2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, this Saturday was a busy one trying to get caught up with work around the yard and house, but I think I made it and now it's time for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Frost Vineyard in the Mendocino County AVA of California.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, perhaps a bit more subdued than some of the bigger California Cabernets.  The nose is a pleasant affaire with notes of leather, ripe cherry and herbal notes.  Take a sip and you'd be forgiven for mistaking this wine for a Zinfandel with a rush of jammy fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum with a pronounced peppery spice throughout. The tannins are subdued providing for a sharp dry finish with lingering spice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very nice everyday wine, that is a good value at just $12,50.  This wine would pair well with steak, tacos, barbecue or hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled beef kabobs with zucchini, onions, red peppers, yellow squash and shitake mushrooms, and fresh corn on the cob, and ideal Midwestern summer dinner.  Cheers!

2020 Forgeron Sagemoor Vineyard Barbera

Well, it's Taco Tuesday, and I thought a nice Barbera would be a good wine for this evening.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Forgeron Barbera, a 100% Barbera sourced from the Sagemoor Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  I have enjoyed Forgeron's Barbera for a long time, from the 2008 Vintage all the way to the 2021 vintage though to be fair, although I went out of order (not the first time) the '21 vintage was not sourced solely from a single vineyard.  Let's see how this wine is tasting nearly five years on!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, the perfect weight for the varietal.  The nose presents a lovely homage with the wines of northern Italy, with aromas of leather, ripe cherry, pipe tobacco and dried herbs.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly gives way to some boysenberry and some bright acidity before transitioning to some earthy notes of toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are supple and subservient to the acidity on this rather abrupt but very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking, food friendly wine that is comfortable in a supporting role.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pasta dishes, summer barbecue, tacos or steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with may classic Taco Tuesday dinner, with chorizo and steak tacos and all the toppings, especially some fresh jalapenos.  Cheers!

2021 Bledsoe Family Winery "The Mac" Red Wine

Happy Tuesday!  I thought it was about time for a random wine post in the middle of the week, so here we go!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of an inaugural release of a new wine from the Bledsoe Family Winery.  The 2021 "The Mac" red wine is named for Drew Bledsoe's father and is a blend of Syrah (36%), Merlot (34%) and Petit Verdot (30%) all sourced from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is starting out!

A deep ruby color, and a gentle swirl of the glass get us started on this adventure, with green grass, ripe cherry, dusty limestone and floral undertones on the nose.  The first sip is an explosion of disparate fruit, tart cherry, blueberry, currant and marionberry that wash across your palate painting images of the mountain west.  The tannins are well balanced, providing a depth and complexity that will have you contemplating the experience as you reach for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a delightful example of an unusual combination of varietals that truly express the whole that's greater than the sum of its parts.  This seems like a very food friendly wine that would pair with anything from steaks and chops to hearty pasta, barbecue or burgers.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Northwest pairing of pan seared sockeye salmon with a lemon dill cream, steamed rice and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2019 Manu Propria Ex Animo

Happy Saturday!  It's been a day or errands, memorial services and volunteer work today, so now I'm ready for a bit of relaxation and a nice dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that just came out and I was fortunate to secure a few bottles given the limited production.  The 2019 Manu Propria Ex Animo is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington. This is the first time I've been able to secure some of this wine since the 2015 Vintage and I'm looking forward to this wine as it is made with some Clone 191, which is the same Cabernet clone used in the Seven Hills Summit View Cabernet, which is a long-time personal favorite.  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 varietal.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, ripe cherry and plum with just a hint of floral notes.  The first sip is a rush of cherry that's at first tart, and then evolves into a ripe sweetness, along with some ripe red plum that linger into some mild earthiness of oak and a hint of mint midpalate.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing for a delightfully smooth dry finish that lingers into a reprise of tart acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it is a wonderfully classic Cabernet that shines through the classic Bordeaux-esque characteristics that make me love Washington wine.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty winter dishes, from beef stew and chili, to prime rib or hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' porterhouse grilled rare, with some blistered cherry tomatoes, grilled leeks and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2007 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella

Happy Independence Day eve!  Yes, summer is in full swing and the fireworks are blazing, but it's also the first Saturday in July, which means this is Cellar Saturday!  I will open a bottle of something at least a decade in the making and share it with you.  Tonight I've dug out a nice Italian wine (I'm convinced that the big wines of Italy are best when they are allowed to mature for at least a decade), one that I'm not sure where I bought it, the 2007 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella.  Amarone is a special wine from the north of Italy, where the grapes are allowed to dry before pressing, revealing a fabulous concentration of flavor.  So let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass with lovely garnet along the edges, making this look more like a Cabernet than a Valpolicella.  After letting this one breathe for an hour or so, a quick swirl in the glass reveals rustic aromas of leather, anise, green grass and mulberry.  Take a sip and you get unexpected flavors of strawberry, ripe cherry and plum that transition easily to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide a great base for the long dry finish, with a quick burst of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it has certainly come into its own over the past 14 years.  This wine would be ideal with lamb, wild mushroom risotto, or a hearty steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, topped with some of the last of the season's garlic scapes and some grilled asparagus. Cheers!

2008 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige

Well, happy Groundhog Day Eve!  It's the first of February, and the first Saturday of the new month, 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 classic Rhône blend that's been maturing for a while, the 2008 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige!  As a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, so let's see how this one has developed over the last dozen years!

The wine is a deep ruby color, with a hint of amber along the edges, and a bit darker in the center.  The nose presents aromas of kirsch, olive tapenade and a hint of lavender, a very meaty set of aromas.  The taste is surprisingly fruit forward, with lots of ripe cherry and plum that transitions to some flavors of charcoal midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a nice foundation for a long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a bit different than your typical Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and may be somewhat of an acquired taste.  I was worried this wine might be too light, but it's a heavy bugger that's ideal for pairing with lamb or big steaks, which is a good thing, since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare prime ribcap along with some oven roasted rainbow carrots.  Cheers!

2010 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I was looking around for a bottle of wine to open with dinner, and I stumbled upon a nice Washington Merlot that I forgot I had, the 2010 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Helix is the second label of Reininger, which is a perennial favorite for me, so let's see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, somewhat lighter than your typical Merlot.  The nose is a wonderfully subtle combination of rose petals, ripe cherry and strawberry over hints of vanilla bean.  The taste is just singing 6 years after release, with a nice bit of fruit up front, plum, black currant and a bit of blueberry that transitions wonderfully to some elegant floral notes midpalate, with a velvety mouthfeel that just completely envelops you.  The tannins are somewhat subdued giving rise to a voluptuous and dry finish that seems to linger on.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a new favorite for Columbia Valley Merlot!  This wine would pair very well with a broad range of dishes, from classic summer barbecue to salmon to steak.  Of course tonight I've chosen the latter and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled petit Angus New York Strip with grilled leeks and asparagus and some corn on the cob!  Summer must be getting close, cheers!

2015 Kivelstadt Cellars Father's Watch Red Blend

Tonight has been a remarkably warm evening, and since I just got back from the gym, I feel as though I need a glass of wine and a nice dinner.  For the wine, I've decided to open a bottle of 2015 Kivelstadt Cellars Father's Watch Red Blend, a blend of Syrah (35%), Carignan (30%), Grenache (35%) and Mourvedre (10%) from the North Coast of California.  Given that I'm having a little Asian inspired seafood for dinner, I thought a lighter red blend might be appropriate, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose is a wonderful combination of spring floral aromas intermingled with ripe cherry and plum over some mild note of fresh cut grass.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry and blackberry that transitions easily to come earthy mineral and notes of peat midpalate.  The finish is quite dry, with rather tight tannins that seem to cut the finish a bit short.

Overall, I would rare this wine a solid 7.5, as it's pleasant drinking and food friendly, but it somewhat lacks that wow factor.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes, seafood or even summer fare of barbecue or hamburgers.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a sesame crusted Ahi tuna filet along with sauteed baby bok choy and steamed jasmine rice.  Cheers!

