2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday! It was a great first week of classes, have I mentioned that I am now a teaching professor of finance?  In any case it was a good week, and now I am spending the weekend preparing for next week, but in the interim I can enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  You had me at Stag's Leap Costco!  So, let's see how this (likely too young) wine is tasting!

The wine has the look of a classic big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby all around.  The nose presents aromas of leather, Bing cherry, hints of white pepper and just a bit of dried herbs.  The first sip is an intriguing combination of green grass up front that transitions to some ripe cherry and blackberry and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it would have rated higher, but it's still quite young and has a bit of sharpness along the edges (if they release this a year later, this wine would be really singing!).  This wine would of course pair well with steak, but also with barbecue, braised lamb shank, or even a variety of pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest dinner of pan seared New York strip, over sautéed red onions and mushrooms with some corn on the cob (I am reliably told there is more than corn in Indiana).  I will likely enjoy the rest of this wine beside the fire this evening, cheers!  

2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to open a bottle of something that's been at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's only been in my cellar for a month or so, as I purchased this bottle at a wine store in Hillsdale, Michigan on a recent steam train excursion.  The 2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc does not list a specific blend, but given the requirements of this appellation on the left bank of the Gironde, I would guess this is weighted toward Cabernet Sauvignon, along with some Merlot, Petit Verdot, and perhaps a bit of Malbec.  Let's see how this wine is tasting. 

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, a testament to this classic Bordeaux blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry, and hints of lilac, a very refined and rich bouquet.  The first sip is just classis Bordeaux, with a rush of blackberry, currant and fig that eases into the classic Bordeaux funk, earthy peat and white pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is supported by soft tannins, providing the classic smooth dry finish that doesn't linger, but makes itself hardly noticeable.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid examples of one of my favorite Bordeaux wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to braised short ribs, grilled lamb to classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye along with some grilled portabella mushrooms and linguine tossed with sautéed garlic scapes and broccoli rabe and topped with parmesan.  Cheers!

2020 Doubleback Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Tonight, It's been exceptionally hot and humid here lately, but despite the heat, I am enjoying a special dinner, so I've decided to open a special bottle of wine to match.  The 2020 Doubleback Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a very special wine, one that I think arrived at my door a couple years ago and I'm just now opening a bottle!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdor (10%) and Merlot (3%), from the McQueen and LeFore Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  The wine has been patient, aging 22 months in barrel, and now I'm finally getting around to opening a bottle, so here goes nothing!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, and it seems like a monster of a wine.  A brief swirl of the glass releases a banquet of aromas, from ripe blueberry to green pepper, basalt to mocha.  The first sip is like a warm hug from your mom, blue fruit up front along with some earthy mineral notes that transition easily to some warm white pepper spice, vanilla bean and red currant midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and supple, providing the ideal backbone for the long, smooth dry finish that provides a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, it's s pricy bottle, but worth every penny, as this is perennially one of the nicest Cabernets to come out of the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie as an appetizer, braised short ribs or hearty salmon, or as it practically begs, a wonderful steak!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon from Snake River Farms (my local market just started carrying their steaks) along with some oven roasted beets and leeks and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2021 Reininger Sangiovese Grosso

Happy Sunday!  I think I had a productive day, mainly because I feel like I'm about to collapse on the couch!  I went to church, then rehearsal this afternoon, then I pulled two gallon buckets of dandelions (I think it's getting better since it's one less bucket than last weekend!) and then I mowed for the first time this year before starting dinner.  Which brings me to the wine for this evening, the 2021 Reininger Sangiovese Grosso from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting and whether I made the right choice for my Sunday dinner!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just what you'd like to see in a Sangiovese Grosso.  The nose presents enticing aromas of candied cherry, strawberry with some hints of lilac.  The first sip is a blast of ripe red fruit, cherry, strawberry and currant, but with none of the sweetness the nose was projecting.  Midpalate, you have some notes of pipe tobacco and white pepper spice, before a reprise of warm berry cobbler.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing a perfect base for the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic tasting Italian varietal that pays homage to the European heritage.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, but it really needs to be paired with the food of Italy, from hearty Florentine steak, to classic pasta, from baked lasagna, stuffed shells to a hearty Bolognese.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a long-time favorite, bucatini with mussels fra diavalo, topped with fresh basil and shaved parmesan.  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!

