2019 Hidden Treasure Dead Man's Gulch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I had to work late today, so I am a little behind schedule, but at least I convinced myself that I should have a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent sale at Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Hidden Treasure Dead Man's Gulch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Syrah (5%) sourced from the Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain AVAs of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is evolving after a few years!

The wine is an inky black at the center with lovely garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a quality Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents an intriguing combination of blackberry, currant and boysenberry amid undertones of leather and white floral notes.  Take a sip and you're awash in classic big, bold Napa Cabernet, a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and leather before departing with a ring of dark chocolate and cherry.  The tannins are well integrated providing a perfect foundation for the long, velvety smooth dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Napa Cabernet that punches way above its weight class.  I could easily see this as a $50-70 wine, but I bought this wine for only $20!  This wine would pair well with a range of classic American dishes, from smoked brisket to barbecued ribs, classic steaks to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip topped with Béarnaise sauce along with roasted sweet potatoes, onions and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2023 Pope Valley Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I've been traveling, so it's been a bit since my last post, but I'm back!  Tonight, I am ready for a nice dinner and a bottle of wine.  After doing a bunch of leaf blowing today, I am ready to relax and given my dinner choice, I think I've opened the right bottle.  The 2023 Pope Valley Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Petit Verdot (11%) and Petit Syrah (7%) from the Napa Valley AVA of California.  I recently bought this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how it's tasting! 

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Napa Cabernet.  The note presents aromas of leather, blackberry and currant amid undertones of basalt and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum that is at once sweet but also savory.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lasts until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this is a great example of a classic Napa Valley Cabermet at a great value as I bought this one for just $25.  This wine would pair well with a range of hard cheeses and charcuterie, but it practically begs for a nice steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare pan seared New York Strip with a mushroom pan sauce, along with wild mushroom farro and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2023 Browne Family Vineyards Forest Project Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I had a rather relaxing day, did some chores, a little grading and now I'm ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently bought at Costco. The 2023 Browne Forest Project Red Wine is an undisclosed blend of red varietals from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, and what makes this wine interesting is the commitment to reducing resource use while engaging in reforestation projects around the country.  The bottle is lighter weight and the lack of paper labels further reduce demand for trees.  It's a very interesting project and laudable goal, but let's taste the wine!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, typical of a Washington Bordeaux-style blend.  The nose presents aromas of green grass, leather, black cherry and plum.  The first sip is a rush of cherry cola and baking spice that eases into some earthy notes of basalt.  The tannins are well structured providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate the wine a solid 8, but the project a 10.  The wine is just a pleasant drinking everyday wine that would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecue and steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with our last gasp of summer, spicy barbecued ribs along with a chile relleno casserole with roasted chipotle salsa.  Cheers!

2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cellarius I Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I have opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in May.  The 2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cellarius I Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to 17th Century Dutch-German scholar and map maker, Andreas Cellarius, as Stag's Leap seeks to explore Napa Valley winemaking through a variety of unique perspectives.  For the 2013 vintage, the winemakers explore trellising, specifically Moser trellising which creates a split canopy microclimate resulting in supple and elegant Cabernet.  Let's see if it worked!

The wine has the look of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet, inky black at the center, garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and oak with subtle floral undertones that let you know something elegant is about to happen.  The first sip is an explosion of ripe blackberry and cherry that is vibrant yet supple at the same time as the ripe fruit gives way to some earthy mineral notes.  As you approach the finish, you are reminded a bit of a tawny port, as the tannins provide the perfect foundation to the velvety smooth dry finish that will have you wanting to slowly sip this wine through an afternoon.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's a fantastic example of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet that exudes quality and luxury.  This wine would pair well with a range of hard cheeses and charcuterie, but it really wants to be enjoyed with a steak, ideally a rich, marbled prime steak that will balance the mouthfeel of this wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime ribcap on a bed of sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers, wild mushroom farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It’s been a busy day full of training an errands and now I am ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I am opening a bottle from a long-time favorite Walla Walla producer, Forgeron Cellars!  The 2022 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet sourced from the Minnick Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine if tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, an ideal Cabernet representation.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, basalt and dusty limestone, a wonderful representation of the terroir of Walla Walla.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that washes over your palate in expectation of what’s to come.  The tannins are subtle, yet well structured and perfectly suited to support the long ,smooth dry finish with a reprise of the earthy leather and minerals that started your journey.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it’s a classic example of what a solid Walla Walla Cabernet is capable of achieving,   This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty fall stews to pasta or wild mushroom risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime rib cap, garnished with fresh rosemary and horseradish, bacon roasted brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheer!

