2023 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  It was a rather mellow day here, so I took the opportunity to cut the grass and do some laundry before the new work week begins.  And now after a bike ride, it's time for dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon.  The 2023 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Franc is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color, with an inky black center, of a similar characteristic to a Cabernet Sauvignon.  A gentle swirl and the nose reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and peppery spice, amid hints of lavender.  The first sip is a rush of cherry cola that eases into some ripe black fruit and dark chocolate midpalate, before heading into some pronounced acidity and oak at the finish.  The tannins are very well structured, allowing for the velvety smooth and lingering dry finish that will last until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's really a nice example of the potential of a common blending varietal.  This wine is ideal for summer and would pair with a range of dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecue and tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic summer patio dinner of barbecued beef ribs, corn on the cob and sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2023 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve

Happy Easter!  I hope you are enjoying this sacred day with you families and enjoying a nice ham or lamb or whatever you choose on this special holiday.  As for me, I am opening up a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon to enjoy with my rather subdued holiday dinner.  The 2023 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Malbec (11%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Merlot (9%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this new vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of the varietals in the blend.  The nose reveals aromas of lavender, black cherry, earthy basalt and hints of vanilla bean that will have you hankering for a sip. That first sip is a refreshing cascade of ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and raspberry that transition easily to some notes of dusty limestone, tawny vanilla bean and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are integrated but subdued, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an ideal Bordeaux style blend that the Walla Walla Valley is renowned for.  This wine would pair well with a range of Easter dishes, from braised leg of lamb to an herb crusted rack of lamb, classic ham to a prime rib roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an easy dinner of a grilled ribeye steak with cowboy crust, steamed asparagus and oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes.  Cheers!

2019 Forgeron Anvil "The Minnick" Proprietary Blend

Sunday has been a rather relaxing day, I did a couple loads of laundry and now I am having an early dinner before heading out to an audition at my local community theatre.  For no reason other than it's been sitting on my counter for months or maybe years, tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2019 Forgeron Anvil "The Minnick" Proprietary Blend.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, meant to pay homage to the classic Bordeaux-style blends, so prevalent in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this one is tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the influence of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of black raspberry, currant and cherry with undertones of eucalyptus and hints of floral.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tawny black fruit, intermingled with hints of forest floor and white pepper spice, before easing into some hints of vanilla bean midpalate.  The fine grain tannins present the ideal structure for the velvety smooth dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, having enjoyed the vintages going back to 2017, this is a perennial favorite for Walla Walla blends.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to lamb, steaks to barbecue.  Tonight, I am going a bit off the beaten path and enjoying this wine with some herb crusted cod and bucatini tossed with asparagus and broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache

