2020 Château Haut-Therón Malbec Cahors

Happy Saturday!  I started the day rather mellow, heading to the farmers market and then home to do yard work and that's where the trouble started!  I finished raking all the small sticks from winter and then began my annual war with the dandelions, bending over and digging up three gallon buckets of them, I'm sure I will feel it tomorrow!  In any case, it's time for a nice dinner and bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Château Haut-Therón Malbec Cahors that I picked up in a $150 case sale from Wines Till Sold Out.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

I'll admit, I'm a fan of Argentine Malbec, but I am approaching this French version with an open mind.  The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you would expect from a nice Malbec.  The nose presents aromas of leather, smoky charred oak, spicy pepper and bright red berries.  The first sip is a rather surprising rush of red fruit, cherry, currant and raspberry that transition easily to notes of mint and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are very mellow, providing for a classic French smooth dry finish, that will have you forgetting that you are drinking wine at all.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very classic Malbec, but not as bold as it's long, lost cousins from Mendoza.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, smoked meat or a classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bone-in ribeye, mashed sweet potatoes and oven roasted broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Sangiovese Grosso

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy day as went to the Elkhart County 4H Fair all afternoon, so now that I've gotten enough sun it's time to relax a bit with a nice bottle of wine.  It's interesting how sometimes the wine choice influences the menu, and other times like today, the menu influenced my decision to open a bottle of 2019 Reininger Sangiovese Grosso.  Crafted in the style of Brunello, this wine is a 100% Sangiovese 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 lighter bodied, bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, bing cherry, leather and hints of pipe tobacco.  The first sip is a rush of ripe red fruit, cherry, currant and strawberry intermingled with vanilla bean that transition easily to some smoky notes midpalate along with a bit of peppery spice.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, which is just what I rated the 2017 Vintage when I reviewed it back in 2020.  This wine would pair well with a variety of grilled steaks, but it practically begs to be enjoyed with a nice Italian dinner, which is why I picked it!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some squid ink shells tossed with some shrimp simmered in some Trader Joe's Manzanino tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil, finished with some fresh basil and shredded Parmesan.  Cheers!

2019 La Pruina Primitivo di Manduria

Happy Sunday!  I've had a rather relaxing day compared to last Sunday when I was flying across country.  So I've opened a nice bottle of Italian wine to enjoy with my dinner, the 2019 La Pruina Primitivo di Manduria.  I recently bought this bottle from Wines Till Sold Out, and I thought the description was intriguing.  Primitivo is the most famous and popular wine from the Puglia region of Italy, the "heel" of Italy, and this wine comes from Manduria, where the red soil of Taranto creates wines that have more acidity and earthy character.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases the classic earthy aromas of leather, tobacco and peppery spice intermingled with ripe black fruit.  The first sip reveals a rush of blackberry, currant and plum that transition easily to some smoky spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but strong enough to balance the classic acidity the region is known for.  The finish is dry but juicy, making for a very food friendly wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a versatile wine that is also a bargain at just $15.  As mentioned, this wine is versatile when it comes to pairing, as you could enjoy it with mussels as they do in Taranto, or perhaps with some classic barbecue or pizza for an easy weeknight dinner.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chicken and vegetables that I've cooked in some Tikka Masala simmer sauce I picked up at Costco, over some steamed basmati rice.  Cheers!

