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!

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a full day of leave blowing and vacuuming, so I barely had time for anything but rest (in fact I fell asleep around 9 pm!).  But tonight I am in much better spirits, ready to cook a nice Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, that was a recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a full Cabernet sourced from the Heather Hill Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with a classic darkness at the center.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry cola, cedar and warm peppery spice that captures your imagination.  Take a sip and a flood of ripe black fruit envelopes your palate, black cherry, plum and marionberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of dried herbs and Asian spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated providing a great foundation for the long, smooth and beautifully dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that can stand up to some hearty fall dishes.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto, or classic barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, on a bed of grilled leeks with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!