     

2019 Château de Camparian Pessac-Léognan

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I teach late on Wednesdays, so I just got home a little while ago, so while I'm waiting for my dinner to cook, I thought I'd open a bottle of mystery wine, mystery in the sense that I have no idea where I bought this wine, how long I've had it or what sort of blend it is.  That said, the 2019 Château  de Camparian Pessac-Léognan is from the norther part of the Graves region of Bordeaux, with similar character to a Médoc, with a heavy hand of Cabenet in the blend.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, more akin to a Merlot that Cabernet, but with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry jam, dusty limestone and leather, with subtle floral undertones.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that is more reminsicent of a Zinfandel than a typical Bordeaux.  The fruit eases into some notes of charred oak and basalt midpalate, before easing into the dry finish that lingers modestly on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's a pleasant wine, but nothing to write home about.  This wine would pair well with a range of soft cheeses, grilled lamb or a classic choucroute garnie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Asian marinade pork tenderloin, mushroom farro and bacon roasted brussels sprouts, as I attemt to mimic the classic pork and fermented cabbage dish. Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been rainy here today, which means I had a chance to get some indoor work done ahead of my community theater performance tonight.  Before I go, I have to have dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a wine club shipment that must have come a year or so ago.  The 2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Malbec (7%), Merlot (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%) and these add to 101% likely due to rounding!  The grapes were harvested from the Pepper Bridge, Octave and Yellow Jacket Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's taste this wine!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blueberry, vanilla and an undertone of floral notes.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit that gives way to some notes of charred oak, dusty limestone and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing the perfect base for the long, velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Washington Cabernet, with great earthy texture and a backbone to stand up to hearty meals.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie, grilled lamb or earthy mushroom risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye, roasted pappers and Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2021 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  With not rehearsal this afternoon, I had plenty of time to catch up on yard work, laundry and now I am ready to ease into dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Chuck Reininger, and in this case his Helix label of Columbia Valley wines.  The 2021 Helix Petit Verdot is a 100% Petit Verdot from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, ripe blackberry and cassis amid undertones of lilac and sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe blackberry and plum that easily step aside for flavors of oak and peppery spice.  The tannins seem to start out grabbing your lapel and shaking you awake, before settling down to support the smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an intriguing wine that continues to evolve as it opens up.  This wine would pair well with a range of casual summer dishes, from burgers and brats to beef kabobs and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying what seems like the last gasp of summer and having some Carolina barbecued spareribs, corn on the cob and fresh sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2007 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar looking for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle and I have no idea where it's from or when I bought it, but it's safe to say it's been in the cellar for more than a decade.  The 2007 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from smaller vineyard lots in the heard of Sonoma, and although I don't remember buying this wine, I did review its cousin back in 2013 (see: 2007 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet.  Let's see if this one held up to the test of time!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edtes, still vibrant color after 19 years.  The nose presents aromas of leather, subtle black fruit and vanilla caramel amid undertones of oak.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that subsides into notes of blackberry and cassis before tranititioning to some dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are still very much present, providing for a wonderfully smooth, lingering dry finish that could easily be mistaken for a vintage in the 2020s.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an overall pleasant drinking Cabernet that has withstood the test of time.  This wine is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon, so pairings should be treated accordingly, steaks and chops, hearty roast beef or wild mushroom risotto would all stand well with this wine.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled, bone-in ribeye with roasted gem potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a good weekend, but now it's winding down, so let's enjoy a nice bottle of wine before the work week begins.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in the cellar for a couple years now.  The 2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot is a 100% Merlot from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting a few years in!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of  leather, blackberry and cassis that let your palate know it's in for a treat.  The first sip is a flavor party with dancing plums, mocha and dark chocolate that dive into notes of baking spice and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are supple and balanced, prividing a nice foundation for the velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a high quality Merlot, but still a bit young.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue to braised pork, hearty pasta to grilled steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, roasted hatch chiles, mushroom farro and steamed Italian pole beans with roasted red peppers.  Cheers!

