2015 Reininger Tahoma

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month, meaning it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the special day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Reininger Tahoma, a classic Bordeaux style blend that is a specialty of Washington wine makers.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Of note, this wine was aged in barrel eight years before release, giving a very different character to this wine.  Just a couple months ago I reviewed the 2017 vintage, so let's see what the older sibling has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a heartier look than the prevalence of Sangiovese would suggest.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, leather, and hints of floral.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and blackberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of earthy peat and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and well structured, providing for a very dry yet velvety smooth finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of a Washington blend, but also highlights the creativity of Chuck Reininger and his team.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic ratatouille to Yankee pot roast, hearty pasta to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  I had a matinée performance today, but that gave me some time to get my dinner in the oven between Church and heading to the theater, so I feel as though I accomplished a lot today!  So as I relax on this Sunday evening, I am ready to enjoy some wonderful comfort food for Sunday dinner, along with a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a Bordeaux varietal from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, the 2020 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from this often blending grape.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, leather and oak, amid undertones of violet and lilac.  The first sip is an adventurous ride between fruit and spice, with a rush of black cherry, blackberry and currant dancing amid baking spice, vanilla bean and anise before easing into some tawny spice midpalate.  The tannins are wonderfully vibrant, providing for a lovely backbone to the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a perfect balance of sweet ripe fruit and earthy dryness that makes this an ideal wine for enjoying with food or just sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to beef stew and hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some braised short ribs, served over roasted garlic mashed potatoes and red wine reduction, with oven roasted broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2007 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the magical first Saturday of a new month where I open a bottle that's been in the making for at least a decade.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for at least a decade, perhaps longer, such that I am not even sure where I bought it.  The 2007 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from the second label of prominent Napa Valley producer Merryvale, and this wine happens to be from the stellar 2007 Napa vintage.  So, let's see if this wine was worth the wait!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with just a hint of amber along the edges, as you might expect from this teenager.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry and prune with hints of cherry cola and mint.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of anise, blackberry and white pepper spice that eases into some mineral notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with a hint of mint a the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as at first I thought it was just a bit past its prime, but after an hour or so it really opened up into beautiful expression of  vibrant, sweet fruit, earthy minerality and a lovely finish that had me wishing for another bottle at the end of the night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip, topped with Béarnaise and grilled garlic scapes, with wild mushroom farro and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!