Well, we went from mini-winter to blazing summer in the blink of an eye, and it's been sweltering, hot and humid here for the past couple weeks, which makes me wonder why I've chosen to open a big Cabernet for dinner this evening. No worries, the A/C still works, so I think I can handle the 2018 Raymond Vineyards Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which I bought from Wines Till Sold Out. I've been a fan of Raymond Vineyards since visiting them on a trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train back in 2015, so it's always a pleasure to dive into one of their wines, this one being a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Atlas Peak District of the Napa Valley. So, let's see how this wine is tasting!
The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet. After letting it breathe for an hour or so, a quick swirl and whiff releases aromas of leather, green grass, blackberry and currant, which just dare you to take a sip. That sip reveals wonderful black fruit flavors, effortlessly integrated into notes of umami, black pepper and dried herbs, with a mild kick of acidity at the finish. The tannins are well integrated to support a long, dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this may be one of my favorite vintages of the Atlas Peak Collection (see the 2016 Vintage here and the 2015 Vintage here). This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to hearty pasta or risotto. Tonight I am pairing this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, topped with grilled garlic scapes along with grilled asparagus and some steamed red potatoes with butter and parsley. Cheers!
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