2016 Château de Lafaurie-Monbadon Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Happy Saturday!  I admit I slept in this morning as I was up late last night doing some volunteer cooking, so I took it easy today and did some random chores, grocery shopping and then decided to relax with a cocktail before dinner.  Tonight, I've decided on a different dinner, and that calls for a different wine, so I've opened a bottle of 2016 Château de Lafaurie-Monbadon Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a classic Bordeaux, a blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Cabernet Franc (15%).  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 such a Merlot heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and cassis with undertones of violets and a hint of aged leather.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry that quickly gives way to some sweet blackberry and raspberry, before transitioning to some earthy notes of cedar and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tight, providing for a very sharp dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very easy drinking and food friendly Bordeaux that was also a solid value at less than $14.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to braised lamb shank, rich baked pasta to country barbecue.  Tonight, I am once again taking the road less traveled and enjoying this wine with a Japanese style stir fry.  Given the tight grocery budgets we are all facing, I decided to marinade some sliced chuckeye steak (if you are unfamiliar it's very flavorful and usually around $5-6 a pound) in some Bachan's Japanese Barbecue sauce, then christened my Hexclad wok and stir fried with some fresh veggies, served over white rice.  Cheers!

2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to see how it's developed along it's journey. Tonight I've taken a couple of cheats on my decade, first I've selected a Brunello, which by Italian law must be aged in barrel for six years, and then in bottle a further six months before release.  So, such a wine is already 65% of the way to a decade on release day!  Second, I recently bought some of this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so I let them do a little of the aging for me!  The 2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese Grosso (another requirement of Italian law), and Brunellos are usually just hitting their stride at the 10-year mark, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you might expect from the varietal.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of dried flowers, ripe cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and anise.  Take a sip and you're immediately transported to the Tuscan countryside, with layers of dried herbs, ripe cherry and some earthy notes of tobacco and graphite, which ease into some black pepper spice and a hint of thyme midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight at first, but gradually open up for a velvety mouthfeel leading into a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant and easy drinking Brunello that is just hitting its stride. This wine would pair well with classic Tuscan dishes, such as Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, pappardelle with a traditional ragu, ribollita, or a simple platter of salami and cheeses.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe ravioli with carpaccio truffle cream sauce, the spice of this wine is a perfect foil for the richness of the truffles.  Cheers!

2021 Claire-Voie Coteaux D'Aix en Provence Rose

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've managed a mid-week post, and tonight it's a throwback to summer.  Given January in Indiana is not even remotely warm and sunny, I thought it might be nice to hearken back to the warm evenings on the patio enjoying a lovely glass of rose with friends.  Ironically, tonight's wine is one I bought from Wines Till Sold Out back in the summer, but time flew by and before I knew it, the leaves had fallen and the patio furniture was put into storage.  So, tonight I've opened the 2021 Claire-Voie Coteaux D'Aix en Provence Rose, a blend of Syrah (60%), Grenache Noir (30%) and Vermentino (10%).  Let's have a glass!

The wine is a lovely peach color in the glass with gold hues along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of green grass, fresh citrus, and the faintest hint of passion fruit.  The first sip is a rush of tart green apple, strawberry and peach that eases into some mineral notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, leading in to a faint note of bitterness on the finish (a nod to the Vermentino) which is crisp and dry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant rose overall, but I could do without the slight bitterness on the finish.  This wine would pair well with seafood, summer salads or lighter pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a panko crusted grouper filet with jasmine rice and shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, maple and pomegranate (my new favorite preparation this winter).  Cheers!

