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 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!

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 Reininger Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  Tonight marks the end of my weekend of All-American meals, so let's make it a good one!  What a fantastic semiqincentennial weekend, with great food, wine and fireworks to celebrate the greatest nation on earth!  For the last celebratory night, I've opened a bottle from a perennial favorite Washington producer (see, we can't celebrate the founding without Washington!), Chuck Reininger.  The 2023 Reininger Carmenere is a 100% Carmenere completely sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, sparking like a gem.  The nose presents aromas of dusty limestone, black cherry, green grass and blackberry, beckoning you to take a sip.  That first taste is a rush of ripe, rustic berries, black cherry, marionberry and currant, with a good bit of tartness before transitioning to some notes of vanilla bean and oak midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated and subdued, bringing nice structure to the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this a solid 9, as Chuck has seemingly mastered the craft of this lost Bordreaux varietal.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer favorites, from burgers and brats to steaks and tenderloin.  Tonight, I am taking a classic approach and enjoying this wine with barbecue, but not just any barbecue.  I am enjoying this with slow cooked barbecued baby back ribs with Yankee black strap molasses barbecue sauce, coleslaw and fresh corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  I have been working on my annual sauce production today, combining 25 pounds of tomatoes, freshly roasted garlic, pancetta, basil, wine and olive oil to make a festive Italian treat for my friends and neighbors.  And as that is simmering, I have time for a glass of wine and dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Helix Petit Verdot, a highlight of a normal blending varietal for Bordeaux, so let's see how this wine is shaping up! 

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, almost having the look of a Cabernet, but just a bit lighter.  The nose presents aromas of leather, lilac and blackberry, with just a hint of anise over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry, blackberry, cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy loam midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of a single varietal that normally takes a back seat in a blend.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, but would also fare well with burgers, steaks and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone, with roasted hatch chilies, and some fresh corn on the cob that was just picked yesterday!  Cheers!

