2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a good weekend, but now it's winding down, so let's enjoy a nice bottle of wine before the work week begins.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in the cellar for a couple years now.  The 2020 Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot is a 100% Merlot from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting a few years in!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of  leather, blackberry and cassis that let your palate know it's in for a treat.  The first sip is a flavor party with dancing plums, mocha and dark chocolate that dive into notes of baking spice and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are supple and balanced, prividing a nice foundation for the velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a high quality Merlot, but still a bit young.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue to braised pork, hearty pasta to grilled steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, roasted hatch chiles, mushroom farro and steamed Italian pole beans with roasted red peppers.  Cheers!

2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  I spent the day doing some indoor chores and relaxing, so not particularly productive, but that's what weekends are for!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere is a made from a varietal that not long ago was thought extinct, so let's see how this lost Bordeaux varietal is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass while the nose presents aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum with undertones of green grass and spice.  The first sip is a refreshing burst of ripe berries with a bit of tartness underneath that eases into some notes of blueberry compote midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but fully structured to provide a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant, easy drinking red that would pair well with a range of summer dishes.  This wine would pair well with barbecued ribs, burgers or brats, ideal for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some beef kabobs and fresh corn on the cob.  It's been a while since I've brought out the skewers, but this turned into a wonderful summer dinner.  Cheers!

2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in the cellar long, as I recently purchased it from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from a stellar Napa vintage and sourced from vineyards in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is performing after 14 years!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, without a hint of amber at the edges, looking quite fresh.  A gentle swirl of the glass and the nose reveals aromas of ripe blackberry and prune amid undertones of smoke and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that eases into some dried herbs and black pepper spice midpalate.  The acidity is still vibrant, offering some tartness on the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid wine that still has plenty of life left in it.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, braised short ribs, steaks or grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye with wild mushroom risotto and grilled asparagus.  The fruit and bright acidity of this wine is ideal to cut through a fatty ribeye.  Cheers!

2021 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  It's been a hectic week, but now it's time to relax with a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers that has been in the cellar for more than a year.  The 2021 Helix Cabernet Francis a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up a half decade into its life!

The wine is a deep ruby color, with an inky black at the center, just as you might expect from this traditional blending varietal.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, baking spice, blackberry and currant, a wonderfully earthy identity that will have you thinking of Bordeaux.  The first sip is a rush of warm ripe fruit, blackberry, currant and plum intermingled with earthy spice notes and smoky charred oak that will have you waiting for another sip.  The tannins are subdued, creating a nice base for a long dry finish, with a reprise of dark spice and smoke.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would be welcome at a range of occasions.  This wine would pair well with a variety of roast meats, stews and hearty pasta dishes as you transition from winter to spring.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an ideal dinner transition between the seasons, a grilled bone-in ribeye with some oven roasted sweet potatoes with julienne green peppers and steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers! 

2020 Le Piazze Rosso Toscana

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy week, but I survived and now I am ready to do some cooking this weekend and enjoy some wine!  Before heading out to the theatre tonight, I am opening up a bottle that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out last year, the 2020 Le Piazze Rosso Toscana.  This wine is a classic super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Petit Verdot (5%), so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a seemingly heavier body given the impact of the Cabernet in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, strawberry, ripe plum and a hint of dried herbs, classic for a Sangiovese heavy blend.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, strawberry, cherry and plum that east into some earthy notes of dusty limestone and charred oak midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing a base for a smooth dry finish with a hint of acidity and peppery spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's a pleasant wine at a value price, but it was not anything to knock your socks off.  This wine would pair with a range of classic Italian dishes, from risotto and pasta, to Tuscan toast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with something completely different, a rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  Now that the holiday rush has largely subsided, we can once again focus on the importance of balancing work with wonderful food and wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2022 Seven Hills Petit Verdot was sourced entirely 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 a deep ruby color in the glass, with a heavier body more reminiscent of a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and plum, intertwined with some light floral aromas of violet and lilac that have you anxious to take a sip.  That first sip is a concert of flavors that come at you fast, blackberry and plum that east into some tart cherry before blasting some earthy limestone from the quarry walls, just before you head for a picnic lunch with smoked meat and olive tapenade on the forest floor.  At the end of the concert, the tannins sweep up for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for more.

Overall, I rate this wine a solid 9 as it's a perennial favorite for a single bottling of a typical blending Bordeaux varietal.  This wine also seems to be a perfect food-friendly wine that would pair with a broad range of dishes, from barbecue to pizza, steak to pasta, Indian to Asian cuisine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a chicken and vegetable Thai inspired curry noodle dish.  The fruit and acidity are an ideal complement to the rich spice of the curry rice noodles.  Cheers!

2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I spent the day running errands and now I am getting ready to head over to Notre Dame to do some volunteer work, rescuing food from the stadium.  But before I go, why not have a taste of the wine that I'll be enjoying by a fire when I get back?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought on Thursday when I stopped at Costco, the 2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine, which seemed a little premature, but I was intrigued by the painted label and the fact that this was a liter of wine rather than the standard 750 ml.  So, let's see how this new wine is tasting!

