cherry, plum and current that transitions to some notes of green herbs and minerals midpalate. The tannins are quite subdued, leading to a lush, ripe and velvety dry finish that just beckons you to take another sip.

A little pre-cooked image tonight!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's really a wonderful example of a quality Merlot with some nice aging potential.  This wine would be great with hard cheeses, steak, chops or barbecue, but tonight I am totally going Fred Flintstone and enjoying this wine with a big bone-in, USDA Prime ribeye that was on sale at Costco today, along with some grilled asparagus and corn on the cob.  It's been really hot out the past two days, so it seems appropriate to have a mid-summer dinner tonight, cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle from a recent wine club (I think?) shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers of one of my favorite varietals, the 2016 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere!  Carmenere is one of those often overlooked varietals, which is unfortunate as it's an exceptionally food friends and easy drinking wine that everyone should enjoy!  So let's see how this latest vintage stacks up!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of wonderfully ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and currant over aromas of green herbs and light floral notes.  The taste us just a pleasure to behold, with a rush of ripe blackberry, plum and currant up front that transitions gracefully to notes of green herbs and a hint of white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are youthful but well developed, providing for a smooth, velvety dry finish with a reprise of tart cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would be good with just about anything, or even plain!  This would pair well with Italian, steak, barbecue, tacos, tapas, literally about anything, but tonight I'm enjoying this wine with some hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers and some spaghetti with garlic and olive oil, perfect combination of fruit from the wine with the spice of the dish.  Cheers!

2008 Saviez Private Reserve Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday in June and that means it's cellar Saturday, that magical time when I open a bottle at least 10 years in the making!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I literally found in my cellar a few weeks ago, as I didn't ever remember buying it!  I have a number of Saviez wines, mostly their Zinfandels, but this is a 2008 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc produced from their estate vineyard in Napa Valley.  I've let this wine get some air for about an hour, and I am a big fan of Cabernet Franc, so let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine is a deep, inky purple at the center, with garnet along the edges, very reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit, dried Italian spices intermingled with notes of leather and butterscotch.  The taste is remarkably smooth, with lovely cool fruit notes up front, blueberry, cherry and raspberry that dance around some notes of green herbs and rose petals.  The tannins are remarkably vibrant and well structured after a decade, supporting a long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of the varietal and it's proven that it's ageworthy.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steak to barbecued ribs to hearty pasta dishes.  But tonight I am enjoying this wine with some classic tacos, with spicy sauce, tomatoes, avacado, baby greens and sour cream on corn tortillas.  Cheers!

2014 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

What a chilly day here today, thankfully I have some good food and wine to warm me up a bit!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine from one of my favorite producers in Napa Valley, Charles Krug.  I first discovered their wine back in 2012, when I tasted the 2009 Yountville Cabernet (you can see that review here) and then really got into their wines when I visited the winery in Napa back in 2015 and 2016 (see 2015 here and 2016 here).  So let's see what the 2014 vintage has to offer!

The wine has the classic Napa Cabernet coloration, deep and inky at the center, bright along the edges.  The aromas are somewhat different, with some earthy notes of leather, peat and minerals, along with some blackberry and plum notes.  The taste is all classic big Napa Cabernet, with a rush of black fruit up front, that transitions nicely to some green herb, black pepper spice and mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured and well integrated, leaving you with a long, velvety and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a really wonderful Cabernet ideal for fans of the Big Napa varieties, but it remains one of the best values out of Napa in my opinion.  I bought this at my local Meijer store for just $23!  This wine would pair very well with a nice steak, which is handy since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Cajun spiced Angus porterhouse, a big baked potato and some green bean casserole (I didn't get enough at holiday dinners!).  Cheers!

2015 Josh Cellars North Coast Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week and definitely time for a glass of wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up at my local market when I went grocery shopping last week.  I've had wine from this producer before, so I figured I'd try a bottle of the 2015 Josh Cellars North Coast Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit, with some interesting green grass and floral notes mixed in that give this one an interesting vibe.  The taste is a rush of sweet ripe berries, blackberries, currant and cherries, that give way to some notes of cocoa powder and green herbs midpalate.  The tannins are fairly smooth, providing nice structure to the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very pleasant drinking wine, and for $16 it makes a nice everyday wine as well.  This wine would pair well with the Cabernet classics, steaks, chops, roasts, but tonight I'm enjoying it with a simple linguine with spicy marinara and a baby arugula salad.  The spiciness of the sauce and the arugula really pairs well with the sweetness of the fruit in this wine.  Cheers!

