Ch. Giscours Margaux 2009. The Jane Russell of wines.

Once you've had the best...well you know the rest.  This is the perfect wine I picked for Christmas  dinner.  I have been a little late posting but when you live the busy life I do you take every minute to be with the family.  
A luscious color dark purple and rich. The nose just permeates the room with dark fresh cherries. 
Now the mouth.  Oh what a lovely Web we weave. An elegant velvety glove coats your mouth.  Superb and complex flavors of cherry, plum, cedar, cover every inch in a jam filled erotica pleasure. 
This is the Jane Russell of wines. Soft, full bodied and voluptuous.
Enjoy

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone.  Be safe, be generous and be kind.

Dayuum, Wildhaven Blazing Red 2011

You just can't say enough, Wildhaven   Blazing Red is a superb wine.
Wildhaven is owned by Precept wines. One of the largest wine companies in the US.  Wildhaven hails from the Columbia valley and certainly does this appellation proud.   
The wine is a blend of cabernet, merlot, syrah, and cab franc.  This all comes together   in a nice structured complex blend. 
I opened the bottle   and was immediately impressed with all of the floral and fruit fragrances erupting from the glass.  The color was a beautiful dark, dark red . The color of true blood.  Sometimes you can get a sense of the wine just by the color and fragrance. I could tell this wine was going to be fruity but rich textured.
I was not dissapointed.  The mouth was bursting with juice.  Rich and fruity, slight tannins that linger.  Cherry, strawberry, licorice, blueberry with chocolate and tobacco hints that add extra complexity.
A beautiful wine.
Tonight I paired this with chicken pot pie.  Yes I know what you're thinking red with chicken and cream sauce. Damn   right, get over it. My child wasn't feeling good and pot pie is one of the best comfort foods.  But hey I would do it again, this is a great wine.
Enjoy

Beauty in a bottle

The chicken pot pie was pretty amazing too. 

You Gotta Believe...

One of the best  perks to what I do is all of the free wine, beer and spirits that come my way.  I enjoy sampling all of it, and sometimes even finish a bottle.  Most of the time though I have a couple of glasses and  the rest gets thrown out.  It is great to be able to do this without feeling the pangs of the monetary loss.  Because, quite frankly I taste a lot of crap.  Some big names you see in every magazine get poured down the sink, sometimes just from the bouquet, (smell really but I am being kind). 
I have been asked on several occasions why I do not write about those bad wines.  The reason is simple, I do not like giving them any space or time.  If I am given a bottle to try and it does not eventually appear in this forum, then  chances are it was not to my liking and was dumped   never to see the light of day from my pad.  Also, every one   has a different pallet. My cousin loves this one California cab, she thinks is phenomenal .   I think it tastes like stewed prunes, so she is free to enjoy her wine and I do not have to talk about it.  But, it will not be served at my house. 
I try only to give my thoughts and opinions   about the wine, spirit or beer.  I do not rate them because rating   is well overrated.  My 92 could be your 89 etc.  I try to give as much information   about the winemaker and winery as I can too. I find that passionate winemakers make passionate wines and I love to hear their stories and history.
Well enough said,
Drink up and
Enjoy

Don't let the names in the boxes fool you, they are just storage.

one day a real cellar, but this works too.

Let's Go On Safari with Graham Beck Game Reserve

The nose on this wine is just beautiful.  If the bouquet could yell it would scream OUTLOUD, TASTE ME TASTE ME.
Such dark rich aromas erupt from the bottle, cherry, plum. 
The dark luscious purple color.  Inviting you  again to partake.  A gorgeous color that enhances the experience.
Now put the glass to your lips, slowly  allow the wine inside your mouth.  Then the volumes begin. Volumes of flavor just keep rolling. Your eyes roll in the back of your head.  You cannot fathom all of the flavors that have just entered your body.  A tear rolls down your cheek as you know that this experience will end.  The complexity of this wine is just unbelievable.  Rich  and juicy full bodied and well balanced.  Lite tannins.  A very long finish, you will be enjoying the next sip before the end of the first.   The berry flavors are enhanced with hints of chocolate and smoky tobacco. What did I say about complex.
Graham Beck wines encompass the Robertson area of origin in South Africa. They are also involved  with my favorite charity The Wilderness  Foundation.  So another quality reason to support this winery.
Enjoy.