2016 Pambrun Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I admit I've taken the opportunity to relax a bit today, outside of doing a bit of laundry and grocery shopping, I've just taken it easy today.  Which of course means that I have extra energy for cooking and enjoying a bit of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a winery that I have an indirect ownership interest in, as it's owned by Willamette Valley Vineyards, which I bought and brought home from Walla Walla on my vacation a little over a month ago (wow time flies!).  This wine is full Cabernet sourced from two of my favorite vineyards, the Seven Hills Vineyard and the Summit View Vineyard in the Walla Walla Vallet.  The 2016 Pambrun Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted by Jon Meuret, the founder of Maison Bleue, who I've been a fan of since I visited back in 2014 or 2015.  It also has a connection to Jim Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, who traces his ancestors back to the early settlements of eastern Washingron back in the 1830s, so this is a nice crossroads of serendipity in wine!  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine has a classic Cabernet looks, with deep inky black and bright ruby along the edges.  A quick swirl releases aromas of blackberry, black cherry and cassis with undertones of minerality, including graphite, earthy loam and hints of dried herbs.  Take a sip and and a rush of black fruit envelops the palate with black cherry, blackberry and black currant that takes a bow and surrenders the stage to some anise and smoky flavors with hints of black pepper spice.  The tannins are supple and well structured, providing an ideal backdrop for the velvety smooth, lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just perfect for sipping on the patio (though maybe not on a hot and humid night like tonight) or enjoying with a hearty dinner.  This wine would pair well with lamb, hearty roast beef, or an earthy mushroom risotto.  Tonight I have taken the direct approach and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, along with grilled leeks an peppers, along with some Italian green beans from the farmers market and some Boursin cream pasta with sun dried tomatoes.  Cheers!

2018 Stolen Horse Syrah

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold and rainy here today, so I've been holed up in my house doing some laundry and preparing for the class I'm teaching starting on Tuesday.  So this past week, I received a couple of wine club shipments, including one from the Bledsoe Family Winery, which had some 2018 Stolen Horse Syrah.  I am a fan of Syrah generally since it's such a versatile, food friendly wine, which comes in handy when you have an eclectic taste in cuisine like I do!  This particular wine is primarily Syrah (96%) co-fermented with Viognier (4%) from the Lefore, Kenny Hill and Loess Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, ideal for a Syrah.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and kirsch with a good bit of smoky, earthy goodness.  The taste is a rush of blueberry, blackberry and cherry, that transition easily to some notes of smoked meat and just a hint of menthol midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a warm dry finish that hits you with a reprise of black fruit and mint.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is a classic Walla Walla Syrah that seems to get better with each passing vintage.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from lamb to sausage, barbecue to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am once again taking things off the beaten path and enjoying this wine with a classic chili con carne, with cornbread and all the trimmings, an ideal dinner to take the chill from a cold rainy fall day.  Cheers!

2008 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  That magical first Saturday of the month where I raid the cellar and try to find something at least a decade in the making and tonight is a treat.  This wine is not only a vintage 12 years back, it's actually been in my cellar for nearly a decade, as I bought this bottle in October 2011!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the 2008 Groth Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a year off from the stellar 2007 vintage, but as I recall when I tasted this at the time I bought it this was a fairly hefty wine.  I've decanted this wine for a couple hours, and there was a good bit of Bordeaux-esque funk when I opened it, but it seems to have settled a bit since then, so let's check it out!

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 Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of rich leather, ripe blackberry and plum, with just a subdued hint of funk.  The taste is remarkably smooth and well structured, with a lot of dark fruit rushing forward, blackberry, cherry and blueberry envelop the palate, before transitioning nicely to some smoky oak and just a hint of lavender midpalate.  The tannins are firm but well behaved, and the acidity is still pronounced despite the age, providing for a 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 really as good as I remember it, and it's really reaching its prime.  This wine might pair with a variety of dishes, but as a big Napa Cab, this wine practically begs to be consumed with a big honkin' steak, and tonight we're in luck!  As I'm enjoying this wine with a big honkin' New York strip grilled Pittsburgh rare with sauteed onions, a big baked potato and grilled asparagus.  The fruit and acidity of this wine is perfect with red, red meat.  Cheers!