Happy first Saturday of October, which of course means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical day where I raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in August.  The 2010 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache is a 100% Grenache grown from old vines in South Eastern Australia, using whole berry fermentation with wild yeast, in an effort to enhance the Provencal character of the wine.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting 14 years after harvest!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with a hint of amber along the edges as you might expect from such a vintage.  A gently swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy tar, black cherry, vanilla bean and hints of leather.  The first sip is a rather surprising rush of fruit, with black cherry, fig and plum that easily transition to some earthy notes of peat and wild mushroom midpalate, before easing into some black pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I appreciate this wine for it's decidedly French character, despite being grown a half a world away.  This wine would pair well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes, from grilled lamb, mellow seafood or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Mediterranean classic of grilled octopus with grilled summer squash, red onions and peppers.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a gorgeous day here, sunny and 75 degrees.  I did a bunch of yard work, including digging up a couple buckets of dandelions, trimming some branches from a spruce tree, and transplanting a maple tree, then I went for a bike ride and then relaxed on the porch before dinner.  I am ready for a mild taste of summer with my dinner tonight, but first I'm opening a nice bottle of wine from the recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 Walla Walla Valley Merlot from the First Light Vineyard.  I am a big fan of Merlot, so let's see what Mary and the crew have done with this release!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of sweet cherry, blackberry and vanilla bean, creating a lovely, rich aroma that beckons you to take a sip.  The first tastes is a wonderful rush of ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and cassis, that transition to some lovely dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple and somewhat subdued, providing for a velvety smooth finish with lingering fruit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Merlot that would pair nicely with a broad range of dishes, but would also be a fine wine to sip on the porch with friends on a summer evening.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, marinated with some Japanese barbecue sauce and topped with some sunflower sprouts, grilled leeks, grilled corn on the cob and some maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I am having an early dinner tonight so I can watch "The Ten Commandments" on television tonight, so I need to cook by 7:00 pm!  Given my planned dinner, I thought it appropriate to open a big red wine tonight, so I've done just that with a 2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a consistently solid Cabernet, though my second favorite from Seven Hills as the Summit View Cabernet has a special place in my heart.  In any case, let's see what this latest vintage has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a deep indigo at the center, just as you'd expect from a well-crafted Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of earthy leather and pipe tobacco, ripe blackberry and cherry, with just a faint undertone of mint.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that really takes you by surprise as the rest of the ripe black fruit struggles to get in gear.  Midpalate, you enjoy some mild caramel and vanilla bean, that plays well with some white pepper spice toward the finish.  The tannins are nicely structured, making for a velvety dry finish that just lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of the wonderful Cabernet coming out of the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and lamb, to rich barbecue or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan-seared New York Strip topped with blistered cherry tomatoes, oven roasted yellow and purple potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I know I didn't have a chance to post over the past week or so, but now I have a chance mid-week!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.  As a proud shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, it's always a pleasure to open a bottle, which in this case I found at my local Costco last weekend.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Pinot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, blackberry and plum amid earthy leather and a hint of oak.  The first sip is rush or ripe red fruit, raspberry, cherry and currant that evolve to some notes of warm pepper spice and just a bit of funk midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but offer a velvety smooth dry finish with a reprise of cherry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely right now, but might improve a bit over the course of the next year.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from salmon and seared tuna, to pasta or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an easy mid-week dish of tomato and mozzarella ravioli with some Italian sausage marinara.  Cheers!

2011 Girard Napa Valley Petit Sirah

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month and that means it's time to raid the cellar and find a bottle at least a decade in waiting to open and enjoy.  Tonight I've found a bottle that I likely bought while I still lived in Michigan, before they eliminated the requirement to place price tags on all retail products, so even though I can't remember where I bought this wine, I know I paid $26.99 for it!  The 2011 Girard Napa Valley is a big bold wine, as is often the case with this varietal, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black with bright ruby along the edges, still holding up well a dozen years after harvest.  The nose is rich in ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum intermingled with some lilac notes intertwined with some charcoal.  The first sip is a rush of black cherry, blueberry and plum that eases into some notes of basalt and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful example of the hearty wines from this oft overlooked varietal.  This wine would pair well with a variety of steaks, rack of lamb, hearty roast beef or rich braised bison short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared petite prime filet mignon along with some mushroom risotto and roasted baby cauliflower.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project Idle Hands Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  It's been a long and busy day for me, starting at the crack of dawn as this month I am volunteering to make breakfast for the worship team at church, then it was back home for a full day of yard work.  I trimmed a lot of branches, pulled weeks and then mowed.  By 5:30, I was ready for the end of the work day and now it's time for a nice glass of wine and a hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project  Idle Hands Red Wine.  This project started as a venture between Mark Ryan and the folks from Sleight of Hands Cellars, but eventually Mark Ryan bought out the venture to expand distribution.  In any case, particular wine is a blend of Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the Merlot and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, black cherry, green herbs and hints of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and cassis that ease effortlessly into some earth notes of peat, dusty loam and graphite.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking blend that is quintessential Washington.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to burgers, brats and barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, grilled hatch chiles, steamed green beans and corn on the cob.  An ideal summer Sunday dinner.  Cheers!

