2021 Le Quart du Roi Côtes-du-Rhône

Happy Sunday!  I confess I've sheltered in place today with the heat wave we've been having, 87 degrees and 78% humidity is not my cup of tea!  So, I did some laundry and a few other indoor chores and now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Le Quart du Roi Côtes-du-Rhône which I bought last year from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a classic Rhône blend of Syrah (50%), Grenache (30%), Cinsault (10%) and Carignan (10%).  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose is chock full of ripe red fruit, cherry, plum and currant with hints of green pepper and dried herbs.  The first sip is a fruit forward affaire, with almost jammy red fruit, cherry, currant and strawberry that eases into some spicy notes of white pepper and a bit of rosemary.  Having tasted many French wines, I come to expect a bit of earthiness on the finish, but this wine is well balanced with firm tannings and a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking and food friendly wine that was a terrific value at just $12.49!  This wine would be exceptionally well paired with unusual, hard-to-pair dishes, like Asian or Indian, which is a good thing, since tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chicken Tikka Masals with lots of veggies over basmati rice and a bit of naan to mop up the sauce.  Cheers!  

2013 Il Palagio Sister Moon Rosso Toscana

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's the day I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to share.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been in the cellar for a while, so long in fact that I can't recall where I bought it!  The 2013 Il Palagio Sister Moon Rosso Toscana seems to be a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Merlot (20%) for a classic Super Tuscan blend.  Let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a medium body, a testament to the impact of Cabernet and Merlot on the blend, with lighter garnet and a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of black plum, rich leather and oak, interspersed with fig and rose petals.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum with a wave of tartness washing over the top before easing into some earthy notes of dusty loam, tar, tobacco and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated, providing for a long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it still exhibits more oak than I would prefer, but I think it's also aged fairly well.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to grilled steak, branzino to summer barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with my first summer grilled dish, some asada beef kabobs with onions, peppers and mushrooms served with black beans, corn and rice.  Cheers!

2020 Raymond Mountain District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

2021 Bledsoe Family Winery "The Mac" Red Wine

Happy Tuesday!  I thought it was about time for a random wine post in the middle of the week, so here we go!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of an inaugural release of a new wine from the Bledsoe Family Winery.  The 2021 "The Mac" red wine is named for Drew Bledsoe's father and is a blend of Syrah (36%), Merlot (34%) and Petit Verdot (30%) all sourced from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is starting out!

A deep ruby color, and a gentle swirl of the glass get us started on this adventure, with green grass, ripe cherry, dusty limestone and floral undertones on the nose.  The first sip is an explosion of disparate fruit, tart cherry, blueberry, currant and marionberry that wash across your palate painting images of the mountain west.  The tannins are well balanced, providing a depth and complexity that will have you contemplating the experience as you reach for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a delightful example of an unusual combination of varietals that truly express the whole that's greater than the sum of its parts.  This seems like a very food friendly wine that would pair with anything from steaks and chops to hearty pasta, barbecue or burgers.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Northwest pairing of pan seared sockeye salmon with a lemon dill cream, steamed rice and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold an rainy today, so I confess I haven't done much outside of some laundry, but at least there's wine!  Tonight I am getting ready for a bit of Italian for dinner, and though I seriously thought about opening a nice bottle of Italian wine, I opted for a bottle of wine I just recently received from a special promotion by Mark Ryan Winery.  The 2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (24%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from 11 different vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a classic Washington Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe cherry, aged leather, currant and a hint of tarragon.  The first sip is a rush of sweet cherry, intermingled with charred oak, hints of tobacco and dark chocolate which transition easily to some mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing the ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers and beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of the new world meets old world character of Washington Bordeaux style blends.  This wine is an easy drinking, hearty Cabernet, that was also a terrific value (normally $45, there is a wine club special for just $32 through the end of the month). This wine would pair well with a big steak, hearty stews, or fall pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some squid ink linguine tossed with some sautéed shrimp in some of my homemade sauce.  Cheers!

