2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Well, it was a relaxing Sunday, as I finished most of the yard work yesterday, so I had the chance to lounge around and go for a bike ride this afternoon before it got dark at what seemed like 4 pm, tell me why we still do daylight savings time?  In any case, I've been cooking my Sunday dinner as a taste of fall, so what better wine to open than a fall release from DaMa Wines?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of tart cherry, cranberry and dried herbs with just a hint of violet.  Take a sip and your palate is enveloped in sweet candied fruit notes, cherry, currant and raspberry that transition effortlessly to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and spice box midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a lengthy and enjoyable dry finish that will have you reaching to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic example of the varietal with a definite old world flair.  This wine would pair well with a range of red meat, from steaks and chops, to venison or a classic prime rib.  Tonight I am taking a definite fall approach with this wine and enjoying with with a blackened spice grilled veal loin chop along with some oven roasted root vegetables that I picked up at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of the month when I raid the cellar and open a bottle that's been in development for at least a decade.  I am a lover of Sangiovese, and since Brunellos usually hit their stride at the 10-year mark, why not spend a Cellar Saturday on one of these?  So, I've opened a bottle of 2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva that I know has been in my cellar for at least five years, so let's see if it was worth the wait!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with just the faintest hint of amber along the edges, just as you might expect from an adult Brunello.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of anise, prune, cedar and spicebox that bring be back to the aromas I smelled when walking into a small grocer in Florence.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a surprisingly vibrant bit of fruit, strawberry, red currant and raspberry that ease into earthy notes of tar and tobacco, with a hit of black pepper spice over the top.  The tannins are still quite vibrant, providing for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasing example of a nice Brunello from a somewhat lackluster vintage.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Italian fare, from risotto to classic pasta, steak or veal.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a poor man's version of bistecca Fiorentina, a porterhouse grilled Pittsburgh rare on a bed of grilled leeks with a baked potato and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted and it's because last weekend was just crazy busy for me, but I'm back not and able to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's selection is a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2018 Helix Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this underappreciated varietal is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of pomegranate, violets and raspberry with subtle undertones of dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, raspberry, mulberry and cherry, that transition easily to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco, before easing back into notes of pomegranate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for a wonderfully long, velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for this varietal, and this vintage is a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled lamb chops, to venison, pork tenderloin to veal chops.  Tonight however, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with some Thai red curry chicken and vegetables atop a bed of jasmine rice an a sprig of fresh Thai basil.  Cheers!