2013 Forgeron Facon Rouge

Happy Sunday!  I'll admit it, I've been way too busy lately, with what seems to be a constant parade of work and family obligations that I've been neglecting my blog.  Well, I can't say that's all about to change, since this month is going to continue to be the busiest of the year, but I'll at least try to post a little more!  Tonight I have a lovely wine I've been waiting to try from the wine club at Forgeron Cellers, the 2013 Facon Rouge, a GSM blend of Grenache (25%), Syrah (48%) and Mourvedre (27%) from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley (Maison Bleue makes some fine wines from this vineyard too!).  So let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine is a deep inky color at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, belying the heavy hand of Syrah in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, leather and smoke.  The taste is a blast of fruit, with blueberries and blackberries that transition to some lovely black pepper spice notes and a bit of smoky oak and mineral notes midpalate.  There is a reprise of fruit at the finish, with some blackberry jam amid the firm, integrated tannins that support the long, velvety and smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a new favorite of the southern Rhone style blends inspired by the Gigondas.  This wine would be ideal for a variety of spicy Mediterranean dishes, or some more adventurous Moroccan spice dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with some red curry chicken and vegetables over basmati rice.  Cheers!

2011 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval

Happy Tuesday!  Well, this continues to be a busy time for me, so I'll try to make blog posts when I can, and tonight is one such time!  I've opened a bottle of 2011 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval, a blend of Cabernet Franc (52%) and Merlot (48%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington. I happened to get this wine from Wines Till Sold Out at a decent price below retail, but not necessarily cheap!  I've often seen Andrew Will wines, but this may be the first that I've tried one, so here goes nothing!

The wine is an inky indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents tantalizing aromas of ripe berries, blackberry, blueberry intermingled with leather and tobacco.  The taste is very nice, with subtle fruit that gives way quickly to vanilla spice and cocoa powder, with a bit of cardamom and the faintest hint of cinnamon.  The tannins are very mellow, leading to a softer, more complex but very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it was much more complex than your standard Cabernet Sauvignon based blend, so it would take some effort to truly appreciate.  The wine was a relative bargain at $35 compared to the usual $45-plus I've seen locally, but not the least expensive.  I think this would be a more food friendly wine, a little more versatile, with the flexibility to be Zin-like with barbecue or Merlot-like with steak.  Of course, tonight I'm enjoying this bottle with a rare grilled Angus ribeye along with grilled corn and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2006 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  And of course since this is the first Saturday of July, it's Cellar Saturday!  At day where I raid the stash to find a bottle that's been maturing for at least a decade or more, and tonight it's the 2006 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Merlot.  You know I like my Merlot, and the folks in Napa can produce some nice ones, particularly some small production ones like this one.  So let's see what she has to offer!

The wine has an inky black color at the center leading to some bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, prune, leather and toasted oak that seem a bit old world.  The taste is much less fruit forward than I was expecting, with a bit of cassis and black licorice up front that transition nicely to some notes of dark chocolate and mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is smooth and velvety as the tannins are mature and subdued leading to a bit of that old world Bordeaux style funk on the smooth, exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very nice Merlot that's certainly matured very well.  This wine would be ideal for hearty meals, steaks, braised short ribs or a hearty Italian dinner with lots of red sauce.  Tonight I've gone simple with a grilled prime sirloin from Costco, baked potato and some grilled Brussels sprouts.  This one will be a pleasure to sip on the patio tonight, cheers!