2021 Reininger Carmenere

Happy Saturday!  It's been a relaxing day of running errands, then a bike ride before I finalize my plans for the first day of classes on Monday!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Chuck Reininger!  The 2021 Reininger Walla Walla Carmenere is one of the longest production runs of this "lost Bordeaux" varietal, in fact, I think I've reviewed almost every vintage since 2009 (you can peruse them here). Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the 2021 vintage, which is out of order as I've previously reviewed the 2022 vintage and the 2023 vintage, but let's go back in time and see what was going on five years ago!

The wine is a beautiful ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, bright raspberry, green grass and a hint of mocha.  The first sip is a rather tawny affair, with a rush of ripe black fruit that easily transitions into some earthy elements of leather, vanilla bean and black strap molasses.  The tannins are subtle but well structured, providing an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderful and easy drinking edition of this forgotten varietal.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer casual dinners, from burgers and brats to grilled steaks and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some barbecued ribs, steamed corn on the cob and sriracha cole slaw.  Cheers!

2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  It rained most of the day, which gave me time to run errands and get ready for dinner.  And now that the sun has returned, I have some time to open a nice bottle of wine and start cooking.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a long-time favorite Walla Walla producer, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc is a 100% Cabernet Franc sourced from the McClellan Estate Vineyard and the Summit View Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, ripe black fruit and mocha, with hints of dusty loam underneath.  The first sip is a rush of ripe blackberry, plum and currant that transition to some earthy notes of green grass and earthy peat midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but provide a nice foundation for the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a well constructed wint that would be ideal for late summer cuisine.  This wine would pair well with classic summer disshes from burgers and brats for barbecued ribs and smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled pork tenderloin, hatch chiles and fresh corn on the cob that I picked up from the maaket this morning.  Cheers!

2023 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  It's been a stressful week, and I am happy to have some time to relax this weekend and what better way to start a weekend than with a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight I have opened a bottle from one of my long-time favorite producers from Walla Walla, Seven Hiss Winery!  The 2023 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a full Cabernet harvested from the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted by Casey McClellan and his father back in the early 1980s.  Let's see how this latest vintage is treating us!

The wine has the classic look of a nice quality Cabernet, dark at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak and a cascade of ripe cherry and marionberry with undertones of freash herbs and floral notes.  The first sip is a rush or ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry and marionberry that transitions easily to flavors of mocha, cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic example of a quality Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer dishes, from barbecued ribe, burgers and brats to charbroiled steaks or alder planked salmon.  Tonight, I am taking the traditional route and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse topped with grilled hatch chiles (yes, it's finally hatch chile season!) and roasted gemstone potatoes.  Cheers!

2024 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  It's been a rather relaxing day, though the weather has ranged from heat and humidity to big thunderstorms, but it seems to have calmed just in time for dinner.  And with dinner usually comes a nice bottle of wine, and tonight I have opened a recent wine club selection from DaMa Wines.  The 2024 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc is sourced entirely from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and cherry intermingled with earthy leather and green grass.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry and blueberry, which juxtaposes intersterstingly before transitioning to some notes of cardamom and baking spice midpalate. The tannins are supple yet provide a good foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really interesting take on this often overlooked varietal. This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to rack of lamb, summer barbecue to smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am taking a traditional Pacific Northwest tack and enjoying this wine with some crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon, steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2024 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Malbec

Happy Saturday!  I had another day full of yard work, similar to what I did two weeks ago, and I must admit I am completely exhausted!  I likely will have a glass of wine and fall asleep on the couch, but at least there is wine! Speaking of which, tonight's wine is from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery and the 2024 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Malbec.  Let's see how this new vintage is tasting!  

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and plum amid hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is a rush of jammy fruit, marionberry, blackberry compote and plum that transitions nicely to some notes of cardamom, pipe tobacco and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are mellow but well structured, prviding a nice foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really pleasant drinking Malbec that could pair with a range of hearty dishes, or just sipping on the patio (which I will not do tonight for fear of dozing off!).  This wine would pair well with brased short ribs, London broil or lamb chops, but tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip, oven roasted beets and sweet potatos and steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2006 Saviez Napa Valley Zinfandel

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the month, so it's time to raid the cellar for a bottle at least a decade in the making.  Today, I found a bottle that's two decades old, the 2006 Saviez Napa Valley Zinfandel.  This wine may have moved well past its prime, as the varietal is not one known for aging, but at least we can taste it and scientifically evaluate whether my instinct on aged Zins is true!