2018 Alamos Selección Malbec

Happy Sunday!  As another weekend comes to a rapid close, I've decided to have a nice bottle of Malbec with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I just picked up from my local market yesterday as it was on sale, and bargain hunter that I am, how could I resist?  The 2018 Alamos Selección Malbec made with grapes selected from vineyards in the higher elevations of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina.  I've become a much bigger fan of Malbec over the years, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of vanilla, blackberry, green grass and modest floral undertones.  The first sip reveals a surprising shift from those sweeter aromas to a rush of tart cherry, plum and black currant that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, but ideal for the long and exceptionally dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking Malbec and could be an everyday wine at the value price of just $15 at my local market.  This wine practically begs to be paired by a gaucho slicing whatever great beef he has grilled, from picanha to ribeye, filet to beef ribs.  Tonight I am taking that traditional route with a rare grilled New York strip along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2018 30 Miles Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Boxing Day!  At least to all my friends in the British Commonwealth.  The holidays are winding down, and I like many others are really looking forward to next week when we can put 2020 in the rearview mirror.  But one of the good parts about the holidays are the wine gifts that folks give, and my friend Tennille makes a solid effort to find me a good, value priced wine each year for Christmas, and this year she gave me a bottle of 2018 30 Miles Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, let's see how she did this year!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, but not quite as brooding as some of the biggest Napa Cabernets.  One whiff and you are immersed into ripe jammy fruit, blackberry, plum and cassis that transition nicely to some earthy aromas of sandalwood and minerals.  The taste doesn't deviate much from the nose, as blackberry, cherry and currant wash over your palate, before easing into some vanilla and oak midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, but offer a nice base for the long, dry finish with plenty of lingering fruit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a really nice everyday Cabernet, that is likely a great value under $20.  This wine would pair naturally with a nice steak, but would also be at home with some hearty pasta or barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime center cut ribeye along with grilled leeks, steamed red potatoes and some asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2017 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson

Happy Sunday!  It was a surprisingly productive day thanks to the weather forecasters doing their usual job of being wrong.  It was supposed to rain today, but instead it's been sunny and in the mid-50s all day, so I had a chance to clear up some branches and do my first lawn mowing of the year.  It's been six months since I last started the mower, so needless to say it took a bit of coaxing to get her started but once she got moving she ran like a champ!  I also did a little work and laundry, so now I feel like I deserve a nice glass of wine.  Tonight's wine is the latest wine club shipment from L'Ecole No. 41, the 2017 Estate Ferguson.  I've been a fan of this wine since I had the good fortune to visit the vineyard nearly seven years ago (see Tour of the Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyards), and it's been a favorite wine ever since.  The 2017 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec (5%) from the aforementioned vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.  So let's see how the new vintage stacks up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from such a Cabernet heavy blend.  The nose is classic Ferguson, with leather, green grass, black cherry and a hint of mint over perfect mineral undertones.  The taste is delightfully fruit forward with a rush of tart cherry, black currant and plum that transitions to subtle notes of sage, vanilla bean and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, which can be expected in such a young wine, but they provide nice support for the long and exceedingly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a continued solid effort from L'Ecole and this vineyard.  This wine would pair nicely with a big grilled ribeye, hearty pasta or barbecue, but tonight I'm going a different route as usual.  I went to the market yesterday to pick up some produce and I happened to notice they had leftover Smithfield smoked hams on sale for just 89 cents a pound, so how could I resist making an Easter ham a week late?  So tonight this great wine is being enjoyed with a rich, smoky ham, along with some corn bread, a baked potato and some cherry wood smoked bacon roasted asparagus.  Cheers!

