2019 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I finished my leaves today (and this may actually be the finish as there are scant few leaves left up in the trees!) then since the weather was nice I decided to go for a bike ride. And now I'm back home ready to make my Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the fall wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Heather Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a big Cabernet, with an inky black center and bright garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry and cherry, intermingled with some dried herbs and a hint of hibiscus that will have you intrigued.  The first sip is a carnival ride of flavor, with a rush of tart cherry that eases into some ripe blackberry and plum with a bit of vanilla, before heading off into some earthy minerals and a hint of tarragon midpalate.  The tannins are velvety, providing for some wonderful texture as you ease into the wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just everything you could ask for a pleasant sipping Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, barbecue or classic pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime rib cap, oven roasted purple potatoes and some maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2007 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which makes this Cellar Saturday!  This month I went deep into the cellar to find a bottle that I've had squirreled away for more than a decade, from one of the most stellar vintages of Napa Valley.  The 2007 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of those classic wines from a classic vintage, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center, and a bright ruby along the edges, without any hint of amber, you'd be hard pressed to tell this 16-year-old from a current vintage.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, anise, tar and just a hint of lilac.  Take a sip and you're greeted with ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum intermingled with some black pepper spice before transitioning to some notes of tarragon and pipe tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant and well structured to ease into a wonderfully smooth, dry finish that will have you appreciating this mature wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's truly lived up to the hype of this vintage, and maintained its structure and drinkability edging toward two decades on.  This wine would be fantastic just sipping with friends, but it's still hearty enough to pair with a big steak, braised short ribs or a hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with alderwood smoked salt, grilled asparagus and oven roasted baby potatoes with herbs de Provence.  Cheers!

2020 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I have to admit that it really doesn't matter how I plan, I never seem to get as much done during the weekend as I had hoped, and this weekend was no different.  I planned on catching up on some reading during the rain this afternoon, and that didn't happen, but at least I am now making Sunday dinner and enjoying a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Pepper Bridge Vineyard red wine, which is an annual blend that Pepper Bridge does based solely on fruit sourced from their namesake vineyard.  For 2020, this was a blend of Merlot (39%), Malbec (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Petit Verdot (9%).  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the Merlot and Malbec in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of anise, tarragon and hints of violet amid undertones of peppery spice.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant with a velvety texture that just grabs your attention.  The fruit transitions well to some dark chocolate and herb notes midpalate, even as the fine grained tannins deliver you to the long, smooth finish that will have you clamoring for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully bold wine that practically begs for a grilled steak, hence a perfect wine for summer grilling season.  This wine would be ideal with the aforementioned steaks, but also with summer smoked brisket, barbecued ribs or even simple burgers and brats for Independence Day celebrations.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with Béarnaise and served with grilled purple asparagus.  Cheers!

2008 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Well, it's April Fool's Day, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  The magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from the library at DaMa, the 2008 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of prune, blackberry and oak with just a hint of mint underneath.  The first sip reveals a rush of tart cherry and black current that eases its way to some notes of tarragon and mint midpalate.  The tannins are a bit sharp, but ease back for a wonderfully smooth finish that's both earthy and dry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as despite its 15 years it still has a good bit of life left in it.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from wild mushroom risotto, to linguine carbonara, smoked brisket to hearty winter beef stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic bone-in ribeye with some steamed asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2016 Otis Kenyon Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  So far on this long holiday weekend, I've had a chance to put together a piece of furniture (one more to go tomorrow hopefully!), put up all the outdoor Christmas decorations, make a dent in my Christmas shopping (I think all the kids are taken care of now) and finish my grocery shopping, so I feel like I've accomplished something, but there is always more to do.  So, in taking a break, I've decided to open a bottle I recently picked up at Total Wines when I was in Grand Rapids a few weeks ago.  The 2016 Otis Kenyon Merlot, is a classically styled Walla Walla Merlot that has become a favorite of mine.  So, let's see how this vintage is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, currant and blackberry, with just a hint of mint underneath.  It's the type of nose that brings you back to many of the barrel rooms I've visited in Walla Walla over the years.  Take a sip and you're awash with an unexpected rush of tart cherry, tarragon and roast venison that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a magnificent base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a terrific example of the sort of Merlot that Walla Walla is capable of producing.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pasta, game such as venison or elk, classic mushroom risotto or a big honkin' steak.  Naturally, I've chosen the latter and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, big baked potato with sour cream and scallions, and oven roasted leeks and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers! 

