Tag Archives: red blends

Hail to the Chief (and the Dissident): Mark Ryan Reds = Fourth Favorites

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Happy 250th Birthday, America! You’re looking good on your semiquincentennial! 😎🇺🇸

Without getting too political…. Ha!

If you know me personally, you know I’m rather averse to politics becoming the topic of conversation. Sure, I have my own opinions and viewpoints, but I find that bringing them up and dying on their hill is not how I want to spend my time. Some people love to debate and they thrive on the energy of intense and spirited arguing, but for me it just makes me anxious, annoyed, etc. Perhaps it was the many years of political talk radio my parents had on ALL THE TIME that has turned me off, and most certainly all the media of the last several decades that has made it nutty.

I suppose I am just very practical, because I know merely talking about issues doesn’t actually accomplish anything, even though open debate is part of how problems get solved. People are entitled to their personal opinions, but I find that engaging in trite political arguments often further divides.

With Independence Day only a mere day away, it’s time to get serious about what we’re drinking for the upcoming holiday. And as it’s our country’s 250th birthday, the occasion calls for something especially delicious.

Today I’ve got two wines that will command your salute, evoke a sense of patriotism, and at least make you smile at their political connotations: The Chief, and The Dissident! 🙂

If you are barbecuing or grilling anything, these are two delicious Washington red blends at different price points from the same winemaker that will go with just about everything.

(And even if they don’t go *seamlessly* with your food, who cares? The wine is the point here, not the pairing. Just drink it already.)

I have tasted at Mark Ryan Winery in both Woodinville and Walla Walla, although it has been a long time since I have done so. I did recently have a glass of The Chief Red Blend while out to dinner in Tacoma. It did not disappoint so I think my recommendations still hold valid, even if it has been a minute since I’ve tasted some of the other wines. 😉

If you are a fan of Washington red blends or at least trying to familiarize yourself with Washington wine, you need to know and taste from Mark Ryan Winery for sure. School may be out until September, but your wine homework assignment over the summer is to try one or both of these bottles (no essay required, though. That would be mean). Think you can handle it? Good!

*Please note that there will be slight variations in each vintage’s composition and character. The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested and made into wine. Certain vintages reviewed here may or may not be available any more, but newer vintages of the wine are available.

Mark Ryan Winery The Chief Red Wine Blend

  • Retails for $19.97 at Total Wine & More. Your bargain bottle.
  • For $20 this is a boss wine. This wine has all the aroma and flavor notes of a much pricier bold red blend, but’s it’s just as heavy, rich, and luxurious. A favorite go-to Washington red I happily recommend to you!
  • From Total Wine tasting notes: “Outstanding complexity, with aromas of red currant, cigar box and toasty caramel. The palate is mouth-fillingly rich with a core of black cherry, raspberry and cocoa.”
  • Total Wine labels it as a red blend, but it does contain over 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, so the winery can legally list that on the label.
  • This wine is in the Mark Ryan Board Track Racer portfolio of wines, which are high quality yet budget-friendly wines intended to be consumed upon release.
  • The 2023 vintage, which was just released and retails for $25/bottle on markryanwinery.com, received 94 points from wine critic James Suckling! 
  • I’d say he’s nailed it!

Mark Ryan The Dissident 2022

  • (Yes, that is a Pearl Jam reference – a gold star for you!) 😉
  • $45/bottle on wine.com and markryanwinery.com
  • A little more moola, but still not too terrible, and once you taste it you’ll understand why it’s worth it
  • 2022 Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
  • Winemaker Notes: “Opens with complex and inviting aromas of dark fruits, violets, crème de cassis, leather, black cherry, dried herbs and baking spice. On the palate, full-bodied and richly textured with dark cherry, ripe plum, and red currant flavors. Fresh acidity and elegant, polished tannins integrate seamlessly from the mid-palate through the incredibly lengthy finish.”

So, grab both bottles for your Independence Day celebration. Because when the conversation veers into politics, you can at least wander off and enjoy some superb Washington wine. And thank God that even with flaw and failure on both sides of the aisle, we still enjoy so many freedoms and blessings in this amazing country.