2011 Fattoria di Travalda Santa Lucia Toscana

Happy Saturday!  I've been relaxing a bit today, visiting with some friends and doing a bit of reading, so nothing too strenuous.  And now it's time for a bit of wine with my dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, and a future office wine club selection, the 2011 Fattoria di Travalda Santa Lucia Toscana, a super Tuscan that's has more similarity with a Bordeaux than a traditional wine from Tuscany.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Merlot (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%), so let's see how good the Italians are at making French wine!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a Cabernet heavy blend.  The nose is wonderfully Bordeau-esque blend of aromas, leather, smoke, anise, dried herbs and a hint of mint over the top.  The taste is a rush of cool, black fruit, black cherry, boysenberry and plum, that transition to some mineral notes along with black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but provide for an exceptionally long, dry finish, with a reprise of anise at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just about reaching its peak potential now, and it was a great value at just $15!  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Mediterranean dishes, steaks, wild game or nice earthy mushroom dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some wild Alaskan pollack filets seasoned with herbs de Provence along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and some farro.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Well, it's been a busy weekend, and just like that it's almost over!  Well at least there is still food and wine and tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I barrel tasted back in 2017, the 2016 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Syrah.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.  I remember tasting this wine on my visit and it was impressive, so let's see if it remains so!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for the varietal.  The nose is a layered affair, with a bit of leather and cedar on top of blackberry and currant with a hint of lilac in between.  The taste is a rush of black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry that transitions effortlessly to some earthy notes of peat and cedar midpalate.  This finish is supported by some tight tannins that gives you a rush of Bordeaux style funk before easing into a long, smooth and deliciously dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely now, but will likely get better with a year or two in the cellar.  This wine is a perfect wine to pair with some Mediterranean cuisine, whether great fish stews from the southern Rhone, or a wonderful linguine alle cozzi from Sicily, the earthiness and fruit would pair well.  But tonight I am enjoying this wine with food from an entirely different continent as I made some chicken and vegetables with masala curry sauce over basmati rice.  Cheers!

2017 Bledsoe Family Wine

Happy New Year!  I can't believe the teens are almost over and we will soon be in the roaring 20s, but at least for now we will enjoy 2019, which of course will mean plenty more wine and food to enjoy.  Tonight being a holiday and a rather subdued one at my house, I thought I'd open a bottle of 2017 Bledsoe Family wine to enjoy with dinner tonight.  This wine is quite interesting as it is a blend of many of the same grapes used for the the high-end Doubleback Cabernet, including Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot from the Healy and McQueen Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine comes in very cool 1L bottles that make this a crowd favorite.

This vintage is still quite young as it was released a bit early (the 2016 vintage was released in the spring of 2018, but this wine was just released several weeks ago).  The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, characteristic of the heavy Cabernet influence.  The nose is soft, with elegant fruit aromas intermingled with earthy notes of leather and a hint of lavender.  The taste is a rush of soft, ripe fruit, raspberry, cherry and black currant that transitions nicely to some white pepper spice midpalate, before kicking it back to a reprise of some floral notes just ahead of the finish.  The tannins are still a bit tight, but well integrated for the long, but somewhat sharp and dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very nice everyday drinking red wine from a quality producer.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of foods, from steaks and chops to barbecue and pizza.  But since New Year's falls on Taco Tuesday, I am enjoying this wine with some bean and chorizo tacos with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2015 Chateau Vieux Robin Medoc

Happy Saturday!  I have to admit, I've been battling a cold all week long, so I've been hesitant to taste any new wines figuring if I can't smell that might impact my view of the wines.  But I'm now well on the road to recovery, so I've decided to open a bottle of 2015 Chateau Vieux Robin Medoc.  I am a big fan of Medoc, and I found this one at Costco for under $15 (so this could well be a future wine club selection for my office mates).  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass just as you'd expect from a nice left bank Bordeaux with heavy concentrations of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The nose is classic Bordeaux, with wonderfully earthy notes of leather and peat intermingled with ripe black fruit, plum, fig and just a hint of floral overtones.  The taste is fruit forward, with some notes of black plum, blackberry and currant that shift to a bit of tart cherry and caramel midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tight, providing a nice base for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very nice example of a quality Medoc at a very attractive price point.  This wine would pair well with a lot of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime cowboy cut ribeye (also from Costco) over a bed of grilled leeks with some grilled broccoli rabe and a baked potato with all the fixin's.  Cheers!

