2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a short while since I've posted, so I thought why not go for a mid-week treat?  Tonight I have decided to go Italian and open a recent bottle from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva!  This Tuscan classis is a blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) which lends to it's somewhat richer color than a typical Sangiovese based wine.  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of strawberry, cedar and floral aromas that are typical for a nice Chianti.  Take a sip and you're greeted with delightful flavors of black cherry, tobacco and vanilla bean, with undertones of earthy tar and leather.  The tannins are nicely structured providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of savory notes at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful example of a Chianti Classico, at a typically value price point for an Italian red.  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks, pastas or risotto, many of the Italian dishes that have become our favorites.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Italian sausage with onions and peppers and some spaghetti tossed with garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

While most of the country was desperately spending money on holiday presents today, I decided to spend the entire day trying to finish the leaves in my yard, and though I made progress I did not finish (though my back may be telling me that I am indeed finished!).  So, now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful ruby color in the glass, with a bit of indigo at the center, just as you might expect from a quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of black cherry, earthy graphite and hints of peppery spice.  Take a sip and you quickly realize the Bordeaux styling of this Cabernet with a rush of black cherry and currant at the outset, that transitions easily to some notes of cedar, dark chocolate and black pepper spice that has a nice bit of acidity at the finish.  The tannins are nicely integrated to give backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really nice example of they classic Walla Walla Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb or hearty pasta.  The winery recommended pairing this wine with prime rib, which is ironic as I actually bought a prime rib roast and sliced it into some steaks since my local market didn't have any thick cut ribeyes!  That thick cut steak grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some steamed asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato make for a perfect dinner with this wine.  Cheers!

2018 Titan Octave Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I finished work early today and had a chance to play with a couple of new toys, my new Stihl backpack leaf blower and a set of radio equipped hearing protection, so I could clear leave while listening to Christmas music on the radio.  Two hours later and I can see the end of the 2021 leaf harvest in sight!  Now, ahead of the overeating that will occur tomorrow, I've decided to make a modest dinner and enjoy a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Titan Octave Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a single-vineyard Cabernet from Rutherford area of the Napa Valley AVA.  This is a limited production wine (144 cases) that I found for a terrific price at Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how this practically newborn wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Rutherford Cabernet.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant with some subtle floral undertones that transition easily to aromas of fig and candied plum.  A sip reveals flavors of leather, cedar and rich black currant and raspberry intermingled with Rutherford dust that presents as a combination of spice box, cinnamon and cedar.  The tannins are vibrant and well structured, providing for a lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Napa Cabernet that presents an interesting pairing conundrum given it's evolving flavor profile.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to meaty lasagna or osso buco.  Speaking of veal, tonight I've taken a different route and am enjoying this wine with some Madras curry spiced veal chops along with some oven roasted baby carrots, beets and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!