2015 Stave and Steel Cabernet Sauvignon

So today I went to my local supermarket for my usual grocery shopping endeavor, and to my surprise they were having a special on wine with all bottles 15% off, so although I seldom shop for wine at the supermarket this gave me a motivation to explore.  I ended up finding five bottles, two were Charles Shaw wines from Washington, which are usually a good bet for supermarket wine, but then I saw this 2015 Stave and Steel Cabernet Sauvignon from California and I was fascinated, as it it was "bourbon barrel aged."  Now apparently aging alcoholic beverages in used bourbon barrels is all the rage right now, with beer makers doing it, and now apparently wine makers as well.  To be fair, the wine was aged in these barrels for just four months, so it wasn't like they spent years in there, but I'm willing to give it a try, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with nice clarity, somewhat lighter than you might expect from a big California Cabernet.  The nose is quite nice, with sophisticated aromas of leather, tobacco, dried herbs, certainly the nose portrays a wine of quality well beyond the price I paid.  The taste is a rush of ripe blueberries, cherry and plum at the outset, that evolves into an almost prune or raisin flavor mixed with vanilla and smoky pepper spice midpalate.  In many ways the wine reminded me a lot of a nice Amarone with the flavor profile.  The tannins were refined, yet somewhat soft, leading to a long, smooth and dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the bourbon barrel aging certainly adds something to this wine as it's tasting well beyond its weight class for a wine I just bought for $19!  This is certainly an interesting one, and not your traditional big fruit bomb Cabernet, but more like an old world Cabernet, or as I mentioned an Amarone with the fruit and spice concentration.  In any case, this wine is practically begging to be paired with a nice big steak or some barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled coffee-rubbed prime filet mignon over a bed of grilled leeks, with some Brussels sprouts grilled with bacon and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2007 Seven Hills Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy 4th of July Weekend!  I know it's only the 1st, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical day when I open a bottle that's been in the cellar for a while.  This month's selection came about by happenstance, as I was on the phone with Julie Titus from Seven Hills last weekend, looking all over my house for some 2014 Pentad that I ordered (yes, I found it!) but as we were looking I came across tonight's selection and Julie suggested that I open it, so here we have it, the 2007 Seven Hills Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

The wine is a deep, inky purple color in the glass, classic Cabernet.  The nose is a blast of leather, ripe berries and some earthy notes that remind me of the smell of the Seven Hills barrel room in Walla Walla!  The taste is just marvelous, with a rush of ripe blackberry, black cherry and currant overlaid with some smoky oak notes.  The fruit transitions to some wonderful mineral notes overlaid with dry herbs and a hint of mint midpalate.  The tannins are still firm but well integrated, providing a wonderful base for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Julie mentioned she thought this wine wouldn't be getting any better, and I agree in the sense that it couldn't have been much better than this!  This wine is really singing at this point, perfect for sipping on the patio or enjoying with a big steak.  Which of course is a good thing, since I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled USDA Prime T-bone with grilled elephant garlic scapes, grilled orange cauliflower and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  This wine is a perfect big prime steak wine, cheers!

2014 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  I have to admit, I've been looking forward to the weekend for many reasons, not the least of which is my upcoming steam train excursion on Sunday, but also for the chance to open up a good bottle or two of wine!  Tonight is no exception as I'm opening up one of my favorite varietals from one of my favorite vineyards made by one of my favorite producers, the 2014 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon!  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep black color at the center with bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a lovely breath of leather, dark cherry and smoky oak over the faintest hints of earthy minerals.  The taste is just divine, with some lovely black fruit notes of cherry, blackberry and plum that transition nicely to some notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The finish is as pleasant as could be, with a bit of black pepper spice amid the well integrated tannins, providing a long, smooth and very dry finish that just make me want another sip.

Overall, I would rate this one a solid 9, as once again this great wine doesn't disappoint.  This would be a great wine for grilling, which is a good thing since I have a nice prime New York strip ready to grill along with some fresh asparagus from Michigan.  The rich black fruit and dusty mineral notes are perfect to pair with a nice charred prime steak, cheers!

2012 Old Poodle Dog Cabernet Sauvignon

Who doesn't like dogs?  And who doesn't like Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley?  I figured as much, so I couldn't resist when I saw the Coho Wines new "Old Poodle Dog" Cabernet Sauvignon on Wines Till Sold Out and I've decided to open a bottle to enjoy this evening.  This wine is from the lovely 2012 vintage, which is a star for Napa, so let's see what cooks!

The wine is a classic inky purple in the glass with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of black plum, leather and oak with just a hint of dried violets along the edge.  The taste is very nuanced, with some initial flavors of plum and tart cherry that give way to some smoky elements midpalate with a nice bit of white pepper spice in the background.  The tannins are somewhat soft and round but still provide a nice base for the long, velvety and exceedingly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's a very nice Cabernet and it was a descent value at just $30.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic pairing of a rare grilled Angus New York strip, roasted potatoes and maroon carrots and steamed broccoli.  This wine is perfect for a big steak, cheers!

