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!

2022 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It was a rather uneventful day here, but then it started raining in the afternoon, so a bit melancholy now, all the more reason to enjoy a nice glass of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite makers, Chuck Reininger and his Helix label for the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  The 2022 Helix Cabernet Franc is a limited production wine that's 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center with bright ruby along the edges, reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The nose presents aromas of aged leather, blackberry and cherry amid hints of lavender over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, raspberry and plum in a continuous cascade before transitioning to some earthy oak and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderful smooth dry finish with hints of vanilla and caramel.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a blending varietal that stands on its own with excellent posture.  This wine seems very easy going, making it ideal for a range of dishes, from pizza and pasta to barbecue and brats, the perfect red for summers on the patio!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a cowboy crusted ribeye over sautéed onions and mushrooms and grilled asparagus, the last of the season.  Cheers!

2022 Reininger Malbec

Happy Father's Day!  To all you fathers out there, I wish you the very best and hope you had a wonderful time with you kids today!  As I thought about a manly dinner for tonight, I also thought about a manly wine to celebrate and decided to open a bottle of 2022 Reininger Malbec!  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let see if this wine live up to my manly expectations!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, bordering on the look of a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and spiced meat, raspberry and tawny elements of aged leather and oak.  The first sip is rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of spicy black pepper and earthy notes of dusty limestone.  The tannins are robust and well structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of a quality Malbec from the northern hemisphere, perfectly welcoming to the gauchos bringing in grilled beef.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from braised short ribs to roasted rack of lamb, but what it really yearns for is a big steak!  Tonight we are in luck as I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye topped with truffle butter along with some oven roasted beets and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2023 Reininger Syrah

Happy Sunday!  It was a bit cloudy today, so I didn't get much done in the yard, but at least I finished the laundry, so it wasn't a complete waste.  And now I am ready for a nice Sunday dinner, which of course means that I need to pick an appropriate wine.  Tonight, I've settled on a perennial favorite, but a new vintage with the 2023 Reininger Syrah.  This wine is a 100% Syrah harvested from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's have a taste, shall we?

The nose is a rush of roasted game and fruit, with aromas of cherry, blackberry and currant intermingled with dried herbs, leather and beefy notes, amid charred oak.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry, boysenberry and currant amid dried herbs, earthy peat and dusty limestone that transition easily to some notes of tawny port bank black olive notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of spice. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a consistent high-quality Syrah that pairs well with food.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer dishes, from summer salads to alder planked salmon, barbecued ribs to grilled brats.  Tonight, I am taking a classic approach and am enjoying this wine with a herb crusted rack of lamb over potato puree and steamed snow peas.  Cheers!

2018 Reininger Cima

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been really hot here lately and right now a storm front is rolling through, so hopefully the power stays on so I can post this!  Tonight, based on my dinner choice, I've decided to open a bottle that's been in the cellar for a few years.  The 2018 Reininger Cima is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%), Merlot (24%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  I have been a fan of the Reininger Cima since I first tasted the 2006 vintage, though I sometimes review the out of order since I've already reviewed the 2019, I think I have reviewed nearly every vintage in that period.  So. let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with a bit of depth owing to the influence of the Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather intermingled with subdued fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry with hints of white floral over the top.  The first sip is classic Super Tuscan style with a rush of tart cherry and blackberry that gives way to notes of vanilla caramel, earthy tar and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a very smooth dry finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great expression of the varieties of Washington wine, using a range of varietals expertly blended for a memorable sip.  This wine would pair well with a range of classic Italian dishes, from hearty pasta Bolognese to risotto alla Milanese.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic New Jersey Italian dinner of hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers served with linguine tossed with broccoli rabe, asparagus and garlic scapes.  Cheers!

