2023 Eberle Zinfandel

Well it's been a great weekend so far!  Today I had a retreat for the folks that volunteer to serve breakfast at the green room at church, and we cooked a couple of delicious chicken dishes that we enjoyed at lunch.  After that, I ran some errands, met with some friends to socialize, and then went to get some groceries, so now it's time to relax with a nice dinner.  And of course, that means opening a bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that was a surprise gift, you see yesterday I received a half case of wine from a winery that my aunt and uncle love. They send me a couple of bottled every Christmas, but apparently the winery made an error and substituted my address for theirs and so I received their wine club shipment!  The winery acknowledged the error and as a result, I got six free bottles of wine!  So, I thought it appropriate to enjoy one tonight, and I've opened a bottle of 2023 Eberle Paso Robles Zinfandel, let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Zinfandel.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, dried herbs and kirsch that will have you reaching for a sip.  That first taste is a rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that envelop your palate before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are subdued but still provide a vibrant base for the long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of ripe berries at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from burgers and tacos, to barbecue and Asian wings.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a more refined dinner of surf and turf, a rare, pan seared bison filet mignon, with a steamed lobster tail, mushroom alfredo pasta and steamed asparagus.  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!

2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend, and always sad when it comes to the end and you're not exactly sure what you accomplished!  At any rate, I'm ending the weekend on a high note with a wonderful wine that is perfect for my Sunday dinner choice. The 2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec was harvested from vineyards in the Agrelo sub-appellation of Mendoza, planted at an elevation of 3,500 feet.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals wonderful aromatics of blackberry, leather and white pepper spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe blueberry, blueberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy notes of basalt and green cedar.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful expression of a Malbec that stands well above the standard fare of this varietal.  This wine was also a terrific value available at Costco for just $16!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, but practically begs to be paired with a gaucho served steak.  And tonight I'm in luck, enjoying this wine with a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with horseradish, roasted garlic and grilled asparagus.  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!

2020 Mark Ryan "Crazy Mary" Mourvèdre

Happy Sunday!  It was the first full day of leaf activity, with the blower, the vacuum and lots of tiring labor!  But, at least I've caught up for a week and am ready to enjoy Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2020 Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, which is a blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Syrah (22%) from the Ciel du Cheval and Red Willow Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, which is characteristic of the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass unlocks aromas of strawberry, red currant and hints of smoke and pipe tobacco.  Take a sip and you know you're in for a ride with crazy Mary in the driver's seat, a rush of strawberry and sweet red berry fruit up front veers into some spicy pepper notes before spinning right back to some earthy tar, tobacco and black tea notes before heading right off the cliff for some salty mineral notes on the finish.  The tannins are supple and unobtrusive, making a parting gift for the long, smooth dry finish that beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better vintages I've tried, with wonderfully intriguing characteristics that would be wonderful to enjoy with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from venison to roasted rack of lamb, hearty beef stew or braised short ribs, but tonight I am going the Pacific Northwest route and am enjoying this wine with salmon!  Specifically, I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of crispy skin black pearl Scottish salmon, steamed brown rice and some oven roasted baby carrots and beets.  Cheers!

2019 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  This morning started out busy as a group of us met at church to prep for cooking Easter breakfast for 85 members of the choir and worship team, so after that things were much more relaxed.  I did a bit of yard work, bought some groceries and now I'm ready for a relaxing dinner.  To accompany that, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of the first wineries I every visited in Walla Walla, Woodward Canyon, and this from their second label.  The 2019 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon(76%), Merlot (14%), Petit Verdot (7%), Malbec (2%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) sourced from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard, Champoux, Sagemoor, Weinbau and Wallula Vinyards.  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, as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla bean, tobacco and a bit of earthy graphite.  The first sip opens the curtain on the complexity of this wine, as you are at first greeted with some ripe blackberry, cherry and plum, before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes and subdued spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to create a very old world mouthfeel and profile, supporting a long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above its weight class for a $25 everyday wine.  This wine would pair well with steaks, lamb or barbecue, but would also be an ideal weeknight sipper.  The winery suggests pairing this wine with a French brasserie style onglet steak au poivre, so I am taking a somewhat tangential tack and enjoying this with a classic steak and tots for dinner, a rare grilled bone-in Angus ribeye along with some tater tots and maple bacon roasted giant Brussels sprouts that were on sale at my local market today.  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills McClellan Vineyard Malbec