2018 Jigar Wines Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been a while since I've posted because I was away on my summer vacation road trip, this time to Maine with stops in the Finger Lakes of New York (stay tuned for a future post!), Vermont and New Hampshire.  And now that I'm back, I just made a giant pot of pasta sauce from a 25-lb box of tomatoes I brought back from the Finger Lakes, which I will be canning tomorrow.  But aside from all this activity today, I've opened a bottle of wine to enjoy before heading to the theatre tonight (man, I do lead a busy life!).  Tonight's wine is a 2018 Jigar Wines Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, a 100% Cabernet from vineyards in eastern Sonoma County.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and dried herbs that bring images of subdued luxury to mind.  The first sip brings a rush of ripe berry flavors, blueberry, blackberry and sweet cherry that ease into some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with a reprise of cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a nicely drinking Cabernet that could be an everyday sipper at the value price of just $20.  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty dishes from steaks and roasts, pasta dishes (stay tuned for a sauce update!) or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye steak, grilled hatch chilis and leeks, along with some linguine tossed with broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2014 Cardoza Family Winery Knollwood Vineyard 'Right Bank'

Happy Sunday!  Last week was an early taste of summer, with highs in the 80s and lots of sun, but today the temperature has been dropping steadily and they are now predicting snow tomorrow!  Well, I can't control the weather, but I can control what's in my wine glass, and tonight I've opened up a bottle from a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2014 Cardoza Family Winery Knollwood Vineyard 'Right Bank' Napa Valley Red Blend is a classic Bordeaux style blend from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (59%), Merlot (36%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with hints of amber around the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, toasted oak, cardamom, lavender and ripe black fruit that dares you to take a single sip!  Once you take that sip you're greeted with wonderful ripe black fruit with a hint of sweetness, blackberry, currant and plum that transition to some tawny, earthy notes midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that is truly reminiscent of the right bank of the Gironde
.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just hitting its prime as a lovely food-friendly blend.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks and chops, to barbecue and Mexican dishes, to a wonderful Italian pastas.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a veal rib chop seasoned with herbs de Provence along with some grilled asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to see how it's developed along it's journey. Tonight I've taken a couple of cheats on my decade, first I've selected a Brunello, which by Italian law must be aged in barrel for six years, and then in bottle a further six months before release.  So, such a wine is already 65% of the way to a decade on release day!  Second, I recently bought some of this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so I let them do a little of the aging for me!  The 2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese Grosso (another requirement of Italian law), and Brunellos are usually just hitting their stride at the 10-year mark, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you might expect from the varietal.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of dried flowers, ripe cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and anise.  Take a sip and you're immediately transported to the Tuscan countryside, with layers of dried herbs, ripe cherry and some earthy notes of tobacco and graphite, which ease into some black pepper spice and a hint of thyme midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight at first, but gradually open up for a velvety mouthfeel leading into a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant and easy drinking Brunello that is just hitting its stride. This wine would pair well with classic Tuscan dishes, such as Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, pappardelle with a traditional ragu, ribollita, or a simple platter of salami and cheeses.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe ravioli with carpaccio truffle cream sauce, the spice of this wine is a perfect foil for the richness of the truffles.  Cheers!

2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Today was day of a lot of random chores, from yard work to laundry to making an apple pie, I was all over the place today.  but at least it's time now to relax with a nice Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a product of Girard wine maker Glenn Hugo (I opened a bottle of 2007 Girard Artistry on a Cellar Saturday a few years ago and needless to say, I'm a fan.  So, let's see how this more recent wine is faring!

The wine is a deep, inky black in the glass, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and a bit of allspice, with a slight undertone of leather.  Take a sip and you have a rush of black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry, with a hint of mint under the surface.  The rich fruit transitions to some wonderful black pepper spice midpalate, as the tannins take command for a wonderfully complex, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to punch well above its weight class for this $20 Cabernet!  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from summer barbecue, to pizza and tacos, but it's also ideal for fall, and I could see this wine paring with roasts, beef stew or chili.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a transitional summer to fall dinner, a rare grilled prime ribcap, along with some oven roasted leeks and white asparagus, along with some mashed sweet potatoes.  Cheers!