Now that is something political I really can get behind.

Happy Independence Day, and God Bless America! May your fireworks be loud (or quiet – whatever you prefer), and may your wine glass/Solo cup* be filled with only the great stuff today. 🙂 🇺🇸

*(In which case, make the effort and use a wine glass – it will taste so much better, I promise you.)

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Tifosi Red Wine

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Happy summer, readers! And Happy World Cup Season! ⚽ It’s a beautiful season for the “beautiful game,” and I’m looking forward to relaxed days and delicious wines. 😎

Wow. My last post was April Fool’s Day, and boy was I the fool in thinking I could still post a bunch during a very busy sports season for the kids (ever the optimist am I). 🤪

This post almost didn’t happen. Not because I didn’t want it to, but because this wine had been unavailable for a while, and while it’s fun for me to write about wine, I doubt it’s fun for you to hear about a great wine and then not be able to get your hands on it (although, sadly, that’s just one of the realistic hazards of the wine blogging trade).

I had my tasting notes jotted down in my notebook, my photo stored on my computer, and then I learned that this wine was no longer available. So for several years, this information sat idly in the background, twiddling its thumbs, until I learned that Evoke Winery had released a new vintage of this wine. Jubilation and confetti! 🎉

I have enjoyed and reviewed several of Evoke Winery’s wines over the years (links at bottom of post), and I love both their fun-loving and sassy vibe and their very delicious, high quality wines. The Tifosi Red Wine is, perhaps, one of my top favorites of theirs.

(What on earth does tifosi mean, you ask? It is Italian for “superfans.”)

This wine is absolutely of the moment, and is the perfect gift for the soccer fans/tifosi in your life (and is anyone NOT a soccer fan right now?), or for anyone who loves the Italian grape varieties Sangiovese and Barbera. Putting these two grapes together is a brilliant and practical combination that works incredibly well – teamwork makes the dream work. Sangiovese and Barbera are rarely, if ever, blended together in Italy, as they are each prominent grapes that fly solo or are blended with other traditional grapes in their respective regions. But in America? Anything goes!

Evoke Winery Tifosi Red Wine

Super wine for super fans!

Evoke Winery Tifosi Red Wine
Columbia Valley 2018 (vintage I originally had)

  • 50% Barbera | 50% Sangiovese
  • 14.5% ABV
  • $48/bottle
  • Medium garnet color
  • Deft and lovely aromatics: dark cherry, currant, plum, rose, baking spices, cured meats and red pepper hunkering in the background
  • Powerful, center stage acidity
  • Touch of fruit/sweetness to let you know this is from the Columbia Valley, not Italy
  • Buff tannins, but not too coarse
  • Mouthwatering, elongated finish
  • Proud partner of tomato-sauced dishes
  • From the tasting notes: “evokes notes of blackberry, cherry cola, and next level fans members.”

This is such a lovely wine. It keeps coming up with new things to say with every sip.

Try Evoke Winery’s Tifosi Red Wine, and be sure to grab extra bottles before it runs out! Or you may very well have to wait another four years for the next vintage. 😭

Show of hands: who’s had this wine? What are you drinking during the World Cup? Comment below!

See my reviews of other Evoke Winery wines (also known previously as Naked Winery):
Blush wine: At First Blush: Evoke Winery Heralds First Day of Spring
Barbera: Oh! Baby: A Sexy Valentine Vino
Chardonnay: Ode to An Old Soul: Vintage Tastes in Vino

Troublemaker: A Raucous, Righteous Red to Add to Your Wine Arsenal

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Howdy, readers! I’ve been going full throttle the last few months here on the blog, and while I still plan on posting frequently, I am also taking it down a notch as we enter the summer season. Let’s face it – blog readership dips in the summer months and also I plan to be less attached to my computer when the sun is out, friends are available, and excursions await. So you’ll see me around, but I won’t be quite as in your face (but please keep reading and sharing, thank you!). 🙂

As we head into summer aka BBQ season (see my last post on Mosquito Fleet Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon), I want to turn our attention to BBRs – big bold reds that drink deliciously on their own but also make yummy matches for your sizzling grill fare.