Happy Saturday!  I've been running around a bit today doing errands and now I am ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I've been waiting for, and finally picked up in my Grand Rapids office last week.  The 2017 Seven Hills McClellan Vineyard Malbec is a pure Malbec from the McClellan Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a bit of pitch at the center.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of blackberry, leather, kirsch and dusty loam that just brings me back to a summer day in Walla Walla.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of black fruit, blackberry, cherry and mulberry that transition easily to some earthy mineral and classic spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a velvety smooth, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it reaches a perfect crossroads between classic Malbet and bold Cabernet, a wine ideal for a big steak dinner!  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, but also braised short ribs, lamb chops or venison.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an uber prime ribeye that is reminiscent of wagyu, grilled rare along with some mashed potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2016 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy day of volunteer work and chores for me.  It started early as this month I've volunteers to provide refreshments for the green room at church, so I got to make a breakfast casserole for the worship band and singers to enjoy.  Then this afternoon I went over to a local food rescue called Cultivate Culinary (please support their great work if you can: https://cultivateculinary.com/), and helped pack meals for food insecure students in a three county area.  Then it was back home to finish laundry and now have a glass of wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the next vintage of the Raymond District Series, the 2016 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I bought from Wines Till Sold Out (you can see my review of the 2015 Vintage here).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with deep garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice, big Napa Caberent.  A quick whiff and your senses are immersed in a basket of earthy aromas, bright fruit and spice, leather, black currant and cassis, amid dried Moroccan spice.  The first sip reveals a rush of black currant, cassis and plum that transitions effortlessly to some notes of cardamom and smoke midpalate.  The tannins are intimately structured, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish with enough acidity to keep your interest and ease you into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's another great example of the wonderful quality Cabernets that Raymond produces, at a price point that doesn't leave you depressed.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a big steak, but it would also find a nice home with lamb, smoked beef brisket or even a rustic pasta.  Tonight I am taking the easy way out, and enjoying this wine with a big, rare grilled porterhouse with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a baked Yukon gold potato.  Cheers!

2015 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Have you ever had one of those days where you regret getting out of bed in the morning?  Well, that was today!  After all of the snow this winter, it's formed into a bit of a glacier on the flat roof of my garage, so of course it started leaking today and then I was up on the roof trying to chip off three-inch thick ice while trying not to damage the roof even further.  To make matter worse, as soon as I got up on the roof, I knocked the ladder off, fortunately my neighbor was home and could come rescue me.  So at least things are looking up now, as I have theatre tickets tonight and I've opened a bottle of wine.  Fair warning, I am on a bit of a Raymond Vineyards kick, so expect a few as I've ordered four different ones from Wines Till Sold Out (including this one) and I just found another interesting one at my local wine store today.  So, tonight it's the 2015 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, part of their District Collection.  So, let's see how this wine tastes!

The wine is a deep, ruby color in the glass that seems to call you to take a sip.  Swirl a bit in the glass and you're greeted with luxurious aromas of leather, blackberry and cassis.  On your first sip you embark on journey though a forest of wild blackberry and black cherry before traveling on to some rich vanilla, caramel and hints of spice.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully, long, velvety dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches above its weight class for just $43.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a big grilled steak, but would also pair well with lamb, hearty pasta dishes or even a quality barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled lamb loin chops topped with an olive and red wine reduction, along with some oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes and some grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2017 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Saturday!  It was a busy week back at work, so I'm afraid I might have been a bit lax on my blog posting.  But fear not!  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars that I've been looking forward to for some time.  The 2017 Forgeron Malbec is a 100% Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with a bright fuchsia along the edges.  The nose is an expressive combination of dark red fruit intermingled with a variety of spice notes, pepper, smoke and leather, that almost has you picturing a gaucho as you prepare to take a sip of this wine.  The taste is an interesting rush of smoky blackberry and plum, juxtaposed with tart cherry and hints of lavender before easing into some notes of dark chocolate and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated, providing for a delightfully smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's about as solid of a domestic Malbec as you're likely to find.  This wine is very consistent with the styling seen in some of the great southern hemisphere Malbecs.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from classic steaks and chops to beef Bolognese.  Tonight I am pairing this with a rare grilled big honkin' porterhouse I picked up at the market today, along with a baked potato and some asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah

Happy Taco Tuesday!  I bet you'll never guess what I'm having for dinner tonight but the wine is a different story.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, which has been a personal favorite from Walla Walla for quite some time now.  Tonight's wine is one of a pair of intriguing wines, this one the feminine one, the 2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah from the Lonesome Springs Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, quite classic for a nice Syrah.  The nose is an inviting combination of floral notes, violet and rose petals with a hint of green grass with some undertones of sea spray and a hint of ripe fruit.  The taste is a rapid departure from the nose with a rush of fruit, blackberry, tart cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of vanilla bean, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are superbly structured, offering a voluptuous balance between the acidity and long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is just a wonderful example of what a nice Washington Syrah can be.  The fruit, acidity and spice notes make this an ideal wine to pair with bold flavors, from mussels fra diavalo to a Cajun crawfish boil, and of course tacos!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some classic chorizo and bean tacos topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream a perfect balance of heat and cool.  Cheers!

