2007 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

It's been a long week, lots of work and travel and it's good to finally be home and able to enjoy a nice bottle of wine in the evening!  Tonight I've decided to open a Christmas wine, one of the bottles my Aunt Janet sent me over the holidays, so since it's hot and humid today I thought I could use a little reminder of Christmastime!  So I've opened a bottle of 2007 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, one of their "Block Collection" made up of grapes from select blocks within the Valley.  This one was named for the oak tree that "walked" down the steep grade in the vineyard and is blended with just a bit of Shiraz (8%).

The color is a deep brooding garnet that is so characteristic of a nice quality Cabernet from the Alexander Valley.  The nose has a distinct note of mint overlaying some nice leather, dark chocolate and mossy granite notes.  The taste is an explosion of intense cherry that gracefully transitions to some black pepper and Asian spice notes midpalate.  The finish is just lovely, with some rather tightly wound tannins supporting a lush mouthfeel and a long, dry finish that seems to last for a minute or more!

I have no idea if this is a good value, but is a wonderful wine that I would rate a solid 8.5 - this was certainly a winning pick for a Christmas present!  Tonight I'm pairing it with a petite ribeye, baked potato, grilled corn on the cob and some steamed broccoli.  It's been a long week and I need a real manly meal tonight, so cheers!

2008 L'Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Estate Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Memorial Day!  This is an interesting holiday, in that it marks a solemn remembrance of all those who have served and sacrificed to keep our nation free, but it also marks the first holiday of the summer, as the weather gets nice and we have time to spend with our friends and families enjoying the great outdoors.  Certainly after being cooped up all winter long, I could use a break, and to help celebrate, I've opened up a bottle of 2008 L'Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Estate Walla Walla Syrah!

The wine is a deep ruby color, and the nose is a fabulous combination of leather, limestone, tobacco and ripe black fruit, with just a hint of dried herbs and mint over the top.  The taste is a bit jammy up front, with lots of rush ripe fruit, plum and blackberry, which transition to notes of tart cherry and dusty limestone midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with some notes of dark chocolate and tobacco, with nicely structured tannins supporting a long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it has a lot going for it, a wine that I would enjoy sipping on the patio with friends or bringing to a party, and as a bonus it has the potential to pair with a broad range of dishes.  Tonight I am pairing it with my Memorial Day feast:

• Baby spinach chef salad with 25-year balsamic and olive oil
• Grilled pork tenderloin marinaded in "Kentuckyaki" marinade (a teriyaki blended with Kentucky bourbon)
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Steamed asparagus

MMMMmmmm!  I've been waiting all day to eat!  Cheers! And for all who have served our great country, you have my heartfelt thanks for the sacrifice and commitment you've made, here here!

2010 C.M.S. Columbia Valley Red Blend

Tonight I've opened up a new Washington wine from the Columbia Valley, the 2010 C.M.S. Columbia Valley red wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (40%) and Syrah (12%) from the Hedges Family Estate in Benton City, Wash.  I'll be the first to admit, although I am a huge fan of Washington wines, I have not encountered this particular wine before, so I was happy to try it when I found it as the wine of the week at my local wine merchant, G. B. Russo & Sons.

The wine has a nice ruby color in the glass, but I'll warn you ahead of time to give this wine a bit of air, as my first impression was an aroma of sweet medicine, but after some evening air, that cleared up straight away.  The nose is a combination of tobacco, jammy fruit, and some dried herbs.  The taste was dominated by some tart cherry up front, which transitioned to some earthy notes and chalky limestone.  The medium finish was supported by some young tannins that made this wine very easy to drink.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as I think it's a nicely structured red blend with some potential to improve with a few years in the cellar, but it's also a good value at only $10!  Tonight I am enjoying a glass after dinner with a bit of 90% dark chocolate, as the bitterness of the chocolate makes a nice counterbalance to the jammy sweetness of the fruit up front.  It would also pair nicely with a variety of summer dishes, particularly as we get ready for Memorial Day, the first major grilling holiday of the summer! Cheers!