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!

2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Valentines Day!  I hope you are enjoying the evening with the love of your life!  Tonight I am enjoying a fabulous dinner (as always) and have decided to open a wine that I recently purchased from a local market, from a big producer that I have not tried before.  The 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the 119th year that this producer has been crafting fine Napa Valley wines, so let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine has the classic look of a big Napa Cabernet in the glass, bright ruby, with a dark brooding center.  The nose presents aromas of leather, sweet cherry, aged oak and hints of baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, with distinctly tawny elements, blackberry, cherry and cassis, amid undertones of oak and earthy minerals.  The first rush of fruit easily transitions to some classic earthy notes of tar, dusty limestone and peat, before some acidic notes at the finish.  The tannins are well structured providing for a long, voluptuous finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a prime example of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet, without the big, punch-in-the-face tannins that you often see.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from braised lamb to grilled steak, hearty pasta to classic pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic surf and turf, a rare grilled bone-in ribeye along with a grilled lobster tail and some grilled asparagus (by the way, if your man didn't make you a dinner like this, it might be time for a conversation!).  Cheers!

2019 Stags Leap Rancho Chimiles Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I had planned to get a lot more done than I accomplished today, but I guess I'll get over it.  At least I managed to get groceries and go to the farmers market, so I'll take the little wins.  To celebrate, tonight I am opening a bottle from a recent mystery selection from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Rancho Chimiles Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this esteemed vineyard in Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents subdued aromas of black currant, lavender and blueberries, intermingled with some hints of cedar and earthy graphite.  The first sip a rush of ripe fruit, black currant, blueberries and blackberries, that ease into some notes of dark chocolate intermingled with earthy minerality midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, adding just the right support for the voluptuous dry finish that seems to linger just the right amount.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic big, muscular Napa Valley Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks to barbecue, grilled octopus to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a very well marbled bone-in ribeye along with an assortment of grilled vegetables - leeks, asparagus, garlic scapes and peppers.  Cheers!

2020 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It was a rather relaxing but productive day for me, doing some work, chores and getting to the gym, so I figure I deserve to open a really good bottle of wine, so tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%), Merlot (6%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%) sourced from the McQueen, LeFore, Bob Healy, Figgins, Flying B, Loess Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  I've reviewed this wine since the 2011 Vintage (you can see the posts here), so let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just what you'd like to see in a high-end Cabernet.  The nose exudes notes of leather, subtle floral notes under black fruit that hearken back to an eighteenth century library.  The first sip is a subdued combination of black raspberry, cherry and plum amid toasted oak, that transitions to notes of vanilla and baking spice.  This wine has such a velvety mouthfeel it's ridiculous, as the rich tannins provide for a voluptuous dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's just a spectacular Cabernet from a somewhat challenging vintage.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from rack of lamb to braised short ribs, wild mushroom risotto to thick steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of pan seared New York strip, steamed asparagus with hollandaise and a baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2016 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  I'll admit I spend most of the afternoon working and then mowing, so I'm definitely ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that I picked up at my local supermarket yesterday, the 2016 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot.  Given the unpopularity (is that a word?) of Merlot when compared to Cabernet, there are usually bargains to be found as in this case.  My market was apparently discontinuing this wine, and it was marked down to $19, so how could I resist?  I put four bottles in my cart and then the friendly cashier reminded me if I bought six I'd get an extra 10% off, for a net cost of around $17!  So, let's see if this bargain was worth the price!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a Napa Merlot.  A quick swirl reveals aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis, with undertones of dried herbs and baking spice.  Take a sip and your palate is enveloped by a velvety cascade of ripe black fruit interspersed with some earthy mineral notes and hints of anise and violet.  The tannins a lush, providing a nice backdrop for the long, voluptuous dry finish.

Overall, this wine was well worth the bargain price and I'd rate this one a solid 9, as it's a classic Napa Valley Merlot.  This wine would pair well with hearty pasta dishes, soft cheese, or a nice steak.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse topped with sautéed sweet and red onions, along with steamed broccoli and oven roasted purple potatoes.  Cheers!