Who wishes they were me tonight..St Amant Old Vine Zin 2012

Just when I thought nothing could surprise me....St Amant Old Vine Zin. 
Just the color alone.
St Amant is grown in the Lodi Appellation and is one of the first certified sustainable vineyards in Lodi. 
This beautiful deep purple ruby color qualifies as a real treausure. 
The nose sends off aromas of a ripe orchard in Spring.  I could open this bottle everyday just to enjoy the boquet.
Once the wine hits your mouth  the flavors burst  out  sending sensation tingles to every end of your body.  Deep rich cherry and blackberry.  A real fruit bomb, jammy and rich. Ever so soft and slight tannins that linger and leave you begging.  
To night we had rib eye and potatoes. What an experience. Full and rich and then you add a perfectly cooked med rare ribeye it is like taking a stairway to heaven. 
Enjoy.

Who Cares....Anam Cara

Anam Cara Pinto Noir 2011. 
The color of rubies sparkling in the sun.
The nose of strawberry,  and cherry.  Light and crisp with a quick finish on the mouth. Elegant and easy. 
The Nicholas family brings Oregon Pino to play.  A refreshing  wine to enjoy with or without a meal.  Easy to sample during a mid afternoon break.
Enjoy

Happy Thanksgiving

Starting Thanksgiving right. Champagne Mailley Exception Blanche Grand Cru 2000.  Soft elegant and just spectacular.
Happy Thanksgiving
Enjoy

Everybody loves a grilled cheese and Malbec. Pigmentum Malbec, my working lunch.

Sometimes you just have to have a grilled cheese sandwich.  Pairing it with a great red wine just makes the experience that much more memorable.  The French do it right, something simple with lots of flavor.  Excellent.  Today I paired Pigmentum malbec with a grilled cheese made with muenster. Delicious lunch.
When you mention Malbec, most peoples thoughts automatically go to Argentina.  But, Cahors France has been doing Malbec for centuries and boy do they do it well. This particular wine is brought to us by the house of Georges Vigouroux.  Literally centuries and generations in the making.
The nose is abundant with fragrances of fresh flowers and ripe red fruits.  You get hints of spice and the continuing aromas of the fruit.  Calling you to fulfill your fantasy and indulge your senses.
The mouth is soft and elegant.  Coating your tongue and cheeks with flavors that exhilarate and stimulate your palate.  Rich, ripe and velvet, soft elegant tannins.  This wine is perfect for a light afternoon lunch, paired with cheese for appetizers, or for that big roast beef.  It can handle itself with just about anything.  (this has been one of my favorite wines for years).  and under 15 dollars such a deal too.
Enjoy.

Doesn't that make you hungry. 

a great working lunch today. 

Who is your Daddy Now Ruta 22 Malbec

Ruta 22 Malbec is another fantastic wine from the Lurton family.  Known mainly for beautiful French Boedeaux this is an example of their South American side.  Ruta 22 is the main highway running through Argentina. And, like most wines of Patagonia it is intense in color and flavor.  A dark ruby red . Ruta 22 has a nose that blows you away as soon as you pop the cork.  Ripe, elegant aromas of ripe red berries and wild flowers. A lovely  scent that beckons you to partake of its bounty.  This full bodied wine has such a mouth.  Wow that is all I can say.  Smoky, with cranberry and blackberry. Hints of a sweet vanilla, and licorice flavor.
I paired this wine with with roast pork, green beans and spiced butternut squash. The squash is seasoned with an Indian spice , garam masala.  The first time I worked with this spice , but I certainly will again.  Beautiful fragrance, but spicy. 
Enjoy.

Are you hungry now...

Lust and Satisfaction in the same bottle....Camraderie Grace 2009

This is one of those experiences that everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Camaraderie Grace 2009 is one of those experiences.  I am going to start by quoting from the bottle, it gives the definition and description that is unbelievable.
Grace (rhymes with gloss) is a French word meaning "thanks, blessing, elegance and charm".  I couldn't give a better description of the wine.  Everything is summed up in those words.   The Grace is a Bordeaux style blend that offers so much flavor and grace.
It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  Who would have thought?  But under the watchful eye of Don Corson, owner and wine maker this wine becomes one to keep in the cellar at all times.
The bouquet is soft, hints of cherry, violets and roses, rich ripe plum, begging you to further experience lust and satisfaction all in a bottle.
The mouth is just remarkable.  Concentrated, full bodied fruit intense wine.  Loads of cherry, raspberry, slight bits of chocolate adding to the intrigue.  Soft tannins, your mouth begs for more as it waters and sends messages to your brain that it has had stimulation that it cannot ignore.  Soft, silky tannins that make your mouth crave for more.
Enjoy

Bring all your friends to this party.