2012 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot

So yesterday I was at my local supermarket, looking at the wine section for anything interesting (and yes, only I can define interesting in my wine tastes!) and I happened upon a section of Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot.  Having been to the winery in Napa, I've developed an appreciation for this mega producer, but what caught my eye was one lonely bottle of the 2012 vintage in an entire display of 2014 vintage.  Naturally, knowing what a spectacular vintage 2012 was, I had to grab this bottle and bring it home.  So let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for Merlot.  The nose is a lovely combination of blackberry, cherry and currant intermingled with dried spices, oak and leather.  It almost has an old-world sort of nose, like a nice Bordeaux or even a super-Tuscan.  The taste is a rush of black fruit up front that transitions to some notes of cherry cola, mocha and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still fairly tight, providing a lot of backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely example of a Napa Merlot that's just starting to come into its own.  This wine would be excellent with some hearty pasta dishes, steaks and chops or even summer barbecue.  Tonight I'm enjoying it with a rare grilled porterhouse over a bed of grilled leeks and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2015 The Velvet Devil Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of Washington wine I recently picked up at my local market, the 2015 The Velvet Devil Merlot, a product of Charles Smith out of Walla Walla.  In general, I've viewed these wines and fairly good values and nice everyday wines, so let's see how this one stacks up.

The wine is a nice ruby color in the glass, typical for a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of black cherry, raspberry, green grass and some subtle floral notes mixed in.  The taste is an odd combination of earthy notes mixed with ripe fruit up front, that could be considered a bit off-putting.  The fruit seems to be a bit more pronounced midpalate, with notes of black cherry, blueberry and plum.  The tannins are a bit tight, but do provide a nice backbone for the smooth and very dry finish, which seems a bit abrupt.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's not spectacular by any means, but it is a nice everyday Merlot and a good value at about $9.  This wine would be a nice summer patio sipper, but would also pair well with steaks, tacos, barbecue and pasta dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an Alder planked wild sockeye filet along with some wild rice and baby bok choy sauteed in sesame oil.  Cheers!

2015 Kivelstadt Cellars Father's Watch Red Blend

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

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

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

Fruit Hills Winery Cabernet Franc

Happy Tuesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of local wine!  Local wine, you say?  But you live in Indiana?  Absolutely right, and I freely admit that I'm not a big fan of much of the red wine that's produced in Northern Indiana or Michigan, but I actually tasted this wine a couple years ago at a local art show and I liked it, so I bought a bottle.  So, I thought what the heck, Tuesdays are slow, so let's enjoy a bottle of non-vintage Fruit Hills Winery Cabernet Franc!  Fruit Hills Winery is a nice little winery in Bristol, Indiana, that's on an orchard that's been around since the 1850s and it's a pleasant place to stop by on your next visit to Amish country!  But what about the wine?  Here goes nothing!

The wine is somewhat lighter in color than many examples of Cabernet Franc, as this one looks more like a Pinot Noir.  The nose gives the impression of a wine produced in a much more sophisticated wine region, rich leather and smoke over ripe fruit notes of blackberry and plum.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit up front, tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transitions to some modest notes of Kirsch and limestone mineral midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but provide some bright acidity for the smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, as this is a local dry red wine that I enjoy and would have no qualms serving to guests.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks to barbecue to chili, but tonight is Taco Tuesday, so I am enjoying this one with some chipotle rubbed sockeye tacos with a fresh red cabbage and cilantro slaw.  The acidity of the wine is a perfect foil to the richness of the salmon, 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!

2009 Clos des Andes Malbec Riserva

Happy Tuesday!  I know it's supposed to be taco Tuesday, and I came close as I'm making fajitas for dinner, and what could be better with steak fajitas but a nice wine from Argentina?  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of our office wine club February selection, the 2009 Clos des Andes Malbec Riserva from Mendoza, Argentina, the heart of Malbec country that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  So let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine is a deep, inky purple color with bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather, blackberry, mint and cassis.  The taste is a subdued bit of ripe black fruit up front, black plum and ripe berries that transition nicely to some notes of mint and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but still provide for a long, smooth and very dry finish that is classic Malbec.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a nice example of the varietal and a classic Mendoza Malbec and it was a good value at just $15.  This would of course pair well with any classic steak dish and tonight I'm enjoying it with some lovely steak fajitas with onions and peppers and a bit of corn, topped with lettuce, tomato and sour cream.  What a wonderful side trip from taco Tuesday!