2010 Long Meadow Ranch Bootstrap Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Hump day is always a reason to celebrate and when you bring a bottle of wine even more so!   Tonight I've decided to open a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out on their Napa Valley marathon, what's not to like about red wine from Napa?  The 2010 Long Meadow Ranch Bootstrap Napa Valley Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Sangiovese (21%) and Petite Sirah (17%), so let's see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, somewhat lighter than the typical Cabernet which isn't surprising given the addition of Sangiovese.  The nose is a rush of minerality, with some notes of dusty limestone and leather intermingled with some ripe cherry and notes of green pepper.  The taste is a rush of ripe berries and cherry cola that linger on the tongue, followed by some mineral and spice notes midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with well structured tannins providing for a long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very pleasant drinking wine at a decent price of just $25.  This wine would pair will with a variety of hearty Italian dishes, from linguine with mussels to a classic baked ziti, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple dinner of prime ribeye grilled rare with some grilled Brussels sprouts and organic rainbow carrots.  The wine really complements the richness of the carrots and the heartiness of the steak.  Cheers!

2009 Chateau Grand Tayac Margaux

Well, it's Saturday night, time for a nice bottle of Bordeaux, and tonight its the king of Bordeaux, a Margaux from the stellar 2009 vintage, the 2009 Chateau Grand Tayac Margaux.  I recently bought a few bottles of this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so why not try it?  This Margaux is a blend of classic Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (27%) and Petit Verdot (3%).

The wine is a lovely deep garnet color in the glass, with an almost inky black center.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, cassis and mint with just a hint of earthy overtones.  The taste is a lovely fruit forward blast of ripe cherry and plum that transitions effortlessly to some earthy flavors of oak and limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tightly wound, but the finish is just lovely, earthy, long and dry, just as a nice Margaux should be!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's drinking well now, but could use a few more years in the cellar.  It was also an excellent value at about $30!  Tonight I am enjoying this classic French wine with a quintessential American meal of a rare grilled Angus ribeye, baked potato and steamed broccoli, yum!  A nice Bordeaux is always a pleasure to drink with steak, but this one would also pair well with some aged cheeses or charcuterie.  Sante!

2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of one of my favorite varietals from one of my all time favorite Walla Walla wineries, L'Ecole No. 41.  Specifically, I've opened a bottle of the 2010 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, inspired by my finding a bottle of the 2009 vintage at my local wine store last weekend.

The wine is a deep purple at the center, with a bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is classic combination of rich leather, cocoa powder, a touch of green grass and some ripe cherry.  The taste is a blast of cherry cola which transitions to some lovely mineral notes of basalt and limestone along with some green herbs midpalate.  The finish is lovely, as the elegant tannins provide for a velvety mouthfeel and the basis for a long, sultry and exceptionally dry finish that just begs you to ask for more.

Overall I would rate this as a solid 9, as this is by far one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignons!  Tonight I am enjoying this with a classic pairing, a nice prime New York Strip grilled rare with a big baked potato with all the trimmings and some steamed cauliflower.  The great tannins and solid backbone of this wine makes it just perfect for steaks!  Cheers!

2009 Chateau des Moines Montagne Saint-Emilion

Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of Bordeaux from the very solid 2009 vintage to enjoy with my dinner, the 2009 Chateau des Moines Montagne Saint-Emilion (wow I certainly hope this doesn't taste like wine made in Des Moines!).  Now for those unfamiliar with Bordeaux, the Montagne Saint-Emilion is an AOC that is just to the north of Saint-Emilion proper, as one of the satellites of the Saint-Emilion vineyard.  The wine itself is a rather different Bordeaux blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) which could lend itself to some interesting notes.

The wine is a lovely deep purple color in the glass with a bright ruby around the edges.  The nose is quite refined with hints of blackberry and prune, along with aromas of leather and cut grass with just the faintest hint of the Bordeaux funk!  The taste is quite fruit forward, with flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry that seems to last but an instant before we transition to some lovely limestone notes.  The tannins are nicely structured, but they are big, leading to a wonderful long, dry finish that is just classic Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very nice wine for drinking every day that goes well with a variety of dishes.  And it was a bargain too, as I bought this one from Wines Till Sold Out for just $12!  Tonight I am pairing this with a nice rare ribeye with a baked potato and a lovely spinach salad with bleu cheese, dried cranberries and white balsamic, yum!