2020 Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Easter!  I have gone back and forth on Easter dinner, between ham and lamb, and tonight I've settled on the latter, so what wine to pick?  Thankfully, I've recently received a wine club shipment from Bledsoe Family Winery that I think might be perfect with lamb, the 2020 Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Franc.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with hints of fuchsia along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of candied cherry amid hints of anise and smoke.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a masculine rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that ease into some notes of mint and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for velvety dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's really a remarkable single Bordeaux varietal offering that strikes me as very food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to mushroom risotto, to Yankee pot roast.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with by new classic Easter dinner of herb crusted rack of lamb with herb mashed potatoes and red wine reduction, along with some oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot

Well, it's selection day and I am voting for wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine from my latest wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla wineries which just arrived today!  The 2020 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot is a single varietal wine made from grapes harvested from the original estate Merlot blocks planted by the McClellan family in the early 1980s.  So, let's see how this young wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a quality Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, currant and a bit of toasted oak that makes you envision an old estate library.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that awaken your senses, before transitioning effortlessly to some vanilla bean and dried herb notes midpalate.  The tannins are as mellow as the finish, which is very dry and velvety smooth.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking wonderfully now, but likely would improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a hearty steak, roast pork tenderloin, or spicy chili, just in time for the temperatures to fall.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bison ribeye along with some grilled leeks, oven roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and maple bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  The weather really turned cold here this weekend, with highs in the 20s and lows approaching single digits, so it's definitely time for some hearty wine and warm comfort food.  As for the wine, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington State.  So. let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with excellent clarity, perhaps a bit lighter in color than some big Cabernets.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, Bing cherry, green herbs and a bit of lilac.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of cherry and plum that gives way to some earthy graphite and black pepper midpalate.  The velvety dry finish is based on some well structured tannins and features a bit of vanilla caramel right at the end that brings the wine together.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant Walla Walla Cabernet that's sure to acquire a bit more heft with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am definitely taking the comfort food route and enjoying this wine with a slow cooked bison Yankee pot roast, with potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and turnips topped with a bit of scallion and fresh parsley.  Cheers!

2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a short while since I've posted, so I thought why not go for a mid-week treat?  Tonight I have decided to go Italian and open a recent bottle from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva!  This Tuscan classis is a blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) which lends to it's somewhat richer color than a typical Sangiovese based wine.  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of strawberry, cedar and floral aromas that are typical for a nice Chianti.  Take a sip and you're greeted with delightful flavors of black cherry, tobacco and vanilla bean, with undertones of earthy tar and leather.  The tannins are nicely structured providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of savory notes at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful example of a Chianti Classico, at a typically value price point for an Italian red.  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks, pastas or risotto, many of the Italian dishes that have become our favorites.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Italian sausage with onions and peppers and some spaghetti tossed with garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted and it's because last weekend was just crazy busy for me, but I'm back not and able to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's selection is a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2018 Helix Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this underappreciated varietal is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of pomegranate, violets and raspberry with subtle undertones of dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, raspberry, mulberry and cherry, that transition easily to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco, before easing back into notes of pomegranate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for a wonderfully long, velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for this varietal, and this vintage is a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled lamb chops, to venison, pork tenderloin to veal chops.  Tonight however, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with some Thai red curry chicken and vegetables atop a bed of jasmine rice an a sprig of fresh Thai basil.  Cheers!

2018 Wente Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well today was a fairly relaxing day, I was planning to have some folks over for a cookout, but unfortunately we had to cancel it - perhaps next weekend might work.  So that left me with some options for dinner, and of course picking a wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon single vineyard wine sourced from the Charles Wetmore Vineyard in the Livermore Valley AVA of California.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, for a classic Cabernet look.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and blackberry intermingled with earthy notes of leather and oak.  Take a sip and a rich cascade of ripe black fruit envelops your palate, blackberry, cherry and plum which easily transition to some notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but still provide some structure to the velvety dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very pleasant drinking Cabernet, and at a price of $17 at Costco, this wine would be an ideal everyday drinker.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and lamb, to pizza and barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some beef bulgogi that I also picked up at Costco, atop some steamed jasmine rice and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.  Cheers!