2023 Eberle Zinfandel

Well it's been a great weekend so far!  Today I had a retreat for the folks that volunteer to serve breakfast at the green room at church, and we cooked a couple of delicious chicken dishes that we enjoyed at lunch.  After that, I ran some errands, met with some friends to socialize, and then went to get some groceries, so now it's time to relax with a nice dinner.  And of course, that means opening a bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that was a surprise gift, you see yesterday I received a half case of wine from a winery that my aunt and uncle love. They send me a couple of bottled every Christmas, but apparently the winery made an error and substituted my address for theirs and so I received their wine club shipment!  The winery acknowledged the error and as a result, I got six free bottles of wine!  So, I thought it appropriate to enjoy one tonight, and I've opened a bottle of 2023 Eberle Paso Robles Zinfandel, let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Zinfandel.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, dried herbs and kirsch that will have you reaching for a sip.  That first taste is a rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that envelop your palate before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are subdued but still provide a vibrant base for the long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of ripe berries at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from burgers and tacos, to barbecue and Asian wings.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a more refined dinner of surf and turf, a rare, pan seared bison filet mignon, with a steamed lobster tail, mushroom alfredo pasta and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 Cobblestone Atlas Peak Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Well it's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day when I raid the cellar for something that's at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Cobblestone Atlas Peak Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that I purchased from Wines Till Sold Our in 2023.  Even though it's only been in my cellar for about a year and a half, I am hoping this warm vintage Napa Cabernet has withstood the test of time.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, not as heavy and brooding as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and currant, intermingled with earthy leather and cedar with undertones of anise and white pepper spice.  The first sip is a strange rush of currant, and sweet tarts, that ease into some notes of blackberry, earthy tar and cedar midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and still provide a good backbone for the long, smooth, dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a solid example of a nice Napa Cabernet, that was also a descent value at just $27.  This wine would pair well with variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised lamb shank or beef stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan seared New York strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms, with oven roasted broccoli rabe and a baked potato.  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 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!

2022 DaMa Wines GSM

Happy Monday!  Back-to-back posts, though this one is a bit later than usual, only because I had a long day of work.  At any rate, it's time for wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from the recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2022 GSM.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a somewhat lighter body, with bright ruby color, just as you'd expect from a good GSM blend.  The nose presents aromas of lilac, strawberry and a bit of rustic earth.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of vibrant red fruit, cherry, plum, strawberry and currant that completely envelop your palate before transitioning to some lively notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of the quality GSM blends emanating from Washington, and it's just a pleasant wine to drink.  This wine would pair well with a variety of holiday dishes, including a very popular bird that's likely on many of your menus this coming Thursday!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a sesame crusted Ahi tuna steak, with steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  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!

2019 "The Pledge" Malbec

Happy Sunday!  It's the last Sunday of the month, which means it's "Dinner in the Diner" day, when I make a recipe from the golden age of passenger rail travel in the United States.  We'll get to that later, but first there is wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I purchased recently from Costco, the 2019 "The Pledge" Malbec is an interesting wine made from fruit harvested from vineyards with vines that are more than a century old all throughout Mendoza, Argentina.  This seems to be an interesting concept, so I can't wait to try it!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, anise and hints of oak.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berries, black raspberry, blueberry and currant that dance around your palate before inviting some mineral notes of dusty limestone and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and understated, but they work the background to support the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant drinking Malbec, that like so many wines from Mendoza is also a terrific value at just $15 at Costco!  This wine would pair well with many classic gaucho meals, from grilled steaks and chops to classic Yankee pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some home style beef stew based on the recipe from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.  The C&O wasn't as well known for famous named passenger trains, but their dining cars featured many recipes from the old south, including Maryland and Virginia.  And please don't worry, I cut down this recipe from the quantities listed to something more manageable, as I didn't have a full dining car to serve tonight!  Cheers!

2016 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Happy Sunday!  Today was an adventurous afternoon as I harvested the first of my tomatoes and then proceeded to immediately use the tomatoes and basil I grew myself to make 3 quarts of sauce, my first sauce of the year and a special one since it is the product of my own agricultural urges!  And though I used some wine in making the sauce, I've decided to open up something completely different to enjoy while the jars of sauce are processing.  The 2016 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a wine I bought last year from Wines Till Sold Out, and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the best of the fruit from the 2016 vintage. So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry and toasted oak with undertones of plum and cassis.  The first sip is not at all what I was expecting, a rush of tart cherry envelops your palate, easing into some dusty limestone and tawny port notes midpalate.  The fruit continues to cascade in your mouth as you get to the white pepper spice near the finish, which is supported by velvety smooth tannins for a classic long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking well now, but would likely improve even more with some time in the cellar.  This wine was also a good value at just $27 when I bought it.  This wine would pair well with meat, especially red meat!  This would do well with hearty steaks, rack of lamb, grilled pork tenderloin or even barbecued ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak, grilled broccolini and hatch chiles, and mushroom pasta.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Malbec