Oh Looky What I Found, Abbeyville Cabernet Reserve

So last night I just pulled a wine from my grab box and look what I found.  Abbeyville Cabernet reserve. What a treat and unexpected at that.  This is a fantastic find from Adler Fels winery, Harry Parducci being the winemaker.
The color is a deep garnet, almost black looking.  Rich and deep and velvety.
The bouquet fills the room and entices the nose.  Beautiful floral scents and dark ripe cherry, vanilla and a slight sweetness arises from the glass.   Highly aromatic  and just delightful.
The mouthfeel is luscious and full bodied. The wine coats your mouth with this thick rich wonderful flavor.  Dark ripe fruits,keep a napkin on hand because your mouth will be watering and you will be drooling as you think about having another taste.  The fruit gives way to slight hints of wood, and easy tannins.   The flavors are concentrated and give such a complexity to the wine.  
The finish is long, pepper and cinnamon finish off  as you reach for another glass.
Enjoy.

Wow what a treat.. 

Catching Fire... What a way to end the night..

Full Moon and all, this is the way to end the night.  Catch fire cinnamon whiskey.  Oh how smooth it is.  The perfect nightcap.  A new addition to my arsenal of favorites.  No burn, no harsh after thoughts you get from a lot of whiskey, and especially some of the cinnamon. This one is so smooth, like tasting cinnamon flavoring.  When I was a kid, a fad that was going on was flavored toothpicks.  Cinnamon flavored was the most popular, and this really brings back those memories,  I literally want to put a stick in my mouth right now.
You must try this.
Enjoy

just the perfect nightcap. 

Sexy Sextant Cabernet

The 2012 vintage was a good one for Napa.  More juice than most could handle.  Sextant prospered.
Sextant is the name of an instrument used to guide navigators and explorers.  Now, it lends its name to a fine wine.  As if the winemaker is asking you to come in and explore this wine.  Find your destination and enjoy.
Steve Martell is the winemaker and gives us this sexy  offering from Paso Robles. It  is a far better specimen than most Paso brands.  The nose offers degrees of oak, white pepper, bunches of flowers, dark dark cherry.  The succulent aroma inviting and enticing.  Begging you to further immerse yourself in the beauty that is before you.
The mouth hits you with full flavors. Fruit forward and lush.  So much fruit.  Rich ripe and effervescent. Lovely.  Short tannins that creep in after a long lingering finish.  Easy and ready to drink now.  I have practically enjoyed the bottle now.  What can I say.  A prime example of quality wine making.
Enjoy.

Wow look at that beauty.

I had to show off my dinner that I enjoyed. 

Pork chops and veggies. 

Wow they went together well. 

A Little Out of the Way...Uruguay...Pisano wine

I decided to try something different last night, and oh was it worth it.  A gem from Uruguay, yes Uruguay.  Not really known for wine, come to think of it I cannot think of anything coming from Uruguay.  This night I chose the Rio De Los Pajaros reserve blend.  It is a blend of Tannat,the grape of Uruguay, Syrah, and Viognier. The winery was started by Italian immigrants at the turn of the last century, and  gives homage to the Italian tradition. 
The color is deep and dark. That ravens wing kind of color.
The nose gives you proof of life.  Plum, dark cherry and oak, and rose fill my nose.  My daughter says she thought of pineapple.  I did not pick this up but it does show off the complexity.
The mouth is full.  The intense flavors send your brain into overdrive trying to collect all of them.  Extensive notes of cherry, plum, oak.  Rich deep  velvety texture that lingers long in your mouth.  Slight tannins that desire a piece of protein to go with it. 
What a beautiful piece of art.  Yes art because that is what some wines are and this one qualifies. 
Enjoy

Look at that color.  Enticing and well worth the effort.

