2021 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I must admit it's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday, but I suppose that's what holiday vacations are for!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the most recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, one of my favorite wineries in Walla Walla!  The 2021 Pepper Bridge Merlot is a blend of Merlot (82%), Malbec (9%) and Cabernet Franc (9%) harvested from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge, Waliser and Octave Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from this varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry and currant amid subtle floral notes of violet and sandalwood.  The first sip is a ripping adventure of tart cherry that eases into some calmer notes of black currant and a bit of mocha, before hitting its earthy stride with flavors of earthy peat and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are ripe and supple, providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of tartness at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely example of this underappreciated varietal from the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of more casual dishes, from smoky barbecued ribs to pizza, burgers and brats to tacos, or even the classis steak dinner.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some fajita steak tacos, with all the spice I can muster!  Cheers! 

2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  It's been a relaxing day, just watching Christmas movies (I am finishing up White Christmas with A Christmas Carol on deck!) and now it's time to have a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Preferred Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I purchased recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  Of course, I'm a sucker for innovative labeling and anything that looks like a stock certificate or currency, so this was a natural choice.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet from Napa Valley produced by the Toulon Wine Company.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cab.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of earthy leather and graphite intertwined with ripe plum and black cherry fruit.  The first sip is a mesmerizing mix of ripe sweet black fruit and tart cherry and pomegranate that eventually transitions to some earthy notes of dusty limestone with some mocha and white pepper spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully approachable Napa Cabernet with the solid drinking quality while avoiding the pretense.  It was also a good value at just $25!  This wine would naturally pair well with a big steak, but also would fair well with braised short ribs, veal osso bucco or leg of lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled tomahawk ribeye, baked potato and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I so love the Season that the joy is overflowing!  I hope that all of you and your families are enjoying a time together enjoying each other's company and realizing the true nature of this season as we think on the birth of Jesus as the savior we all need.  I confess that as much as I've tried to have traditions for this time of year, none of them have taken root, so what you see is what you get!  Tonight, as I make a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars, the 2019 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (92%) and Petit Verdor (8%) from the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, 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 a Washington Cabernet.   A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of warm blackberry, plum, baking spice amid hints of oak in the background.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of cool ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to some earthy mineral notes midpalate, before easing into some white pepper notes heading into the finish.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as the Dionysus Cabernet is a perennial favorite of mine.  This wine is ideal for the winter months, as the hearty structure and ripe fruit make it perfect for the hearty dishes we all enjoy this time of year.  This wine would pair well with steak, lamb, hearty pasta dishes or rustic risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared center cut prime ribeye, haricots verts almondine and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!