2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Merlot

It's hump day and boy can I use a nice glass of wine with dinner!  And since it's Merlot month, why not open a bottle of my favorite under-appreciated varietal?  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Merlot, which is actually a blend of Merlot (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) from the Seven Hills and Ferguson estates.

The wine is a beautiful ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of ripe dark fruit, green grass and coffee.  The taste is as smooth as it gets, with some subdued fruit notes up front that quickly give way to some smoky notes and cherry cola.  The earthy mineral notes of basalt really come through midpalate, surely the influence of the estate Ferguson fruit.  The tannins are vibrant, making a nice combination with the earthy minerality on the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and it was a very nice value even at the full retail price of $36.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a perfect mid-week dinner of a petite porterhouse (yes there is such a thing in my world!) along with some grilled asparagus and sweet potato mash, what a perfect way to end an Autumn evening!  Cheers!

2013 Sullivan Family Vineyards Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

It's a lovely Saturday in autumn, with bright sunshine and crisp, cool air, perfect college football weather and perfect Cabernet weather!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2013 Sullivan Family Vineyards Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, one which a number of critics have described as a wine for the ages.  Now call me skeptical, but I am still hearing critics raving about how awesome the 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet vintage was, and in my experience I haven't been all that impressed with the '12s, they certainly are no match of the '07s which are now
reaching their prime.  And now I'm hearing critics rave about the '13 vintage, it was even better than '12! (in my opinion that's not such a feat, but I digress).  So before I go full on cynical, let's give this one a try.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity and a classic inky center.  The nose is nice, with some nice smoky mineral note over a thin layer of ripe black fruit.  The taste is quite nice, with some ripe blackberry and cherry up front that transitions to some notes of rhubarb, spice box and dark chocolate midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with the fine grained tannins providing a nice foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, this was a very nice example of a quality Napa Valley Cabernet that I rate as an 8.5, with opportunities to improve with some time in the cellar.  It was also a good value for $30 from Wines Till Sold Out.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic pairing of thick Angus New York Strip grilled Pittsburgh style, with some grilled purple asparagus and a baked potato.  A nice big Cabernet like this one is the perfect complement to a nice steak.  Cheers!

2013 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel

Happy Friday!  Tonight I'm opting for the lowest maintenance dinner I could find, but what wine to pair with it?  I think I know, so I'm opening a bottle of 2013 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, one of my favorite AVAs for Zinfandel!

The wine is a nice bright ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, blackberry, smoky bacon and cocoa powder.  The taste is classic Lodi old vine Zinfandel with flavors of ripe fruit up front, blackberry, cassis and cherry that transitions to some lovely notes of smoky oak and black pepper midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat rustic, supporting the long, smooth and smoky finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's not a knock your socks off sort of wine, but it's a solid example of the varietal and a solid value at $13!  This was an office wine club selection, and I've had a number of people tell me they taste a lot of bacon in this one, I will admit it's quite smoky, perhaps with some pork in there, but that's what makes a nice Lodi Zinfandel perfect for barbecue!  Alas, my low maintenance dinner tonight isn't barbecue, but pizza!  Again, some folks find it tough to pair a wine with barbecue or pizza, but for me I just reach for a nice Zin!  Cheers!

2008 Audius Rioja

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Yeah, I know I should be falling down drunk on green beer, but I really haven't been much of a beer drinker since college, though I can open a nice bottle of wine to celebrate!  Tonight it's the 2008 Audius Rioja, a lovely tempranillo from Spain that I think has a good chance of pairing well with a traditional Irish dinner.

The wine is lovely garnet color in the glass, with an inky purple near the center.  The nose is a fantastic smoky aroma of bright red fruit, cherry, raspberry and red plum over the faintest hints of leather and vanilla.  The taste is wonderfully fruit forward with flavors of cherry cola, blackberry and cassis, that easily transition to some spice notes of white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are softly structured but they still give nice backbone to the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very nice Rioja at a terrific price as I bought this one from Wines Till Sold Out for just $13.  Tonight I am enjoying this with, what else?  Corned beef and stinky cabbage, along with red potatoes and carrots that have been simmering in the slow cooker since this morning!  If you choose not to have beer, I can think of few better wines to go with this Irish fare than a lighter, dry and very fruit forward wine like this.  Erin go bragh!

