2025 Seven Hills Rosé

Happy Saturday!  It's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to summer and the unofficial start to rosé season!  Tonight I happened to open a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery, and my happenstance someone called and convinced me to order a case of this for the upcoming summer, so let's taste the 2025 Seven Hills Rosé, a wine composed primarily of Cabernet Franc, so let's see what's going on!

This wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, just what you'd like to see from a summer rosé.  The nose presents aromas of bright citrus, pomegranate, pineapple and hints of white floral.  The first sip is a mouthful of summer, with notes of green grass, lemon chiffon, pink grapefruit and some bright citrus acidity that will have you drifting to the patio to finish the bottle.  The tannins are crisp yet unobtrusive, providing for an elevated, crisp dry finish that leaves you satiated on a summer evening.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the best rosé wines I've sampled in several years.  This wine would pair well with a range of summer dished, from caprese salad to fish tacos, salmon ceviche to black and bleu salad.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic pairing, sesame crusted tuna steak with citrus wasabi dipping sauce, wild rice blend and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  It's been a relaxing day, just watching Christmas movies (I am finishing up White Christmas with A Christmas Carol on deck!) and now it's time to have a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I purchased recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  Of course, I'm a sucker for innovative labeling and anything that looks like a stock certificate or currency, so this was a natural choice.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet from Napa Valley produced by the Toulon Wine Company.  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 big Napa Cab.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy leather and graphite intertwined with ripe plum and black cherry fruit.  The first sip is a mesmerizing mix of ripe sweet black fruit and tart cherry and pomegranate that eventually transitions to some earthy notes of dusty limestone with some mocha and white pepper spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully approachable Napa Cabernet with the solid drinking quality while avoiding the pretense.  It was also a good value at just $25!  This wine would naturally pair well with a big steak, but also would fair well with braised short ribs, veal osso bucco or leg of lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled tomahawk ribeye, baked potato and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  This is day 11 of my Christmas vacation (mental note to take more PTO throughout the year in 2023!) and after the blizzard that was a dud, I did some volunteer work this morning and am now ready to relax with a nice dinner and a glass (or bottle) of wine.  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club bottle from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  I've reviewed previous vintages, including the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, so let's see what the latest vintage has to offer!

The wine has the classic look and feel of a big, bold Cabernet in the glass.  Take a whiff and you're immersed in aromas of a classic college library with leather, dusty limestone, lavender and hints of pipe tobacco that practically beg you to take a sip.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum and currant that transition easily to some tart pomegranate and cardamom midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but well integrated, providing for a delightfully smooth dry finish that leaves you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's become a perennial favorite Cabernet from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This wine would of course be great with big steaks and chops, roast lamb or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with my Christmas Eve Eve dinner of a rare grilled filet mignon, topped with Béarnaise sauce along with some shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, maple and pomegranate and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2020 Pepper Bridge Winery Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a solid day of leaf patrol, and after 8 hours I only finished the roof and front yard!  So more to do tomorrow, but at least for now I can relax with a nice meal and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2020 Seven Hills Vineyard Blend.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%) ,  Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot (5%) all from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wonderful Autumn wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby taste of cooling temperatures, falling leaves and gourds, with aromas of leather, blackberry, cocoa powder and cedar on the nose.  One sip reveals a rush of black raspberry, pomegranate and hints of mulling spice that make this wine ideal for the season,  Midpalate, the character evolves to some basalt and mineral notes so characteristic of the vineyard.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite from Pepper Bridge.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, but would also pair well with lamb, game or some hearty fall favorites like a sausage and sweet potato hash.  Tonight I am taking a more traditional route and enjoying this wine with some pan seared lamb loin chops with some herbs de Provence, along with oven roasted beets and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2019 Birge Cellars Super Tuscan