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo.....the last four of the challenge

Tonight is Halloween.  What a better way to spend the evening, passing out candy and drinking pumpkin beer while I eat pizza and watch Dracula--the one with Jack Palance.

The last four beers for the challenge are, Dundee Octoberfest, (also not really a pumpkin but very nice).  Jacque Au Lantern, Crown Valley Imperial Pumpkin Smash and the last, Cisco brewers Pumple Drumkin.  

First let us tackle the Dundee Octoberfest.  A rich hearty beer.  Tangy, light and crisp, very little after taste and no bitterness.  Ready to go and enjoy. 

Second, Jacques Au Lantern.  fuller and richer with a longer finish.  Malty with just the right amount of spice for the season.  I could enjoy this all year round.  

The third round tonight was the Pumple Drumkin by Cisco.  This has about the right amount of spice, pumpkin flavors and rich, creamy body.  Easy to drink and very enjoyable.   Like having pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top. 

The very last offering of the challenge goes to....Crown Valley Imperial Pumpkin Smash.  This stout is such a departure from the previous.  What can I say.  I was surprised and excited to have this.  The rich dark black liquid gives off such wonderful fragrances and such a light crisp flavor. full of dark chocolate and coffee with , is that cedar?  Not at all what I was expecting.  To top it off ....is that pulp in there.  Yes, I think it is, what an addition to the flavor.  A little extra protein to go with it.  Definitely the winner of the evening  Maybe not to every one's desire, but something I would like to try again.  Smash it up buddy..

Look at that rich dark color.  

Enjoy

Third time is the winner, or so they say.

So last night was the third round of my pumpkin beer challenge.  I was by myself  and it was late so I was only able to sample two.
I was not able to write about them last night as it was after midnight and I was very tired.  But here I am tonight, Halloween, with nothing better to do than watch old horror movies and drink and talk about beer.  Ha.

So to finish last night.   My two offerings were Harpoon Pumpkin Cider and Buffalo Bills Original Pumpkin Ale.
I enjoyed both of them but I must say the pumpkin cider was the surprise.
First lets talk about Buffalo Bills.  A fine example of pumpkin beer.  Smooth and easy, but with a tendency to the bitter side.  The pumpkin flavor was mild at best, especially after having some of the over spiced items from the first few nights. Still a very nice easy beer.
The second of the night was the Harpoon Apple cider.  Very nice surprise, but I have to admit not a pumpkin.  The flavor was so much of apple cider all of the correct spices.  A reminder that apple pie is also one of the top flavors of the season.  I would definitely enjoy this brew again.  Not really in a pumpkin challenge though.
Enjoy

a not so bad way to end an evening. 

Another round of trick or treating Pumpkin Beer round 2

Joy, Joy, Joy.  Tonight I had not 2 but 4 pumpkin beers.  Each of which were very different in character and a great divide from last night too.

The first one was Shipyard Pumpkin Head, then on to Dogfish head Punkin Ale.  That finished round 1, then on to round two.  Long Trail Pumpkin Punk'n .

The Shipyard was so soft and smooth, absolutely no bitterness at all.  Semi sweet with lots of pumpkin juice.  Very small hint of spice, not like last night which were total spice bombs. 

Dogfish had the least of the pumpkin flavor actually.  The flavor reminded me more of a pumpkin souffle not a pumpkin pie.  Lovely, light and soft.

The Longtrail offering was also lite and elegant. Just hints of spice, cinnamon, and brown sugar.  More hints of a brown sugar pop tart with hints of pumpkin. 

The Uinta pumpkin was also soft and elegant.  No bitterness and easy to drink. The beer had very small hints of pumpkin with just the right amount of spice.  Easy to drink with a rewarding mouth. 

Enjoy them all and let me know what you think.
By the way, my wife helped me drink through these tonight!  So if you were thinking I finished all four myself,  well.....

Dogfish Head

The Shipyard 

Longtrail and Uinta.

Its the Great Punkin Charlie Brown, Punkin Beer that is

My favorite time of year. The fall, all the leaves changing color, a little nip in the air.  All the fall seasonal beer comes out. The Pumpkin ones especially. Makes me all warm and fuzzy.  Pumpkin beer time is special.  This is the biggest season for specialty beer.  A few years ago, pumpkin beer was something extremely rare.  Very few had it and those that did, did not taut it so much.  Now, every one and their dog has a pumpkin beer.  Some are magnificent and some do not need to be mentioned.  

