2022 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve

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

This wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the heft of Cabernet in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and currant intertwined with earthy graphite and hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is a remarkably fresh burst of ripe fruit, cherry, black raspberry and currant with a warm peppery spice throughout that easily transitions to some earthy notes of oak and peat midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing the ideal base for a long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a supremely drinkable red wine that would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from grilled steaks to tacos, smoked brisket to hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip topped with a mushroom cream sauce along with steamed asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

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!

2022 Mark Ryan Winery Lucia Rose Red Wine

Happy Sunday! Forgive my lack of posts but with the end of semester and getting ready for Christmas, time has been at a premium for me!  But tonight I submitted grades and my first semester is officially in the books, so it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Mark Ryan Winery Lucia Rose Red Wine,  This wine is a blend of Petit Verdot (35% from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard), Cabernet Sauvignon (30% from block 16 of the Quintessence Vineyard), Merlot (25% from the Red Willow Vineyard) and Malbec (10% from the Henry Earl Vineyard).  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of these Bordeaux varietals.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit aromas, blackberry, currant and plum, with undertones of charred oak and meaty spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in black fruit, with a hint of sweetness that easily moves into some earthy notes of oak and peat, with anise and herbal notes.  The tannins are balanced, providing for long, smooth dry finish that lingers to you next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful expression of a classic Bordeaux style blend from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This wine would pair well with the holidays, just sipping on a cold winter evening in front of the fireplace.  Thinking of Christmas dinner, this would be ideal with a prime rib and all the trimmings, but tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone steak, baked potato and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2023 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Thanksgiving!  Yes, I know it was two days ago, but this is the official start to the holiday season, and in the past 48 hours we've had over a foot of snow, the Christmas lights, garland and wreaths are all up and I am enjoying my "White Christmas" preview!  Of course, the holidays are better with wine, and tonight I've opened bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon Winery, the 2023 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a perennial favorite, and I think I've reviewed just about vintage since the 2010 Vintage, so let's see how the latest is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a deep, brooding Cabernet, inky black at the center, ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of earthy, leather, graphite and toasted oak, amid fruit notes of blackberry, cherry and plum.  The first sip is a total fake out from the nose, with a rush of black fruit up front, before moving into earthy notes of dusty limestone, peat and hints of oak midpalate.  The tannins are just the right amount of structure and ease to provide for a delightfully smooth finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic expression of Washington Cabernet that is so consistent year after year.  This wine would go perfectly with a fire in the midst of a snowstorm, but as for food, enjoy this one with a range of winter comfort foods, from braised short ribs to alder planked salmon, hearty beef stew to roast lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a very beefy dinner of a grilled thick ribeye, mushroom farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers! 

2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the month and time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from one of the earliest wine producers in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  The 2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Syrah is harvested from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the heart of Walla Walla.  So, let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, candied cherries and mild undertones of mint.  Take a sip and your palate is awash is ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum that transition to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone with an added measure of Bordeaux-esque funk midpalate.  The tannins are still very well structured, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's proven to be a great age-worthy Syrah that has stood up for 15 years and is drinking remarkably well.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from alder planked salmon to cold Thai noodle salad, grilled chicken kabobs to steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled Angus T-bone, with grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Well happy Saturday!  I spent much of the day mowing, then running errands and completing a little work before having dinner and heading to the theatre for our penultimate performance!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my all time favorite Walla Walla wineries, the 2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is 100% composed of Cabernet Sauvignon from the McClellan Estate Vineyard, with some of the older vines in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine has a classic look of a quality Cabernet in the glass, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals a nose chock full of ripe black fruit and earthy elements that make Walla Walla wines so special, leather, limestone and peat.  The first sip is a rich mouthful of ripe blackberry, currant and plum that dance around your palate with hints of mint and and dried herbs.  The tannins are subtle but well structured, providing for a long, smooth, dry finish that decidedly more European in character.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fabulous example of the high-quality Cabernet that the Walla Walla Valley is capable of.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, braised short ribs, or pappardelle Bolognese, but it would also feel right at home in a summer cookout of burgers and brats.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms, along with some oven roasted asparagus.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It was a stormy day here today, so I mostly stayed inside and did laundry and a few other chores around the house and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the old vines of the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted by founder Casey McClellan and his father back in the 1980s.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of sweet blackberry, currant, spice box and a hint of floral.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tawny earthiness, with notes of leather, peat and cedar, that easily transition to some notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are chewy and coat your mouth as you head for a delightfully long, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful wine, but just not quite up to the level of the 2020 vintage.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from classic grilled steaks to seared lamb chops, braised short ribs to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare with grilled leeks and broccolini, along with a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache

Happy first Saturday of October, which of course means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical day where I raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in August.  The 2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache is a 100% Grenache grown from old vines in South Eastern Australia, using whole berry fermentation with wild yeast, in an effort to enhance the Provencal character of the wine.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting 14 years after harvest!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with a hint of amber along the edges as you might expect from such a vintage.  A gently swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy tar, black cherry, vanilla bean and hints of leather.  The first sip is a rather surprising rush of fruit, with black cherry, fig and plum that easily transition to some earthy notes of peat and wild mushroom midpalate, before easing into some black pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I appreciate this wine for it's decidedly French character, despite being grown a half a world away.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes, from grilled lamb, mellow seafood or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Mediterranean classic of grilled octopus with grilled summer squash, red onions and peppers.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project Idle Hands Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  It's been a long and busy day for me, starting at the crack of dawn as this month I am volunteering to make breakfast for the worship team at church, then it was back home for a full day of yard work.  I trimmed a lot of branches, pulled weeks and then mowed.  By 5:30, I was ready for the end of the work day and now it's time for a nice glass of wine and a hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project  Idle Hands Red Wine.  This project started as a venture between Mark Ryan and the folks from Sleight of Hands Cellars, but eventually Mark Ryan bought out the venture to expand distribution.  In any case, particular wine is a blend of Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the Merlot and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, black cherry, green herbs and hints of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and cassis that ease effortlessly into some earth notes of peat, dusty loam and graphite.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety 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 blend that is quintessential Washington.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to burgers, brats and barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, grilled hatch chiles, steamed green beans and corn on the cob.  An ideal summer Sunday dinner.  Cheers!

2011 Notre Vin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée L'Étrier

Happy Saturday!  And of course, since this is the first Saturday of a new month, that make this Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've selected a wine that has only been in my cellar for a few weeks, but it's been in someone's cellar since 2011 before I bought this bottle from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2011 Notre Vin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée L'Étrier is a Classic Napa Valley Cabernet blended with a bit of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big, bold Napa Cabernet.  Take a whiff and you are greeted with plum, graphite, aged leather and a touch of fig for good measure.  The first sip is a rush of black cherry that is at first sweet, then tart, then back to sweet, before easing into some earthy notes of dusty limestone and peat midpalate.  The tannins are still fairly robust, providing a pivotal backdrop for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic big, bold Napa Valley Cabernet that fans will appreciate.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, but like most big Cabs, this one practically begs to be paired with a big, juicy steak.  And we're in luck!  I am enjoying this wine tonight with a rare grilled T-bone along with grilled hatch chiles, blistered cherry tomatoes and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Syrah XM

Happy Sunday!  It's been another weekend of non-spring weather, with rain an highs in the 40s, and it looks like the next four days will be between 30 and 45, so I guess the "Summer of George" will have to wait a few weeks.  I just finished a virtual tasting with the fine folks from Reininger, focusing on their white and rose wines, and since I didn't have any of those on hand, I decided to open a bottle of their red wine for dinner.  The 2016 Reininger Syrah XM is another interesting wine from Chuck Reininger, one of the most creative winemakers I know.  This wine is an "XM" which stands for extended maturation, so he reserves some of his wine (in this case the 2016 Walla Walla Syrah) and let's it age in barrel for a few extra years and releases it under the XM moniker.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this new, old wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass that has the look of a hearty Cabernet as opposed to a Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas that bring you right back to the barrel room, with leather, toasted oak, blackberry and cassis dancing in your mind.  Take a sip and you're greeted with one of the most velvety smooth Syrahs you can imagine, a rush of blackberry, cherry and currant envelop your palate with a thick almost syrupy mouthfeel that just makes your mind explode.  The fruit is encased in earthy elements, oak, peat and basalt that evolve to some twang midpalate.  The tannins are almost perfectly integrated, providing for that velvety smoothness to extend to the long, dry finish that will have you begging for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it has to be one of the most perfect examples of Syrah I've ever tasted.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and lamb, to heaty pastas or stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Sunday barbecue dinner (oh how I long for summer!), of barbecued beef baby back ribs, grilled corn on the cob, mustard baked beans and sriracha slaw.  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!