Welcome to the long weekend!  It's been a busy day of running errands and grocery shopping (we'll see the results of that over the next few days!) and now it's time for a nice relaxing dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened up a special bottle from one of my colleagues who makes his own wine under his eponymous cellars label.  He gave me this bottle of Super Tuscan he made in 2019, and although I have no idea what the blend is, I can only guess that it blends some Sangiovese with other Bordeaux varietals sourced from Italy.  Given that I'm a firm believer that ignorance is bliss, let's dive into this wine!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, somewhat darker than your typical Sangiovese which is no doubt a testament to the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of green pepper, black cherry and a hint of floral undertones that I find intriguing.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a subdued black fruit blend of black cherry and plum, intermingled with some pomegranate and green herbs.  Midpalate, you see a nice transition to some earthy minerality with hints of mint and floral, before easing into the finish, with youthful tannins that support a classically dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very pleasant drinking wine that's really highlights the varietals that make a good Super Tuscan.  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty dishes, from big steaks to risotto, hearty stews to generous pasta.  Tonight I am taking the classic Italian route and enjoying this wine with some linguine topped with Italian sausage marinara, fresh basil and shaved parmesan.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Mr. Owl's Red

Happy Sunday!  It's been a rather miserable weekend, with snow and rain every day, so I could hardly get any work done on getting rid of all the leaves in my yard, but at least there is wine!  So, I've decided to cook a wonderful fall Sunday dinner and open a bottle of 2019 Reininger Mr. Owl's Red.  Affectionately named for Reininger assistant wine maker, Raul, this wine has become a labor of love as Raul takes some of his favorite grapes from each vintage to craft this wine.  The 2019 vintage is a blend of Malbec (38%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Syrah (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, StoneTree, Stone Valley and XL vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of blackberry, pomegranate and smoky oak, which combined reminds me of my time in the Reininger barrel room!  A sip will have wonderfully rustic black fruit washing over your palate, blackberry, plum and currant that transition to some notes of cranberry midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide an ideal platform for the long, smooth dry finish that just lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fantastic new world style Bordeaux blend that is inconceivably priced at just $25 (on sale now for just $22.50 here: Mr. Owl's Red!).  This wine would pair well with steaks, burgers, pasta, or a good movie on the couch!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of roasted chicken breast with roasted root vegetables and some bacon maple Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted and it's because last weekend was just crazy busy for me, but I'm back not and able to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's selection is a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2018 Helix Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this underappreciated varietal is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of pomegranate, violets and raspberry with subtle undertones of dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, raspberry, mulberry and cherry, that transition easily to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco, before easing back into notes of pomegranate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for a wonderfully long, velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for this varietal, and this vintage is a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled lamb chops, to venison, pork tenderloin to veal chops.  Tonight however, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with some Thai red curry chicken and vegetables atop a bed of jasmine rice an a sprig of fresh Thai basil.  Cheers!

2015 Wooden Winery Barn Door Blend North Coast California Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It seems that summer is really getting into full swing as it's been really hot an humid here, such that I break a sweat just grilling dinner!  Speaking of which, I have a great dinner for tonight and a great wine to pair with it.  I recently bought a few bottles of the 2015 Wooden Winery Barn Door Blend North Coast California Red Wine from Wines Till Sold Out, and beyond the interesting bottle, this wine has some kick.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%) and other red varietals and it's capped with an intriguing bottle with a wooden cover (I seem to recall another wine I've tried in the past with a similar bottle, but alas I couldn't find the post!).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy Merlot blend.  A quick swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blueberry, pomegranate and fig intermingled with plenty of oak.  Take a sip and you have a rush of ripe fruit, blueberry, mulberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasant everyday red wine that won't break the bank at just $18.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks and chops, to classic pasta or risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime center cut ribeye topped with grilled garlic scapes, mashed potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Reininger Carmenère

Happy Vernal Equinox!  It's been a modestly relaxing day, I spent some time with friends this morning and then went grocery shopping and stopped at the local Ace Hardware for some essentials.  The weather was nice, so I went for a bike ride and just got back in time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Reininger Carmenère which is a 100% Carmenère from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a nice deep, inky purple with bright ruby along the edges.  A nice whiff and aromas of black raspberry, cherry and plum intermingled with a bit of oak and olive tapenade.  Take a sip and there is a brief rush of ripe black fruit, black raspberry, cherry and currant that transitions to some notes of pomegranate and hints of white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are supple, yet well structured, providing a perfect base for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's definitely one of the better examples of the varietal I've had in a while.  This wine would stand up to a rare grilled steak as well as any Cabernet, but would also pair well with lamb, or even a spice curry.  Tonight, being it's the first official day of spring, I am yearning for summer, so I'm enjoying this wine with some barbecued pork spare ribs, along with sriracha slaw and Dr. Pepper baked beans.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Barbera

