2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  I spent the day doing some indoor chores and relaxing, so not particularly productive, but that's what weekends are for!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere is a made from a varietal that not long ago was thought extinct, so let's see how this lost Bordeaux varietal is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass while the nose presents aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum with undertones of green grass and spice.  The first sip is a refreshing burst of ripe berries with a bit of tartness underneath that eases into some notes of blueberry compote midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but fully structured to provide a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant, easy drinking red that would pair well with a range of summer dishes.  This wine would pair well with barbecued ribs, burgers or brats, ideal for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some beef kabobs and fresh corn on the cob.  It's been a while since I've brought out the skewers, but this turned into a wonderful summer dinner.  Cheers!

2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon digging up my water meter (long story, don't ask!) and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I picked up at Costco a few weeks ago and I am hoping it is an under-the-radar wine that I can enjoy (but never find there again!).  The 2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley Cabernet and that's about all I know!  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, textbook for a Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, smoke, dusty limestone and ripe black currant.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, currant and plum with a good bit of tart acidity before transitioning to some ripe plum and peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, not because it's a spectacular wine, but because it's a very good wine that was only $15!  This tremendous value wine will let you glimpse at how the other half lives as you sip a very solid wine on a random weeknight!  This wine would pair with a range of casual dinners, from pizza and tacos to burgers and brats.  Since it's Sunday, tonight I am enjoying this wine with something a bit more elevated, a grilled bone-in ribeye with oven roasted fingerling potatoes and cippolini onions and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2006 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chase Creek Merlot

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight is a special Cellar Saturday, as this wine has not been in my cellar long, but it has been brewing for double my decade requirement, this one being 20 years in the making, thanks to a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2006 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chase Creek Merlot is a blend of Merlot (77%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) from the Chase Creek, which lies between the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards in the Stag's Leap District of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine has been spending the last two decades!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with hints of amber along the edges, just as you'd expect from a mature Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of leather, black cherry, rich spices and toasted oak that have you immediately thinking of an Ivy League library.  The first sip is just a rambunctious affair with a rush of tart cherry, blackberry and currant that ease into some earthy mineral notes, caramel and vanilla bean notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and still vibrant, leading to a wonderful lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this is a classic Merlot that has every element which that stupid movie lacks!  This wine would pair well with a midafternoon cheese platter, rustic beef stew and classic grilled lamb.  Tonight I am taking the road less traveled and enjoying this wine with a pan seared salmon with steamed basmati rice topped with smoked paprika and steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2020 Col Solare Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a somewhat relaxing day of doing chores and preparing for classes tomorrow, but now it's time for a nice glass of wine with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that just arrived from a mystery box at Wines Till Sold Out (and you know how I love surprise wines!).  The 2020 Col Solare Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Quintessence Vineyard (57%), Shaw 32 Vineyard (28.5%) and Col Solare Estate Vineyard (14.5%).  For those who are unaware, Col Solare is a partnership between Marchesi Antinori of Tuscany and Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a Red Mountain Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of earthy leather and graphite, intermingled with hints of cherry and red currant amid undertones of peppery spice.  The first sip is a remarkable departure from what your nose was expecting, with a rush of tart cherry, blackberry and currant that eases into some oak and dusty limestone midpalate, before heading back to some nice acidity at the finish.  The tannins are well structured for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a lovely example of the height of Red Mountain Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a range of winter dishes, from hearty pasta and stews, braised short ribs or hearty mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of slow cooked pot roast with lots of vegetables and gravy.  Cheers!

2021 Esteban Martin Red Wine

Happy Thursday!  It's been an interested day or so, as I drove home from work in a snowstorm yesterday, but since it was all lake effect, by the time I got home there was hardly any snow at all!  Meanwhile there was about a foot at my office, so I worked from home today and now it's time for dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco in a "case sale" which they tend to do around the holidays, selling cases of wine for low prices, in this case $49 or just over $4 a bottle for the 2021 Esteban Martin Red Wine.  This one is a blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%) from Spain, so let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass as you'd expect from these varietals.  The nose presents aromas of cherry, oak, hints of anise and a bit of peppery spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in classic red fruit, cherry, currant and plum with just a bit of tartness, leading you into some earthy notes of tar, oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but still play along for a nice smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's nothing spectacular, but for $4 a bottle this is a very easy weekday wine.  This wine would pair well with a lot of casual dinners, from pizza and burgers to pasta or Chinese.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic linguine and meatballs as the wine holds up well to the spice of the sauce and richness of the meatballs.  Cheers!