1999 I Balzini Super Tuscan - Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese

Happy New Year!  Yeah, I know I'm a few days late, but what can you expect from me?  Tonight not only will I make my first blog post of 2015, but it's also "Cellar Saturday" that first Saturday of the month where I raid the cellar and open a bottle that's had some time to mature.  Tonight, that mature bottle is the 1999 I Balzini Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese that I originally bought in a vertical that included the 1997-99 and 2001 from Wines Till Sold Out.

Having let this wine breathe for a couple hours, it's a bright ruby, with some darker color toward the center, and surprising clarity given its age.  The nose is quite pleasant, with some ripe berry, prune and cherry notes up front, than transition to some toasted oak and smoky notes.  The taste is quite nice, with some ripe cherry and cola notes up front, that transition to some notes of plum and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are very well developed, supporting a round, velvety and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very pleasant wine that would make a great accompaniment to a variety of heavier, meaty dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York Strip topped with some Stilton, along with a big old baked potato and some fresh steamed Brussels sprouts.  A perfect dinner for such a lovely wine!

2009 Mansion Creek Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well it's a bit of a rainy Saturday in October, perfect weather for football and a big red wine like a Cabernet!  Today I ran a lot of errands ahead of a short trip to Canada, so I figure I deserve to open something nice for dinner.  So tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up on my last trip to Walla Walla about 18 months ago, the 2009 Mansion Creek Cellars Waldheim Cabernet Sauvignon!

The wine is a beautiful inky black and ruby color in the glass.  The nose is quite nice, a bit of ripe fruit, blackberries and plum, with some lovely herb notes, that make for a very interesting combination of sweet and tart aromas.  The taste is quite nice, we get a blast of fruit and tart, it really does remind me of SweeTARTS candy, which transitions nicely to some smoky mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are very nicely structured, providing a velvety, long dry finish that seems to last more than a minute.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's really a very nice example of a Walla Walla Cabernet at a modest price (I think this one was about $32 when I bought it).  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the monster cowboy cut ribeye you see above, along with some wild rice and fresh steamed asparagus.  This is a great wine with a big ol' steak, the fruit and mineral notes just make a great balance with charred beef.  Cheers!

2012 Dois Irmaos Winery Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Happy Friday!  I worked a little late tonight and just got back from the gym, so I figure I've earned a glass of wine or two, and for tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2012 Dois Irmaos Winery Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that I just received today from Wines Till Sold Out!  Now those who know me realize that I'm not a huge Pinot fan, even though I lived in the Raleigh Hills area of Portland in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but there are always opportunities to try a Pinot and see if I like it.  You see, I was introduced to red wine through Bordeaux rather than Burgundy, so my tastes lean much more towards Cabernet and Merlot than Pinot, but since this was billed as a Pinot for Cab lovers I figured I'd give it a shot.

The wine is a little darker in the glass than a typical Pinot, with a nice violet color and great clarity.  The nose is fairly classic Pinot, with some tart fruit notes of cherry and a hint of strawberry amid the slightest hints of green grass and tar.  The taste is rather pleasant with great fruit up front, strawberry, tart cherry and plum that transitions to some nice smoky mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins though young support a long, lovely finish with some great acidity.  Though certainly a far cry from Cabernet, this wine is really quite pleasant.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's very nicely structure and it was a great value at just $16!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the classic pairing of cedar planked wild Alaskan sockeye filet, some wild mushroom risotto and some steamed asparagus.  The acidity in the wine really cuts through the richness of the salmon and risotto, providing the perfect foil.  Cheers!