2013 Bacaro Nero D'Avola Terre Siciliane

Happy Friday!  It's been a long week (despite the holiday) and I really need to relax.  And what better way to relax than to open up a nice bottle of wine to enjoy!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine that I bought at a local restaurant when they were revamping their wine list and selling every bottle in the cellar for just $20 each.  The wine is a favorite varietal from Sicily, the 2013 Bacaro Nero D'Avola!

The wine is an inky black color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the "black grape of Avola." The nose presents aromas of leather, black plum, pepper and anise, classic for this varietal.  The taste is a muscular Italian, with some subtle black fruit notes up front, blackberry, plum and a hint of currant that transition nicely to some mineral notes and black pepper midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tight on this one, but they make a nice foundation for the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a wonderful and easy going example of an underappreciated varietal from an underappreciated region.  This wine is also a terrific food wine, and tonight I'm enjoying this with some hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers along with some linguine with garlic and olive oil.  The acidity of this wine really cuts thought the fat of the sausage for a wonderful balance.  In the words of my favorite TV chef, Lidia Bastianich, "Tutti a tavola a mangiare!"

2013 Varej Piemonte Barbera

Happy Humpday!  To celebrate I've opened a bottle of 2013 Varej Piemonte Barbera, because who doesn't like a little midweek Barbera?  This little number was our office wine club selection for this month, and one I picked up from Wines Till Sold Out for a really great price!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry, zesty spice notes and a bit of olive tapenade.  The taste is quite nice with some ripe fruit on the outset, blackberry and cherry, which gives way to some black pepper spice and dried herb notes midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tight, but they provide some nice backbone to the long, very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's a very nice everyday wine, and a particularly good value at just $10!  It would be a great first course wine to enjoy with some charcuterie on the patio.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some prosciutto perline pasta from Trader Joe's with some parma rosa sauce, and a spinach salad with olive oil and balsamic.  Cheers!

2012 Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well it's Saturday and ever so close to springtime, after all, we "spring forward" tonight!  So after working in the yard all afternoon, I've decided to relax a bit before having dinner and heading to the theater tonight.  So I've opened a bottle that I just picked up from my supermarket this morning, as they were having a 15% off wine sale and I bought a couple bottles of 2012 Clos Du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Napa cab.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry and a hint of lilac.  The taste is just wonderful, with a blast of fresh black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and plum that transition nicely to some mineral notes of basalt and limestone midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tight, but very supportive of the warm, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a lovely example of a Napa Cabernet from the stellar 2012 vintage.  It was also a good value as I picked this one up for less than $25 today!  It would pair well with a big steak or a variety of hearty beef dishes, but tonight I am opting for a little surf and turf, with a petit filet mignon grilled rare along with a grilled lobster tail, baked potato and some grilled white asparagus.  Cheers!

2011 Brunelli Pa' Riondo Valpolicella Ripasso

Happy Thursday!  I had a fairly productive day today, got a lot done at work, got a haircut after work, then went to the gym, and then stopped at the store on the way home to get something for dinner.  And now that I'm cooking, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine to complement the food, so tonight it's the 2011 Brunelli Pa' Riondo Valpolicella Ripasso.  As a refresher, this is more of a poor man's Amarone, as it's the second pressing of the dried Valpolicella grapes that are used to make Amarone, so it gives you a lot of the concentrated flavor and punch of an Amarone but often for a third or less of the price!

The wine is a beautiful bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose presents beautiful aromas of leather, plum, anise and dried herbs.  The taste is at first a bit tight, with some tart cherry at the outset that gives way to some smoother fruit flavors of ripe plum and cassis midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit young on this wine, but they still provide a nice base for the long, smooth and somewhat fruity finish.

Overall, I rate this wine a solid 7.5, it's not quite at the level of baby Amarone, but still a pleasant drinking wine in its own right, and it was a nice value at just $13 from Wines Till Sold Out.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple tortellini prima vera, we have such nice produce right now, it's just a pleasure to toss some red onions, green peppers, yellow squash and broccoli rabe in with a light cream sauce over some fresh cheese tortellini, delicious!  Salut!