This wine is one of my all-time favorite red blends ever anywhere that you can get at the grocery store, the specialty wine store, or online. It never disappoints, and tastes more expensive than it retails for. Lean in and I’ll tell you….

The wine world is funny: people will tell you it’s all about what YOU like to drink, don’t pay attention to what anyone else says, just follow your bliss. Then, when you speak up about a wine you like (why? because it tastes good, duh!) some of them will immediately about-face and snidely demean your choice of wine. Hypocrite much?

Really? Come on. No wonder people swear off wine and adopt beer or spirits as their drink of choice. Probably not as much drama over in those camps, right? Meh, probably… humans.

In winemaking, the ones who challenge the “rules” and experiment can often forge new territories and create delicious wine. And that takes honesty and integrity, to not let what others think dictate your path.

Maybe that’s why I like this wine so much… it embodies that confident attitude.

This is Troublemaker Red Blend. It’s for you red wine lovers who love a big, fat, ridiculous, crazy, full blend that charts its own course.

I first drank this wine at a pizzeria in Hawaii, where I recorded it was “mind-blowingly good and different. Way amazing mouth feel and finish.” Like waaayyy, dude (the nearby surf must have been affecting my vocabulary).

OK, you ask, why the name Troublemaker? It refers to winemaker Austin Hope of Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, CA. The story is that young Austin frequently got into trouble as a kid and so as punishment he was sent out to work in the family vineyard to learn his lesson. Surprisingly enough, the biggest lesson Austin learned was that he loved the land and the world of wine would that would become his career and calling. Funny how things backfire on parents. 🙂

Look at this rad lineup of grapes… gnarly! You have to drink it to believe it: Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Zinfandel. No wonder I’m utterly smitten; these are some of my favorite wine grapes!

Here are the details and my impressions of the wine:

Troublemaker Red BlendTroublemaker Red Blend

  • Austin Hope Winery, Paso Robles, CA
  • $18/bottle on wine.com
  • Deep, dark purple (almost black!) in the glass
  • Rich, smoldering, intense, full-bodied at 14.5% ABV
  • Aromas I get: smoky bonfire, blackberry, cherry, sage, leather, cinnamon, bay leaf/menthol/eucalyptus, iodine, pepper, licorice
  • Throat warming with higher alcohol, but still a good amount of acidity present
  • Well-integrated velvety tannins but still with an ultra-smooth texture
  • Nice, persistent finish

Let this be your five-star, go-to red for BBQ season, or any time wine is called for. Stir up a little trouble yourself when you surprise your “brahs” with this unusual and shockingly tasty blend.

Whenever I look at a bottle of Troublemaker, this song naturally starts playing in my head:

Wanna know something funny? My husband and I have recorded with Weezer. A number of years ago in Seattle, I entered a radio contest to get to play with Weezer in a “Hootenanny” and my husband and I were selected… likely because not very many people play upright bass (he played bass, I played tambourine). There were 3 upright bass players at this particular session. It was fun and now it’s a silly story to tell. 🙂

Weezer Hootenanny Badge

Proof!

Three Noble Reds, One Outstanding Blend: Skagit Crest Railroad Red

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Railroad Red Marries Three Noble Reds Together in One Outstanding Blend

March is Washington Wine Month, a month celebrating the state’s abundant delicious wine and a not so subtle way of trying to get you the consumer to buy more coveted grape juice. 😉

As I sit here reflecting on what I love most about Washington wine, two things come to mind: outstanding quality for the value and uniqueness of place. For Washington Wine Month, although I have plenty of great recommendations to share, I want to introduce you to a unique, truly outstanding Washington wine that encapsulates these values.

Like many people, I enjoy certain value wines at the grocery store (there is a time and a place for everything), but there is not always a distinct sense of place in some of those wines, as many are blended from where ever the winemaker could get decent grapes, and many times they are highly modified and manipulated to cover up poor quality grapes or simply to keep a consistent product.