2015 Château Les Giraudels de Milon Saint-Emilion

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of a new month, when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I believe I bought from Wines Till Sold Out almost three years ago and it's been sitting in my cellar ever since.  The 2015 Château Les Giraudels de Milon Saint-Emilion is a blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Cabernet Franc (12%), so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity and just a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents classic Bordeaux aromas of cherry, currant and rose petals with just the right amount of underlying funk beneath the surface. The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry, toasted oak, dusty limestone and forest floor that all dance together to create the classic Bordeaux funk we love.  The tannins are still a bit sharp, but well suited to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic Saint-Emilion, but may have a bit too much funk for comfort.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from herb crusted rack of lamb to braised beef short ribs, wild mushroom risotto to grilled pork tenderloin.  Tonight, I am taking a bit of a different path and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin black pearl salmon, pearled couscous and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy week and now I am ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight, I am opening a bottle from a recent shipment from one of my long-time favorite wine makers in Walla Walla, the 2022 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Helix is the second label from Chuck Reininger, highlighting the quality of Columbia Valley red wines, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, a classic Cabernet look.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, raspberry and cherry, amid undertones of lavender and white pepper spice.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, with some inviting blackberry, cherry and currant with undertones of tartness and some earthy peat and dusty limestone.  The whole experience with this wine is a graceful dance of earthiness and ripe fruit that will have you enjoying the show from your favorite lounge seat.  The finish is graceful and very dry, a classic new world style that will quickly have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very nice Cabernet that is priced to enjoy on an everyday basis.  This wine would pair well with a range of dished, from hearty pasta and fall stews, to steaks and barbeque.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare pan seared New York Strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms along with steamed asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Well, I spend the afternoon blowing leaves, which means it is effectively and officially fall, so why not have a last bit of summer with a bottle of rosé?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out this summer.  This wine is a blend of Syrah (55%), Grenache (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), which portends and interesting wine, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, almost Chardonnay like, but we'll overlook that.  The nose is just a breath of summer, with aromas of green grass, citrus, peach and a hint of strawberry.  Take a sip and you're greeted with an unexpected rush of sweet fruit, peach, honeydew and strawberry, balanced with tart notes of pineapple and citrus, and a bit of buttery smoothness heading into a crisp dry finish that leaves you refreshed.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's nothing to knock your socks off, but it's certainly a pleasant summer wine for just $13.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, lighter fish and seafood, or just sipping in the cool of the evening.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a crab fest, a giant pile of snow crab legs with drawn butter.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!

2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Well, even though it seems that summer is oh so quickly easing into fall, there are still a few weeks left in rosé season, and since it's hot and sticky here today I am going full steam ahead with a 2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé that I recently picked up at Costco.  This wine is made from Syrah sourced from the Buckshot Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is pale peach color in the glass, ideal for a nice rosé.  The nose presents aromas of tart apple, grapefruit and a bit of honeysuckle, that has summer written all over it.  Take a sip and you have an interesting complex of smooth summer fruit flavor, melon, peach, strawberry and a hint of citrus that isn't nearly as pronounced as the nose would suggest.  The tannins are well hidden, providing for a smooth dry finish that is very different than you standard crisp finish of a rosé.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely sipping wine that was also a terrific value at just $10.  This wine would pair well with summer evenings on the patio, caprese salad or lighter seafood dishes.  Tonight, I am making this a pure Pacific Northwest experience and enjoying this wine with a miso and sesame glazed wild Alaskan sockeye served with steamed rice and Italian pole beans I bought at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Well, I admit I'm a bit embarrassed as I chose my wine for this evening as I was considering my Sunday dinner choices, and I realized that I went out of order on the Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, as last month I reviewed the 2021 vintage (see here) but had never reviewed the 2020 vintage (curse you shiny object focus!).  So, I am making amend and opening a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet from the Red Willow and Ciel du Cheval vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up with an extra year in the cellar!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with deep ruby all around, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A little swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, currant, leather and cedar signaling a perfectly Northwest experience ahead.  The first sip is a rush of intriguing fruit with tart cherry, leading into blueberries and blackberries, all easing into some mint and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide the backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you pondering the shortness of summer at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's not quite as nice as the 2021 vintage, but still a lovely Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, grilled lamb or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am celebrating the start of Hatch chile season, as I just picked some up at my local market, so I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with fire roasted Hatch chiles, oven roasted purple potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise, for a completely random Sunday dinner!  Cheers!