Well, happy Saturday!  It seems that since I reviewed the last vintage of tonight's wine last Father's day, I might be a couple months behind schedule! Oh well, it's been a hot summer and being a winter baby, I will excuse my lack of motivation in the heat and humidity (today it hit 90 degrees with 70% humidity today!).  In any case, tonight's wine is the 2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Malbec, which if Malbec is involved surely means there is a hunk of beef waiting for me, 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 a nice Malbec.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, smoke and vanilla bean that beckon you to take your first sip.  That sip is a rush of ripe berry and earthy complexity washing over your palate, starting with some dark cherry and blueberry intermingled with some vanilla bean and smoky oak that transition easily into some mineral notes of dusty limestone and hints of white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are well structured but definitely background players in the long, smooth dry finish with just a hint of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful example of what Washington can do with a varietal like Malbec.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from a wild mushroom risotto to braised lamb shank, grilled steak to fajitas.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, along with some roasted hatch chiles, steamed Italian green beans and fresh corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend, and always sad when it comes to the end and you're not exactly sure what you accomplished!  At any rate, I'm ending the weekend on a high note with a wonderful wine that is perfect for my Sunday dinner choice. The 2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec was harvested from vineyards in the Agrelo sub-appellation of Mendoza, planted at an elevation of 3,500 feet.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals wonderful aromatics of blackberry, leather and white pepper spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe blueberry, blueberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy notes of basalt and green cedar.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful expression of a Malbec that stands well above the standard fare of this varietal.  This wine was also a terrific value available at Costco for just $16!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, but practically begs to be paired with a gaucho served steak.  And tonight I'm in luck, enjoying this wine with a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with horseradish, roasted garlic and grilled asparagus.  Cheers! 

2018 Vallée des Aigles IGP Côtes Catalanes Carignan

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

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

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

2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  It's been a relaxing day, just watching Christmas movies (I am finishing up White Christmas with A Christmas Carol on deck!) and now it's time to have a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I purchased recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  Of course, I'm a sucker for innovative labeling and anything that looks like a stock certificate or currency, so this was a natural choice.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet from Napa Valley produced by the Toulon Wine Company.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cab.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy leather and graphite intertwined with ripe plum and black cherry fruit.  The first sip is a mesmerizing mix of ripe sweet black fruit and tart cherry and pomegranate that eventually transitions to some earthy notes of dusty limestone with some mocha and white pepper spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully approachable Napa Cabernet with the solid drinking quality while avoiding the pretense.  It was also a good value at just $25!  This wine would naturally pair well with a big steak, but also would fair well with braised short ribs, veal osso bucco or leg of lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled tomahawk ribeye, baked potato and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I so love the Season that the joy is overflowing!  I hope that all of you and your families are enjoying a time together enjoying each other's company and realizing the true nature of this season as we think on the birth of Jesus as the savior we all need.  I confess that as much as I've tried to have traditions for this time of year, none of them have taken root, so what you see is what you get!  Tonight, as I make a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars, the 2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (92%) and Petit Verdor (8%) from the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  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 a Washington Cabernet.   A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of warm blackberry, plum, baking spice amid hints of oak in the background.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of cool ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to some earthy mineral notes midpalate, before easing into some white pepper notes heading into the finish.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Dionysus Cabernet is a perennial favorite of mine.  This wine is ideal for the winter months, as the hearty structure and ripe fruit make it perfect for the hearty dishes we all enjoy this time of year.  This wine would pair well with steak, lamb, hearty pasta dishes or rustic risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared center cut prime ribeye, haricots verts almondine and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Happy Friday!  I'm enjoying a long weekend, so a perfect time for finishing some yard work and enjoying a nice dinner and bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for about a year, the 2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the most established vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine is tasting like!

The wine is a deep brooding indigo with bright ruby along the edges, as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux style blend.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, black cherry and hints of sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that ease into some notes of olive, white pepper and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are thick and chewy, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish that seems to linger a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a delightful wine, though the fruit can seem a bit heavy at the outset.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from pasta and casseroles, to chili and stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, grilled leeks, parsley buttered potatoes, asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2012 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's time to raid my cellar and find something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened the first bottle in a 2012-2016 vertical I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2012 Cobblestone Vineyards Atlas Peak Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (96%) and Petit Verdot (4%) from the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a classic, big Napa Cabernet.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of prune, lavender, eucalyptus and a bit of ripe blackberry.  Take a sip and you are immediately in big Cabernet country, with a rush of black fruit that washes over your palate, blackberry, cherry and plum, that transition easily to some notes of anise, white pepper spice and earthy loam.  The tannins are robust, providing for a velvety mouthfeel and 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 really matured well over the years.  This wine would pair well with a lot of hearty dishes, but like most big Napa Cabs, it would be exceptional with steak.  Tonight I am doing just that and enjoying this wine with a big dry aged prime ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with grilled leeks, oven roasted sweet potatoes, blistered cherry tomatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!