My Halloween this year will consist of handing candy to a bunch of youth as they migrate through the neighborhood -trick or treat.  I will of course be enjoying some of my favorite beer, pumpkin of course.  

So that brings me to the challenge, 12 beers to be consumed and discussed before Halloween.  I think I am up to the challenge, so follow along.  Maybe even tell me about some of your favorites. 

So now let's go.

The first beer tonight is Pumking by Southern Tier.   A well known and very well liked beer.  One of the best selling of all seasonal beers. 

The aroma is enticing to say the least. Spice hits you straight out.  Allspice that is.  Reminding me of the Thanksgiving pies and the pot-pouri that my wife sets on the stove every holiday.  The flavor is slightly sweet and again very all spicy, with hints of cinnamon.  A very delightful beer, easy to drink and enjoyable. Like drinking down the pumpkin pie.

The second beer tonight is the Pumpkick by New Belgium.  This is the first time I have tried this beer and what a nice addition to my repertoire.  Again, nice spices,cinnamon, nutmeg all the traditional holiday spices, the aroma reminds me again of pumpkin pie (I see a trend already starting).  This one though also adds a little zest, in the form of hints of citrus.  A nice addition.  The review suggests cranberry, I did not pick this up, so if it is there it is very slight, adding to the dimensions.  A nice kick in the pants to get the Halloween week started.  

Enjoy. 

The Pumpkick by New Belgium

Pumking by Southern tier

A quick look at the challenge.  

Damn Fine Wine

Yes I have written about #Chateau De Nage Buti Nage before. But damnit I can't help it this a a damn fine wine.  Winemaker and owner #Michele Gassier offers this opulent
Beauty.  Folks I can't tell you how fantastic this wine is.  Bountiful nose with floral notes, the mouth is fruit forward and soft. Hints of cherry, deep ripe red fruits, licorice and finished off with soft supple tannins. Just wonderful.
Enjoy one of my favorites and right at 10$ what a bargain.
Enjoy

CH Casyera 2008 Hot Damn I Hit the Hackpot

Baldacci IV Sons and the Outer Body Experience....

So continuing on this journey of higher end Cabernet, I have found the Baldacci IV Sons 2009. 

What an extraordinary wine.  The wine is actually a blend selected from the very best juice.  Baldacci winery is situated in the heart of Stags Leap, just to give you a reference and an idea of the quality we are talking about.  A small family owned winery producing high quality wines under the guidance of winemaker Rolando Herrera.  Yes that Rolando.  Owner of Mi Sueno winery and  well known in circles that follow Paul Hobbs.  I was lucky enough to visit the winery a couple of years ago and was given a barrel tasting of their much in demand cabernet. YUM.  Anyway, the IV sons does not disappoint on any level.  The rich aromas that rise from the glass, dark rich ripe fruits and a floral bouquet.  Cherry, and plum fill your senses.  When you fill your mouth with this liquid you think you have died and gone to heaven.  What a deep rich wine with so many levels.  Again, the deep red fruits, followed with hints of licorice, chocolate and then when you thought is was over...pop, slight hints of a garni bouqet. The wine just keeps on giving too.  The finish is long, but no undesireable vicious tannins to overtake.  This wine is made to enoy NOW, with or without protien to bind it.   What have I just done to myself, moved into another dimension of course.  This type of wine is only produced by a winemaker  who is reaches for the stars in the farthest galaxy and provides us a little pleasure as we enjoy the trip too.    At $45, not bad for this kind of experience.  The best ladies of Vegas cannot offer this much pleasure for the price.  Yep, I went there.   Oh my you must try this outer body experience.

Enjoy

Kapcsandy Endre Napa 2009

Can I tell you a story of one of the finest wines ever.  This is the "lower" end of the Kapscandy production.  At $70.00 what a low end.  The owner of the vineyard Lou Kapscandy is retired from NASA.  The great story goes that he and his wife upon retirement decided to fulfill a dream and open a winery.  Used to the best of Bordeaux they set about finding the winemaker that can make their dream come true.  First their friends at NASA helped them map their vineyards (yes NASA helped) so they could get the maximum amount of sun all year round.  Then finding one of the best winemakers, the legendary Helen Turley to make the first vintage.  An award winning wine.  The current winemaker has moved the wine itself into legendary status.  Denis Malbec , born and raised at Ch Latour, can you even imagine being born and rasied at Ch Latour, what an education.  The offspring of generations of winemakers at Ch Latour, he brought that knowledge with him.  The Kapscandy is a true domestic Bordeaux.  The wine has been consistent high scoring feature of the market.  