2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

 Ok, let me start by saying by all accounts I should be asleep on the couch right now, after spending so much of the weekend battling the leaves!  Yes, it's ,y annual battle, but today was the epitome of the battle as not only was I battling the leaves, I was also battling wind and our first snow of the season!  But alas, I think we are now past the halfway point, so it's all downhill from here (famous last words!) and now it's time for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Hedges Estate Vineyard in the Red Moutain AVA.  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, suggesting a big wine.  The nose is classic big Washington red wine, suggestive of a Bordeaux style, with some black cherry, and plum edging toward prune, vanilla bean and suggestive spices.  The taste is a rush of black cherry and cola, that transitions to some notes of mint, dark chocolate and spicebox midpalate.  The tannins are round, but I have to admit the finish left me wanting, as it was just a bit flat.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's probably approaching it's peak but still a nice easy drinking Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a lot of heaty fall and winter dishes, from beef stew, to the venison chili I had last night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of a rare grilled Angus T-bone on a bed of grilled leeks, some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2017 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been raining most of the day, so I've just been taking it easy, at least until the sun came out for a while and I decided to go for a bike ride, at which point it started to rain again, but now I'm home and ready for Sunday dinner and wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I ordered over the summer, but due to heat restrictions on ground shipping, I had them hold it until it was safe to ship and so it arrived last week.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the second label from Woodward Canyon Winery in Lowden, Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Petit Verdot (2%), Mourvèdre (1%), Merlot (1%) and Dolcetto (1%) from the Champoux, Spring Creek and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a modestly dark center.  The nose is a cluster of cherry, currant and earthy aromas of graphite and tobacco, with undertones of pleasant spice.  The taste is a rush of cool fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that envelop the palate before transitioning to some notes of olive and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are quite smooth for such a young wine, providing for a velvety dry finish with just a bit of sharpness on the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking Cabernet at a very approachable price of just $25.  This wine would pair very well with a variety of grilled dishes, from steaks and lamb chops to weeknight pizza or pasta dinners.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a USDA Prime ribeye, grilled rare, with some grilled leeks, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers! 

2014 Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah

Happy Wine Wednesday!  So tonight I've decided to host a virtual wine tasting with some of my work colleagues, which in this remote work environment is both easy and safer (no worries about driving home when you're done tasting!), but the challenge with a remote tasting is finding a wine that everyone can easily buy locally.  So in that light I found that my local Meijer store had several vintages of the Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah on clearance for just $9.99, so my decision was easy, though I opted for the 2014 vintage, the earliest of the 2014-16 options.  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect for a Syrah.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and cherry with just a slight undertone of leather and spice.  The taste is classic Syrah, with a rush of ripe, jammy fruit up front, that transitions easily to some notes of cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate, before finishing off with some peppery spice.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, making for a moderately dry finish that lingers ever so briefly on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant drinking Syrah that is consistent wherever you can find this wine (which is just about everywhere) and it's a terrific value at just $10. This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks to pasta, to burgers and pizza.  Tonight I've gone big since I'm already at home and made a tasting menu of roasted beet and goat cheese salad with Neapolitan herb balsamic and grilled baby octopus with a range of grilled veggies.  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot

Happy Thursday!  I'll admit I'm a bit forlorn coming to the end of Walla Walla Valley Wine Month, but at least I'm enjoying some great wine!  Tonight's wine sort of kills two birds with one stone, as it's a great Walla Walla Valley wine, but it's also a Merlot so it meets my requirement for Sean Sullivan's Washington Merlot Challenge this month.  Tonight I am enjoying a bottle from one of my favorite wine makers, the 2017 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot.  This wine is the 30th vintage from the wines originally planted by winemaker Casey McClellan and his father back in 1982, so let's dive into this treat of a wine!

The wine is an inky black with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a classic Merlot.  The nose is a rich combination of leather, oak, blackberry and spice, with a bit of dusty granite over the top.  The taste is a rush of cool ripe fruit with blueberry cobbler, blackberry and vanilla swirling in your palate before transitioning to some black pepper spice and savory herbs midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated with a reprise of sweet fruit on the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as its just a pleasant sipping wine which I could definitely enjoy as dessert after a hearty dinner!  This wine would pair well with a lot of hearty dishes, from grilled prime steaks and rare lamb chops to hearty pasta or risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple dinner of linguine tossed with sauteed garlic and broccoli rabe in olive oil and topped with shaved parmesan.  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Cellars Merlot