2012 Lachini Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month and new year, which makes it Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, and tonight I have something a bit off the beaten path.  I bought a bottle of the 2012 Lachini Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir just a few months ago from Wines Till Sold Out, as it seemed a terrific bargain, so why not try some?  So, let's see what this Pinot Noir from the Chehalem Mountains of Oregon has to offer!

The wine is a deep rose color in the glass, somewhat lighter than your typical Pinot Noir.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, cherry, sweet lilac and hints of forest floor, a classic funky combination for this varietal.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe cherry that cascades through your palate, transitioning easily to some earthy elements of fresh cut grass and peat midpalate.  The tannins are quite subdued, but still bring forth a delightfully dry finish that lingers lightly for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and although I am not the biggest fan of Pinot Noir, I find this wine to be an interesting departure.  As for pairings, this wine would pair well with a variety of aged cheeses, earthy dishes like wild mushroom risotto, or hearty winter favorites like Yankee pot roast or hearty beef stew.  Tonight I am taking that latter approach and enjoying this wine with some braised elk and bison short ribs on creamy mashed potatoes with some oven roasted carrots.  Cheers!

2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of November which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I found while rummaging for a half case of a 2004 Rhone that I mentioned to someone last week, and there is was, the 2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape, a bottle that I bought more than 10 years ago when I was still living in Grand Rapids.  This wine of the Pope is fairly traditional in terms of blend, with Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%), Cinsault (10%) and Syrah (5%) from the southern Rhone region of France.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, with just a hint of amber along the edges which comes with this level of maturity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, herbs de Provence and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  Take a sip and you're awash with warm fruit and spice, strawberry, cherry and currant with hints of black pepper spice that transitions easily to some notes of peat and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still well structured and provide a wonderful base to the smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasing example of this classic Rhone blend that would pair well with a range of dishes, from lamb to bouillabaisse, braised beef short ribs to hearty mushroom risotto.  Cheers!

2018 Mi Terruño Reserve Malbec

 Happy Saturday!  I can freely admit there was a time when I was just not a fan of Malbec, but I confess it's really grown on me over the past six or seven years, particularly when it's served with some high quality beef!  So, tonight as I am contemplating a nice T-bone, I've opened a bottle of 2018 Mi Terruño Reserve Malbec that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, as you might expect from a Malbec from Mendoza.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with leather, green grass, and mineral notes blend with a variety of dark fruit, blueberries, blackberries and currant that just raise your expectation of the taste to come.  Take a sip and you're awash with ripe fruit and earthy flavors of tar, peat and graphite, even as you are drawn back to some wonderful oak and vanilla notes from the barrel aging.  The tannins are well structured and provide for a cascade of delightful earthy notes on the lingering, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant wine that is perfect for steak!  Which is a good thing, as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Cajun coffee rubbed T-bone steak along with some oven roasted fingering potatoes and some steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  It's been an interesting weekend full of a lot of cooking, and apparently I've now taken up canning as well!  As I'll explain, my Sunday dinner has been two days in the making, as yesterday I went to the farmer's market and picked up a bushel of the last of this season's tomatoes, determined to make my first marinara sauce since 1998!  So, yesterday I made about 9 quarts of sauce, which then drove me down the rabbit hole of how can I store all this sauce for future use, and about $50 in jars and equipment later, I am now a canner!  At any rate, I also picked up some other items from the farmer's market, which requires me to open some sort of Italian-esque wine this evening, and so I've opened a bottle of 2016 Reininger Cima.  This wine is one of my perennial favorite blends from the Walla Walla Valley, and this vintage is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (25%) Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Petit Verdot (3%), primarily from the Seven Hills Vineyard, with a bit from the Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, no doubt a testament to the Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl and you lift you glass to enjoy aromas of strawberry, currant, cedar and a bit of peat that shows the character of this Tuscan style blend.  A sip reveals flavors of cherry and ripe red fruit that develop gradually before hitting a crescendo of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are subtle yet provide a nice backbone for the smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it just isn't quite at the level of the 2015 Vintage, but still a very nice wine.  This would pair well with steaks, braised short ribs or a variety of Italian dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some homemade eggplant parmesan, with sauce made yesterday and fresh eggplant from the farmers market.  Cheers!