Every once in a while, it’s good to get up and challenge our palates with something on a different level – to go digging for some true Washington treasure.

Ready for something fun? Here you go!

Skagit Crest Vineyard and Winery is one of my all-time favorite Washington wineries, owned and run by Chuck and Donna Jackson in the Puget Sound AVA. They grow and vint Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Rosé of Pinot Noir, on their estate in Sedro Woolley, Washington. They also have a tasting room in La Conner, about a half an hour or so away. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of their wines, and I will definitely be posting on more in the future.

They have a red blend consisting of a rather unusual cast of characters that are not typically cast all together: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. These are noble grape varieties, meaning they are among the most popular and widely planted grapes around the world and still largely retain their character even in different growing regions and treatment by winemakers. That’s why a Cabernet Sauvignon from France and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington will still both share a lot in common, even though there are various differences in the final product.

If you’re an oenophile (lover of wine) or a Francophile (lover of France) or both (Francoenophile? Ah, how about vin-ophile?), you have probably heard of these famous places. These are three of France’s top winegrowing regions:

  • Bordeaux (famed for blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.)
  • Rhone (famed for blends of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvédre, etc.)
  • Burgundy (famed for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, etc.)

These regions have been growing these particular grapes for centuries, and each region is known for being the absolute best place to grow certain specific varieties. Basically, winemakers from these regions are allowed to make wine only from approved grapes grown in that place and never blend from other regions. French wine laws tend to be very strict in that regard, in order to protect the reputation of their unique wines.

But that’s France, this is America. We go about our winemaking in ways similar and vastly different from France, in part because we are not bound by as many rules and regulations.

Leave it to winemaker Chuck Jackson to shrug at the traditional rulebook on red blends and throw three wonderful reds together in his signature Railroad Red Blend.

I asked Chuck what originally inspired him to create this blend, and this was what he told me:

“In the early planning days of the winery I wanted to offer a Bordeaux blend (likely Cab, Merlot and Cab Franc) and/or a Rhone style blend (likely Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre) to our eventual line up of wines both of which I really love. After our first harvest from our vineyard it quickly became apparent that was a bit of a pipe dream. Making our own wines and adding Cabernet and Syrah from Eastern Washington was logistically a challenge enough. Adding the other varietals would have meant up to 4 more trips over the hill for grapes and stress our winery for space to make and store the wines for aging. So that dream died.

There was still a desire to have a red blend and I puzzled over just how to do that without stretching us too thin. It finally dawned on me that a potential blend was right in front of us. With three red wines in hand, why not try it. Thus with the 2017 reds we put together our “red blend”, one barrel worth. It was delicious and Railroad Red was born.

The name was Donna’s inspiration given we have a Burlington Northern railroad line running by the west side of our property and vineyard going north to Sumas at the Canadian border. I was subsequently tempted to rename it Trifecta being a blend of Burgundy,  Bordeaux and the Rhone wines. Donna was stuck on Railroad Red so it stands.”

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah both require a different growing climate (lots of warmth and sunshine), so the Syrah is sourced from the Yakima Valley AVA (specifically Crawford Vineyard near Prosser) and the Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (specifically Martinez Vineyard right across the street from the famed Champoux Vineyards). The Pinot Noir is from their own estate grapes (the Puget Sound AVA). Those of you in the know are aware that Pinot Noir is challenging to grow and make into wine (I call it the “picky princess of the grape family”) and the fact that Chuck can create superb Pinot Noir in Western Washington is a testament to his high knowledge and skill.

Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery Railroad Red

Railroad Red: a genius blend of Washington reds.

So let’s take a closer look at the  Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery 2019 Railroad Red. Three distinctly delicious Washington wines from three different locales, happily carousing in one blend:

  • $30/bottle
  • 13.5% ABV
  • 2019 Blend is 50% Pinot Noir/30% Syrah/20% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Deep ruby color, full body, dry
  • Well-integrated gripping tannins
  • High, mouth-watering acidity
  • Aromas/flavors: cherry, strawberry, dusty plum, red flower (hibiscus or geranium?), vanilla, touch of chocolate, baking spice, earth (clay or rocks)
  • Finish/length: bright finish, but long, warm, complex, unfolding, lovely

The wine description reads, “Bright berry and cherry aromas with light hints of oak. Cherry and plum on the front to mid-palate. Peppery tones with gravelly earthy flavors in the back palate, lingering bright finish.”