2017 Mark Ryan "The Vincent" Columbia Valley Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  So, today I had the second flat tire in a week, though this time it was on my wheel barrow, so not nearly as time consuming to fix.  After an afternoon of mowing, yard work and getting a new inner tube for a tire, it's now time to relax with a nice glass of wine as I prepare my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Mark Ryan's second label, the 2017 Board Track Racer "The Vincent" Columbia Valley red wine.  I found this wine a my local wine store on clearance, and it was the last bottle so I took home a bargain!  The 2017 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (25%) and Malbec (15%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy hand of these Bordeaux varietals.  Take a whiff and you're greeted by deep prune, with hints of cedar and earthy peat, with a bit of spice under the surface.  On your first sip you experience a rush of rich black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry that wash over your palate before easing into some peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a round mouthfeel and a very smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant wine for under $20.  This wine would pair well with a range of Labor Day dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecued ribs and brisket.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip with grilled hatch chiles, along with some roasted root vegetables and steamed green beans.  Cheers!

2018 Alamos Selección Malbec

Happy Sunday!  As another weekend comes to a rapid close, I've decided to have a nice bottle of Malbec with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I just picked up from my local market yesterday as it was on sale, and bargain hunter that I am, how could I resist?  The 2018 Alamos Selección Malbec made with grapes selected from vineyards in the higher elevations of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina.  I've become a much bigger fan of Malbec over the years, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of vanilla, blackberry, green grass and modest floral undertones.  The first sip reveals a surprising shift from those sweeter aromas to a rush of tart cherry, plum and black currant that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, but ideal for the long and exceptionally dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking Malbec and could be an everyday wine at the value price of just $15 at my local market.  This wine practically begs to be paired by a gaucho slicing whatever great beef he has grilled, from picanha to ribeye, filet to beef ribs.  Tonight I am taking that traditional route with a rare grilled New York strip along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year!  Not only is this the first day of 2022, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, making this a Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  And tonight we open up a new vintage to eligibility, so I've opened a bottle of 2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I'll admit, this wine hasn't been in my cellar long, as it was part of some verticals of Cabernet and Merlot included in our fall wine club shipment.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, still vibrant despite its maturity.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and plum, with hints of oak and vanilla undertones, creating an almost tawny sort of vibe.  A sip reveals rich black fruit bursting forth, blackberry, currant and plum that transition easily to some notes of caramel and umami midpalate.  The tannins are supple and create a fine base for the smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully mature Columbia Valley Cabernet that is really hitting its stride as a mature wine.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, earthy dishes like braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto, or even a nice steak.  I'm enjoying one such steak tonight with this wine, a rare Angus New York strip, mashed potatoes and some asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2017 Time Waits for No One Monastrell

Happy Sunday!  It was a rainy day today, so I didn't do a whole lot except for indoor chores like laundry.  As tiring as all that can be, it's now time for a nice bottle of wine with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that was a recent Costco find, the 2017 Time Waits for No One oak aged Monastrell, a fine Spanish Varietal that should go nicely with my dinner.  And besides, with Halloween rapidly approaching, who could resist a label with a skull and crossbones?  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity as you might expect from this varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of rose petals, tawny dark fruit and a good bit of oak.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a tempest of flavors, with a rush of mulberry and cherry up front that transitions nicely to some vanilla caramel notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish that lingers with a bit of oak.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a value (I think this was around $12) that is quite food friendly.  This wine would pair with a variety of Spanish dishes, grilled lamb, wild mushroom risotto or a hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Zhatar seasoned New York Strip grilled rare on a bed of grilled leeks with grilled purple cauliflower and some oven roasted rose fingerling potatoes.  Cheers!