2017 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick Red Wine

Happy Thursday!  This day started on several sour notes as my coffee maker decided to cease functioning half way through the brew cycle, so I started the day with only a half a pot of coffee.  Then when I pulled out of the garage at 7:30 to go buy a new one, I realized I had a screw in my back tire and it was completely flat.  Add changing a tire into the mix and this was set to be an awful day until now!  It's supper time and I have a nice dinner coming and a nice bottle of wine opened.  The 2017 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (93%), Syrah (5%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Spring Valley Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washtington.  So, let's see how this wine is making up for my sad start!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from such a Cabernet heavy blend.  Take a whiff and you are immersed in strawberry and raspberry aromas, with a bit of floral notes and some spicy undercurrents.  One sip and you are thrown into wonderland, bright red fruit intermingled with and acidity that has you first thinking of sweet tarts and then as you progress, you find yourself surrounded by wooded forest notes of cedar and peat, before the sturdy tannins usher in the very tight dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it has the earthy Bordeaux-esque character that I so love about Walla Walla wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty venison stew, thick steaks or mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime, dry-aged bone-in ribeye grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and hatch chiles, wild mushroom farro and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Today has been a mixed bag of weather, so rather then working out in the yard, I spend some time running errands and cooking!  The weather held out, so I suppose I could have done work in the yard, but there's no sense in crying over spilled grass clippings.  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which is a single varietal wine from Clone 191 grown at this vineyard, in this case the 2017 vintage of which I was able to snag a few bottle recently thanks to my friends at Seven Hills.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a classic deep ruby color as you would expect for a quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, cherry and currant with undertones of black pepper spice and green grass.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with rustic dried herbs, and earthy notes of peat and basalt that create a real sense of place in the Walla Walla Valley.  The tannins are wonderfully structured, providing a solid backbone for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, which I think is about the average rating for every vintage of Summit View Cabernet as it's just always a great wine to sip.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of hearty dishes, from summer barbecue, burgers and brats, to prime steaks and chops.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic steak and a new dish that I learned from Don't Go Bacon My Heart on Instagram, Caprese burrata pasta (you can find the recipe here) which is rich, zesty and fun, as well as some roast hatch chilis, because I can!  Cheers!

2018 Domaine Deliance Givry 1er cru Clos Charle

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's certainly been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday, so hopefully this is a good one.  Tonight I've opened up a bottle of Burgundy that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2018 Domaine Deliance Givry 1er cru Clos Charle is a pinot noir from the chalky limestone soils and cool climate of Givry.  I admit I've been on a bit of a pinot noir kick lately, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with great clarity, as you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases ample aromas of strawberry, sweet cherry and earthy peat with just the faintest hints of the classic Burgundy tar.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe berry fruit that eases gently to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and smoke midpalate.  The tannins are at first gripping, but then they soften to support the dry, supple finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely Burgundy at a value price of just $27.  This wine would also pair well with some more challenging fare, from duck, to pork, Indian cuisine to chili.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a sesame grilled pork tenderloin along with oven roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2009 Syzygy Saros 136

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of October, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that wonderful opportunity to raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened another wine that's aged but hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I picked it up on my Walla Walla adventure back in July.  The 2009 Syxygy Saros 136 is a fascinating blend of Tempranillo (59%), Malbec (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this interesting blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, no doubt a credit to the Malbec and Cabernet in the blend, but also has some bright clarity as the Tempranillo provides some balance.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, overripened plum, spicy pepper notes and some earthy minerality.  Take a sip and you get a rush of cherry cola, blackberry and plum that transitions easily to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone, balanced with some spicy pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing for an exceptionally smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking very nicely now, but likely will peak in just a few years.  With a heavy Termpranillo hand, this wine would pair well with some old world paella, new world Cajun dirty rice, or just some nice fresh grilled meat and vegetables.  The latter is what I'm enjoying this wine with tonight, a rare grilled New York strip, some oven roasted white sweet potatoes, grilled leeks and peppers and steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!