2019 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Blend

Happy Sunday!  I did my usual bit of chores today, laundry and mowing, but I left enough time to put a bit of effort into my Sunday dinner, which you'll see in a moment.  For the wine, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club selection from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2019 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Blend.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Malbec (30%) and Petit Verdot (8%) all from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from such a blend.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of brambly black fruit with hints of plum, tarragon, with undertones of earthy cedar.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit with a hint of sweetness amid flavors of black cherry, plum and mulberry that transition nicely to some notes of graphite and a bit of tart cherry midpalate.  The tannins are like a well build linebacker, providing all the structure needed to support the pleasant, long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just such a pleasant drinking red wine, ideal for a variety of food pairings, or simply sipping on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with steak, but could also pair well with earthy mushroom risotto, lamb chops or a bison filet.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a wonderful spring dinner of a rare prime ribcap topped with grilled garlic scapes along with radiatore pasta in a pea and morel mushroom cream sauce (I found the recipe here and it was delicious!).  Cheers! 

2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  The weather cleared up, so I did a bit of yard work this afternoon, which gave me a firm feeling of accomplishment.  And now it's time for Sunday dinner and opening a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Bacchus and Phinny Hill Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, definitely an approachable Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, currant, green grass and vanilla with some undertones of tarragon.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transitions to some earthy mineral notes of toasted oak and tar.  The tannins are wonderfully structured for a lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a pleasant drinking wine that is exceptional for everyday enjoyment.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from burgers and brats to pizza and pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of a rare grilled New York strip on a bed of grilled leeks with some smashed red potatoes with butter and parsley and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2016 Château L’Escadre Grande Réserve Bordeaux

Happy Sunday!  It's been another frigid, rainy spring day here in Indiana and I just wish it would get to being spring like in weather! So, needless to say I didn't get any of the yard work I had hoped to finish today, but at least there is wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 Château L’Escadre Grande Réserve Bordeaux, it's been a while since I've opened a nice Bordeaux and I happened upon this one at Costco yesterday at an unbelievable price.  This wine is a class blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Malbec (10%), so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose exudes classic old world aromas of leather, blackberry, currant and plum with hints of tarragon and cedar.  The taste is classic Bordeaux, with a rush of ripe black cherry intermingled with hints of anise and spice box, before retreating into some earthy notes of tar and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are barely noticeable, as you would expect from a wine that grew up in the Gironde, which leaves you with the classic dry Bordeaux finish that lingers but isn't in your face.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and I thought of rating it higher, but as I pondered, I might just like this wine because I haven't indulged in a nice Bordeaux in a while.  This wine was also an incredible value at just $8.50 at Costco!  This wine would pair well with beef, lamb or hearty heavily creamed sauce dishes.  Tonight I am mixing continental cultures and enjoying this wine with some Italian sausage with onions and peppers along with some spaghetti tossed in garlic and olive oil with cherry tomatoes and parsley.  I suppose I'm following in the footsteps of my grandfather who was Italian and French with this dinner, cheers!

2019 Caves du Fournalet Côtes du Rhône

Happy Sunday!  Tonight I am going to prove the inherent wisdom of P. T. Barnum, as the wine I've selected this evening was one that I bought completely based on the packaging, the only question remaining is whether I was a sucker!  So, let's try to answer that question.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Caves du Fournalet Côtes du Rhône which I recently picked up at Trader Joe's mainly because it has a very interesting bottle, and after all, it was only $7, so what could go wrong?  I like Rhône varietals, so this could be a hidden gem!

