2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well hello there!  It's been almost a week since we've talked, and now that work is getting back to a more normal pace, I am hopeful that I can enjoy some of the wines that have been stacking up around my house.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, the 2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (79%), Petit Verdot (7%), Malbec (7%), Syrah (5%), Carménère (1%) and Petite Syrah (1%) from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and currant, with undertones of spice box and vanilla bean.  The first sip and you're awash with wonderful black fruit that coats your palate before easing into some notes of dark chocolate, black tea and some dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide the foundation for a very Bordeaux-esque style dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very respectable Walla Walla Cabernet that's also a terrific value at just $35, before any wine club discounts.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty and rustic dishes, from braised short ribs to grilled lamb, but more than anything, this wine would cry out for a big, juicy steak.  Well, wouldn't you know it, my local market had ribeyes on sale, so tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms, corn on the cob and steamed brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Stags Leap Winery "The Investor" Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy afternoon of leaf gathering in the yard, and now that I've cleaned up I have time for a nice glass of wine and dinner before heading off to my local community theatre for a performance.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I discovered at a restaurant when I had dinner in Gross Pointe, Michigan a couple of months ago.  The waiter indicated that this wine was not on the list as they received only a few bottles by mistake, and since it was half off bottle night we indulged in a bottle of 2020 Stags Leap Winery "The Investor" Napa Valley Red Wine.  Given my career choices, this wine is perfectly named and contains a blend of Merlot (40%), Petit Syrah (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Malbec (10%) all from the Napa Valley AVA.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black with a rind of ruby along the edges, perfect for a Bordeaux blend.  Take a whiff and you indulge in an array of black fruit, intermingled with anise and caramel, hints of dusty loam and dark chocolate.  The first sip is a wave of luscious ripe fruit, black cherry, currant and plum that ease into some warm notes of baking spice, white pepper and caramel.  The tannins are playful in the structure, easing you into a velvety, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip forthwith.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fantastic Bordeaux style blend that is somewhat surprising given its origin in Napa.  This wine would pair well with the braised short ribs I enjoyed at that restaurant, steaks, grilled lamb chops or hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a quick and simple dinner of Trader Joe's tomato and burrata ravioli along with some homemade marinara and some new Bolognese mix of ground veal, pork and beef.  Cheers!

2011 Girard Napa Valley Petit Sirah

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month and that means it's time to raid the cellar and find a bottle at least a decade in waiting to open and enjoy.  Tonight I've found a bottle that I likely bought while I still lived in Michigan, before they eliminated the requirement to place price tags on all retail products, so even though I can't remember where I bought this wine, I know I paid $26.99 for it!  The 2011 Girard Napa Valley is a big bold wine, as is often the case with this varietal, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black with bright ruby along the edges, still holding up well a dozen years after harvest.  The nose is rich in ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum intermingled with some lilac notes intertwined with some charcoal.  The first sip is a rush of black cherry, blueberry and plum that eases into some notes of basalt and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful example of the hearty wines from this oft overlooked varietal.  This wine would pair well with a variety of steaks, rack of lamb, hearty roast beef or rich braised bison short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared petite prime filet mignon along with some mushroom risotto and roasted baby cauliflower.  Cheers!

2013 Bell Canyon Cellars Napa Valley Signature Reserve

Well good evening!  It's time for a mid-week dinner and of course a glass or two of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2013 Bell Canyon Cellars Signature Reserve from Napa Valley (have I mentioned I've been on a bit of a Napa kick lately?).  This wine is an interesting blend for Napa in that it has no Cabernet!  This one is a blend of Syrah (56%), Malbec (29%), Merlot (11%) and Petit Syrah (4%), so let's see what cooks!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of oak, blackberry and dark cherry, with just a hint of vanilla bean.  The taste is quite pleasant, with flavors of blackberry and licorice up front that transitions to some wonderful peppery spice notes midpalate.  The finish is very nice, as the spice lingers with the young tannins for a long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's drinking wonderfully now, but will likely improve with some time in the cellar.  My only complaint is the use of an artificial cork, as you know I'm a fan of natural cork.  The wine was also a very good value at just $15.  Tonight I am pairing this wine with a rare grilled, black pepper bacon wrapped filet mignon with a baked potato and some grilled Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2013 19 Crimes Red Wine

Well tonight I've selected a wine on a whim, hmm...that seems like an ideal title for a wine blog, or maybe a selection for a blog...have to think on that one some more.  In any case, tonight's selection was totally purchased based on the packaging, both the label and the bottle wrap was very cool looking as I was pushing my cart through the grocery store, so I bought a bottle and am not trying the 2013 19 Crimes Red Wine from where else, Southeastern Australia!  This wine, a blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petit Sirah in the USA), which should be ideal for my dinner tonight.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, while the nose is classic Syrah/Petit Sirah, bursting with jammy fruit, blackberry, cherry and a bit of strawberry along with some lovely spice notes, cinnamon, baking spice and cocoa powder.  The taste is lovely and classic in the sense of an Australian Shiraz, with a burst of jammy fruit, blackberry, plum and cherry that shifts to some warm spice notes mid palate.  The finish has some classic Shiraz twang as the soft tannins provide for a smooth warm finish that ideal for summer cooking.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, making it an ideal everyday table wine, particularly with the $10 price tag (not to mention it's got a pretty cool bottle and label, did I mention that?).  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled dyngus sausage with carmelized onions and peppers on a pretzle bun along with some creamy potato salad, a perfect late summer supper!  Cheers, and try not to commit any of the "19 crimes" that will get you sent to Botany Bay!

2010 Concannon Central Coast Petite Sirah

I've been a fan of Petite Sirah (or Petit Syrah as they say) for several years now, and I think what I like most about this varietal is that it's arguably neither petite nor very much like syrah!  It tends to be much bigger and bolder, with a more pronounced fruit profile.  Now I've had a Concannon petite sirah a few years ago, and it was very pleasant, so I'm hopeful that this wine will not let me down!

This wine still appears to be a bit young, but it's still well developed.  The color is a deep purple transitioning to a more ruby color toward the edges.  The nose feels young and green, with a clear fruit aroma of blueberries and ripe plums, almost edging toward a prune.  The fruit is accentuated by aromas of oak, savory spices and fresh herbs, which lend to the perception of this wine being young and "green."  The taste is very fruit forward, with flavors of blueberries and raisins transitioning to a combination of tar and tart cherries midpalate.  The finish at first seemed somewhat short, but then the tannins really played on some of the flavor complexity to make this a very pleasant finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7, it's certainly not the best Petit Sirah I've tasted and I'll mark them down for the artificial cork, but it was a wonderful value at only $7 from my favorite local wine merchant, G.B. Russo!  This wine would pair nicely with some roasted meats, perhaps some lamb, but tonight I am enjoying this one with some chili!  So if you're looking for a nice red with plenty of fruit and lots of body, pick up a bottle and enjoy it!