2019 Gramercy Cellars Lower East Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year's Eve! I had to post tonight since I am really having my New Year's dinner tonight, as I'm heading to a pot luck with friends tomorrow.  So here we go!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out, as they had a nice selection of wines from Grammercy Cellars, producers of some top notch Syrah.  But tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2019 Gramercy Cellars Lower East Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (9%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Phinney Hill (50%), Pepper Bridge (25%) and Grammercy Estate Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is deep ruby color in the glass, not as heavily bodied as some Cabernets, but still quite endearing.  The nose presents aromas of leather, cedar and a beautiful forest floor, intermingled with ripe Bing cherry, Marionberry and wonderful dried herb notes.  The first sip is classic Columbia Valley Cabernet, with a rush of blackberry and cherry fruit that ease gracefully into some tawny vanilla bean notes, before transitioning into some classic dark chocolate and mocha notes midpalate.  The tannins are smooth as silk for the lovely smooth dry finish, with a reprise of dried Italian herbs at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above its weight class, particularly as a $20 purchase from WTSO.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from leg of lamb to braised short ribs, grilled tri-tip London Broil to hearty mushroom pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my New Year's Eve dinner of a rare grilled petit bison tomahawk with some linguine tossed with garlic, olive oil and sautéed broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Tonight's wine represents another installment of a great series of Washington wines that I've been reviewing since the 2010 vintage more than a decade ago!  I didn't say the latest, as I just received the next vintage in my wine club shipment a week or so ago, but at least I'm trying to catch up!  The 2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdot (7%), Merlot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate, Weinbau and Sagemoor Vineyards of Washington State.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, enticing ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a great Washington Cabernet.  The nose presents vibrant aromas of sweet cherry, violet and toasted oak, with an undercurrent of dark chocolate and espresso.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black cherry, marionberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of baking spice and dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are pronounced and expertly structured, providing for a silky smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of my favorite Washington Cabernets, given its quality and consistency over many years.  This wine would pair well with a big steak, grilled lamb chops, braised short ribs, or almost any hearty winter dish that needs a big wine to dance with.  Tonight, I am taking the advice of the winery and enjoying this wine with a big ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and classic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I'm glad to report that the weather finally broke here, as yesterday it was incredibly hot and humid, but a cold front came through and today we are enjoying highs in the low 70s and expected lows in the upper 40s tonight.  This was good news as I have been waiting for a cool day to don my long sleeves, jeans and gloves to remove some of the poison ivy that's grown up this spring (the price you pay for living in a personal forest!), but now it's time for a special dinner!  Tonight is the last Sunday of the month, which means it's time for Dinner in the Diner, where I craft dinner from a recipe served in the dinning cars of some of the great long-distance trains of the 20th Century.  But before we get to that, we have to open the wine! Tonight's selection is from Mark Ryan Winery, a personal favorite harkening back to my grunge years, the 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (95%) and Merlot (5%) from some of the oldest vines in the Quintessence, Red Willow, Ciel du Cheval Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how these old vines are producing!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, much different than some of the big Cabernets you commonly see.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, strawberry and red currant intermingled with dried herbs and a hint of green cedar.  The first sip is a rush of fresh green herbs that transition easily to ripe red fruit notes of cherry, currant and marionberry, before easing into some notes of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth and expertly integrated, providing for such a pleasing, long, dry finish that you'll be immediately reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just a wonderful example of the great quality of Cabernet being produced in Washington.  This wine would pair well with just about any red meat, from steaks and chops, to braised short ribs or classic burgers for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a classic recipe from the Northern Pacific Railroad, the sirloin of beef with mushroom sauce.  I took the chef's prerogative and adjusted this slightly to grilled T-bone instead of baked sirloin, but the roasted vegetables and mushroom sauce stayed true to the recipe.  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!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a very busy few weeks for me, with work, the theatre and just trying to keep up with household chores, I haven't had much time to post!  Yesterday I finally picked up my lawnmower from being repaired and today I got to mow for the first time this year as well as digging up a 5-gallon bucket of dandelions!  And now it's time to relax with a glass of wine and a nice dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with deep ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a pure Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, leather, oak and a hint of marionberry, with undertones of vanilla and tobacco.  The first sip takes your breath away with a lush expression of ripe black fruit, boysenberry, cherry and currant, with a gravelly underbelly.  The tannins are perfectly structured providing for a velvety mouthfeel and a classically smooth dry finish with just a hint of mint at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wine that would pair well with some of the biggest of dishes but keeps it's composure just sipping on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with big steaks, rack of lamb or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Asian barbecued ribeye served with grilled leeks, oven roasted fingerling potatoes and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Malbec

Happy Father's Day!  It's been a relaxing day today, I had intended to do a bunch of chores around the house but decided instead to do laundry and catch up on my reading.  I also did a bit of butchering, but more on that later.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla wineries, the 2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Vineyard Malbec.  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the McClellan Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright fuchsia along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of macerated cherry, blackberry and plum, with undertones of tobacco and clove.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, blueberry, marionberry and currant that ease up to some zesty white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well balanced, but not in your face, providing a nice base for the long smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of my favorite vintages of Seven Hills Malbec yet.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from spicy Mexican tacos to grilled steak.  Tonight I am going full gaucho and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled picanha topped with a homemade chimichurri, along with grilled garlic scapes and asparagus.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  It was a wild day of yard work, as I mowed for the first time this year, but had to pause for a while to let a thunderstorm pass, but I finally finished, then changed the oil and tuned up the lawn mower, so I feel accomplished!  And now, for a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 GSM.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (56%), Syrah (29%) and Mourvèdre(15%) from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass, it really is gem-like in the light, with a bit of fuchsia along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, tart cherry and bits of earthy sandalwood and peat.  Take a sip and you're awash with rich, sweet fruit, blueberry, marionberry and cherry that dance around until you ease into some hints of cardamom and earthy notes.  The tannins are somewhat subdued but they still manage to hold everything together for a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an adventurous wine that will have your palate going in multiple directions.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from pastas and risotto, to Sunday roast beef.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of a Pacific Northwest pairing of crispy skin salmon with a lemon dill cream sauce, along with some roasted sweet potatoes with red onion and jalapeno, and some steamed rainbow cauliflower.  Cheers!