2017 Reininger Malbec

Happy Sunday!  I've been trying to relax a bit today, and I'm not exactly sure how that's been going.  But, things have to start looking up eventually, after all I just opened a bottle of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open up a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  The 2017 Reninger Malbec is a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Malbec.  After some air, you lift the glass and are greeted by the aromas of the gaucho, leather and hearty beef intertwined with white pepper spice and undertones of ripe black fruit, currant plum and a bit of cherry.  One sip and a rush of diverse flavors dance across your palate, plum and cherry fruit, earthy mineral notes with lingering smoke before transitioning to some wonderful candied cherry at the finish.  The tannins are somewhat soft but elegant in their structure, making for a voluptuous dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a wonderfully pleasant Malbec to sip for an evening or enjoy with a hearty meal.  This wine would pair very well with grilled steak, from beef to elk, along with earthy mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some braised short ribs, mashed Yukon gold potatoes and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 Pepper Bridge Merlot

Happy Saturday!  It's been a relaxing day for me, just enjoying some time with friends this morning and spending time reading this afternoon, I guess now it's time to enjoy a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open the most recent vintage of Merlot from the Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2018 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (81%), Cabernet Franc (13%) and Malbec (6%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Octave Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, classic for the varietal.  Raise a glass and you're greeted with essence of blue and black fruit, blueberry, cherry and plum with lingering aromas of green cedar and dusty loam.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum with flavors of toffee and smoky oak midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and supple, creating a voluptuous mouthfeel and setting the stage for a long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classically built Washington Merlot that lends itself to quiet sipping or boisterous meals.  This wine would pair well with the classics, steaks and chops, lamb and roasts, or hearty risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled filet mignon on a bed of grilled leeks, along with some mashed potatoes with a red wine demiglace and asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2012 Reininger Tahoma

Happy Tuesday!  Tonight is set to be a wonderful evening, as I will be participating in a virtual wine tasting hosted by Chuck Reininger, the founder and genius behind some of the most creative wines coming out of the Walla Walla Valley today.  So among the wines featured in tonight's virtual event is the 2012 Tahoma, named for Mt. Rainier and a nod to Chuck's mountaineering days, this wine is a blend of Sangiovese (47%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  This wine is interesting in that was aged in barrel for eight years before bottling and release this year!  So let's see what the extra time did for this wine.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  Aromas of blackberry, currant and cherry intermingle with earthy notes of leather and hints of floral elements that exude a luxurious vibe.  The taste is a rush of the ripe fruit so prominent in the nose, with some exotic spice notes amid bright acidity that ties it all together.  The tannins are wonderfully soft, but elegantly structured to provide for a long, voluptuous finish that lingers on for what seems like several minutes.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant sipping wine and a wonderfully creative example of the style of winemaking that Chuck is known for.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of fall and winter dishes, from Christmas ham to prime rib, rack of lamb to hearty beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the last of my picanha, served with grilled leeks, béarnaise sauce, steamed Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2014 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  It's been a relatively relaxing weekend, in which I was planning to do some yard work, but the weather today didn't cooperate, so amidst the cold rain I took the afternoon off and decided to watch movies and nap (sometimes simultaneously!).  Tonight I've decided to cook indoors and needed something of an Italian flair, so I settled on a recent wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2014 Cima, well anticipated having been aged in barrel for the past six years.  This wine is crafted in a style of a super Tuscan blend, mixing the classic Sangiovese with some Bordeax varietals.  For this vintage the blend is Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (17%) and Petit Verdot (8%) from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely deep garnet color in the glass, a testament to the heavy doses of Sangiovese and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose classic of a Tuscan blend, with aromas of cherry, raspberry and currant intermingled with green cedar, violet and dried spices reminiscent of an old Italian grocery in New York.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry, with wisps of smoke and charred oak that transition to some blackberry and raspberry midpalate.  The fine grain tannins offer a perfect base for the long voluptuous dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking and elemental wine, the speaks to its complexity as well.  This wine would pair well with a variety of classic Tuscan dishes, from bistecca alla fiorentina, to classic pasta dishes to fava beans on Tuscan toast.  Tonight I am going with a bit of a classic Italian dinner of fusilli with hearty meat sauce with hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers topped with shaved parmesan and fresh basis.  The fruit and earthy notes of this wine are perfect with a spicy pasta, cheers!

