2006 Saviez Napa Valley Zinfandel

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the month, so it's time to raid the cellar for a bottle at least a decade in the making.  Today, I found a bottle that's two decades old, the 2006 Saviez Napa Valley Zinfandel.  This wine may have moved well past its prime, as the varietal is not one known for aging, but at least we can taste it and scientifically evaluate whether my instinct on aged Zins is true!

The wine is adeep ruby in the glass with just a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather and prune, with some undertones of floral notes, violet and lilac.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit that is surprisingly fresh before transitioning to some earty peat and mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat tired, but there was a bit of acidity on the rather smooth and dey finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's just well past its prime and was a rather lackluster wine to sip on a rainy Saturday.  I won't bother with pairing suggestions, but would note that I am enjoying this wine with some pappardelle with braised oxtail ragu, which is a classic pairing for a more typically fruit-forward Zindandel.  Cheers!

2023 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  After all the holiday hullabaloo, I thought it might be time to relax midweek with a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I have opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from one of the early pioneers of Walla Walla wine, Seven Hills.  The 2023 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the McClellan Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black complexion at the center with bright ruby along the edges, classic for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of black cherry, currant and floral notes of violets and rosehips with the faintest hint of vanilla.  The first sip is an intriguing combination of tart cherry intermingled with sweet blueberry that transitions nicely to some earthy mineral notes amid vanilla caramel notes midpalate. The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant drinking wine with the quality that befits its heritage.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to grilled lamb, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled bone-in ribeye covered with sautéed onions and mushrooms along with pan fried potatoes and steamed Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  Now that the holiday rush has largely subsided, we can once again focus on the importance of balancing work with wonderful food and wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2022 Seven Hills Petit Verdot was sourced entirely from the McClellan 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, with a heavier body more reminiscent of a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and plum, intertwined with some light floral aromas of violet and lilac that have you anxious to take a sip.  That first sip is a concert of flavors that come at you fast, blackberry and plum that east into some tart cherry before blasting some earthy limestone from the quarry walls, just before you head for a picnic lunch with smoked meat and olive tapenade on the forest floor.  At the end of the concert, the tannins sweep up for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for more.

Overall, I rate this wine a solid 9 as it's a perennial favorite for a single bottling of a typical blending Bordeaux varietal.  This wine also seems to be a perfect food-friendly wine that would pair with a broad range of dishes, from barbecue to pizza, steak to pasta, Indian to Asian cuisine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a chicken and vegetable Thai inspired curry noodle dish.  The fruit and acidity are an ideal complement to the rich spice of the curry rice noodles.  Cheers!

2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I spent the day running errands and now I am getting ready to head over to Notre Dame to do some volunteer work, rescuing food from the stadium.  But before I go, why not have a taste of the wine that I'll be enjoying by a fire when I get back?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought on Thursday when I stopped at Costco, the 2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine, which seemed a little premature, but I was intrigued by the painted label and the fact that this was a liter of wine rather than the standard 750 ml.  So, let's see how this new wine is tasting!

'The wine is a lighter body, with a clear ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, candied plum, and hints of violet, perhaps indicating this might be a bit more sweet and fruit forward.  The taste is nothing that my nose expected, with a rush of tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transition to some notes of earthy tar and some tobacco notes midpalate.  The finish is quite dry, with well integrated tannins providing for a pleasant dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it was not impressive, but it was a pleasant drinking wine for $15 per liter.  This wine would pair well with a range of cheeses and charcuterie, burgers and brats, or just sipping around a fire with friends.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms, with steamed Italian pole beans.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch

It was another very hot and humid Sunday, so I decided to go see a friend of mine perform in a play and stay in the air conditioning for most of the day.  Now it's time to brave the heat and grill dinner, which means it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch, which I was surprised was the first vintage I've reviewed since the 2015 vintage!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the impact of Cabernet in the blend.  The nose is a a surprisingly floral affair, with aromas of violet and rose, intermingled with notes of must and blackberry, for what would portend to be a very earthy affaire.  The first sip is an unexpected rush of tart cherry and blueberry that transitions to some earthy mushroom notes midpalate.  The tannins are well balanced, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of oak at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's very pleasant drinking, but not a terrific value for the price.  This wine would pair well with steak, grilled lamb or barbecued beef ribs, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a trio of my summer favorites, a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with grilled hatch chilies and fresh local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2020 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec