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend and now I'm finally getting around to relaxing before it all starts again tomorrow.  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars.  The 2018 Forgeron Barbera is a 100% Barbera from the Sagemoore Vinyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a wonderful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  A quick swirl and a whiff of generous red fruit greets you, with aromas of strawberry, cherry and currant intermingles with earthy notes of leather and sage.  One sip reveals a delightful balance of ripe red fruit, intermingled with vanilla bean, that gives way to some nice acidity and a bit of pomegranate midpalate.  The tannins are firm, but well integrated for a delightfully long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a nice example of the varietal with a nice view into the terroir of Sagemoor.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pastas, barbecue or even a nice spicy chili, but tonight I'm going a bit off the beaten path.  I'm enjoying this wine with an Asian sesame grilled pork tenderloin with some steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2014 Reininger CPR Carmenere

So tonight I have the pleasure of enjoying another virtual wine tasting with Chuck Reininger (aka the CPR on this wine's label) and we will be tasting the 2014 CPR Carmenere.  Of course what's not to love about tasting a wine with the person that created it, I just wish I wasn't on eastern time!  Chuck will be joined by Sadie Drury, the vineyard manager at the Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla, where the grapes for this wine originated.  This wine was very limited production, just 42 cases of 100% Carmenere from the Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla, so let's see how it's shaping up!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose is at first a delicate affair with aromas of cedar, lavender and white pepper spice which opens up to some wild blackberry and currant.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, pomegranate and plum that transitions easily to hints of charred meat and olive tapenade midpalate.  The soft tannins usher in a nice bit of acidity and peppery spice amid the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just starting to come into its own after aging more than five years in barrel.  This wine would be excellent with grilled lamb, filet mignon or sesame crusted pork tenderloin, but tonight, since it's raining, I am staying indoors with and enjoying this wine with a classic linguine carbonara.  Cheers!

2017 DaMa Walla Walla Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold and thunderstormy here today, so I've spent much of the day indoors doing some work as well as some work around the house.  So now it's time for some Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  This bottle was part of my wine club shipment last week, so let see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a lighter color in the glass, with lots of bright ruby and great clarity.  The nose is an elegant combination of Bing cherry, smoke and a hint of dried herbs.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry, cranberry and pomegranate that gracefully evolves into notes of earthy oak and lavender midpalate.  The gripping tannins provide for an ideal base for a long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking wine, but a bit lighter than I would prefer in a Merlot.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from pasta and burgers to steaks and barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare filet mignon, seared rare and basted with butter, garlic and fresh thyme, along with some linguine tossed with garlic, olive oil and broccoli rabe (I confess I made way too much pasta so at least I have lunch for tomorrow).  Cheers!

2013 Cougar Crest Estate Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Easter!  I have to admit this has been such a strange time that my normal Easter dinner plans of ham and a banquet of comfort food has been tossed aside .  But at least we still have some wine, and tonight's is one that I recently ordered from Cougar Crest winery for a future wine club selection, the 2013 Cougar Crest Estate Walla Walla Cabernet Franc.  What better way to continue celebrating Walla Walla Valley Wine month with an underappreciated Bordeaux varietal, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, somewhat reminiscent of a Pinot Noir.  The nose presents aromas of red currant, pomegranate, lavender and a bit of strawberry, plenty of ripe red fruit to arouse your interest.  The taste is a rush of cherry, currant and red raspberry that transitions to some wonderfully earthy notes of tar and tobacco, with undertones of vanilla and caramel midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved and nicely integrated, providing for a long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a broad range of hard to pair dishes, like Thai green curry, lighter fish dishes, or Indian food, which is what I'm pairing this wine with tonight, as I'm enjoying it with some chicken and vegetable Biryani over jasmine rice (I realized today I was out of basmati rice, so what else can you do during a pandemic?).  Cheers!

