2012 Sullivan Heart of the Vineyard Napa Valley Red Wine

Well it's officially one week till Christmas, so not a lot of time to prepare if you haven't done so already.  Tonight I am preparing some gifts to bring in to work tomorrow but why not take some time out to share what wonderful wine I'm enjoying this evening, even as I wrap and clean and prepare for my own Christmas party on Saturday.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2012 Sullivan Heart of the Vineyard Napa Valley Red Wine, an interesting blend of Cabernet Franc (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (17%) and Petit Verdot (11%).

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass with just a bit of opacity.  The nose is rich and jammy with black cherries, vanilla bean and marionberries with just a hint of leather at the end.  The taste is quite fruit forward with a burst of black cherries, blackberries and candied plum, which transitions nicely to some graphite, dark chocolate and white pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is smooth and inviting, as fine, dusty tannins lend considerable support to the velvety mouthfeel and long, smooth, dry finish.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very well structured and high quality wine, but also a decent value (I bought this one from Wines Till Sold Out for about $30).  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rather nontraditional pairing of dungeness crab ravioli with roasted pepper and garlic alfredo sauce.  The fruit and spice of the wine nicely balance the richness of the crab in the ravioli.  Cheers!