2012 Canoe Ridge Vineyards The Expedition Cabernet Sauvignon

Well I am sure glad the world didn't end with the Mayan calendar, as there are a number of really nice 2012 vintage wines coming out now that we all would have missed!  Tonight's is one such vintage, the 2012 Canoe Ridge Vineyards "The Expedition" Cabernet Sauvignon from the Horse Heaven Hills.  I've tried a few different wines from Canoe Ridge, and they seldom disappoint, so we'll see how this one goes.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, certainly appropriate for a Cabernet from the Columbia Valley.  The nose is quite pleasant with some lovely floral notes atop some rich, ripe fruit notes of plum and red currant and just a bit of smokiness.  The taste is really quite nice, very fruit forward, with flavors of ripe raspberry, blackberry and currant that blast into your psyche.  The rich fruit transitions nicely to some smoky, mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are remarkably well developed for a wine this young, supporting a long, smooth, very dry finish.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's really drinking well and it was a terrific bargain as I found this one at G.B. Russo's in Grand Rapids for just $15!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a fall classic dinner of grilled teriyaki pork tenderloin with some cheddar bacon potato casserole and some steamed green beans.  The sweet ripe fruit in this wine is just perfect with a rich pork dish while the acidity offers a nice balance to the cheesy potato casserole, man I have to eat!  Cheers!

2007 Robinson Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Let the weekend begin!  And to celebrate I've opened a nice bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the impressive 2007 vintage, the Robinson Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a great wine from the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.  A bit on the winery, which I've borrowed from Dave Russo at G.B. Russo's in Grand Rapids:

After retiring from the U.S. Army in the late 60’s, Norman Robinson bought land in the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley with the intention of planting a vineyard and starting a winery.  He picked a good spot because his neighbor was Napa vineyard pioneer Nathan Fay.  (The Fay Vineyard bottling of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars now sells for around $200 a bottle.)  Robinson now has the next generation of his family running this tiny hillside estate winery (less than 500 cases of the Cabernet is made) selling most of their wines to restaurants and collectors.  One of the specialties for the Robinson Family Vineyard winery is library releases for their wines.  They hold back a certain amount of their production to be released to restaurants when they feel the wine is ready to drink (restaurants don’t like aging the wines themselves).  

The wine itself has a beautiful, classic deep purple Cabernet color in the glass, leading to some bright ruby along the edges.  The nose just explodes with rich aromas that immediately signal to my brain that a great glass of wine is on the way, blackberry, cassis, leather, oak, red meat and some hints of tar.  The taste is a subdued blast of fruit up front, some plum and raisin flavors that transitions to some smoky spice and coffee midpalate.  The tannins are incredibly well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish where the flavors continue evolve right up to the end.  Simply wonderful!

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's just simply a great Cabernet from a great vintage that is drinking spectacularly now!  Granted, it's not an everyday wine, as I happened to luck out getting some of this one from Russo's since it was delivered to a restaurant in Michigan by mistake (they wanted the 2005 vintage).  So even though the regular price on this wine was $60, I bought it for $45!  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine (perhaps a little too much) with a rare New York Strip, grilled Brussels sprouts and some roasted purple potatoes.  This is a perfect wine for a big ol' steak, cheers!

2012 Castlebank "Vivian's Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday everyone!  And of course to start the weekend we should enjoy a nice bottle of wine, and tonight I'm having a bottle of 2012 Castlebank "Vivian's Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a bottle that I just received today from the fine folks at Wines Till Sold Out.

The wine is a nice deep ruby in the glass and the nose is a rich, jammy combination of raspberries, blackberries and cherry cola with some interesting floral notes and vanilla over the top.  The taste is quite nice, but somewhat surprising as the nose tricked my brain into expecting somewhat more of a jammy sort of Zinfandel type wine but this was nothing of the sort.  There was good fruit at the outset but it quickly transitioned into some wonderful mineral and spice notes, dusty limestone and smoky oak with a hint of white pepper.  The finish was sublime, as some wonderful cherry cola notes mingled with the firm but well integrated tannins to provide for a long smooth and very dry finish that had me wanting more.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very solid Cabernet at an absolutely fantastic value at about $14!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rather non-traditional pairing, but still a classic summer supper of jalapeno brats with some fresh grilled corn on the cob and fresh sliced tomatoes.  The wine stands up nicely to the rich spiciness of the sausage but brings out the freshness of the vegetables.  It would also be great with a big ol' steak or some hearty pasta dishes.  Cheers!