Isenhower Cellars
Holiday Columbia Valley Red Blend
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Been awhile since I had one of these; the label looks promising: 38/28/21/7/6 blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, aged in used oak, 325 cases made. Dark garnet red, very good clarity, moderate to high pigment extraction. Blackberry, raspberry and butter aromas, red fruit flavors, followed later by a note of tobacco and cooked vegetable, quite rounded mouthfeel, soft, not much tannin expression initially. Mint, wintergreen and white pepper aftertaste. A light skin astringency emerges after 30 minutes. A decent flavor-dense, almost syrupy red table wine, balanced perfectly for whatever hearty winter dishes you are consuming. Roasted root veggies and cheese or red meat entrees seem the best match to me at the moment.
Been awhile since I had one of these; the label looks promising: 38/28/21/7/6 blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, aged in used oak, 325 cases made. Dark garnet red, very good clarity, moderate to high pigment extraction. Blackberry, raspberry and butter aromas, red fruit flavors, followed later by a note of tobacco and cooked vegetable, quite rounded mouthfeel, soft, not much tannin expression initially. Mint, wintergreen and white pepper aftertaste. A light skin astringency emerges after 30 minutes. A decent flavor-dense, almost syrupy red table wine, balanced perfectly for whatever hearty winter dishes you are consuming. Roasted root veggies and cheese or red meat entrees seem the best match to me at the moment.
Jan 13th, 2022Too ill at Christmas to drink this; were there good tidings for those who wait? Inky purple. Butter, herb, mint and raspberry notes in nose. Candied raspberry, cherry (and later sweet red plum) flavors with length, white pepper, some eucalyptus and honey, slight seed bitterness and some skin astringency on side of tongue in finish. Black pepper aftertaste. Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Grenache, 14% Malbec, 13% Petite Verdot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Mourvèdre
Too ill at Christmas to drink this; were there good tidings for those who wait? Inky purple. Butter, herb, mint and raspberry notes in nose. Candied raspberry, cherry (and later sweet red plum) flavors with length, white pepper, some eucalyptus and honey, slight seed bitterness and some skin astringency on side of tongue in finish. Black pepper aftertaste. Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Grenache, 14% Malbec, 13% Petite Verdot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Mourvèdre
Apr 17th, 2018