2014 CPR Carmenere

Happy Tuesday! Tonight is a special weeknight post since I have a couple of reasons for opening this wine tonight.  The first is the wonderful crock pot recipe that's been slow cooking all afternoon and the second is a virtual wine tasting tonight that's featuring this wine and it's maker!  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2014 CPR Carmenere, which Chuck Reininger will be tasting via Zoom later this evening!  This wine is a 100% Carmenere from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose is a wonderful combination of leather, ripe black fruit, peppery spice and forest floor that's brings a roaring campfire to mind.  The taste is a rush of cherry cola, black currant and pomegranate that dance around before transitioning to some notes of white pepper spice and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured with a bit of sharp acidity despite this wine spending its toddler years in barrel, ultimately letting loose for the wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this wine is arguably one of the best examples of this lost Bordeaux varietals that I've tasted.  This wine would pair very nicely with a rare grilled steak, pork tenderloin, hearty pasta or even just sipping on the patio this summer.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with my crock pot recipe of Cajun smothered potatoes with andouille sausage and shrimp.  Cheers!

2016 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  Certainly for many folks it's been a stressful week, with so much bad new floating around, so I'm making time for a nice dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from the most recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2016 Helix Petit Verdot.  This wine is an extremely limited production of just 70 cases, made from 100% Petit Verdot from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for the varietal.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak and pipe tobacco intermingled with blackberries and cassis, leaving you with the impression of being in classic old library.  The taste is a rush of cherry, raspberry and pomegranate, with a good bit of acidity, but not overpowering.  The tannins are chewy providing a great base 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 just a lovely example of a pure, but underappreciated varietal.  This wine will likely improve with some time in the cellar, but if you can't wait, it would be ideal with a broad variety of grilled meats, from steak and lamb to pork tenderloin.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an Indian spiced veal loin chop grilled mid-rare, with some grilled asparagus and a loaded baked potato.  Cheers!

2016 Giuseppe Campagnola Valpolicella Ripasso

Happy Sunday!  Sometimes on a Sunday, you just need to open a wine from Italy, and after spending the afternoon working around the house on various projects and finishing with yard work, I am in need of a nice Italian Wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 Giuseppe Campagnola Valpolicella Ripasso that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out a few months back.  I am a big fan of Amarone, and for a more affordable alternative, I love a good Valpolicella Ripasso, or the second pressing of the dried grapes used for Amarone.  This wine is a classic blend of Corvina (60%), Rondinella (35%) and Molinara (5%).  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a wonderful deep ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of blueberry, currant, and cherry with hints of rosehip and graphite.  The taste is very fruit forward with a rush of cherry, blueberry and currant that transitions nicely to notes of tar and pomegranate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, with balanced acidity to drive the long, lush and wonderfully dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a pleasant drinking and food friendly wine that's also q solid value at just $15!  This wine would be wonderful with a creamy risotto, or pasta with cream sauce as the acidity of this wine would be an ideal balance.  It would also pair well with lamb, wild game or a classic well-marbled steak as the fruit and acidity would be great to cut through the fattiness of a prime steak, which is great since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled prime ribcap along with grilled romanesco and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2014 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a lovely day so why not end it with a wonderful dinner and a nice bottle of wine?  Yes on both counts!  Tonight I've decided to open a recent wine club bottle from Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla.  I've been a fan of Marie Eve and her wines since I visited there in 2012, or maybe it was 2010, in any case, they have been doing some wonderful things with some less explored varietals in the region, including Malbec.  This particular wine is 100% Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard (89%) on the Wahluke Slope in Washington's Columbia Valley with the remainder from the Minnick Hills Vineyard (11%) in the Walla Walla Valley.  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a stunning, deep purple color in the glass, picture perfect for Malbec.  The nose is a symphony of aromas that bring you to images of gauchos in the Andes of Argentina, leather, smoke, black cherry and hints of white pepper spice and mocha over the top.  The taste is refined and complex, pretty much the opposite of a big, gut punching Cabernet that's so popular among so many today.  There is a rush of ripe fruit up front, cherry, pomegranate and currant that transition effortlessly to some notes of peppery dark chocolate midpalate.  The finish is just the best part of this wine, with incredibly polished tannins supporting a velvety smooth finish that seems to last the better part of five minutes.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, maybe even a 9.5 as this has to be one of the best Malbecs I've had.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a big hunk of beef, and it would certainly be delicious with a prime ribeye, but tonight I am going off the rails again, pairing this wine with a lovely grilled mango marinaded pork tenderloin with grilled peppers and Brussels sprouts.  The wine just brings out the richness of pork while the complex fruit just makes the perfect complement.  Cheers!