Happy Sunday!  I have been making a regular habit, for the past two weeks at least, of making classic pot roast for comfort food Sunday dinner.  Last week it was a bison chuck roast, and this week it's a beef round roast.  So, choosing a wine is fairly straightforward, it should be red, but then the nuance kicks in.  Should I go with a big Cab? A subdued Merlot?  A Bordeaux?  Well, if you haven't already looked at the title of this post, I settled on a 2020 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec!  This wine is Malbec (98%) with a but if Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) sourced from the Pepper Bridge (49%), Stone Valley (49%) and Seven Hills (2%) Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how I did choosing a Malbec with beef!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the varietal.  The nose presents aromas of leather, violet, blackberry and just a hint of anise, opening up to invite you to an exotic dance of flavors.  The first sip is a cascade of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that is at first a bit sweet, before turning a bit tawny with other earthy notes. The tannins are well integrated, providing just the right amount of structure to the wine and its long, smooth dry finish with just a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very solid effort for a varietal that can be hard to get right.  This wine would pair with about any beef imaginable, as I just picture this wine going so well with the endless train of beef served by the gauchos and a Brazilian steakhouse.  As you likely guessed, tonigth I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday comfort food dinner of bacon lattice wrapped beef round roast, with carrots, celery and pearl onions and a heap of mashed potatoes and gravy.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec

Happy Saturday!  It's been a crazy weather day today, with cold and freezing rain, but I made it through grocery shopping and am back home for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been hanging around and ignored with it's siblings from 2020 and 2021.  The 2019 Reininger Walla Walla Malbec is a 100% Malbec sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard (86%) and Stone Valley Vineyard (14%) in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting after a few years in the cellar!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a classic Malbec.  The nose presents aromas of violet, espresso and blackberry, an fresh earthy blend that will have you anxious for a sip.  The first taste is a rush of tart cherry, blackberry and espresso that gives way to some earthy loam and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide for the perfect foundation for the smooth, long dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a quintessential example of the promise of Malbec in the capable hands of a Walla Walla winemaker.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, but honestly this wine just begs to be paired with steak, like the gauchos of Argentina.  Well, we're in luck as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon, mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2019 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Saturday!  I am pleased to say that I have completed all of my Christmas shopping, and all the the presents have been wrapped and are awaiting delivery to their intended recipients.  So, now that I can breathe a little easier, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Helix Cima Piccola, which is a Super Tuscan style blend composed of Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard as well as Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) sourced from other vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's have a taste of this Pacific Northwest interpretation of Tuscany!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a somewhat heavier body no doubt a credit to the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  The nose presents an intriguing combination of cedar, violet and spice box that marks the Sangiovese in the blend.  The first sip is not what I expected at all, a rush of blueberry and tart cherry wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy tar and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannings are so well integrated, you can miss them entirely as you enjoy the lush smooth finish that will have you coming back for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this vintage is right up with the wonderful 2017 vintage I enjoyed nearly four years ago.  This wine is very food friendly and would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic pasta and risotto, bisteca Fiorentina, or simple Tuscan toast.  Tonight, I am going the classic as classic can get route and enjoying this wine with a mixed green salad with pomegranates and sage blossom vinaigrette along with linguine and meatballs.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petite Verdot

Happy Sunday!  Given that the last Sunday of November was 6 days ago, I missed it, so I've decided to do my "Eating in the Diner" tribute this Sunday, so you'll see what I've made from the Dining Car archives.  But first, I've selected a wine that I believe will go well with my selected repast, the 2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petite Verdot, a 100% Petit Verdot from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass, with a somewhat lighter body than you might see in the prime Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.  The nose is in intriguing blend of green grass and floral notes of violet and buttercup, with undertones of leather and cocoa powder.  Take a sip and enjoy the rush of tart cherry, black currant and hints of baking spice, that easily transition to some flavors of cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a delightful examples of a supporting cast member of the Bordeaux family that stands up well by itself.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall and winter dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty stews, pasta to pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with Swedish meatballs as prepared by the Pennsylvania Railroad on many of their signature trains, like the Broadway Limited.  Although, the recipe only includes the meatballs, I've opted for a less traditional plating, serving them with pappardelle rather than mashed potatoes, but still with the pickled cucumber salad and lingonberries.  Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Trine