2021 Bledsoe Family Winery "The Mac" Red Wine

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

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

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

2018 Vallée des Aigles IGP Côtes Catalanes Carignan

Happy Saturday!  I was planning to do yard work today, but it was too windy to get the leaf blower out, so instead I decided to build my raised garden bed and dig around the foundation of the shed and fill it with river rock to help drainage.  So a productive day of hard work and now I'm ready for a nice meal and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2018 Vallée des Aigles IGP Côtes Catalanes Carignan that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  Carignan is mainly used as a blending grape with Southern Rhone blends, and I think this is the first time I've tried the single varietal.  This wine was made from fruit harvested from 60-100 year old vines in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France near the Spanish border and the Mediterranean.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, somewhat reminiscent of a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of sweet cherry, raspberry and aged leather, with soft floral undertones.  Take a sip and you're palate is awash in sweet fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant, that has acidity that at first blush makes you think of sweet-tarts candy, but then the taste evolves into some rich minerality and white pepper spice, before the smooth tannins kick in for added complexity on the long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a surprisingly pleasant expression of a varietal that happily lives in the background.  This wine was also a terrific value at just $14 (I wish I'd bought more!).  This wine would pair well with hearty lamb dishes, beef stew or hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am taking a bold departure and enjoying this wine with a sesame crusted tuna steak topped with sunflower sprouts, steamed rice and broccoli, with a citrus wasabi dipping sauce.  Cheers!

2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Sunday!  Well, tonight I've brought out a forgotten bottle of wine, as apparently I've reviewed the 2018 vintage, the 2020 vintage and the 2021 vintage, but now I'm finally getting around to the 2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir!  As a loyal shareholder, I am a big fan of Willamette Valley Vineyards' wines, and although the whole cluster Pinot Noir is ideal and approachable on release, tonight we'll find out how they perform five years on!

The wine is a delightful ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl of my Pinot glass reveals aromas of raspberry, bing cherry, green cedar and a hint of eucalyptus.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant with just a bit of tartness that eases into some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a smooth, dry finish that lingers with a reprise of berry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful example of a solid Pinot Noir, that is approachable and ideal for pairing with a broad range of casual dinner fare.  This wine would be great with barbecue, pizza or tacos, grilled seafood or pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some miso glazed pan seared Coho salmon topped with microgreens, along with some farro and steamed broccolini.  Cheers!

2019 Tenute del Neccio Super Tuscan

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  I admit, as a Bears fan I usually lose interest in football about week 3 of the season, so tonight I am just enjoying a nice quiet dinner and watching a movie.  Yes, that may be lame, but so am I!  So, what's on the menu tonight?  I am having some nice comfort food that reminds me of my childhood, and for no particular reason, I opened up a bottle of 2019 Tenute del Neccio Super Tuscan that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  Unlike many Super Tuscans that rely on blending Bordeaux varietals, this wine relies more on the traditional Tuscan varietals, Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera and Ciliegiolo.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter color in the glass, reflecting the heavier reliance on Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of cherry and plum, intermingled with earthy notes of tar and green cedar.  The first sip a surprising rush of ripe red berries that at first exhibit a hint of sweetness before turning tart.  The earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone come out midpalate before easing into a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking Tuscan wine and a good value under $13.  This wine would pair with a variety of casual dishes (perhaps like you're enjoying at the big game!) from burgers and brats, to pizza and barbecued ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some stuffed cabbage, topped with fire roasted tomatoes and melted mozzarella and provolone.  Cheers!

2021 BigLITTLE Wines Open Road Rosé

Happy Sunday!  It's been bitter cold here, like so much of the country right now, so I've been huddling indoors, doing laundry and cooking and trying to stay warm!  Given that summer and rosé season seem so far away, I've decided to open a bottle of a Michigan rosé that some friends sent me for Christmas.  The 2021 BigLITTLE Wines Open Road Rosé is a blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Marechal Foch from the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan.  So, let's see if this wine can bring back the summer!