'The wine is a lighter body, with a clear ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, candied plum, and hints of violet, perhaps indicating this might be a bit more sweet and fruit forward.  The taste is nothing that my nose expected, with a rush of tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transition to some notes of earthy tar and some tobacco notes midpalate.  The finish is quite dry, with well integrated tannins providing for a pleasant dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it was not impressive, but it was a pleasant drinking wine for $15 per liter.  This wine would pair well with a range of cheeses and charcuterie, burgers and brats, or just sipping around a fire with friends.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms, with steamed Italian pole beans.  Cheers!

2019 Yokayo Buteo Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I am exhausted, I spent seven hours working in the yard today, trimming hedges and cleaning up all the scraps and now I need to relax with a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Although I may find it a strain to lift a glass to my mouth, tonight I've opened a bottle that was an impulse add on to an order from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Yokayo Buteo Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Malbec (16%) and Petit Verdot (9%) from the Rockpile appellation in Sonoma. So, let's see if I can lift this glass and taste this wine!

The wine is an inky black at the center with deep garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big California Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, plum and green cedar.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, cherry, strawberry and plum with undertones of earthy peat and cedar that transition to some notes of mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are firm and vibrant, providing an ideal foundation for a long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking Cabernet that punches above its weight class, as this wine was available for the bargain price of $17!  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from crispy skin salmon to mushroom risotto, steak to grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak, oven roasted shishito peppers with flaky salt and grilled corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2021 Le Quart du Roi Côtes-du-Rhône

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

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

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

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!

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!

2021 Seven Hills Pentad

Happy Saturday!  It's been a somewhat relaxing day today, finishing up a few chores and errands before settling in for dinner before the theatre tonight.  For this post, I've opened up a bottle of 2021 Seven Hills Pentad, a classic Bordeaux style blend of five grape varietals (hence "Pentad") from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (19%), Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (9%) and Cabernet Franc (8%), so let's see how this previous vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with an inky center, a testament to the heavy hand of Cabernet Sauvignon on the blend.  The nose presents welcoming aromas of leather, cedar and ripe blackberry amid undertones of baking spice.  The first sip is a marked departure from the Cabernet heavy expectations, as you are awash in mellow notes of boysenberry and plum, before the heavy hand of Cabernet makes its presence known with a rush of acidity, leather and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are up front but well structured, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it represents the best of Walla Walla when it comes to blending Bordeaux varietals, and although I think it's drinking well now, it will likely improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with hearty meals, pasta, beef stew, braised short ribs or lamb rack, and of course steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a cowboy crusted ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, oven roasted potatoes and steamed sugar snaps.  Cheers!

2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpinia Aglianico

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month (and new year!), that magical time where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that has actually been in my cellar only a month or so, as I bought it in a mystery six-pack of red wine from Wines Till Sold Out not too long ago.  The 2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Irpinia Aglianico is from southern Italy and is one of the first mature bottles of this varietal that I've tried, as usually I have consumed Aglianico when younger.  So, let's see how a bit of age has expressed itself in this wine!

The wine is a much deeper purple color in the glass, with just a hint of amber along the edges as one would expect with a bit of age.  The nose presents aromas of ripe plum, leather, spice box and dried herbs, with the classic aromas of anise and black pepper spice you often see in an aged Italian red wine.  The first sip takes me back to dinners in Rome in the 1990s, with a rush of fruit that is quickly overtaken by some wonderful notes of anise, leather and spice, leading to earthy notes of forest floor and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but supportive of a lovely dry finish that evolves with every sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a lovely expression of the nuance and complexity of aged Italian red wines.  This wine would pair well with many hearty Italian dishes, from classic carbonara to sausage and peppers, lasagna to classic spaghetti and meatballs.  Tonight, I am going the classic route and enjoying this wine with a stuffed manicotti, with marinara and a simple mixed green salad with sage blossom vinaigrette.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Trine

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll admit this is one of may favorite holidays as we look back throughout the year and give thanks for the many blessings we have. Sure, the world is not a perfect place, and not everything turned out as we might have imagined, but when you shift your focus from what might have been to what is right there in front of you, a heart of gratitude begins to develop and you can truly appreciate the multitude of blessings the Lord has bestowed.  And of course, one of those blessings is wine, as "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man..." Tonight, my heart is gladdened with a bottle of 2021 Pepper Bridge Trine, which is a blend of Cabernet Franc (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Merlot (13%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the Bordeaux varietals employed.  The nose emits aromas of violet, black plum and cassis with faint undertones of leather.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe fruit, gushing with plum, cherry and currant, intermingled with earthy notes of cedar and tobacco.  Midpalate, you are treated to a dose of vanilla and white pepper spice interspersed with hints of floral notes.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant and easy drinking Bordeaux style blend that is compatible with so many dishes, it's ideal for the holidays.  This wine would pair well with a variety of holiday dishes, from turkey to ham, prime rib to green bean casserole, but since I am cooking today and I'm not a fan of Turkey, I am enjoying this wine with an herb crusted rack of lamb, saffron potatoes and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa Wines Grenache