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Sunday!  As you may know, I've been a happy preferred shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards for a few years, so it's always a treat to review a wine that I have an equity interest in producing!  I previously reviewed the 2018 vintage here and the 2020 vintage here, so let's see what the current vintage has to offer!

The wine is a medium bodied ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you would expect from a nice Pinot Noir.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, plum and a hint of mint, with undertones of earthy peat and mineral notes.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe, sweet fruit, strawberry, currant and marionberry, that transition easily to some notes of black pepper spice, green tea and the faintest hint of tar midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish, that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, though I think this wine is just a bit better than the 2020 vintage.  This wine is very approachable and would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue to Asian, but tonight I am taking a traditional Pacific Northwest approach.  I am enjoying this wine with a baked steelhead filet with lemon dill cream sauce, along with rive and some oven roasted baby carrots and leeks.  Pinot and salmon, you can't go wrong, cheers!

2016 Pambrun Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been an interesting week as last Monday we had 4" of snow and it seemed like we time traveled right from Easter to Christmas, which of course did not prepare us for the weekend which came in with highs in the 80s and a lot of humidity!  At least I got most of my yard work, including my first mowing of the year, done yesterday before the heat and humidity gave way to torrential thunderstorms today!  Such is Midwest weather I guess.  At any rate, to end the weekend, I've decided to open a bottle of wine from a winery that I own shares in, the 2016 Pambrun Walla Walla Merlot, which is a winery owned by Willamette Valley Vineyards. So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a quality Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals rich, ripe aromas of blackberry, marionberry and kirsch amid the faintest hints of green cedar and tobacco.  A sip reveals a rush of black fruit flavors, blackberry, plum, marionberry and cherry that grab your attention before shifting to some earthy notes of limestone and basalt, amid some savory spice notes and a hint of sweetness over the top.  The fine grain tannins are expertly integrated for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of why Walla Walla excels with Merlot.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes from rack of lamb to braised short ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip with some pearl onions and portabello mushrooms sautéed with fresh rosemary, along with a baked potato and some steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a full day of leave blowing and vacuuming, so I barely had time for anything but rest (in fact I fell asleep around 9 pm!).  But tonight I am in much better spirits, ready to cook a nice Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, that was a recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a full Cabernet sourced from the Heather Hill Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with a classic darkness at the center.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry cola, cedar and warm peppery spice that captures your imagination.  Take a sip and a flood of ripe black fruit envelopes your palate, black cherry, plum and marionberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of dried herbs and Asian spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated providing a great foundation for the long, smooth and beautifully dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that can stand up to some hearty fall dishes.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto, or classic barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, on a bed of grilled leeks with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir

Well, today was another day of work and errands, though I had time enough for a bike ride just before dinner, though I might have thought through that decision given temperatures in the upper 80s and 71% humidity! In any case, it's supposed to thunderstorm soon, so no patio dinner tonight, but there is still wine and dinner, and tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up last week while in Grand Rapids, the 2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir.  This one is a special one, since I bought preferred stock in Willamette Valle Vineyards last year, which makes me a proud owner of the winemaker as well as the bottle!  So let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a lovely, bright ruby color in the glass, with a decidedly gem-like character.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of blackberry, raspberry and currant intermingled with some earthy notes.  A sip reveals a cascade of dynamic fruit notes, with a rush of tart cherry that eases into some notes of marionberry with a hint of sweetness midpalate.  The tannins are supple, creating a velvety texture that makes the perfect base for the smooth finish, that's dry, but not abrupt.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really pleasant Pinot Noir for folks like me that prefer a heartier version.  The depth and texture of this one really makes it a new favorite for the varietal.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from lamb and duck, to an alder planked salmon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bison New York strip, topped with the very last of the season's garlic scapes and some blistered cherry tomatoes, along with an array of oven roasted root vegetables.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah

