2017 11*14 'The Definitive' Spring Mountain Cabernet Blend

Well, that weekend went quickly!  I did manage to get some yard work done yesterday when it was sunny and in the mid-70s, but today was just more work.  At least I can sit down to Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2017 11*14 'The Definitive' Spring Mountain Cabernet Blend from Napa Valley that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Merlot (16%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Spring Mountain AVA of Napa Valley.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the heavy hand of Cabernet in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of blackberry, leather and dusty loam that beckon you to take a sip.  And that first sip reveals ample black fruit, blackberry, plum and currant that transitions easily to notes of mocha and hints of cedar midpalate.  The tannins are soft and chalky, providing for a velvety smooth and very dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Bordeaux style blend from a region known for more single varietal offerings.  This wine would pair well with big steaks, grilled lamb, braised short ribs or even classic tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with some steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2008 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Aglianico

Well, it's the first Saturday of the month and that means it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day when I raid the cellar and find some wine that's at lease a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I recently purchased it through the Platinum selection at Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2008 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Aglianico is a deep, brooding wine that is well known in the southern regions of Italy, particularly near Puglia, and it usually strikes me as a hearty wine to balance out the lighter wines of Tuscany and north.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, much more reminiscent of a big Cabernet, and classic for this black skinned varietal.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, blackberry, currant and an interesting freshness amid notes of anise and cocoa powder.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of blackberry, plum and cherry that transitions easily to some notes of volcanic ash and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are exceptionally structured, providing for a velvety yet bone dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great wine to remind you of why you should love Aglianico.  This wine would be idea with a big grilled porterhouse,  a hearty roast beef or even a spicy pasta dish.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Italian classic of sweet Italian sausage sautéed with onions and peppers and served with some vermicelli with garlic and olive oil topped with shaved Parmesan.  Cheers!

2019 Helix Pomatia (aka Tucker Legacy Red)

Happy Friday!  Yes, I've been neglectful of my wine blogging duties, but I am back for hopefully a good weekend.  So, today I received my wine club shipment from Reininger Winery and was a bit surprised when three big boxes of wine were dropped off by my friendly UPS man.  I recalled ordering a case of Helix Pomatia and then the normal shipment, but silly me, it appeared I accidentally ordered a case of Pomatia in January when it was too cold to ship and then called to add a case to my March wine club shipment as well!  Despite my rabid incompetence, I can assure you that extra case will not go to waste (perhaps an office wine club selection?).  So, since I have so much of this wine now, I'm enjoying a bottle of the 2019 Helix Pomatia, which was recently renamed the Tucker Legacy Red wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Syrah (32%), Merlot (10%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek and StoneTree Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of leather, oak and wild berries with a hint of cedar.  Take a sip and you have a rush of berries, blueberry, cherry and mulberry intermingled with a bit of umami before transitioning to some notes of vanilla and sandalwood midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish with a slight kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a perfect everyday red wine that punches way above it's weight class.  It's also a terrific value, as this wine was just $18 with the wine club discount (which I highly recommend you join, or at least get on the waiting list!).  This wine would pair with a broad range of weekday dishes, from barbecue and burgers, to pizza and pasta.  Tonight I am taking the everyday approach and enjoying this wine with some linguine and Italian sausage marinara with a bit of shaved parmesan and fresh basil.  Cheers!