The wine is a lighter body, with great clarity and a bright ruby color as you might expect from a Rhône wine.  The nose is rather subdued, with some aromas of blueberry, tart cherry and hints of tarragon.  The taste is very fruit forward with notes of sweet cherry, blueberry and cassis, that transitions to some notes of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are soft, but still supportive of a nice, dry finish that's a bit abrupt.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7, it's nothing spectacular, but it was certainly a value and a classic pizza and burger wine, as you wouldn't feel bad opening this one for a casual dinner.  This wine would also pair well with some lamb and pasta dishes too, which comes in handy since I'm enjoying this wine tonight with some grilled lamb loin chops along with mashed potatoes and grilled purple cauliflower.  So, was I a sucker?  Cheers!

2015 Mark Ryan Water Witch

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It's been a busy week for me and I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit this weekend ahead of the holiday.  So tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I randomly came across in the cellar (don't ask me why I haven't opened this wine for a couple years) the 2015 Mark Ryan Winery Water Witch!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a cascade of wild berries, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry and cassis lingering over aromas of vanilla bean and spice.  The taste is a voluptuous burst of black fruit that washes over your palate before transitioning nicely to some notes of cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are finely structured, providing a velvety mouthfeel and excellent structure to the long, smooth dry finish that bites back with some white pepper spice and tarragon.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Bordeaux style blend that highlights the craft of Washington.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to wild mushroom risotto, lamb chops to beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Prime New York strip topped with béarnaise sauce and served with some grilled white asparagus.  Cheers!

2017 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I hope you all are making out well with all of the quarantines and shelter in place orders.  I'll admit I have been going for walks every lunch time, but since I live in a small town, I usually only run into one or two people during that walk and we are sure to keep our 6-foot safety zone in place.  Well, it's been a Washington wine weekend, so let's continue the trend!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2017 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is a spicy yet fruity affair, with aromas of blackberry, currant and cassis, with hints of mint and tarragon in the background.  The taste is a rush of cool black fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum and blueberry that transitions to flavors of warm, white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing a nice backbone for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasure to drink (and had I not enjoyed that spectacular SHW Founding Vineyard Cabernet yesterday, this would have been a top pick!).  This wine would pair well with hearty dishes, steaks, lamb, hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled boneless ribeye along with grilled rainbow carrots and cippolini onions and some red potatoes with butter and parsley.  Cheers!

2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Syrah

It's been a bitterly cold weekend here, today I think the high only got up into the teens and it's supposed to get below zero tonight.  So, what's better on a cold night than a nice Syrah, and tonight I've opened a bottle from one of the most pleasant Walla Walla winemakers, the 2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Syrah.  So let's see how this wine tastes on a frigid evening!

The wine is a rich ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, green grass, tarragon and a hint of rose petals, which combined make you feel like sitting in front of a fire with a good book.  The taste is a rush of black cherry cola, vanilla bean and a hint of tobacco that transitions nicely to some notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are supple and fully integrated, creating a perfect foundation for the long, voluptuous and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking Syrah that warms your senses.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from beef stew to Yankee pot roast, but tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled teriyaki glazed pork tenderloin with Amish butter noodles and green beans almondine.  A full meal of comfort food!  Cheers!

2013 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  I hope it's been a pleasant one for you, I was at a conference today and now I'm home and ready to relax with a nice dinner.  For wine, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Walla Walla that arrived last week, the 2013 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot! This wine is 100% Merlot from the Golden Ridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.  It turned cooler here recently, so perfect weather for a nice Merlot, and you know how I love me some Merlot!

The wine is a wonderful bright ruby color with great clarity, reminiscent of some great old world Merlot.  The nose is a great combination of green grass and ripe black fruit, for a perfect springtime red wine.  The taste is quite nice, with some nice blackberry and raspberry flavors up front that transitions to some lovely green spice notes of tarragon midpalate (if only I'd made some Bearnaise for my steak tonight!).  The tannins are still pretty tight, but the finish is long and very dry, with a bit of crispness at the end, an ideal spring Merlot!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a lovely and refreshingly different Merlot.  This wine would be great with a variety of meat and pasta dishes, but tonight I'm enjoying this with a rare grilled New York strip along with grilled purple carrots and leeks and a baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2012 Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  This weekend couldn't come fast enough in my opinion, I've been battling a cold all week, then on Wednesday we had a foot of snow which is all supposed to melt this weekend.  So man I need a break and a nice glass of wine or three!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, the 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!  This wine happens to be a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and a but of Petit Verdot (10%) added for good measure.