2012 Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank goodness it's Friday!  I am certainly ready for the weekend, as it's been a long week (does it seem like every week is full of Mondays during a pandemic?!?) and now I'm ready for a glass of wine before my virtual happy hour with some fraternity brothers in a couple hours.  I haven't seen many of them in decades, so I'm looking forward to it as well as tonight's wine, the 2012 Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is from one of Napa's recent great vintages, and it's been waiting in my cellar for at least 6 years, so I thought tonight I would open it.

The wine is a deep inky indigo at the center with a bit of fuchsia along the edges, somewhat classic for a Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry, currant and prune with a bit of oak and mint over the top.  The taste is much cooler than the nose suggest, with a rush of ripe black cherry, plum, and cherry cola that swirls around before giving way to some decidedly Bordeaux-esque flavors of tar, tobacco and spice box midpalate.  The tannins are supple, but firm, providing a nice base to the voluptuous dry finish that just lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, perhaps even a 9.5 as this wine is really coming into its own nearly eight years from harvest.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes but like many big Napa Cabernets, this one practically begs to be paired with a nice steak.  So, it's a good thing I'm enjoy this wine with a prime ribcap grilled rare on a bed of grilled leeks and topped with some horseradish, with grilled asparagus and a loaded baked potato.  Cheers!

2016 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Taco Tuesday!  Guess what's on the menu for dinner tonight.  Okay, surprise, it's tacos, but what to pair with them?  Well tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Reininger and Helix, the 2016 Helix Cabernet Franc.  First I have to say that I love the new Helix label, if you haven't seen it before it's quite impressive!  As for the wine, this is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau and XL Vineyards in the Wahluke Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose is a warm breath of mountain air from south central Washington, with aromas of leather, ripe blackberry and a hint of cedar over the top.  The taste is subdued layering of black fruit, blackberry, cherry, currant and plum, overlaid with some notes of smoke and white pepper spice.  The tannins are rounded but gripping, providing for a wonderfully voluptuous, long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as I fell in love with Chuck's Cabernet Franc from the XL Vineyard at the Reveal Walla Walla auction two years ago, and the addition of some of that wine to this blend really makes this a favorite.  This wine would pair well with a variety of casual dinners, from pizza and barbecue to mac & cheese or tacos!  Tonight, being Taco Tuesday, I'm enjoying this wine with some classic beef tacos, as the fruit and richness of this wine really pair well with the spice and smokiness of the beef.  Cheers!