Happy Taco Tuesday!  I bet you'll never guess what I'm having for dinner tonight but the wine is a different story.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, which has been a personal favorite from Walla Walla for quite some time now.  Tonight's wine is one of a pair of intriguing wines, this one the feminine one, the 2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah from the Lonesome Springs Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, quite classic for a nice Syrah.  The nose is an inviting combination of floral notes, violet and rose petals with a hint of green grass with some undertones of sea spray and a hint of ripe fruit.  The taste is a rapid departure from the nose with a rush of fruit, blackberry, tart cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of vanilla bean, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are superbly structured, offering a voluptuous balance between the acidity and long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is just a wonderful example of what a nice Washington Syrah can be.  The fruit, acidity and spice notes make this an ideal wine to pair with bold flavors, from mussels fra diavalo to a Cajun crawfish boil, and of course tacos!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some classic chorizo and bean tacos topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream a perfect balance of heat and cool.  Cheers!

2017 Megan Anne Pinot Noir

 Happy Sunday!  I admit I've been slacking on by blogging duties, but I've been battling a cold which has inhibited my wine reviewing.  But tonight I've opened a bottle of Pinot Noir (those of you paying attention will note that I'm not the biggest pinot fan, but what the heck!), this one the 2017 Megan Anne Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, which is Mark Ryan's label for Oregon Pinot Noir.  I bought several bottles of this vintage from Wines Till Sold Out, when I saw the offer at nearly half price, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a little richer in color than many Pinot Noirs, but still with great clarity and a nice crimson color.  The nose is chock full of ripe red fruit, cherry and marionberry, with earthy aromas of peat and tar, with a ribbon of vanilla strung throughout.  The taste is a rush of cherry and raspberry that bows to some vanilla and caramel intermingled with earthy peat midpalate.  The tannins are a bit sharp, but well structured for the lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, which it pretty high for a varietal that's not my favorite.  This wine would pair well with a variety of lighter dishes, from classic halibut, Dungeness crab or wild mushroom risotto, but I think it might also pair well with game, such as venison.  Tonight I am taking that route, enjoying this wine with a rare seared bison filet mignon with a rather whimsical pairing of tater tots and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2010 Stag's Leap Artemis

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that first Saturday of the month that prompts me to raid the cellar and find something at least a decade in the making to enjoy.  Tonight I am enjoying one of my favorite Napa Valley Cabernets, Stag's Leap Artemis, in this case the 2010 vintage which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) and Merlot (12%).  This wine has certainly been in the cellar for a while, as it still has price stickers on the bottle from back when Michigan used to require price tags on everything.  At least I don't have to guess what I paid for this bottle!  So let's see how this wine has developed over the teens.

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose is a rush of sweet fruit aromas, black cherry, marionberry and blackberry intermingled with hints of nutmeg and dried flowers.  The taste is very old world in style, very reminiscent of a nice Pomerol, with ripe black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and plum that transition easily to some notes of dried herbs and dusty limestone midpalate.  The fine grained tannins are still well built, providing for a smooth and supply dry finish.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just drinking beautifully now (and even though everyone has rated 2010 as a not so great vintage).  This wine would be ideal for a lot of hearty dishes, from lamb and beef tenderloin to mushroom risotto, but I think more than anything this wine begs to be enjoyed with a big steak.  And it just so happens I have a big, thick ribeye which I've grilled rare along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and some baby red potatoes with butter and parsley.  Cheers!

2012 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Tonight I just felt like opening a big Napa Valley Cabernet, and I remembered that I had a couple bottles in the cellar from the very strong 2012 vintage, so why not have a go?  On this fine Monday evening, after all the rain has finally paused, I've opened a bottle of 2012 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend from their estate vineyard along with a number of other quality vineyards in the valley.  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose is a lovely combination of black raspberry, marionberry and plum with undertones of leather and kirsch.  The taste is classic Napa Cabernet, with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and cherry that transition nicely to some notes of white peppercorn, dark chocolate and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are sturdy and nicely structured to carry the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a great effort from a strong vintage, but didn't quite have the wow factor of some other Cabernets.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a big ol' steak, so I'll oblige and enjoy this one with a rare grilled ribeye with some grilled asparagus and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!