Happy Thursday!  Since I was too busy to post last weekend, I decided to do a midweek post.  Tonight, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from DaMa Wines, the 2022 Columbia Valley Grenache.  This wine is a perennial favorite of mine, as it's a 100% Grenache, offering a true perspective on this fascinating and food-friendly varietal.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is lighter bodied, exuding a bright ruby color, just as you'd expect from a nice Grenache.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, violet and kirsch, with undertones of peppery spice.  The first sip is a rush of sweet fruit up front, strawberry, plum and raspberry, that takes an unexpected turn toward some tart cherry midpalate.  The tannins are supple and supportive of the smooth dry finish, with just a hint of spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really interesting take on Grenache, that is likely the best vintage I've had from DaMa. This wine would pair well with a wide range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to butternut squash bisque, herb-crusted rack of lamb to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic fall dinner of grilled pork tenderloin and blistered cherry tomatoes, served with mashed sweet potatoes and oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva

Happy Sunday!  It's been rainy all day, but I still feel like I've been going non-stop all day (have I mentioned that I need a vacation?) but now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva is made from Nero di Troia, a varietal from Puglia that I haven't tried before, so this evening is getting more exciting by the minute!  

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a sturdier body than your typical Sangiovese.  A little swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, earthy mineral notes of basalt amid undertones of plum and red currant.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly subsides into pleasant flavors of raspberry, toasted oak and a bit of spice box reminiscent of an old Italian market.  A thread of acidity seems to permeate the taste throughout, making this a little more lively than a typical red wine.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a food friendly and pleasant drinking wine that was a terrific value (I bought this one on sale for $13, but even at the regular price of $17 this is a winner).  This wine would pair well with hearty steaks and chops, grilled lamb or any number of hearty, classic Italian dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some stuffed shells I made for Sunday dinner, using some of my homemade sauce from a few weeks ago.  Cheers!

2016 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Happy Sunday!  Today was an adventurous afternoon as I harvested the first of my tomatoes and then proceeded to immediately use the tomatoes and basil I grew myself to make 3 quarts of sauce, my first sauce of the year and a special one since it is the product of my own agricultural urges!  And though I used some wine in making the sauce, I've decided to open up something completely different to enjoy while the jars of sauce are processing.  The 2016 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a wine I bought last year from Wines Till Sold Out, and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the best of the fruit from the 2016 vintage. So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry and toasted oak with undertones of plum and cassis.  The first sip is not at all what I was expecting, a rush of tart cherry envelops your palate, easing into some dusty limestone and tawny port notes midpalate.  The fruit continues to cascade in your mouth as you get to the white pepper spice near the finish, which is supported by velvety smooth tannins for a classic long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking well now, but would likely improve even more with some time in the cellar.  This wine was also a good value at just $27 when I bought it.  This wine would pair well with meat, especially red meat!  This would do well with hearty steaks, rack of lamb, grilled pork tenderloin or even barbecued ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak, grilled broccolini and hatch chiles, and mushroom pasta.  Cheers!

2021 Forgeron Cellars Grenache

Happy Sunday!  I had a chance to do a little relaxing today, went out to see a movie in addition to doing laundry and a little office work, so now it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and glass of wine.  For dinner, it's the last Sunday of the month, which means it's time for "Dinner in the Diner" when I try a recipe that was once features on one of the classic passenger trains of the 20th Century.  But first, the wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Forgeron Cellars Grenache, which is a 100% Grenache from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an easy garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect from this varietal.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and a hint of mint over the top.  Take a sip and you're in for a rush of ripe fruit, cherry, currant and plum, that transitions to some notes of cinnamon and spice midpalate. The tannins are well integrated, providing for a lovely dry finish with some lingering earthy notes at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking, food friendly, lighter red wine ideal for the summer months (did I mention it was 82 degrees here today?).  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a classic recipe from the dining cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Seafood Newburg!  It doesn't get much more classically 20th century than seafood in a sherry cream sauce!  I admit I took a few liberties with this recipe and added just scallops and shrimp, as that's what I had on hand, but I also added some peas to give it a little color as well.  The spice and tart fruit of this wine are a perfect foil to the richness of this dish.  Cheers!

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I know I didn't have a chance to post over the past week or so, but now I have a chance mid-week!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.  As a proud shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, it's always a pleasure to open a bottle, which in this case I found at my local Costco last weekend.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Pinot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, blackberry and plum amid earthy leather and a hint of oak.  The first sip is rush or ripe red fruit, raspberry, cherry and currant that evolve to some notes of warm pepper spice and just a bit of funk midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but offer a velvety smooth dry finish with a reprise of cherry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely right now, but might improve a bit over the course of the next year.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from salmon and seared tuna, to pasta or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an easy mid-week dish of tomato and mozzarella ravioli with some Italian sausage marinara.  Cheers!