The wine is adeep ruby in the glass with just a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather and prune, with some undertones of floral notes, violet and lilac.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit that is surprisingly fresh before transitioning to some earty peat and mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tired, but there was a bit of acidity on the rather smooth and dey finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's just well past its prime and was a rather lackluster wine to sip on a rainy Saturday.  I won't bother with pairing suggestions, but would note that I am enjoying this wine with some pappardelle with braised oxtail ragu, which is a classic pairing for a more typically fruit-forward Zindandel.  Cheers!

2020 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Soda Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been a day full of yard work as I cleared out a pile of invasive bushes and trees and then trimmed the hedges in the front yard.  And now that I'm exhausted, I need to make dinner and get to the theater for a performance of "Dear Even Hansen" tonight!  Well, at least there's wine and tonight is a really good one I bought trom Wines Till Sold Out a month or two ago. The 2020 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Soda Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon is part of their Distinguished Vineyard Series, this time celebrating Soda Canyon Vineyard from the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is tasting a little over five years in.

The wine has the classic inky black and bright ruby complexion you'd expect from a high-quality Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry, tart cherry, macerated plum and the charactheristic leather and oak you might expect at the Cornell Club.  The first sip is a surprisingly sweet rush of ripe black fruit that evolved into some wonderful mineral notes midpalate, before careening into some acidity in the warm, dry finish that lingers on your palate..

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an excellent Napa Caberenet, with a bit more earhiness than you might typically find in such a wine, making this one a bit of a different animal.  As for pairing, this wine would pair well with hearty steak, classic Bolognese or earthy mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribeye finished with a bit of truffle butter over a bed of sauteed onions and mushrooms along with some fresh corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2023 Seven Hills Winery McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a few weeks since I posted on Wine Wednesday, so let's enjoy it!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2023 Seven Hills Winery McClellan Estate Petit Verdot, a single varietal bottling of what is usually a blending varietal harvested from the McClellan Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this new vintage is shaping up!

The wine is deep ruby in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents an enticing blend of ripe plum, leather and oak, with subtle undertones of pipe tobacco.  The first sip is wonderfully fruit forward, with a rush of black cherry, marionberry and blueberry that ease into some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, with a rush of acidity towards the long, smooth dry finish.

I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really pleasant drinking wine from an often overlooked varietal. This is also quote a versatile, food friendly wine, as I could see this pairing with a range of casual summer fare, from burgers and brats, to barbecue and steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some spicy Cajun dirty rice with onions, peppers and andouille sausage.  Cheers! 

2023 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been an odd weather day, starting with heat and humidity, then thunderstorms and now a return of heat, humidity and wildfire smoke from Canada.  I just hope the rain holds off as we are supposed to have our Independence Day fireworks tonight as they were postponed due to storms two weeks ago.  Whatever happens, at least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of my early wineries that I visited on my first trip to Walla Walla more than 25 years ago.  The 2023 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Weinbau, Bacchus and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards in Washington State.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine has the classic Cabernet look, with deep indigo and bright ruby.  The nose presents an elegant expression of ripe blackberry, leather, cocoa and just a hint of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of black currant, tart cherry and a bit of earthy peat that gives way to some dried herbs and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a lush mouthfeel that envelops your palate ahead of the lingering dry finish that will leave you satisfied.

I would easily rate this wine a solid 9, with claims to a 9.5 with a bit of age.  This wine represents the pinnacle of Washington Cabernet, rich character and earthiness that connects you to the soil.  As for pairings, enjoy it with a range of hard cheeses, grilled lamb or slow cooked ox tail stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone over grilled leeks with oven roasted sweet potatoes and carrots.  Cheers!

2021 Stags Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a relaxing day, I did some indoor chores and then went for a bike ride before the intense heat returns next week.  So, now it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I think I bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2021 Stags Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a classic Napa wine from a very solid vintage.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine has in inky black center, with bright ruby throughout, just as you'd expect from a nice Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and cherry with notes of leather and oak that will have you thinking you're sipping wine in an Ivy League library.  The first sip is a rush or ripe blackberry and currant intermingled with tart cherry that transitions nicely to some earthy limestone and oak midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and well integrated, providing for an ideal foundation for the long, voluptuous dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an ideal expression of the upper echelons of Napa Valley Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with friends and hard cheeses on a patio, or perhaps with a big steak for dinner/  Tonight, I am taking the classic route and enjoying this wine with a classic summer dinner of a grilled bone-in ribeye over onions and portabella mushrooms sautéed with Worcestershire sauce, steamed sugar snap peas and corn on the cob.  Cheers!