The photo above is of the 2018 label. I love the 2018 blend and also enjoyed the 2019 blend, although they are very different. The 2018 was very round and plush and juicy, but still with that great structure and overall balance I love. That year’s blend consisted of 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Syrah.

The 2019 blend is wonderful. Because of the high acidity, the 2019 could age a few more years and become really interesting and “gentler” but it’s great to drink now, too. Give your bottle a day or so after opening and that will soften the acid a bit and open up more flavors.

I cannot recommend this blend enough. Make haste and visit their tasting room in La Conner or arrange for a private tasting and tour at their Sedro Woolley Vineyard and Winery (available by appointment only). I’ve done both and suggest you do the same!

Hint hint! April is the month of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – so make your plans now to see the gorgeous tulips and sip the gorgeous Skagit Crest wines.

Cheers! 🙂

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival bloom

You have to see it to believe it. A bloom I snapped at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in 2022.

A special thank you to Chuck and Donna Jackson for answering my questions. 🙂 

Strike It Rich with Dynamite Red

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A dynamite wine for an explosively delicious Fourth 

Whiz! Bang! Boom! This Dynamite Red lives up to its name.

Whiz! Bang! Boom! This Dynamite Red lives up to its name.

Happy Independence Day, readers! It feels good to get my lazy self back on the blog — not that I haven’t been busy; I most definitely have been, what with wrangling my 9-month old monkey, taming the beasts Dishes and Laundry, and now starting a job hunt. I think I do better with writing when I have more on my plate, but not too much that it’s overwhelming. When there isn’t as much pressing business to do, it’s easier to just do other things instead. A habit I would love to ditch someday!

So, today is the one day of the entire season that epitomizes summer. Hopefully your day is full of warm sunshine, a pool/river/lake, ice cream, great fireworks, fun friends and family, delicious BBQ, and, to go with that BBQ… some red wine, perhaps? But it is summer, after all, and it’s nice to go with beverages that are lighter, sweeter, and even served chilled.

If that is at all up your alley, I’ve got the perfect wine for you! (And even if it’s not, you still need to try this wine).

Have any of you ever had wine from Arizona? I used to winter in Tucson the last couple years for management training for my old job. My husband would accompany me and while I was in class during the day he would drive around and explore. He found Silver Strike Winery in Tombstone, and picked up their Dynamite Red one year. The next year we bought some again, and now we miss it and are thinking we need to order some soon.

This wine is produced and bottled in Elgin, AZ. It’s a fairly sweet red, very tasty and refreshing, especially for Arizona heat or any summer clime. We found we liked drinking it slightly chilled. There is something really nice about finding a great, delicious, straightforward, easy-drinking red that practically anyone will enjoy. Trophies in your wine arsenal.

Another benefit to drinking this (or any) wine from Silver Strike Winery is the winemakers’ philosophy of minimal chemical tampering with the grapes, and using organic and biodynamic growing methods to coax out their best flavors… a practice I will always stand behind!

While I’m aware I’ve given you pretty short notice on securing this red, as today is the Fourth, you can always order through their website. We still have plenty of summer left, and the Internet is always open for business, so no excuses! I believe the cost was somewhere in the ballpark of $15-$30. Ask about some of their other wines, too, while you’re at it. (And let them know you heard about them on The Rambling Vine). They have another one called “Village of Elgin”, I believe, that I also really enjoyed.

Until next time, I wish you all a wonderful Fourth, and hope you strike it rich with some Dynamite Red this summer!

Pour Favor: Red Guitar Ignites Un Gran Pasión

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!Vámanos! How about some soundtrack and visual scenery to set the mood….