2013 Result of a Crush

Merry Christmas!  It's been a remarkably relaxing Christmas Eve, as it's been snowing all day so I just decided to spend the afternoon lounging around the house, until it was time to get up and open a bottle of wine!  And tonight it's a special bottle that I brought back from my trip to Walla Walla last August, and a wine that ironically I didn't taste until I sat at the VinoVolo in Sea-Tac airport on the way home, the 2013 Result of a Crush Red Wine!  This wine is from a project by two sisters, Amanda and Angela of the Reynvaan Family Vineyards of Walla Walla, who in 2011 decided to focus on wines that are "distinctive, affordable, consistent in quality and showcase the owners' sometimes whimsical attitude toward wine."  So let's see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, very consistent with the predominance of Syrah in the blend.  The nose is an interesting array of earthy and savory aromas, with some vibrant green herbs along with earthy notes of dusty limestone and tar over undertones of ripe black fruit.  The taste is just a real treat, with some wonderful stone fruit notes up front, which transition to some stark mineral notes midpalate.  The flavors of the Rocks of Walla Walla really come through nicely on this wine.  The tannins as very well structured, providing just enough backbone for the velvety and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just a pleasant drinking wine and a solid value (I believe this one was around $28).  This wine would pair well with a broad array of dished, from steaks and chops to hearty Italian dishes, but tonight it's Christmas Eve, which means it's time for a more special dinner.  So tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a giant cold water lobster tail along with some fusilli Napoletani sauteed with olive oil, garlic and broccoli rabe.  The wonderful fruit and mineral notes of this wine are a perfect foil to the richness of the lobster.  Merry Christmas!

2015 Dona Paula Estate Malbec

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I’ve decided to open a nice Malbec from one of my favorite Argentine peoducers, Dona Paula Estate.  I’m feeling a bit lazy tonight and I’m hankering for some Thai food, so it seems that a 2015 Dona Paula Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza just might do the trick!  So let’s see if I was right.

The wine is a deep, inky purple color in the glass. The nose presents aromas of ripe red fruit, cherry, plum and currant intermingled with green herbs and a touch of mint.  The taste is classic Malbec with a rush of red fruit mixed with green herbs, black pepper spice and earthy undertones that are just what you’d expect from a nice Malbec from Mendoza.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it’s a nice example of a classic Malbec and a terrific value for around $12. This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes beyond the classic steak, and tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Pad Kee Mao Thai take out, it’s always a challenge to pair wine with Thai food, but I’ve found a good Malbec is usually a solid choice. Cheers!

Tinazzi Vinum Italicum Opera No. 3 Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I have a special treat, a bottle of wine that was a gift from a former boss, so I've been looking forward to trying it.  This one is a little different as well, as it's a non-vintage red blend from Italy, utilizing grapes from three distinct regions, Veneto, Puglia and Sicily, each with their own specialties when it comes to red wine.  From Veneto we typically see Corvina, Rondinella and Merlot, Puglia is known for Primitivo, Negroamaro and Black Malvasia and Sicily thrives with Nero D'Avola.  With such a blend of grapes, this wine should be a real treat!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, with bright ruby edges.  The nose is a rich combination of leather, black currant, kirsch, green herbs and black pepper spice.  The taste is just lovely, with a rush of ripe black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and currant that transitions nicely to some mineral flavors midpalate.  On the finish you're treated to a reprise of spice box notes that bring you right into an Italian kitchen, while the well structured tannins provide for the long, smooth and very pleasing finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a wonderfully pleasing and easy drinking red blend that would be quite versatile with a variety of dishes, from steaks to barbecue to hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Prime ribcap topped with bleue cheese, grilled corn and asparagus, a perfect end of summer dinner.  Cheers!

2012 Cougar Crest Dedication Ten Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I am enjoying a lovely bottle of wine that I brought back from my vacation in Walla Walla a month ago, wow how time flies!  Anyway, the 2012 Cougar Crest Dedication 10 Red Wine is a blend of Syrah (55%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Merlot (17%) and Petit Verdot (8%) from the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine also has a special story, in that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the wine are donated to Doernbecker Children's Hospital in Portland, Ore. whose doctors and nurses were instrumental in the recovery of the winemakers' daughter from life threatening injuries.  So let's see how this wine tastes!