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll admit this is one of may favorite holidays as we look back throughout the year and give thanks for the many blessings we have. Sure, the world is not a perfect place, and not everything turned out as we might have imagined, but when you shift your focus from what might have been to what is right there in front of you, a heart of gratitude begins to develop and you can truly appreciate the multitude of blessings the Lord has bestowed.  And of course, one of those blessings is wine, as "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man..." Tonight, my heart is gladdened with a bottle of 2021 Pepper Bridge Trine, which is a blend of Cabernet Franc (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Merlot (13%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the Bordeaux varietals employed.  The nose emits aromas of violet, black plum and cassis with faint undertones of leather.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe fruit, gushing with plum, cherry and currant, intermingled with earthy notes of cedar and tobacco.  Midpalate, you are treated to a dose of vanilla and white pepper spice interspersed with hints of floral notes.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant and easy drinking Bordeaux style blend that is compatible with so many dishes, it's ideal for the holidays.  This wine would pair well with a variety of holiday dishes, from turkey to ham, prime rib to green bean casserole, but since I am cooking today and I'm not a fan of Turkey, I am enjoying this wine with an herb crusted rack of lamb, saffron potatoes and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2015 Titan Spring Valley District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It has been a weekend full of leaf blowing, raking and carrying, but it's almost over and over the past month, I've managed to carry about 6 metric tonnes of leaves to the front of my house in anticipation of the city coming to collect them next week!  Needless to say, I am pretty exhausted and ready for a nice bottle of wine with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Titan Spring Valley District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out about six months ago.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents an intriguing set of aromas, plum, eucalyptus, black cherry and notes of violet, that beckon you to take a sip.  That first sip is a rush of old world Cabernet flavors, black cherry and blueberry, intermingled with aged leather and rustic spice box which transition easily to some notes of white pepper spice and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well structured, providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to punch much higher than its weight class as a $30 wine.  This would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs and hearty pasta, to rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a hearty Sunday dinner of rare grilled porterhouse with grilled asparagus and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's been a busy day, from running to the farmers market to having lunch with two cousins who flew in from Chicago, to blowing leaves and mowing the lawn, I am about ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of Washington wine that I recently purchased at Costco, the 2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  As I recall, the last time I visited Walla Walla, Browne Family Vineyards had just opened a tasting room in the same building that Rotie Cellars was located (or maybe next door, my memory isn't what it used to be!).  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky indigo at the center, with garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Cabernet.  A little swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, graphite, oak and cassis reminiscent of an Ivy League library.  The first sip is a velvety rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that coat your palate, before transitioning to some pipe tobacco and violet notes midpalate.  The tannins are big but well behaved, providing for a wonderfully dry finish with a bit of bitter herbs at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking Cabernet, but I admit I am not as much of a fan of the bitter end notes.  This wine was also a good value, as I found it at Costco for just $25.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to grilled steak, rack of lamb to hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime filet mignon with a big baked potato and some oven roasted broccolini and shishito peppers.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Today has been an extra work day as I try to catch up on a number of projects (I think I have a bad habit of allowing too much on my plate, and not just at dinner!), so now I've decided to open a bottle of wine that just arrived yesterday.  I think I ordered this around Father's day as Reininger was running a sale, but because of the heat of summer it didn't ship until last week.  The 2020 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend if Cabernet Sauvignon (89%), Tempranillo (7%) and Malbec (4%) from the Phinny Hill, Stone Tree and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose reveals and intriguing and complex layer of aromas, graphite, blackberry, leather, pipe tobacco, floral notes of violet amid hints of basalt, all of which have your mind racing in anticipation of the taste.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant, surrounded by bright acidity that catapults you to some wonderful mineral notes midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide for a lengthy dry finish amidst notes of toasty oak that make this wine a rustic champ.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully complex, yet easy drinking wine that belies it's inexpensive price tag (I bought a half case for $160, and wish I'd bought more!).  This wine would pair well with a range of fall comfort dishes, from hearty beef stew or chili, pasta and risotto, or classic grilled steaks or lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled, prime bone-in ribeye with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms with some steamed corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2020 Château Laurou 'Les Complices' Fronton

