Happy Saturday, of note, the first Saturday of the new month, which means it Cellar Saturday! This is the magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a couple months ago from Wines Till Sold Out. The 2014 Arbor Bench Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (32%) and Malbec (30%) from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. Let's see how this wine is shaping up!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect with these three varietals. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, vanilla bean and dusty limestone with hints of violet undertones. The first sip is rush of tart cherry that eases into some notes of blackberry jam, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate. The tannins are quote chewy, but still capable as the backbone for the lingering dry finish with a reprise of cherry at the end.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully satisfying blend that will no doubt pair well with a variety of dishes. This wine would pair well with hearty braised short ribs, spicy barbecue or classic steaks. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribcap topped with sunflower sprouts, along with some broccoli rabe and asparagus sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with linguine. Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment