2022 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Merlot

It was a beautiful day here, with lots of sunshine, but unfortunately we didn't quote make it into the 60s so my hope that spring will arrive is still alive.  I am excited to go see a play at the Elkhart Civic Theatre tonight, but before that, I need to have dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that just arrived in a wine club shipment yesterday.  The 2022 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Merlot is a 100% Merlot from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from the varietal.  The nose reveals aromas of bing cherry, with undertones of rose petals and a hint of mint.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly mellows to some notes of caramel and dark chocolate midpalate, with a reprise of fruit, blueberry and blackberry.  The tannins are a bit in your face, which is all good when they take their place as the backbone of the smooth and exceedingly dry finish that reminds me of a nice right bank Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking well now, but will likely be much more approachable with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from classic steak to grilled veal chops, rack of lamb to hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am going a bit off the beaten path and enjoying this wine with some Italian sausage with onions and peppers and bucatini sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with broccoli rabe and asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 Reininger Tahoma

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month, meaning it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the special day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Reininger Tahoma, a classic Bordeaux style blend that is a specialty of Washington wine makers.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Of note, this wine was aged in barrel eight years before release, giving a very different character to this wine.  Just a couple months ago I reviewed the 2017 vintage, so let's see what the older sibling has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a heartier look than the prevalence of Sangiovese would suggest.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, leather, and hints of floral.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and blackberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of earthy peat and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and well structured, providing for a very dry yet velvety smooth finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of a Washington blend, but also highlights the creativity of Chuck Reininger and his team.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic ratatouille to Yankee pot roast, hearty pasta to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It was a stormy day here today, so I mostly stayed inside and did laundry and a few other chores around the house and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the old vines of the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted by founder Casey McClellan and his father back in the 1980s.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of sweet blackberry, currant, spice box and a hint of floral.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tawny earthiness, with notes of leather, peat and cedar, that easily transition to some notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are chewy and coat your mouth as you head for a delightfully long, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful wine, but just not quite up to the level of the 2020 vintage.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from classic grilled steaks to seared lamb chops, braised short ribs to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare with grilled leeks and broccolini, along with a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!