Well, I got a lot of chores done today, laundry, mowing, and I broke out the leaf vacuum, as I had some leaves come down in the front yard from a recent storm, but fall is rapidly approaching, so it's good practice!  At any rate, I'm now ready for a nice dinner on my labor day weekend, and a nice bottle of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Château Laurou 'Les Complices' Fronton that I purchased a month or two ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine has a new varietal for me, as it's a blend of Negrette and Syrah from the southwest of France.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents a wonderful fruity, floral presence, with aromas of blackberry intermingled with violet and rose petals the grab your attention.  The first sip is trip, with the floral notes continuing amid some tart cherry and earthy peat notes, amid robust tannins that coat your palate.  The finish is very dry, with a continuation of the floral notes resulting in an elegant complexity.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking wine, but the floral and earthy notes were a bit too much for me.  This wine would pair well with rich foods, much like the foods of France, with lots of heavy cream sauces, like a seafood Newburg, or filet mignon topped with Béarnaise.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a long tradition of Labor Day meals, steamed Maine lobster with drawn butter and corn on the cob.  This meal dates back to my sophomore year of college, when the Civil Air Patrol had their annual fall fundraiser selling lobsters for $5 each!  So, a bunch of my fraternity brothers would each pitch in $10 and we would have a feast!  I still have the lobster pot I bought to cook them in, and thus a tradition was born, though the price has changed a bit.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills the Rocks District Syrah

Happy Sunday!  I spent my afternoon at the county fair, looking at all the animals and tractors and of course eating a bit of fair food, but I didn't spoil my appetite.  Tonight I am having a bit of a different Sunday dinner, which calls for a little different wine, and nothing more different than the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater when it comes to Syrah!  The 2021 Seven Hills the Rocks District Syrah is the inaugural vintage of this 100% Syrah from Seven Hills, so let's see what this new wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep crimson in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, currant and cherry with undertones of oak.  Take a sip and you experience a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that carefully ease into the classic Rocks District earthy mineral funk that makes these wines such fun ones to imbibe.  The mineral notes intermingle with floral notes of violet and before you know it, you are experiencing the well structured tannins for a wonderfully lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful young example of what a classic Rocks District Syrah should be.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised lamb shank or short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some grilled Za'atar seasoned lamb rib chops along with roasted garlic mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy and steamed green beans.  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!

2014 Arbor Bench Meritage

Happy Saturday, of note, the first Saturday of the new month, which means it Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a couple months ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2014 Arbor Bench Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (32%) and Malbec (30%) from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect with these three varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, vanilla bean and dusty limestone with hints of violet undertones.  The first sip is rush of tart cherry that eases into some notes of blackberry jam, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are quote chewy, but still capable as the backbone for the lingering dry finish with a reprise of cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully satisfying blend that will no doubt pair well with a variety of dishes.  This wine would pair well with hearty braised short ribs, spicy barbecue or classic steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribcap topped with sunflower sprouts, along with some broccoli rabe and asparagus sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with linguine.  Cheers!

2020 Forgeron Cellars Syrah

Happy Saturday!  It's been a half relaxing, but busy day, with shopping, errands and then a trip to the gym, and now I am making dinner before heading out to a new event in town that a friend of mine is putting on.  At least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Forgeron Cellars Syrah.  This wine is composed of Syrah (94%) co-fermented with Viognier (6%) from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, perhaps somewhat heavier than you might expect from a Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of plum, blackberry, black cherry and peppery spice with floral undertones of violet.  The first sip is a rush of wild flavors, black cherry and plum up front, intermingled with toffee, cocoa powder and oak, before heading back to some black pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are velvety smooth, making a fine foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant drinking Syrah and certainly not priced out of the range of most consumers.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, pork tenderloin to mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some crispy skin salmon, mushroom pasta and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

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!

2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti

Well it's Sunday and I am ready to turn my attention to cooking and sipping a nice glass of wine.  As I've had in mind what I am making for dinner, since it has an Italian flair, I thought it appropriate to open a nice bottle of Chianti.  Tonight, I've selected a bottle of 2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti that I recently picked up from Wines Till Sold Out and their case sale, so you know it was a good value.  This wine is made to the more historical blending standards for Chianti, including the addition of some white grapes, and is a blend of Sangiovese (85%), Canaiolo (10%) and Ciliegiolo (5%).  So, let's see how this classic from Tuscany is tasting!

The wine is a lighter ruby color in the glass with great clarity, as you might expect from a Sangiovese heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, light floral notes of violet, tar and a bit of sweet cherry.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that eases a bit as it transitions to some notes of dried herbs and earthy peat midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are still a bit tightly wound, providing for a rather brief dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant example of a nice, easy drinking Chianti, which was also a solid value at just $12.50!  This wine would pair well with a wide range of Italian dishes, from hearty pasta and risotto to baked Branzino.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some Italian herb crusted chicken breast along with some fusilli primavera.  Cheers!