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!

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!