You know the relief you get when you find your car keys after frantically upturning every part of your house? Or the sweet surprise when you find an unused iTunes gift card in a pile of old birthday cards? Such feelings are a close proximation to what I felt when I found my long lost love; this fantastic, affordable Spanish red that I thought had left me forever, short of a plane ticket to España. None other than Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases). Ah, sweet mystery of life, at last I’ve found you! I first bought this wine at my local grocery store, drank it, fell for it, went back for more, and they didn’t have it in stock. Mi corazón roto. I had almost given up until I was in the “Spain” section at Total Wine and found it there.

The wine is 52% Tempranillo, 48% Garnacha. The Tempranillo and Garnacha are like two flamenco dancers swirling sordidly on your palate. Fabulous, fruity, great taste and structure. At $10, the price is ridiculously awesome. This wine, to me, is the whole shebang, todo el asunto. It scores 10/10 on every account.

According to Red Guitar Wines:

“Centuries ago, the Spanish added a sixth string to a little recognized instrument of the time, bringing to life what we now know as the guitar. For countless generations since that day, music, food, and wine have been the fabric of the Spaniard’s joyful and vivacious existence. Put simply, la buena vida (the good life). Our prized old vines of Tempranillo and Garnacha dig deep into the gravel soils of Navarra to produce wines of incredible character and quality, year after year. Red Guitar; a rich and smooth celebration of the Spanish lifestyle.

“Garnacha is the most widely planted grape variety in the world and thrives in warm, dry regions. It produces wines of great concentration and flavor, with explosive raspberry fruit characters and soft tannins. Together, these varieties combine to produce a rich, smooth, and luscious wine full of ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors on a long, soft finish.”

With that, revel in your power and sass as you sip this intensely provocative wine! 🙂

Luck of the Draw: Ultra-Premium Red Wine

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Quilceda Creek 2006 Columbia Valley Red Wine

It was one of those extremely lucky nights, the kind where you go home with a nearly $300

Put on your fancy pants when you imbibe this beauty!

bottle of ultra-premium wine… like that happens, ever. Well, it did! At a friend’s auction, I paid a few bucks for the opportunity to draw a paper bag off of a mystery bottle of wine and whaddya know, I pick the most expensive bottle of wine on the table! Our friends were next in line, and they drew the second most valuable bottle of the night, a magnum of wine (aka 1.5 liters of wine in one ginormous bottle).

On a side note, did you know that a double magnum is called a jeroboam? There are some pretty funky names for wine measurements.

Anyway, while wine tasting in Woodinville one day, I mentioned this to someone next to me who – whaddya know – happens to be the wine buyer for a major grocer in the area. He said that the wine I had on my hands could easily be cellared for 12-14 years.

So, yeah. We didn’t wait that long. We opened it on a Monday night when we had a friend over for dinner who’d had a particularly bad day. It tasted perfect!

Sometimes, when you have a super special bottle of wine, you risk building up too much hype around it and overvaluing it for yourself and perhaps never opening it, instead of opening it up and drinking it! I was reading the other day that 90-95% of wines made in this day and age are intended to be consumed within the year of purchase… did you realize this? Crazy! Only a very small percentage of wines are created with the need for prolonged aging in the bottle to develop the flavors, let the tannins soothe, etc. With that in mind, I feel less guilty for not having a fancy climate-controlled wine cellar.

The moral of the story is buy wine you like, and drink it soon. Share it with friends and family, ideally. Don’t worry so much about preserving it and never enjoying it. That’s what some single-malt Scotch collectors do and then they never actually enjoy this precious liquid they’ve been storing for decades. Don’t be that guy.

Now, turning our attention to this lovely wine. This blend consists of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec.

From the winemaker’s notes: “The Quilceda Creek 2006 Red Wine Columbia Valley is a blend of declassified lots which reflect the richness and complexity of the vintage. This is one of our favorite Red Wine offerings to date. This medium bodied wine displays black cherry fruit, cedar, spice, vanilla and minerals. Approachable now, this blend will be best enjoyed over the next 15 years.”

