2016 Château de Lafaurie-Monbadon Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Happy Saturday!  I admit I slept in this morning as I was up late last night doing some volunteer cooking, so I took it easy today and did some random chores, grocery shopping and then decided to relax with a cocktail before dinner.  Tonight, I've decided on a different dinner, and that calls for a different wine, so I've opened a bottle of 2016 Château de Lafaurie-Monbadon Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a classic Bordeaux, a blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Cabernet Franc (15%).  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from such a Merlot heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and cassis with undertones of violets and a hint of aged leather.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry that quickly gives way to some sweet blackberry and raspberry, before transitioning to some earthy notes of cedar and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tight, providing for a very sharp dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very easy drinking and food friendly Bordeaux that was also a solid value at less than $14.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to braised lamb shank, rich baked pasta to country barbecue.  Tonight, I am once again taking the road less traveled and enjoying this wine with a Japanese style stir fry.  Given the tight grocery budgets we are all facing, I decided to marinade some sliced chuckeye steak (if you are unfamiliar it's very flavorful and usually around $5-6 a pound) in some Bachan's Japanese Barbecue sauce, then christened my Hexclad wok and stir fried with some fresh veggies, served over white rice.  Cheers!

2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti

Well it's Sunday and I am ready to turn my attention to cooking and sipping a nice glass of wine.  As I've had in mind what I am making for dinner, since it has an Italian flair, I thought it appropriate to open a nice bottle of Chianti.  Tonight, I've selected a bottle of 2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti that I recently picked up from Wines Till Sold Out and their case sale, so you know it was a good value.  This wine is made to the more historical blending standards for Chianti, including the addition of some white grapes, and is a blend of Sangiovese (85%), Canaiolo (10%) and Ciliegiolo (5%).  So, let's see how this classic from Tuscany is tasting!

The wine is a lighter ruby color in the glass with great clarity, as you might expect from a Sangiovese heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, light floral notes of violet, tar and a bit of sweet cherry.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that eases a bit as it transitions to some notes of dried herbs and earthy peat midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are still a bit tightly wound, providing for a rather brief dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant example of a nice, easy drinking Chianti, which was also a solid value at just $12.50!  This wine would pair well with a wide range of Italian dishes, from hearty pasta and risotto to baked Branzino.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some Italian herb crusted chicken breast along with some fusilli primavera.  Cheers!

2014 Titan Wine Company Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  It's the magical day when I raid the cellar to find a bottle of wine at least a decade in the making to open and enjoy.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long as I purchased it from Wine Till Sold Out a month or so ago.  The 2014 Titan Wine Company Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley and from a very strong vintage.  So, let's see how this wine has performed over the past decade!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals tempting aromas of blackberry, aged leather and baking spice that is reminiscent of an old library, perfect for relaxing on a chilly winter evening.  The first sip is an intriguing adventure, with an introduction of peppery spice and green herbs that transitions easily to some blackberry and plum notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, supporting a long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of exotic spices at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an adventurous wine that belies the normal, boring big Napa Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with rustic dished, from hearty stews to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I have taken a traditional route, enjoying this wine with a big Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some grilled broccolini and oven roasted sweet potatoes with herbs de Provence.  Cheers!