This month has been the start of a new year filled with good friends, good food, and lots and lots of snow.
Seriously. The snow situation in Boise this season has been cray! We give!
Thankfully on these cold, snowy days I have wine reviews to keep me warm.
Each week I review and recommend a wine and send it to my Where the Wine is Weekly Newsletter subscribers. Here are the wines I reviewed in January!
2013 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. Made by acclaimed Idaho winemaker Greg Koenig, this wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Snake River Valley. Interestingly, this was the final vintage produced before their vineyards were approved as an America Viticulture Area (Eagle Foothills AVA). This wine is 14.1% alcohol by volume and is priced at $23.00.
Appearance: Dark purple.
Aroma: Dark fruits of plum and blackberry and a hint of cherry Jolly Rancher.
Palate: Moderate acidity and strong tannins, cedar.
Finish: Medium length.
Rating: Great! B
2014 Cinder Tempranillo. Made by Idaho winemaker Melanie Krause from grapes sourced out of the Snake River Valley AVA, this vintage rates as an exemplar of what a winemaker can do with a varietal that loves the terroir of Idaho and encourages the true expression of the wine. It is 14% alcohol by volume and priced at $29.00.
Appearance: Dark ruby.
Aroma: Hints of quince, raspberry, fig and vanilla.
Palate: Raspberry translates with bursts of acidity and supple tannins.
Finish: Lingers on the tongue long after the swallow.
Rating: Outstanding! A-
2014 Williamson Vineyard Viognier. Made by Idaho winemaker Greg Koenig from grapes sourced out of Williamson’s vineyard in the Snake River Valley. Tasting this wine is like walking through an apple orchard! It smells like spring and tastes fresh and lively. This wine is 14.9% alcohol by volume and is priced at $14.99.
Appearance: Medium-pale gold.
Aroma: Floral traits of rose, apple blossom and creamy orange sherbet.
Palate: Full-bodied with zesty acidity.
Finish: Medium finish brought to fruition by a lingering sensation on the tip of the tongue.
Rating: Excellent! B+
Sawtooth Winery 2015 Chardonnay. The typical fruit flares of pear and apple are apparent in this estate grown Chardonnay made by winemaker Meredith Smith in the Snake River Valley. This wine is 14.2% alcohol by volume and is priced at $12.00.
Appearance: Pale gold.
Aroma: Fruit forward with pear, honeydew and green apple with a hint of oak.
Palate: Full-bodied with mildly tart acidity and creamy butterscotch.
Finish: Moderate with a notable tingly tartness.
Rating: Excellent! B+
Pick up these wines direct from the winery or ask for them at your nearest wine shop!
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