The wine offers so many depths.  The nose just blows you away with fragrance.  Cherry, spring flowers (violets), rounded out with a little earthiness.  The mouth gives you so much also.  Fruit intensity, cherry, strawberry, and then yes you get it, some spice and hints of what is that sage,  rosemary and thyme?  yes I think that's right.  Add to that some coffee notes and tobacco and you have one of the most complex wines created.  

At 70$ not an everyday wine but oh so worth the gift on a special occasion.  

Enjoy, I know I will. 

I have a crush, Dreaming Tree Crush

It is true I have a crush on this wine.  This is an exciting red blend from wine maker Steve Reeder, in conjunction with musician Dave Matthews.  I am loving red blends these days. Of course Bordeaux wines are the first red blends and this wine pays tribute to them.
The nose is just beautiful.  Lots of red fruit aromas waft into the nostril and titillate the senses.
The mouth is full and luscious.  The flavors of cherry, strawberry coat the tongue.  Dark rich ripe fruit encases your mouth with a lingering finish with a slight hint of smoky wood, just a hint.  A little spice adds to the depth and pushes the wine over the limit.
This wine just keeps your senses on edge waiting for the next surprise.  What can I say.  Dreaming Tree Crush delivers on every level.
Enjoy

Just a wonderful easy wine to fall in love with

My Hof ..Your Hof...Messina Hof

As most of you know I recently returned home to Texas for a week.  While I was there I picked up a few Texas wines.  Texas may not be known as the wine capital of the US, but really what goes better with a hearty Texas steak than a great bottle of wine.  And, a Texas wine is even better.  Let's face it, wine is not just grown on the west coast.  Great wines can come from just about anywhere.  Texas  has the advantage of the climate. Very similar to Spain, arid but with wet Springs.  The settlers of Texas came from all over Europe and brought with them their tastes in wine.  Some hearty dry reds and sweet whites.  Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Irish and French.  All influenced the culture and make up of Texas and part of that is of course the great food and wines that they cultivated.  Many people think of Texas as the home of BBQ and TEX-MEX, true but not all.  The coast shows off with seafood. The Texas longhorn fed beef to the country.  German food dominates in the hill country area, along with some great beer (Shiner). You can get fantastic Italian food and cajun/creole in east Texas.  Recent immigrants have shared the pleasures of Asian food.  All of this great food melds  together in Texas.  It is not uncommon to see a burrito stand that also serves schnitzel.  A true culture melting pot.  All of this food requires something to follow it off.  Tonight of course I am talking about wine.  More specifically Messina Hof Cabernet Barrel Reserve 2012.

Messina Hof winery is located in my home town of Bryan Texas.  

I have a special fondness for this winery.  The first wine I  ever drank (not counting Boone's Farm , which I promptly threw up after drinking the bottle), was Papa Paulo's port. And my desire for good wine was planted.  This cabernet is one of the finest domestic cabs around under 15.  The nose is bountiful with lots of fresh  fruit hitting the senses right off the bat.  None of that cooked fruit smell you get from some cabs.  The cherry, and strawberry fans your nose  and reminds you of a Spring morning in the garden.  Wow and the mouth just is robust and bountiful.  Full of fruit.  This wine is packin baby.  The rich dark fruits are splendid.  My mouth is still watering and begging for more.  My tongue is tingling with the sensation of tasting something special.  What can I say, this is damn good stuff.  The tannins are there but do not take over the wine, leaving you with a pleasing long finish.  

Tonight I paired this full bodied wine with .... what else, a spicy bean soup.  Cooked all day in a crock pot with salt, pepper,garlic, onion, bacon (again what are beans without bacon).  My addition is adobe powder and rotel tomatoes.  Spicy but really good.  Great with this cabernet. 

Enjoy

A little bit of spice on your life.

The 2012 Messina Hof Barrel reserve