The wine is a lovely bright ruby in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola and leather, which tells me this is going to be good!  The taste is very fruit forward with ripe berries and plum that transitions to some wonderful herb and mineral notes midpalate, with some notes of tarragon and mint intermingled with some dusty granite.  The finish is a delight, with some white pepper spice accenting the firm tannins, providing for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, after being on a Napa kick, I'd forgotten how lovely a nice Columbia Valley Cabernet can be!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Friday night pairing of a rare grilled Angus New York strip along with some grilled gold beets and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2013 Forgeron Primitivo

Well happy Saturday!  It's been snowing off and on all day here in northern Indiana, but at least that's a good excuse for cooking indoors and enjoying a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a new bottle that just arrived last week from my wine club shipment at Forgeron Cellars, the 2013 Forgeron Primitivo.  Now you know how much I enjoy a good Zinfandel, and I have similar feelings about Primitivo, which shouldn't be surprising since they are so closely related, but I still feel that Primitivo is just a bit more elevated.  So let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with an almost black inky color at the center.  The nose offers stunning aromas of leather, black cherry. anise and just a hint of lilac.  The taste is just lovely, with a subdued bit of candied black fruit up front that transitions effortlessly to some warm spice notes of white pepper and tarragon midpalate.  The finish is warm and supple, as the firm yet well integrated tannins set up the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's one of the best Washington wine's I've had in quite some time.  It would be perfect with any number of dishes, from a nice steak to a rich Italian pasta to barbecue.  But tonight, like always. I am going against the current, enjoying this lovely wine with some king crab legs, roasted potatoes with parmesan and asiago, and some steamed asparagus.  The warm spice is just the perfect foil to the richness of crab, cheers!

2010 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, 'tis the season to have lots of fun and good food, and since I was good today and went to the gym, I figured I deserved a treat for dinner, so I've opened up a very nice bottle of wine, the 2010 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

The wine is an inky black color at the center, leading to some bright ruby along the edges with nice clarity.  The nose is just lovely, with notes of black licorice, tarragon, blueberry and some Asian spice.  The taste is quite refined, with a some subdued flavors of cassis, blueberry and notes of espresso up front which transition to some elegant flavors of pipe tobacco, dusty limestone and white pepper midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with nicely structured and well integrated tannins supporting the long, lush, absolutely bone dry finish that just beckons another sip.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 9, with still more potential to improve with some cellaring over the next decade or so.  This is a perfect steak house sort of wine, with great flavor, nicely structured but not overpowering, the perfect complement to a nice rare steak, with lucky for me I happen to have this evening!  Tonight I'm pairing this wine with a rare grilled cowboy cut ribeye about 3" thick along with a baked potato and some grilled brussels sprouts.  So much meat and rich flavors to make this a bottle well worth the price (I bought this one from Wines Till Sold Out for just $60, about $10 less than the usual price).  But it's the holidays and I think I deserve a nice present to myself!  Cheers!

2005 Rio Bom Douro Colheita

Tonight I've decided to try some new things, from the food I'm making for dinner to the wine I've decided to open!  I've seldom had the chance to enjoy a wine from Portugal, but tonight I've opened a bottle of 2005 Rio Bom Douro Colheita, a recent purchase from the Wines Till Sold Out cheapskate event.

The wine is a very nice ruby color in the glass, about the same color as a nice Spanish wine, like a Tempranillo.  The nose is very interesting, with a lot of bright fruit at first, blackberries, plum, black cherry, but as it opens up, it displays more rustic and earthy notes, forest floor and a classic barnyard.  The taste is fruit forward with some notes of cherry cola and some cocoa powder, which transitions to some fresh herbs, tarragon and green tea midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with rather mild tannins supporting a rather abrupt finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, as it's a solid wine that could complement a variety of dishes and it was a good value at around $14.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a wonderful dinner of fresh rainbow trout stuffed with oranges and fresh thyme along with some pesto linguine and steamed asparagus.  The earthy notes and fruit flavors of the wine really strike a nice note with the richness of the trout, but I could see this going very well with a variety of dishes from grilled steak to a nice braised beef stew.  Cheers!