2018 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's still a bit chilly here, though we made it into the 50s today at least, so I just spent my Saturday going to Costco and getting my grocery shopping done, as well as spending some time with friends.  And now it's time for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2018 Pepper Bridge Vineyard red wine!  This wine is a blend of Merlot (38%), Malbec (31%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Petit Verdot (9%) from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from this blend of varietals.  A quick swirl releases aromas of blackberry, cherry and boysenberry, with undertones of leather and a hint of lilac.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of black cherry intermingled with dusty limestone, that transitions easily to notes of vanilla and caramel midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a nice backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish, with a bit of blueberry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking blend that would be great with food or just sipping on the patio.  This wine would pair well with a big steak, grilled lamb or hearty Italian sausage, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled tomahawk ribeye along with some grilled leeks and white carrots.  The Malbec in the blend really stands up well to a rare steak.  Cheers!

2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah

 So this has been one of my classic days without even a smidge of organization whatsoever!  I thought I was doing well, taking advantage of the one non-rainy day this weekend to get my yard work done, and I thought I was doing well as I was putting the leaf blower away at 6:45, when my phone alarm went off, telling me I have theater tickets and the performance starts in 45 minutes!  So, instead of dinner and wine, I raced to the theater to enjoy a marvelous performance of Silent Sky and now I'm back for dinner and wine!  Sure, it's 10 pm, but there are still two hours left of Cellar Saturday, that first Saturday of the month where I open a bottle at least a decade in the making, and tonight it's a good one, the 2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah!  So let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a beautiful, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  The nose is a cavalcade of lovely fruit aromas that seems to scream autumn, blackberry, currant, cherry with undertones of earthy tar, pepper and sage.  The taste is a rush of ripe, jammy blackberry, plum and mulberry, that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and peat midpalate, with a reprise of vanilla bean.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is likely at its peak, but still providing a food friendly approach that is full of fall flavors.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dished from lamb, to eggplant Parmesan to a wonderful slow cooked chili with cornbread.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a wild autumn meal of rare grilled elk strip steak, with a Blue Smoke Game Changer rub that is spiced with clove and juniper, along with some oven roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2017 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench

Well, I am continuing my celebration of Washington Wine Month (though to be honest, I thought it was in March, but to a guy like me, every month is Washington Wine Month!) and tonight I've opened a relatively recent Washington red wine, the 2017 Mark Ryan Red Wine.  This wine is about as Right-Bank Bordeaux-y a blend as you can get, with Merlot (47%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot (9%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  I bought a bunch of this wine so I hope it's worth it, let''s see how it tastes!

The wine is a lovely inky indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon heavy blend.  The nose is fresh and young, with aromas of leather, ripe blackberry, blueberry and a hint of spice.  The taste is such the opposite of a staid Bordeaux, with a rush of jammy fruit, blackberry, plum and cassis that transitions to some notes of herb de Provence midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's drinking wonderfully now, but I can see the potential for this gaining in sophistication with a half decade or so in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Preovencal dishes, fresh spiced fish, Tuna salad Nicoise, Mussels steamed in tomato broth, but it would also pair well with many summer favorites, from barbecue to grilles steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip with middle eastern spices, served on a bed of arugula, with some fresh roasted root vegetables,  Cheers!

2016 Mount Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

It's Thursday and the week is starting to feel like it's winding down!  Tonight, I've decided to open a bottle of wine I received as a gift from a fellow cast member in the Elkhart Civic Theatre production of the Music Man last month, the 2016 Mount Veeder Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  My friend did a wonderful job selecting this wine as I've been a fan of Mount Veeder Cabernet since the 2008 Vintage (you can see that review here).  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Napa Cabernet.  The nose is a luxurious basket of leather, blackberry and plum with just a hint of smoke.  The taste is classic big Napa Cabernet, with a rush of black fruit and cherry cola that transitions nicely to some notes of white pepper spice and anise midpalate.  The tannins are robust in their youth, providing for an exceptionally smooth and dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully fresh example of the varietal, but would likely benefit from a few years in the cellar.  This wine is screaming to be paired with a big juicy steak, and thankfully I can oblige.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York Strip, grilled asparagus and some smashed purple potatoes with parsley and white truffle butter.  Cheers!

