2014 Padis Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the magical first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time for me to raid the cellar for a bottle at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I am opening a bottle that's only been in my cellar for a couple months as I bought this one from Wines Till Sold Out in September.  The 2014 Padis Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Napa Cabernet from the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley AVA.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up a dozen years from harvest.

The wine is a classic inky black at the center and a deep garnet along the edges, just what you'd expect from this wine.  The nose is a pronounced combination of prune, black cherry, cassis and leather amid undertones of earthy minerals.  The first sip is a classic Napa Cabernet at first, with big bold fruit, blackberry, plum and cherry that ease into some earthy notes of graphite and limestone midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a remarkably smooth dry finish, without the usual acidity that can characterize a Napa Cabernet.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really ideal example of a powerful Napa Cabernet with the minerality and structure that is so characteristic of the Oak Knoll District.  This wine would pair well with aged cheeses, charcuterie, classic braised short ribs or lamb, but what it really begs for is a big steak!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with the opposite, a pan seared petit filet mignon with bearnaise, roasted purple potatoes and brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Castelgreve Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Sunday!  I spent the day indoors, as it was gray and drizzly today, but at least I got some work done and finished my laundry.  And now that it's pitch dark at 6 pm, I think I deserve a nice glass of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2020 Castelgreve Chianti Classico Riserva is a blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%), so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, somewhat heavier than your typical Chianti given the impact of Merlot in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, green grass and hints of savory herbs.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry, black plum and blackberry that ease into some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are firm but well integrated, providing for a smooth dry finish that lingers just a bit, as a classic Italian.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking and food friendly wine that was a terrific bargain at just $13!  This wine would pair well with a range of meals, from grilled steak to rack of lamb, hearty pasta or Italian sausage with onions and peppers.  Tonight, I have taken a trek across the Ionian Sea to enjoy a Greek herb crusted pork tenderloin stuffed with feta, artichokes and roasted red peppers with some brown butter sage mashed sweet potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts for a perfect taste of fall.  Cheers!

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!