The wine is a deep peach and rose color in the glass, just as you'd expect for summer sipping on the patio.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, melon and hints of apple, certainly bringing back some warm weather vibes.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of crisp and tart fruit, tart cherry, apple, and melon that will have you ready for a summer dip in the lake.  The finish is short, but crisp and dry, inviting you to sip this with a meal or just some conversation with friends.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely departure from many of the sweeter wines I've tasted from Michigan.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, tacos, pizza or smoked barbecue.  Tonight, I've taken a different path and am enjoying this wine with some coconut crusted cod, steamed rice and fresh asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2016 L'Esprit De Chevalier Pessac-Léognan

Happy Sunday!  It's been a rainy afternoon, so I decided to dispense with the yard work and focus on some indoor projects, like replacing the backing on a new painting I bought at the thrift store, fixing my live trap to catch the second groundhog that roamed into my yard on Friday and other assorted household chores.  So, now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass or few of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a magnum of 2016 L'Esprit De Chevalier Pessac-Léognan that I bought a month or two ago during the Wines Till Sold Out magnum event.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Merlot (45%) and Petit Verdot (10%), making this a classic Bordeaux blend.  I'm going to need some of this wine for the red wine demi that I'm making for my main course, so if there's enough extra for another glass or two that seems fine to me!  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is an inky black at the center with just a touch of ruby along the edges.  The nose is a lovely presentation of leather, ripe black fruit and hints of anise and pepper.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of cool black fruit that's a bit tart at first, before transitioning into some blackberry and cherry sweetness.  The tannins are refined and well structured, which works well with the spicy dry finish with just a hint of acidity at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a great example of the old world styling and craft of Bordeaux.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled steaks to braised short ribs, hearty beef stew to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Sunday dinner of herb crusted rack of lamb with red wine demi, potato puree and some grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Zinfandel

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week, so I am definitely looking forward to some relaxation this weekend (though I have a bunch of things happening so this may be my only post for the weekend!).  In any case, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine, and pairing with my dinner was a bit of a challenge, but I decided upon a nice Zinfandel, the food friendly wine!  Tonight, I'm enjoying a 2015 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Zinfandel that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose presents aromas of earthy mineral notes under some jammy fruit notes of cherry, plum and strawberry.  The taste is somewhat Bordeaux-esque with a bit of funk hanging around, but the fruit is quite vibrant with flavors of cherry and strawberry up front that transitions to some notes of tar and basalt midpalate. The finish features a bit of tart cherry over some tightly wound tannins providing for a long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very nice Zinfandel, but in my view not quite to the level of a Lodi Zin.  As always, this varietal is exceptionally food friendly and would pair well with anything from pizza to ribs, tacos to steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit more challenging dinner of grilled Spanish octopus with some grilled asparagus and white truffle butter orzo with shaved Parmesan.  I"m not sure I could have packed any more flavors on that plate!  Cheers!

2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson

Happy Monday!  It's been an uneventful start to the week, though it was in the mid-70s today which means I need to grill and enjoy a glass of wine on the patio, and not necessarily in that order.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson, which is officially last year's vintage as I just got a few bottles of the 2016  in my recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec (7%) from the Ferguson Vineyard in Walla Walla.  So let's see how this vintage stacks up!

The wine is a deep purple color at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, a testament to the concentrations of Cabernet and Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of dusty basalt, with hints of leather, mocha and blueberries throughout.  The taste is a rush of black cherry with a bit of tartness that transitions to notes of tobacco, espresso and dark chocolate midpalate.  There is quite a bit of minerality in this wine, a testament to the varietals in this Bordeaux style blend.  The tannins are refined and well structured, providing for a lingering dry finish that holds the mouth for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's quite impressive, but just a bit short of the 2014 vintage in my view.  In any case this is still a fantastic wine and perfect for a big honkin' steak, which is a good thing since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a gigantic cowboy cut bone-in ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and grilled leeks.  And no, I could not finish the whole steak but there's always tomorrow!  Cheers!

2016 Kirkland Signature Series Stags Leap District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been unseasonably warm and today it was raining much of the day, signaling that the weather is about to turn remarkably fall like by the weekend.  But for now, it's still 68 degrees out and I can grill my dinner under the eave of the garage.  To pair with my dinner, I've decided to open a second bottle of Costco's Kirkland Signature wines I bought a few weeks ago.  The Brunello was a bit unimpressive, so let's see if we can do better with the 2016 Kirkland Signature Series Stags Leap District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

The wine is a deep, inky purple at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, typical of a big, bold Napa Cabernet.  The nose is somewhat elegant, with earthy aromas of leather and green grass, over some notes of blackberry and a hint of lavender.  The taste is a rush of black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transition to some dusty limestone and black pepper notes midpalate.  There is a bit of tartness on the back end, before the rather youthful tannins bring you into the smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I'd rate this wine a solid 8, this was a nice example of a descent Stags Leap Cabernet, at a much more approachable price (I think this was around $27).  Like many Napa Cabernets, this wine would be perfect with steak, prime rib or a variety of hearty meals coming up this fall.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a nice filet mignon grilled rare, along with some grilled asparagus and a big, loaded baked potato.  Cheers!