2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rose

Happy Monday!  I know it's unusual for my to post on Mondays, but what the heck!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rose, since it seems summer has decided to come early this year - it's been in the upper 80s today and expected to stay hot all week long.  And since this is the summer of rose, why not go back to the pioneer of roses in Walla Walla, since I think they started the trend back with their 2009 vintage.  So let's see how this rose will get us through the summer!

The wine is a pale pinkish hue, almost a peach color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of pink grapefruit and melon, accented by some floral notes of orange blossom and white roses.  The taste is just lovely, with some soft fruit notes up front, melon, strawberry and a hint of citrus that transition to some pomegranate and a bit of minerality midpalate.  The finish is crisp and very dry, just as a fine rose should be.

Overall, I would give this rose a solid 8.5, as I've been a fan of this one for quite a while.  This would be ideal for just sipping on the patio in the evening, or enjoying with a variety of picnic fare.  Tonight I'm enjoying this one with grilled hot dogs served Chicago style, a perfect day at the beach.  Cheers!

2011 Helix Sangiovese

Happy Friday!  I just got back from the gym and now I'm ready for wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2011 Helix Sangiovese, a pure blend of Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Columbia Valley (quite a ways to the north and west of Walla Walla).  So let's see how this wine stacks up!

The wine has a classic reddish-purple coloration of a nice Sangiovese.  The nose presents aromas of sour cherry, pomegranate, tobacco and a bit of smoke.  The taste is vibrant, with a good bit of cherry cola and pepper up front that transitions into some tart cherry and earthy notes midpalate.  The tannins are exceptionally well integrated into the smooth, voluptuous dry finish.  This is not your standard Sangiovese, as it just appears to be a bit more influenced by the terroir of the vineyard.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as I think it's a terrific effort on the varietal and represents the heritage well.  I think this wine would be ideal with a broad variety of Italian dishes, but tonight I am enjoying it with some porcini mushroom and truffle triang0li from Trader Joe's, served with some creamy pesto (could anything be better with Sangiovese than basil?  Cheers!

2013 Helix Stone Tree SoRho

Happy Sunday!  It's time to get some Sunday dinner and a great glass of wine!  It's been snowy and then rainy all weekend here, so alas I got nothing done in the yard, so I tried to do some indoor projects.  Needless to say, I am the only person on earth that could possibly turn changing out the hinge on a toilet seat into a half-day project!  So tonight I need me a good glass of wine, and where else could I turn than the Columbia Valley of Washington.  I'm a big fan of Rhone blends, so I've opened a bottle of the most recent wine club selection from Reininger, the 2013 Helix Stone Tree SoRho, a southern Rhone style blend of Mourvedre (40%), Grenache (33%) and Cinsault (27%).  So let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blueberry, cherries, pomegranate and some lovely dried herb notes.  The taste is surprisingly isn't a rush of fruit I was expecting, but instead there were some delicate notes of blueberry and cherry cola that transitioned nicely to some notes of tobacco, black pepper, dried cherry and cinnamon midpalate.  The finish was quite nice, as the tannins pull you in for the crescendo of cherries and herbs that seem to linger on till you take your next sip.

I must admit, I've reviewed the 2010 vintage (see here) and the 2012 vintage (see here) and this has to be the best one yet!  I think this one ranks a solid 8.5, as it's such a pleasant drinking and food friendly wine.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled pork tenderloin along with some steamed asparagus and grilled leeks.  This wine is ideal for savory meat dishes, whether port, beef or chicken, as the notes of fruit coupled with lively spice notes make this a sure Sunday dinner crowd pleaser!