Well, Sean Sullivan launched the Washington Merlot Challenge last month, which I accepted.  This means I'm committed to enjoying at least one Washington Merlot each month throughout 2020, so tonight is the second installment with the 2016 Forgeron Cellars Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Minnick Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  This wine was a very limited production of just 181 cases, so let's see how this special wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, more reminiscent of a Cabernet as is somewhat more common for Washington Merlot.  The nose presents earthy aromas of dusty limestone amid luxurious aromas of leather, black raspberry and violets.  The taste is a complex layering of black fruit that builds to a crescendo of black raspberry, cherry and plum before transitioning effortlessly to notes of vanilla bean and a hint of spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured and provide and ideal foundation for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an extremely pleasant drinking example of a varietal that's out of favor but still abundantly pleasurable.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from classic steaks and roasts to hearty pastas.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal loin chop along with oven roasted fingerling potatoes and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2016 Century Oak Winery Judy's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I'll admit, I was tempted to nap the day away, but ended up being far more productive than I expected, doing two loads of laundry, some minor repairs around the house and I even made it to the gym!  So, with all that, I'd say I am quite deserving of a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight's wine is one I recently bought from an outfit called "Wine Slash" who sends me e-mails every so often, and this one intrigued me enough to purchase, the 2016 Century Oak Winery Judy's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi.  What intrigued me was that the wine maker, Heather Pyle and her husband, have previous connections to Robert Mondavi, where Heather was a wine maker at Mondavi in their Cabernet and Merlot programs and also involved in the Opus One team in 1996, where she met her future husband.  Although semi-retired, they still have a passion for wine makeing and have crafted this wine.  So let's see what it has to offer!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a classic Cabernet.  The nose is a somewhat tawny combination of green grass, violets, vanilla beans, and spice notes that reflect a more casual style.  The taste is almost the exact opposite of what I was expecting based on the nose.  I was expecting warm fruit and spice to dominate, but what emerged was a rush of cool black cherry, blueberry and plum that would fit right in with a classic Napa Cabernet.  The black fruit transitions effortlessly to some notes of cedar, pipe tobacco, violet and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured and well integrated for the long, smooth and velvety dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's punching way above its weight class, as I only paid $17 for this wine!  This would pair well with a broad range of dishes that you'd pair with a classic Napa Cabernet, steaks and chops, roast game, lamb and classic Italian dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap topped with some horseradish, grilled asparagus and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2014 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Last night we got about five inches of snow but by this morning, the temperature warmed up such that it was raining and by the time the rain stopped, I was left to shovel before it all freezes again tomorrow, as this high is only supposed to be in the teens.  So basically I spent the afternoon pushing water around the driveway with a snow shovel.  Needless to say, I could use a nice glass of wine, and tonight it's one that's been in the cellar for a few years, the 2014 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Napa Cabernet.  The nose is a interesting combination of leather, green grass, vanilla and mint that suggests a rather full Napa palate.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, currant and plum with an overlay of anise and vanilla bean, that transitions to notes of cedar and spice midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a lush, luxurious and very dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic big Napa Cabernet with a luxurious balance that makes this wine great for special occasions.  Like most big Cabs, this wine would pair well with big steaks, lamb or hearty roasts, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' New York strip grilled Pittsburgh rare with some grilled broccoli rabe and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2016 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's been a crazy busy Saturday, as I spent the entire day in the yard doing my best to recreate the giant pile of leaves that filled two dump trucks yesterday when the city came to pick them up and now the pile is back!  And the worst part is I didn't finish by dark, so now I'll have to do it again tomorrow!  Well at least there is wine before I head out to the theater tonight (see I told you this was a crazy busy day!), so I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2016 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a pure Cabernet.  The nose exudes class with notes of dark chocolate, cassis, ripe black fruit and rich leather and spice.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry, plum and cherry that transition nicely to notes of cocoa powder and a hint of white pepper spice.  The robust tannins are the ideal foundation for a smooth and voluptuous finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as Mary and crew have done a fine job crafting this Cabernet that's just perfect for fall.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from roast prime rib to chili to lamb, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip with some red beet farrow and grilled leeks and romanesco.  Cheers!

2016 A Moveable Feast Cabernet Sauvignon

What a day!  After working all day I decided to cut the grass before dinner, and of course I hit a rock and now I have to take my mower into the shop to see if there was any permanent damage.  So, I need a good dinner and a nice glass of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet that I purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, and which will be a future wine club selection, the 2016 A Moveable Feast Cabernet Sauvignon (though I don't think they spelled movable right).  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Cabernet.  The nose is a rather subdued affair, with some notes of leather, smoke, olives and a bit of spice.  The taste is a real departure from what you were expecting based on the aromas, with a rush of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit that transitions seemlessly to some mineral notes midpalate.  The fine grained tannins are well structured and integrated for a lush mouthfeel on the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a nice new world Cabernet that is easy drinking but doesn't offer a lot of complexity.  Of course it was also a pretty good value at just $18, making it an easy everyday drinker.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from pasta to steaks to barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare prime, bone-in ribeye with fire-roasted hatch chiles, some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato.  Cheers!