2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Well, it's been a chilly and rainy Saturday, a perfect sort of day to curl up on the couch for a nice nap.  Although I didn't nap today, I did find this to be a relaxing day and now it's time to open up a nice bottle of wine and enjoy dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been sitting in the cellar for quite a while (not really sure why it was sitting there that long), the 2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%) from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.  This is one of my all time favorite Bordeaux style blends from Washington, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep inky indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is an earthy mineral playground with aromas of dusty limestone, leather and basalt intermingled with ripe black fruit notes and a hint of mint over the top.  The taste is a subdued rush of cool black fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum that eases into some floral notes of lavender intermingled with cherry cola midpalate.  The tannins are chewy providing for a voluptuous and smooth finish that is dry as a bone, but which lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a thick, tannic wine that is ideal for cold rainy nights and easily enjoyed with a big steak.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, hearty stews, venison or rich pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip along with a baked potato with sour cream and chives and some steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on Wednesday, so I figured it would be a good idea to open a nice bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers before I head out to my play rehearsal (have I mentioned I'm playing Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Elkhart Civic Theatre production of A Christmas Carol as a radio play?).  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 Seven Hill Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak, balckberry and plum with just a hint of floral notes over the top.  The taste is a rush of black cherry at the outset that envelopes the palate before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate, cassis and eucalyptus midpalate.  The tannins are velvety, and wonderfully integrated to support the long, voluptuous dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a marvelously structured, but approachable big red wine.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to stews and pastas.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an old school homestyle favorite comfort food, swiss steak with stewed tomatoes along with some roasted garlic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2016 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's been a crazy busy Saturday, as I spent the entire day in the yard doing my best to recreate the giant pile of leaves that filled two dump trucks yesterday when the city came to pick them up and now the pile is back!  And the worst part is I didn't finish by dark, so now I'll have to do it again tomorrow!  Well at least there is wine before I head out to the theater tonight (see I told you this was a crazy busy day!), so I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2016 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a pure Cabernet.  The nose exudes class with notes of dark chocolate, cassis, ripe black fruit and rich leather and spice.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry, plum and cherry that transition nicely to notes of cocoa powder and a hint of white pepper spice.  The robust tannins are the ideal foundation for a smooth and voluptuous finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as Mary and crew have done a fine job crafting this Cabernet that's just perfect for fall.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from roast prime rib to chili to lamb, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip with some red beet farrow and grilled leeks and romanesco.  Cheers!

2008 Frog's Leap Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Cellar Saturday!  That magical first Saturday of a new month when I choose to raid the cellar for something interesting to open that's at least a decade in the making.  On this Cellar Saturday, I am pretty well spent after an afternoon of yard work, leaf vacuuming, then mowing then the winter fertilizer, boy I can use a good glass of wine!  Lucky for me I opened up a bottle of 2008 Frog's Leap Napa Valley Merlot from the Rutherford AVA in Napa.  So let's see what this wine has been up to for the past 11 years!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, a bit lighter than you might expect for a Merlot.  The wine has an incredible nose, exhibiting ripe plum, fig, leather and smoke, that just make you feel like you're about to sip some wine in a vintage library.  The taste is lush, as your palate is envloped in soft tannins that feel like a warm blanket on a chilly day.  The rush of blackberry, cocoa powder and cassis dance around your tongue as you enjoy a cascade of ripe fruit leading to a long, smooth and voluptuous dry finish that is just the right length.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just developed exceptionally well over the past decade, leading me to believe it may be just about peaking.  This wine would be perfect with a range of dishes, from barbecue to steak to pasta, just about anything that would make a nice autumnal dinner.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled bacon wrapped sirloin filet, grilles asparagus and some pesto pasta.  Cheers!

2015 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

I still remember my first trip to Walla Walla, driving into town on U.S. 12 and stopping at the first wineries I saw, Woodward Canyon and L'Ecole No. 41.  I remember buying a few bottles of Artist series Cabernet back then, it was probably the 1999 vintage, but I've been a fan ever since!  So tonight I've decided to open a bottle of the 2015 vintage, which features a lovely photo (not all art is painting!) that just shouts Walla Walla, as I see the wheat fields in the high desert that share an agricultural home with the beautiful vineyards of the valley.  This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Petit Verdot (10%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Merlot (4%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate, Champoux, Sagemoor and Spring Creek Vineyards.  So let's see what this vintage has to offer!

The wine is a deep inky indigo, classic for a Cabernet.  The nose is a subdued combination of black cherry, leather and smoke, with just a hint of white pepper spice over the top.  The taste is a rush of sweet black cherry up front before transitioning to some notes of vanilla bean and warm baking spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing for wonderful texture and a fine base for the long, smooth a voluptuous dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's a perennial favorite Cabernet from Washington that I've enjoyed far too long!  This wine would of course pair well with a nice steak, but I think it's more versatile than that, as I could enjoy this wine with a broad range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to barbecued ribs and pasta with spicy marinara.  This wine would also be an excellent wine to have with some dark chocolate for dessert!  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a thick cut ribeye along with some grilled asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2016 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah

Well, the week is finally starting to wind down, so I've decided to open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner tonight.  I've decided on a Yakima Valley wine since I recently saw an article about halibut season in the northwest and I wanted to at least enjoy it vicariously!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Forgeron's 2016 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah, This limited production (210 cases) wine is 100% Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard, which sits upon basalt and silt deposits from the Missoula floods at an elevation of about 1,400 feet.  This wine was carefully crafted and then barrel aged for an extended period of nearly two years before it's release this spring.  So let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges.  The wine casts aromas of blackberry, leather and mint in a striking layered approach.  The taste is a wonderfully complex combination of blackberry and cherry fruit up front that cascades into notes of violets, oak and a bit of earthy mushroom midpalate.  The tannins are precisely structured to provide a long, smooth and very dry finish that dances on your palate enticing you to another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's clearly one of my favorite syrahs of the 2016 vintage.  The great fruit and layered complexity of this wine are sure to make this one a crowd favorite for years to come.  I also consider this wine extraordinarily food friendly, and although it makes an easy pairing with lamb or other game, it would also be a great wine to accompany robust fish or even vegetarian dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the steak of the ocean, a wonderful fresh halibut filet pan seared in rendered Berkshire bacon fat along with some gemelli tossed with broccoli rabe sauteed in olive oil and garlic.  What a remarkable meal!

2015 Charles Krug Napa Valley Merlot

I have been a fan of Charles Krug since my first visit to Napa Valley on the wine train a few years ago.  They were one of the wineries we visited and I was impressed with their facility, tasting room and history, but was most impressed by the quality and value represented by their wines. You can routinely find their Napa Valley Merlot for less than $20, I bought this bottle at Costco for $17 and thought it was a no brainer for a fan of the winery and varietal like me.  So let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a classic inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents earthy aromas of leather, smoke and a hint of mint that suggest subdued elegance.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola, blackberry and blueberry that transitions to some notes of pipe tobacco and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated, creating a wonderful backdrop for the long, voluptuous finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a solid, food friendly Merlot at a terrific price that will have you choosing this as an everyday wine.  This wine would pair well with a variety of casual dinners, from burgers and steaks to pizza and barbecue, but tonight I've gone a bit high end.  I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime filet mignon, grilled asparagus and a big old baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Syrah

It's been a bitterly cold weekend here, today I think the high only got up into the teens and it's supposed to get below zero tonight.  So, what's better on a cold night than a nice Syrah, and tonight I've opened a bottle from one of the most pleasant Walla Walla winemakers, the 2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Syrah.  So let's see how this wine tastes on a frigid evening!

The wine is a rich ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, green grass, tarragon and a hint of rose petals, which combined make you feel like sitting in front of a fire with a good book.  The taste is a rush of black cherry cola, vanilla bean and a hint of tobacco that transitions nicely to some notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are supple and fully integrated, creating a perfect foundation for the long, voluptuous and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking Syrah that warms your senses.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from beef stew to Yankee pot roast, but tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled teriyaki glazed pork tenderloin with Amish butter noodles and green beans almondine.  A full meal of comfort food!  Cheers!

2010 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I was looking around for a bottle of wine to open with dinner, and I stumbled upon a nice Washington Merlot that I forgot I had, the 2010 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Helix is the second label of Reininger, which is a perennial favorite for me, so let's see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, somewhat lighter than your typical Merlot.  The nose is a wonderfully subtle combination of rose petals, ripe cherry and strawberry over hints of vanilla bean.  The taste is just singing 6 years after release, with a nice bit of fruit up front, plum, black currant and a bit of blueberry that transitions wonderfully to some elegant floral notes midpalate, with a velvety mouthfeel that just completely envelops you.  The tannins are somewhat subdued giving rise to a voluptuous and dry finish that seems to linger on.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a new favorite for Columbia Valley Merlot!  This wine would pair very well with a broad range of dishes, from classic summer barbecue to salmon to steak.  Of course tonight I've chosen the latter and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled petit Angus New York Strip with grilled leeks and asparagus and some corn on the cob!  Summer must be getting close, cheers!