2013 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I’ve decided to dig a bit in the cellar and open one of my favorite Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, the Woodward Canyon Artist Series!  This is the 2013 vintage, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdot (11%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  I think this vintage was a fairly solid effort, so let’s see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, with some garnet along the edges.  The nose is chock full of earthy goodness, with some leather, tobacco and smoke intermingled with ripe fig, blackberry and a hint of green grass.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola, mocha and dark chocolate that just sings beautifully together before transitioning to some caramel and spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly integrated, providing some wonderful structure to the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it’s just a fine example of the great Cabernet being produced in Walla Walla.  This wine would pair well with many hearty winter dishes, from beef stew to grilled steak to pasta dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a cajun rubbed New York Strip along with some grilled broccoli rabe and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2015 Colossal Reserva Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a wine I bought at Costco recently that hails from Portugal.  I know I have at least one bottle of Portuguese wine in my cellar, but this one was such a bargain at $9, I couldn't resist (mental note, this could be a nice wine club selection).  The wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional (30%), Syrah (30%), Tinta Roriz (30%) and Alicante Bouschet (10%).  There are some unfamiliar names on those varietals, so let's get some education out of the way.  Touriga Nacional is known as one of the signature grapes of Portugal, characterized by small berries with high tannins, which typically adds structure to the wine.  It's been more used for port, but is becoming more common in table wine.  Tinta Roriz is the name for Tempranillo on the Portuguese side of the border.  And Alicante Bouschet is an interesting varietal (I reviewed one quite some time ago from Coppola here) that adds a lot of color and body as well as some jammy fruit.  So enough learning, time for drinking!

The wine is a lovely inky red color in the glass, a hat tip to the Alicante Bouschet in the blend.  The nose presents some delicate floral aromas intermingled with a peppery spice, but very little fruit.  The taste is just a complete 180, with a quick blast of ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry and plum that transitions quickly to some wonderful earthy grass, basalt and tobacco notes midpalate.  The finish is exceptionally dry and smooth, with the big tannins of the Touriga Nacional providing the nice structure and big, velvety mouthfeel.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's such an interesting blend that defies the stereotypes of red blends.  It's a wonderful combination of great flavor with solid structure that make it a great steak wine, whether grilled steak, braised short rib tacos or a traditional roast, this is an ideal meat wine.  Tonight I'm enjoying this one with a rare grilled prime ribcap, big honkin' baked potato with all the fixin's and some steamed sugar snaps.  Cheers!

2014 Cellier des Princes Reserve Chateaunneuf du Pape

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  This is always a challenging holiday for wine, what with all the green beer floating around, but I figured since this is a Catholic holiday I might as well go right to the top and try the wine of the pope on this St. Patty's Day!  Tonight I've opened a rather young bottle, the 2014 Cellier des Princes Reserve Chateaunneuf du Pape, a blend of Grenache (90%), Syrah (5%) and Mourvedre (5%) in this father of GSM blends.  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lighter ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you'd expect from a wine so heavy on Grenache.  The nose presents aromas of fresh strawberries, rhubarb, floral notes of violets and a bit of green grass.  The taste is mindblowingly different that what you'd expect from the nose, this is a rush of ripe red berries, currant, strawberries, raspberries and tart cherry that just envelop your palate before transitioning ever so gently to some mineral and green tea notes midpalate.  The tannins are soft, providing for a very smooth, dry finish with just a small reprise of tart cherry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's drinking surprisingly well right now, but will no doubt improve with another few years in the cellar.  This wine would be ideal with many of those dishes that are so hard to pair with red wine, like chicken, turkey, milder fish and of course, corned beef and cabbage!  Given the holiday, this is my one day of the year to stink up the house with a crock pot full of corned beef, carrots, red potatoes and cabbage.  The fruit in this wine offers just the right amount of sweetness to counter the salty, fatty richness of the corned beef.  Cheers!