1998 Seven Hills Vineyard Reserve Merlot

So it's the first Saturday of the month and of course that means it's Cellar Saturday!  And tonight we have a super treat, one I've been waiting to try since I bought it in Walla Walla last June, the 1998 Seven Hills Vineyard Reserve Merlot!  I know a lot of you have an apprehension towards Merlot, but I have to tell you I really enjoy it, particularly when it comes from an ageworthy producer like Seven Hills, so that 15 years later when you try it, you are just shocked at what it does for you!

The wine is pretty clear around the edges, with some opacity toward the center, but still a bright ruby color all around.  The nose is very nice, with loads of ripe fruit, black plum, tart cherry and blueberry, overlaid with layers of anise, leather and Asian spice.  The taste is delightful, with some initial red fruit, blackberries, plum and tart cherry that transitions to some tarragon and dusty limestone midpalate.  The finish was divine, as the tannins are very structured along with some remaining acidity that gives this wine an exceptionally long, dry finish.  And I have to admit, that in the end, the finish had some of the classic Bordeaux funk to it that really made me stop and question whether this wine was from Walla Walla or the right bank of the Gironde!

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just such a treat to drink that I don't even remember or care what I paid for it.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic dinner of rare grilled Angus ribeye sliced and topped with Bearnaise sauce, along with a baked heirloom potato and some grilled carrots, leeks and brussels sprouts.  The wine is such a great complement to the richness of the food, it's a perfect autumn evening now.  Cheers!

2009 Stephen Vincent Cabernet Sauvignon

The best laid plains of mice and men...so the saying goes and so my week of wine went!  I had originally planned to bring a bottle of nice Bordeaux with me on this trip and it's still sitting on my kitchen table.  But where there are disappointments there are opportunities, as I had the chance to stop at the local wine shop in Elkhart to find another bottle to enjoy, hence the 2009 Stephen Vincent Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine is a classic deep purple in the glass, just as you'd expect of a California Cabernet.  The nose is a pleasant and full of fruit, blackberry and cherry with notes of plum and cherry cola.  The taste is fruit forward, with some ripe fruit, plum, cherry, ripe berries that transitions nicely to some lovely tarragon and floral notes, and an earthy minerality midpalate.  The tannins are fairly mellow leading to a soft finish that is just pleasing and food friendly.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 7, it was nothing spectacular, but a solid wine at a great price.  I bought this wine for only $11!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chicken tacos and a nice salad with a balsamic vinaigrette.  Cheers!

2006 Walla Walla River Winery Syrah

Tonight is Walla Walla night, so I could think of no more appropriate wine to enjoy than the 2006 Walla Walla River Winery Syrah.  Now for a bit of background, Walla Walla River Winery is a second label from Cougar Crest, which I discovered on my Walla Walla adventure back in 2012, and also when I picked up this bottle (doesn't it show I have great discipline that I can hang on to a bottle for more than a year and never even think of opening it?).  But I digress.

Now for the wine, a beautiful ruby color in the glass, just as you would expect from a nice Syrah.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe blackberry, tart cherry, smoke and some herb notes, perhaps it's a bit of tarragon that I'm picking up,  The taste is classic Walla Walla Syrah, with flavors of tart cherry, blackberry, leather and anise up front, which then transitions to some notes of dark chocolate, green grass and earthy basalt notes midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with some well structured tannins that support a long, dry finish.  This wine is probably right about at its prime drinking right now, so I'm glad I opened this one!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as I think it's a classic example of a Walla Walla Syrah, but that said it's probably not for everyone.  As for the appropriateness of this wine, tonight I am enjoying this one with a rare grilled Angus T-Bone, along with some home made beer batter onion rings made with Walla Walla Sweet Onions, hence it's Walla Walla day in my kitchen!  The wine just pairs so nicely with grilled steak, and provides a nice balance to the sweet onion rings, so delicious!