2006 Andaluna Celebracion Reserve

It's been a busy week, but tonight I am opening up a bottle of wine from Mendoza, Argentina, the 2006 Andeluna Celebracion Reserve, a wine that's a blend of grapes grown in the foothills of the Andes, specifically 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.  Today isn't a particularly strong food day, but I'll freely admit to needing a glass of wine to unwind tonight!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, and the nose is a very complex blend of black fruit at first, but then as the air takes hold, notes of dried herbs, some mineral notes, which evolve into a combination of leather and pipe tobacco that reminds me of an old school smoking lounge. The taste is very fruit forward, with rich flavors of ripe cherry, plum and black currant that transitions effortlessly to some earthy mineral notes of limestone and smoke midpalate.  The tannins are mellow and sweet, giving this wine a long, supple finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a very pleasant drinking wine.  I could see myself relaxing on the patio and sipping this wine for an hour or two, come to think of it, I might just do that now!  As for pairings, this would be ideal with a nice steak, roast beef, or some hearty spicy foods, maybe some chimichurri (there's some irony for an Argentine wine, eh?), or even some grilled salmon.  But tonight I am enjoying this one with the most classic of Midwest American dishes, tuna casserole!  So here's to the weekend, may it come soon!

2008 Naisi Nero D'Avola Tannat

Tonight I've decided to open an little red blend from Sicily, the 2008 Naisi, a blend of Nero D'Avola (75%) and Tannat (25%), which should make a nice wine to stand up to my seemingly daily steak intake!  I bought this wine a few weeks ago at John Russo's in Grand Rapids, which has a really nice selection of interesting wines, particularly from areas of Italy that you don't see as often, like Sicily.

This wine is a deep purple in the glass, with a good bit of opacity near the center and graduating toward a brighter ruby along the edges.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe cherry, dark chocolate and leather, with a good bit of smokiness as well.  The taste is nicely fruit forward, with a blast of tart cherry and prune up front, which sounds awful, but actually works quite well.  The fruit transitions to some bitter herbs and gravel midpalate, before the rather tightly wound tannins bring it all together for a smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's a very nice wine that's a bit off the beaten path of your everyday red, with a more rustic quality that pairs nicely with red meat and game.  And the cost wasn't outrageous either, I think I bought this bottle on sale for $14.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a rare grilled New York strip and some grilled veggies and steak fries, which offer a perfect balance to the wine.  Cheers!

2007 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's been a busy day of running errands, groceries, dry cleaners, wine store, butcher, car wash, so much stuff to do, and so little time!  So now it's time to relax with a bit of wine as I make my dinner, and tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2007 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon!  This wine is sourced from three different areas of California that specialize in Cabernet, Mendocino County (47%), Lake County (37%) and Napa County (16%).  This particular bottle I bought about three years ago, when the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids closed their famous 1913 Room restaurant, and they sold off the china and more importantly the wine cellar in the lobby of the hotel!

The wine itself has some deep ruby color, with only mild opacity toward the center.  The nose is quite nice, with a good bit of leather, tobacco and spice surrounding a rich, jammy core of black fruit.  The taste belies the fruit in the nose, with only mild hints of ripe cherry and cassis up front, which transitions easily into some lovely spice notes with a bit of mint over the top.  The finish was bone dry, though not particularly overpowering, as the tannins were very subdued.  In my view, this is a very nice sipping Cabernet.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, as it's a nice wine, but it was also a good value as I bought this one for the princely sum of $12.75!  Tonight I am enjoying it with a first course of a baked stuffed scallop, followed by big ol' Angus T-bone, grilled rare, along with some haricots vert almondine and some steamed Klondike fingerling potatoes, so yummy!

2007 Sparkman Stella Mae

Almost done with Washington Wine Month, and what a month it's been!  Tonight I've decided to open another bottle that's been in the cellar for a couple years, but I thought at age 6, this one might be worth opening, the 2007 Sparkman Stella Mae Columbia Valley Bordeaux style blend, made with Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (21%) and Petit Verdot (17%).

The wine is a deep purple color in the glass, and the nose is an interesting combination of prune, ripe cherry, Asian spices and smoke.  The taste is not at all what I expected given the nose, but there were lush flavors of ripe berries on the outset, followed by some lovely notes of mocha and cocoa powder midpalate, followed by a very smooth, very dry finish that seemed to last a good 30 seconds.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a really nice Columbia Valley blend that would pair nicely with a broad variety of dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying it with some chicken breast stir fried with some fresh vegetables and then simmered in a Thai green curry sauce over jasmine rice, and the dryness of this wine really compliments the richness and spice of the curry.  Cheers!