2014 Forgeron Primitivo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I'm not sure I've ever posted on this most famous Mexican holiday, so here goes nothing!  Tonight I've decided to open a wine that I really liked when it came to the 2013 Vintage (see here) and since the 2014 recently arrived in a wine club shipment I couldn't wait to try it, the 2014 Forgeron Primitivo.  The wine is primary Primitivo (92%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, but this year, they added a bit of Zinfandel (8%) from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA to mellow the wine a bit, so let's see how this vintage stacks up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather, blackberry and anise, soft and velvety.  The taste is a rush of rich black fruit up front, blackberry, black cherry and plum that transition nicely to some notes of black pepper spice and a reprise of anise midpalate.  The finish is quite smooth and luxurious, the tannins are rounded making for a less abrupt finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a great effort, but I have to admit I really enjoyed the 2013 vintage more.  This wine would pair well with a nice spicy pasta or pizza, but since it's a Mexican holiday, I'm enjoying it tonight with some wonderful tacos filled with pork chorizo and refried beans, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and chipotle pepper sauce, the wine complements the spiciness so well!  Cheers!

2014 Forgeron Facon Rouge

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I just got back from the gym and am ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, the 2014 Facon Rouge.  This wine is a GSM blend of Syrah (58%), Mourvedre (26%) and Grenache (16%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington, so let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass.  The nose is a lovely cascade of fresh herbs, peppercorn, berries and a bit of smoke.  The taste is a lovely combination of ripe berries up front along with some wonderful spice notes that transitions nicely to some notes of bergamot and tea leaves.  The tannins are young but nicely structured for the long, smooth and voluptuous finish that simply beckons you for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this one a solid 8, as it's a very young GSM blend with some good potential to improve with a bit of time in the cellar.  This would pair well with a variety of dishes from summer barbecue to hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Trader Joe's lobster ravioli with some pesto cream sauce topped with shaved parmesan and a baby arugula salad.  Cheers!

2013 V. Sattui Family Red Wine

Happy Tuesday!  Man how the weather can change, it has been hot and dry and we desperately needed rain (my grass and bushes were suffering severely!) but now it's rained the last three days and turned markedly cooler, the high today was only 48 and it was down in the 30s last night!  Oh well, that means it's a good time to open a nice bottle of red wine, and tonight it's the 2013 V. Sattui Family Red wine from Napa Valley, a blend of mainly Zinfandel with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  So let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a nice deep garnet color in the glass,  The nose is chock full of green grass, ripe berries and some earthy peat and oak.  The taste is quite nice, with a rush of black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and plum that transitions nicely to some notes of spice box and pepper.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but the wine still has a nice, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, it's a nice everyday wine that's a decent value at about $20.  With the Zinfandel component, this wine would pair well with many summer dinners, from barbecue to burgers to pizza, but tonight I'm enjoying it with a rare grilled New York Strip with grilled leeks, haricots verts almondine and some couscous.  Cheers!