2016 Pambrun Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir

Happy Sunday!  I apologize for not posting in over a week, but we had some thunderstorms roll through midweek, and although all my big trees survived, my home computer, printer and modem did not (the modem survived but now I only have wifi access to the web, no wired access).  But now everything is back online, so it's an ideal time to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from Willamette Valley Vineyards, of which I am an owner, so I am very enthused to taste the 2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir.  This wine is sourced from the three estate vineyards, including the original vineyard in the Salem Hills, the Tualatin Estate and the Elton Vineyard.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a pale garnet color in the glass with great clarity, just as you might expect from this varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of ripe berries, blackberry, currant and raspberry intermingled with dried herbs and a bit of minerality.  The first sip reveals a rush of sweet berry fruit that eases into some anise and a hint of spice midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured providing some backbone to the velvety dry finish that lingers for a bit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's the type of Pinot Noir that I enjoy sipping, vibrant fruit and minerality that is not overpowered by any sort of funk.  This wine would pair well with salmon, lamb or earthy mushroom dishes, or even a classic truffle mac and cheese.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pretzel crusted chicken breast along with a saffron potato puree and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Happy Sunday!  This weekend was one of those that despite my best intentions, ended up being a working weekend.  But, at least I get to enjoy a nice glass of wine before work starts up again tomorrow!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's apparently been sitting in my cellar for a while, as I stumbled across it but realized I've never posted about it before.  The 2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is an inky color as you might expect from the heavy hand of Cabernet and Merlot, but it displays bright ruby along the edges.  A swirl and a quick whiff reveals a decidedly old world sort of nose, with notes of oak, sage and a bit of white pepper intermingled with soft black fruit notes.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of blackberry, blueberry and cherry that wash over your palate, before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and a hint of violet midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant and expertly integrated for a long, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's been a while since I've opened a bottle of Perigee, and it certainly lived up to my memories.  This wine would be perfect for just sipping on the porch on a spring evening (which I may do very soon), or paired with big steaks, lamb, seared tuna or a hearty risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my classic Sunday dinner of a big grilled porterhouse, along with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Stoney Vine Vineyard Syrah

 Merry Christmas!  This being Christmas Eve, I am pretty much done with all my shopping and preparations, presents have been delivered and I am getting ready for a lovely winter's nap in front of the fire with a cup of hot buttered rum, easy on the butter, listening to a rebroadcast of a radio play of "It's a Wonderful Life" that I did with the Elkhart Civic Theatre two years ago.  But before that can happen, it's time for a glass of wine and some dinner.  Tonight I've chosen to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2018 Stoney Vine Vineyard Syrah.  This wine is the first that DaMa has produced from Syrah grown in the Rocks AVA, so I expect this 100% Syrah will be a bit more muscular and earthy, hence the image of Hercules on the label.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and currant with strains of savory notes of black olive and umami.  The taste is a rush of black fruit that washes over your palate, with hints of anise and rose petals, that transitions effortlessly to some mineral notes of dusty limestone with this faintest hint of vanilla midpalate.  The tannins are soft and well integrated, providing a velvety smooth, and very dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the more approachable Syrahs I've tried from the Rocks District, muscular but not brutish.  This wine would pair well with many classic Syrah pairings, from lamb to salmon, pasta to barbecue.  Tonight I am trying this wine with a new recipe I found on Instagram from a gentleman who goes by the moniker, "dontgobaconmyheart" for Boursin linguine.  I've modified the recipe slightly for such a special dinner as Christmas Eve and replaced the smoked sausage with Jonah crab claw meat.  In any event, the creamy, herb laden sauce on this pasta is ideal with the black fruit and minerality of this wine.  Cheers!

2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

 Well Happy Black Friday!  I must admit, although I'm not much of a black Friday shopper, I did go to Costco today, but mainly to get a wreath and some fresh garland to do my traditional day after Thanksgiving outdoor Christmas decorating.  Mission accomplished!  So now it's time to have a nice bottle of wine and a dinner that does not involve turkey of any sort.  Tonight's wine is the latest vintage of a wine that I've enjoyed for quite a while, the 2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (13%), Petit Verdot (1%) and Merlot (1%).  So let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass and the nose presents aromas of leather and green grass, before opening up to some lovely fruit notes of blackberry, currant and cherry amid warm spice notes.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that wash over your taste buds before transitioning to some notes of cedar, warm caramel and cocoa midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured presenting a lovely base for the long, and velvety dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's easily lived up to its namesake as one of the premier Cabernets of Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pastas to big steaks.  Of course I'm in luck as I happened to receive a shipment of steaks from Wild Fork Foods (I highly recommend them, see their site: https://wildforkfoods.com/) on Wednesday, so tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a big honkin' tomahawk ribeye grilled rare with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!