And critical acclaim from the Wine Advocate, which gave this wine 92 points: “Dark ruby-colored, it displays a bouquet of cigar box, pencil lead, violets, black currant, and a hint of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, intensely fruited, and with enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, this lengthy effort will drink well from 2011 to 2018.”

This wine is so so unbelievably smooth, it takes smooth to a whole other
level. The alcohol, sugars, tannins, are all in perfect harmony. Because it was so jarringly smooth and different, I missed the backbone, the bite, from a wine that has more tannins or acid. Other than that very minor complaint, it was truly excellent wine. Try to have some at least once in your life.

Disclaimer: OK, I exaggerated… I honestly was under the impression this wine cost way more than it did… it is sold out but retails at $65, not $300. Sigh. The $300 one is the Cabernet Sauvignon, not the Red Blend, which I got. Anyway, I kept the price at $300 for dramatic effect, and since I was under the impression that was what it cost anyway. It’s still an amazing wine!

Wine Tasting in a Secret Garden

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The Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection at Weyerhaeuser. Photo courtesy http://www.weyerhaeuser.com

In Which Two Tasty Woodinville Wines Are Sampled Amidst a Bonsai Collection

It’s September – scratch that – mere hours from October, and I need to play major catch up here, so consider this a two-for-one special! It’s a Rambling Vine Groupon! Read one wine review for free, read another in the same post, also for free. Er…. anyway.

Recently I had the privilege of pouring wine for Woodinville Wine Cellars at a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way. A wonderful gal I know roped me in to volunteering for this event, and am I glad I did! I love chatting up people and gabbing about wine, so this was the perfect gig for me. It was a hot summer day, fantastic event, extremely worthy cause, and an ideal, relaxing setting in which to savor some wines. Everyone who tried the wines I poured liked them.

I have never seen bonsais like these in my life! Each tree has its own staging area, platform and backdrop. It’s just amazing. You could spend hours contemplating just one. I have lived in Western Washington my entire life and had never been to this beautiful, extravagant garden! Check this place out soon! And don’t just look at the photos, use your own eyes and go enjoy the garden yourself. Who knows how many more glorious warm days we have until darkness/cold/the evil dead of winter creeps up on us? (Me, biased? Nah.)

Here are the wines I got to pour and my takes on them. I haven’t yet been to Woodinville Wine Cellars, but after tasting these I think I would like to go out there sometime and try some of their other varieties! Have you tried any of their wines?

Woodinville Wine Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley

$18 or so. Delicious! A great Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for a hot summer day. Sophisticated and very drinkable. It has bright fruit flavors balanced out by a
clean mineral dimension that doesn’t make it too tart. This was perhaps the
most popular white wine that night (and there were two other wineries there).

From the tasting notes: “This wine jumps from the bottle in a sophisticated and complex style. The aromas are floral and mouth­watering, with hints of pineapple and citrus and some subtle mineral highlights. In the mouth it is rich and well balanced, showing a hint of grapefruit, citrus and tropical tastes on a long finish. A great  complement to seafood, chicken, or your favorite soft cheese.”

Woodinville Wine Cellars Little Bear Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine

Wine Spectator awarded Little Bear Creek 90 points (that’s high!). This Bordeaux-style blend is only $20. Not bad for the price. The tasting notes point out the “warm spices and rich black cherry scents in the glass” and “concentrated flavors of blackberry, black cherry and mocha complete the finish, lending balanced acidity with a zing!” LBC (I think Snoop Dogg even likes LBC 😉 ) consists of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec. I liked it for its warm fruitiness and spice notes.

While double-fisting it is not recommended here (start with the whites and move to the reds, generally speaking), these wines are perfect to toss together for a little impromptu wine party. And if the weather is still nice a bit longer, take it outdoors. Happy sipping!

What to Drink When You’re “Hot to Trot”

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Reader, meet the smoothest red wine you’ll ever drink! Photo courtesy 14 Hands Vineyards. http://www.14hands.com

Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

In honor of everyone who is engaged to be married right now, especially my sister. Congratulations Jocelyn and Conor on your romantic Irish engagement!