2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon digging up my water meter (long story, don't ask!) and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I picked up at Costco a few weeks ago and I am hoping it is an under-the-radar wine that I can enjoy (but never find there again!).  The 2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley Cabernet and that's about all I know!  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, textbook for a Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, smoke, dusty limestone and ripe black currant.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, currant and plum with a good bit of tart acidity before transitioning to some ripe plum and peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, not because it's a spectacular wine, but because it's a very good wine that was only $15!  This tremendous value wine will let you glimpse at how the other half lives as you sip a very solid wine on a random weeknight!  This wine would pair with a range of casual dinners, from pizza and tacos to burgers and brats.  Since it's Sunday, tonight I am enjoying this wine with something a bit more elevated, a grilled bone-in ribeye with oven roasted fingerling potatoes and cippolini onions and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2023 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Memorial Day!  I spend the day planting flowers at the cemetery for my family, and now it's time to enjoy the classic cookout that we all enjoy.  Before I get to grilling, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine. Tonight it's a recent wine club shipment from a Walla Walla favorite, Pepper Bridge!  The 2023 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine is a blend of Merlot (37%). Cabernet Sauvignon (27%). Malbec (27%) and Petit Verdot (9%) all harvested from the Pepper Bridge Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this latest vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and leather with undertones of oak.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of charred oak and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.  

I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant red wine, ideal for meals or just sipping on the patio with family and friends.  This wine would pair well with braised short ribs, rack of lamb or hearty pasta, but what it really wants is a big honkin' steak!  And we are in luck, as I am enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare on a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms with fresh grilled corn on the cob and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  I did a lot of chores today, from laundry to mowing to transplanting some flowers and now I am ready for a nice Sunday dinner.  It's been a little chilly here lately, so I decided to opt for some warm, hearty Italian food for dinner tonight, which calls for a nice Tuscan style wine, and thus we have the 2019 Reininger Cima.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Merlot (25%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this pairs with dinner!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, a testament to the balance between the Sangiovese and the Bordeaux varietals.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, red currant with undertones of leather and charred oak.  The first sip is an intriguing rush of tart cherry and raspberry that ease into some earthy notes of minerals, oak and black tea midpalate.  The tannins are firm and well integrated, providing for a classic Super-Tuscan style long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, and although the quality is comparable to the many vintages I've tried (see my posts on the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages) I find this vintage to be a bit more interesting and complex than past vintages.  This wine would pair well with friends on the patio, hearty Italian dishes, or hard cheeses and charcuterie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a hearty bucatini with some hot Italian sausage and spicy arrabbiata sauce, a perfect Tuscan dinner on a chilly evening.  Cheers!

2022 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve

Happy Saturday!  It's bee a day full of yard work, digging up dandelions, mowing, planting flowers and my herb garden, and now I need to relax with a nice glass of wine ahead of dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from a favorite Walla Walla producer, Woodward Canyon.  The 2022 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Merlot (9%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (2%) all sourced from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see what this wine has to offer!

This wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the heft of Cabernet in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and currant intertwined with earthy graphite and hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is a remarkably fresh burst of ripe fruit, cherry, black raspberry and currant with a warm peppery spice throughout that easily transitions to some earthy notes of oak and peat midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing the ideal base for a 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 supremely drinkable red wine that would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from grilled steaks to tacos, smoked brisket to hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip topped with a mushroom cream sauce along with steamed asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2021 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  It's been a hectic week, but now it's time to relax with a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers that has been in the cellar for more than a year.  The 2021 Helix Cabernet Francis a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up a half decade into its life!

The wine is a deep ruby color, with an inky black at the center, just as you might expect from this traditional blending varietal.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, baking spice, blackberry and currant, a wonderfully earthy identity that will have you thinking of Bordeaux.  The first sip is a rush of warm ripe fruit, blackberry, currant and plum intermingled with earthy spice notes and smoky charred oak that will have you waiting for another sip.  The tannins are subdued, creating a nice base for a long dry finish, with a reprise of dark spice and smoke.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would be welcome at a range of occasions.  This wine would pair well with a variety of roast meats, stews and hearty pasta dishes as you transition from winter to spring.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an ideal dinner transition between the seasons, a grilled bone-in ribeye with some oven roasted sweet potatoes with julienne green peppers and steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!