2019 Hidden Treasure Dead Man's Gulch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I had to work late today, so I am a little behind schedule, but at least I convinced myself that I should have a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent sale at Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Hidden Treasure Dead Man's Gulch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Syrah (5%) sourced from the Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain AVAs of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is evolving after a few years!

The wine is an inky black at the center with lovely garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a quality Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents an intriguing combination of blackberry, currant and boysenberry amid undertones of leather and white floral notes.  Take a sip and you're awash in classic big, bold Napa Cabernet, a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and plum that give way to earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and leather before departing with a ring of dark chocolate and cherry.  The tannins are well integrated providing a perfect foundation for the long, velvety smooth dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Napa Cabernet that punches way above its weight class.  I could easily see this as a $50-70 wine, but I bought this wine for only $20!  This wine would pair well with a range of classic American dishes, from smoked brisket to barbecued ribs, classic steaks to braised lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip topped with Béarnaise sauce along with roasted sweet potatoes, onions and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2023 Pope Valley Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I've been traveling, so it's been a bit since my last post, but I'm back!  Tonight, I am ready for a nice dinner and a bottle of wine.  After doing a bunch of leaf blowing today, I am ready to relax and given my dinner choice, I think I've opened the right bottle.  The 2023 Pope Valley Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Petit Verdot (11%) and Petit Syrah (7%) from the Napa Valley AVA of California.  I recently bought this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how it's tasting! 

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Napa Cabernet.  The note presents aromas of leather, blackberry and currant amid undertones of basalt and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum that is at once sweet but also savory.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lasts until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this is a great example of a classic Napa Valley Cabermet at a great value as I bought this one for just $25.  This wine would pair well with a range of hard cheeses and charcuterie, but it practically begs for a nice steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare pan seared New York Strip with a mushroom pan sauce, along with wild mushroom farro and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2021 Castelli del Grevepesa Sasso del Falco Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Saturday!  We went from summer to fall this week, going from the upper 80s on Tuesday to the upper 30s this morning!  With the solid move to fall weather, it's time to start thinking more of hearty meals and nice red wines to go with them.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Castelli del Grevepesa Sasso del Falco Chianti Classico Riserva that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  As a Chianti Classico, this wine is 100% Sangiovese aged a total of 36 months in Oak.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter body, bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Sangiovese.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, bright cherry and currant amid some mineral notes and hints of nutmeg.  The first sip is classic rush of tart cherry, currant with a good bit of harvest spice notes, ideal for fall.  The tannins are fine and a bit tightly wound, providing for a smooth dry finish with a good but of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic example of a solid Chianti at a classic value price.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic Italian pasta, sausage with onions and peppers or eggplant parmesan.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest fall dinner of roast pork tenderloin, mushroom farro and oven roasted poblanos and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!