Being newly engaged can be hazardous to your health… at least it was for me. When the love of my life popped the question and subsequently put a gorgeous carat on my finger, I was inordinately obsessed with MY sparkly object. I would roll my car window down every time I drove, rest my arm out the window and gaze all gooey-like at the diamond, the summation of my happiness. I can’t tell you how many auto accidents I narrowly avoided in those early weeks. I’m still obsessed with my rock, but eventually I mellowed.

But isn’t it wonderful when you’re wallowing in the throes of “just engaged” bliss? When you’re “hot to trot” with the one you love, you’re caught up in a love whirlwind that thrusts you toward the altar with smoldering passion and whiffs of eternal commitment. It’s a red torrent of unflinching romance! With your eye on the prize, nothing can stop you. “Going to the Chapel” is on constant loop in your subconscious. Yes, you fit all the criteria; you’re hot to trot! Here is a celebratory red blend wine that epitomizes the recently engaged state.

I insist you try 14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend. For around $10, it will shock you. Everyone to whom I have introduced this wine has raved about it! The 14 Hands label, like Red Diamond, has quickly become a hot Washington wine buy, and for good reason. Smooth, fruity, yet poised and so drinkable. From the tasting notes: “This approachable and easy drinking red wine offers generous aromas of berries, cherries and currants. A plush framework of soft tannins supports the red and dark fruit flavors that leisurely give way to subtle notes of baking spice and mocha on the finish.” It’s a blend predominantly of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with hints of Mourvèdre and other select red varieties.

This wine goes down your gullet very easily… yeah, just be careful and don’t overdo it! Perfect to share with friends, and toast the future happiness of loved ones!

That’s Amore: Good Things Come in Threes With Tre Amore

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“When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine that’s amore” ~ Dean Martin

Spicy, Sexy, Sultry: Wow, All Three?

They say that bad things come in threes and that three is a crowd. But they also say that third time’s the charm. Regardless of your personal superstitions surrounding the number three, don’t let them get in the way of trying Chateau Faire Le Pont’s 2007 Tre Amore red blend, which consists of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Sangiovese, and 21% Merlot. This is Washington wine done in the style of a Super Tuscan blend (Sangiovese blended with Bordeaux grapes like Cab and Merlot).

From the tasting notes: “Cabernet Sauvignon from Steve Elerding’s Desert Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills blended with Milbrandt Vineyard’s Sangiovese and Merlot from the Wahluke Slope. Marries intensity and elegance. Full-bodied, rich and layered. Delivering a combination of red and black fruit flavors, the blackberries, black currants, raspberries and chocolate covered cherries meld perfectly with the mocha hazelnut aromas and velvety tannins on the long, smooth finish.” $40 per bottle on the winery’s website. (Price and grape blend percentages subject to change over time).

(Ahem) Did you notice the names I underlined above? A little advice: those are all really good names to look for when you’re selecting a fine Washington wine, as they are all excellent vineyards and AVAs in Washington state (an AVA is an American Viticultural Area, or a designation regarding recognized winemaking regions of the United States).

Wahluke Slope is one of my favorite AVAs. We also vacation there each summer with our dear friends who love Budweiser, hate wine, but love soaking up the sun, and that’s all the grapes do there, too… soak up absurd amounts of sunshine until they are dark, juicy and sugary-plump on the vine like fat chocolate truffles. The reward is BOLD, rich, delicious wines.

When my husband and I tasted Tre Amore last summer in Wenatchee (the home of Chateau Faire Le Pont’s winery and tasting room), it blew our minds. Plain and simple. As if that weren’t enough, Tre Amore took home the gold at the Beverage Testing Institute for 2010. We have a winner, folks!

Make sure to drink it soon, or cellar it properly according to the winery’s instructions. Introduce this wine to a steak with sautéed Portobello mushrooms or some pasta with marinara sauce and fresh herbs. Does life get any better than fine meals like this?

I will have more reviews coming soon for other wines from Chateau Faire Le Pont. One of my personal favorite wineries! You truly can’t go wrong with anything there.

Now that’s amore!