The wine is a deep purple color in the glass.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather, lush ripe black fruit, tart cherry and a bit of fresh green herbs.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit with an overlay of tart cherry that transitions nicely to some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with well integrated tannins that provide for a long, smooth and very dry finish, with a reprise of vanilla bean as the Syrah makes its presence felt.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an extremely pleasant and easy drinking wine, that not only supports a good cause, it's also arguably one of the best values in Walla Walla wine today, priced at just $20!  With this sort of blend, this wine would pair nicely with a variety of dishes, from salmon to grilled chicken to steaks and chops, but of course I opted for steak!  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, baked Yukon gold potato and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2014 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  I had a somewhat productive day, given that I went grocery shopping to restock the fridge after being gone a week, and then I cut the grass and did laundry, and then I was pooped so I decided to open a bottle of wine!  Tonight's selection is a wine club wine from one of my favorite wineries, Seven Hills out of Walla Walla.  I have a nice dinner planned, so I've decided to open the 2014 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a symphony of spice with notes of red pepper spice and smoky chipotle intermingled with some ripe black fruit.  The taste is warm and inviting, with some green herb notes up front that cascade into some lovely ripe fruit notes of black cherry and plum over hints of dark chocolate.  The tannins are well developed and provide a nice foundation with some acidity and a hint of bordeaux "funk" on the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Well, it seems that I only review even years of Seven Hills Carmenere, as I've blogged on the 2010 and 2012, and now the 2014 (I checked and the streak will live on since the 2015 vintage is sold out!), and this vintage is by far my favorite, so I'll rate it a solid 9, well worth however much I paid for it!  This wine would pair well with a wide variety of dishes from tacos to steaks to pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic summer dinner, first course a wonderful caprese salad with farm fresh tomato, 25-year aged balsamic and basil I grew myself, and the main course of alder planked Alaskan sockeye with lemon and dill along with some fresh grilled asparagus.  The lovely acidity of this wine just cuts right through the richness of the salmon.  Cheers!

2011 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank

Happy Sunday!  I know with the long holiday weekend, everyone probably has some plans for gathering with friends and family and honoring those who have served and sacrificed in the military.  My Memorial Day weekend usually involved going home and planting flowers on my parents' and grandparents' graves and then trying to relax a bit, which is what I am doing today.  And what better way to relax than with a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's wine is a bit of a departure for a Napa Valley wine, in that it's not a Cabernet, but rather an homage to the classic Right Bank Bordeaux, which typically rely more heavily on Merlot in blending.  The 2011 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank is a blend of Merlot (78%) and Cabernet Franc (22%), so this one is comparable to a Saint-Emilion.  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with mild opacity.  The nose is a wonderful combination of green herbs, ripe red raspberry and currant, black licorice and a bit of rose petal, very similar to a nice right bank Bordeaux.  The taste is quite nice, with a nice bit of red fruit up front, raspberry, cherry and currant that transitions nicely to some wonderful mineral notes over some hints of tobacco midpalate.  The finish is elegant and subdued as the tannins are very well integrated such that the flavors just linger on the palate like a fine Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's certainly a great effort from a cool vintage that's just a pleasure to drink!  Of course, I have no idea where I got this bottle, it was just sitting in the wine rack, so I'll have to be thankful for such pleasant treasure finds!  This wine would be ideal with a variety of dishes, but as usually, I am enjoying this with a nice steak, in fact a big honkin' porterhouse grilled rare along with some nice grilled asparagus that just came in from Michigan.  Cheers!

2011 Maison Bleue "Le Midi" Boushey Vineyard Grenache

You know, it's been a while since I reviewed the previous vintage of this wine, so I thought it might be time to try the 2011 Maison Bleue "Le Midi" Boushey Vineyard Grenache (you can see my review of the 2010 vintage here).  I am a fan of Maison Bleue and a big fan of this Grenache, so let's see how I like this one!

The wine is a beautiful bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, like looking at a glass of pure gemstone.  The nose is brilliant, with aromas of leather, tart cherry, green herbs and a hint of blackberry.  The taste is just lovely, with a blast of ripe berries, blackberry, raspberry and a bit of plum that transitions effortlessly to some notes of tart cherry and smoke midpalate.  The finish is sublime, with well structured tannins supporting a long, voluptuous and very dry finish, just as you would expect as the varietal fully expresses itself.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, so yes, I am still a very big fan!  This wine would go very well with a variety of hearty winter stews, grilled meats or roasts, but I've decided to take a different path this evening.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with some pan seared seas scallops served over a bed of baby arugula dressed in aged white balsamic along with some wild mushroom risotto.  The wine plays such a great foil to the richness of the scallops and the earthiness of the mushrooms, it could not be a better choice tonight.  Cheers!

2011 Scott Harvey Winemakers Reserve Red Wine

Well, after a day of chores, cleaning and running errands, it's finally time to relax and open up a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2011 Scott Harvey Winemakers Reserve Red Wine from Napa Valley, a nice red blend I recently picked up from Wines Till Sold Out.  The wine is a blend of Merlot (69%), Syrah (21%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) all sourced from the Atlas Peak area of Napa Valley.

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents lovely aromas of cedar, jasmine and a bit of star anise, all of which just preps you for something delicious about to come your way.  The taste is a blast of ripe blackberries and plum that transitions smoothly to some rustic oak and green herbs midpalate.  The tannins are firm and nicely integrated, providing plenty of backbone for a long, smooth dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a lovely example of the Atlas Peak area and an exceptional value at just $15!  Certainly having tasted this now, I wish I had bought more than I did.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some cedar planked Alaskan sockeye served over a baby kale salad tossed in aged white balsamic with some roasted summer vegetables.  This wine is a perfect complement to the rustic flavor of the salmon and a nice balance to the sweetness of the aged balsamic.  Cin cin!