2012 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot

Happy Fathers Day to all you wonderful Dads out there!  To be honest I haven't done that much today, other than trimming the hedges in my front yard, cutting back some bushes in the back yard and then taking a nap, but tonight at least I have a descent dinner planned.  And what do you need to make the meal?  Of course, a good bottle of wine, and tonight it's the 2012 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot, a recent wine club selection from the winery.

The wine is a beautiful inky purple color at the center with rich ruby along the edges.  The nose is is just beautiful, expressing notes of blueberry, cherry, leather and mocha that exudes richness.  The taste is a blast of ripe berries up front, blueberries, blackberries and ripe cherries that transition effortlessly to some earthy notes of smoke, tobacco and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are big and beautiful, providing plenty of backbone for the long, smooth, and voluptuous finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a terrific example of a Bordeaux varietal that is seldom bottled on it's own.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic surf and turf, a rare grilled Angus ribeye with a grilled lobster tail, some grilled veggies, and a baked potato.  The wine is a perfect accompaniment to a big steak, as the earthy flavors compliment the beef, while the acidity makes a great foil to the richness of the lobster.  Happy Fathers Day!