2016 Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Saturday!  So today was the day that I took down all the Christmas decorations, so another holiday season is officially in the books (though I'll probably be encountering tinsel until March).  After all that work this afternoon, I've decided to open a bottle of wine that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2016 Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese for a classic Chianti, bringing the freshness of Tuscany to your table.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity as you'd expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of bright red berries, cherry, raspberry, currant and strawberry with undertones of floral and Tuscan herbs.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of red fruit, raspberry, tart cherry and currant that transitions to some earthy notes of tar, tobacco and limestone midpalate.  The tannins are well structured with some bright acidity to provide for a vibrant but very dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant, easy drinking Classic Chianti, that was also a terrific value for just $13!  This wine would pair well with classic Tuscan dishes, from a Bistecca Fiorentina to a Tuscan toast with fava beans.  Tonight I am going more of a traditional Italian pairing, enjoying this wine with some porcini mushroom and truffle ravioli with some Italian sausage marinara.  Cheers!

2017 Tyrus Evan Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah

Happy Thursday!  The weather has turned decidedly winter like over the past week, with today's high reaching only 19 degrees (it hasn't been above freezing for more than a week!) so what better activity that sitting down with a nice glass of red wine?  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2017 Tyrus Evan Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah, a 100% Syrah sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, with a bit of fuchsia along the edges, a bit more vibrant than the typical Syrah.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and a bit of vibrant floral notes of violets and a hint of cedar.  The first sip leaves you with an impression of a dark forest, with ripe black fruit flavors of plum, cassis and currant rushing over your palate before transitioning to some notes of cocoa powder and a hint of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still provide a nice foundation for a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic Walla Walla Syrah, with great fruit and peppery spice, unlike the latest trends in bold minerality from the Rocks District.  This wine was also a terrific value at just $19!  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from classic beef stew to hearty pasta of Yankee pot roast.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chorizo and black bean tacos, topped with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, avocado and fresh jalapeno.  Cheers!

2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year!  Not only is this the first day of 2022, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, making this a Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  And tonight we open up a new vintage to eligibility, so I've opened a bottle of 2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I'll admit, this wine hasn't been in my cellar long, as it was part of some verticals of Cabernet and Merlot included in our fall wine club shipment.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, still vibrant despite its maturity.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and plum, with hints of oak and vanilla undertones, creating an almost tawny sort of vibe.  A sip reveals rich black fruit bursting forth, blackberry, currant and plum that transition easily to some notes of caramel and umami midpalate.  The tannins are supple and create a fine base for the smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully mature Columbia Valley Cabernet that is really hitting its stride as a mature wine.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, earthy dishes like braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto, or even a nice steak.  I'm enjoying one such steak tonight with this wine, a rare Angus New York strip, mashed potatoes and some asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!