Rosé Along the Wine Road

Strawberries cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things

Those are the opening lines to Nancy Sinatra’s song, Summer Wine written by Lee Hazlewood. And how apt the lyrics are in capturing the essence of Rosé. Fresh, bright, fruity and floral it’s the raison d’être for the #RoséAllDay movement. No longer a simple by-product of red wine making, today Rosé is made intentionally with fruit that is often sourced from vineyards dedicated solely to the varietal.

Here are capsule reviews of Rosé wines you may find along the Wine Road.

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Rosé of Sangiovese, Sonoma County
A virtual love note to the category of Rosé, the 2019 Alexander Valley Rosé is a classic example of everything we love about drinking pink. Made from Sangiovese grapes grown exclusively for the purpose of making Rosé, it’s an homage to the farm fresh fruits of summer; full of bright strawberry, juicy watermelon and spicy spearmint with a light blush pink color. Satisfying and quenching, it’s full of acidity and minerality with a wonderful parchment dry finish. Pair with spicy tuna rolls or poke bowl.

Balletto 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Estate bottled, Sonoma County
Bright, balanced and beautiful the Balletto 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir delivers a nosegay of floral notes with orange blossom, spicy carnation, and crushed violets and a fascinating vanilla scent of heliotrope. Full zing and zest with ripe peach and bing cherry floating upon tropical flavors of pineapple, guava, and key lime. Positively dreamy, it floats along on delicate clouds of soft tannin. Pair with roast chicken with spicy jambalaya rice.

Ektimo, 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley , Sonoma
The lovely round and balanced Ektimo, 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir opens with a bouquet of orange blossoms, ginger and rose petals. Pale golden rose in color, it leans towards citrus notes over red fruits, a characteristic usually found in Provençal style Rosé. On the palate you will find tropical notes of guava, kiwi and mango and a strawberry–lemonade through line that ends with a delicate but bright, dry finish. Crisp and versatile it allows for a variety of pairing options. Spicy duck tacos would be a worthy pairing.

Ferrari-Carano 2019, Dry Sangiovese Rosé, Sonoma County
Elegant and crowd-pleasing, Ferrari-Carano’s 2019, Dry Sangiovese Rosé is chock full of aromas of summer red fruits—strawberry, cherry, white peach and a floral note of hibiscus. The flavor profile is zippy and bracing with citrus notes of orange peel and lemongrass. Dry as parchment, with a long lingering finish, this wine will have you marveling at the complexity of flavor and simple pleasures of a well-made Rosé. Pair with crab cakes or your favorite goat cheese along with a salty prosciutto.

J. Rickards Winery 2019 Ava Rae Rosé of Grenache, Alexander Valley 
Salmon pink with flecks of gold, the Ava Rae Rosé of Grenache checks all the boxes for a standout example of the varietal. Crisp and zesty, it zips across the palate with tart tropical citrus notes, and a rich undertone of ripe watermelon and a distinct note of strawberry that reminds me of the Bonnie Bell Strawberry Lip Smacker that I adored in junior high school. Despite the old school sense memory, this Rosé is a thoroughly modern and sophisticated sip that is as soft and lovely as a first kiss. Pair with pork or chicken sliders.

Pedroncelli Rosé of Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Looking for a Rosé with a pedigree? Then cast your gaze upon Pedroncelli 2019 Rosé of Zinfandel. Pedroncelli has been making Rosé for over 60 years, and they have the style dialed in with this soft pink hued example that’s teeming with rich flavor and great body. The nose is like rose petal cotton candy with a strawberry-cherry vibe. The flavors are bright and juicy with notes of blood orange and sweet Bing cherry grounded with spicy notes of galangal and bergamot. Sharp and clean it’s the ultimate refresher on a hot summer day. Pair with a spicy gumbo or grilled shrimp in garlic sauce.

Zialena 2019 Rosé of Sangiovese, Sonoma County
This pale beauty made from Sangiovese is rose gold in color and opens with a rush of fresh fruit featuring white peach, Rainier cherry, the alluring scent of spicy carnation and an herbal note of thyme. Long and lively on the palate, the flavors are bright and brimming with wild strawberry, pomegranate, and Santa Rosa plum. The lingering, satisfying finish keeps the party going. Pair with Thai curry, charcuterie board, or BLT with spicy mayonnaise.

This post was first published on Along the Wine Road here.

Sangiovese --Varietal of the Month

Summer is the season of the grill and a great red wine for pairing with things from the BBQ is Sangiovese. Originating in Italy, Sangiovese derives its name from the Latin  —Sanguis Jovis— meaning “the blood of Jove”.

This medium-bodied dry red wine has a range of flavors that include red cherry, black plum, sun-dried tomato, cigar box, black tea, smoke, anise, and thyme. Great acidity and a nice level of spiciness typify it. Medium to high tannin make it a versatile wine, suitable for pairing with hard cheeses and rich savory types of meals such as roasted meats, pork chops and of course pizza.

Here are capsule reviews of Sangiovese wines you may find along the Wine Road.

ACORN 2016 Sangiovese Alegría Vineyards, Russian River Valley  
ACORN is known for its field blend wines, and the 2016 Sangiovese, Alegría Vineyards, is comprised of 98% Sangiovese, with 1% Canaiolo Nero, and 1% Mammalo Toscano. Fresh and vibrant with scents of spicy carnation and dusty rose petals. The palate is rich with red fruit flavors, specifically raspberry with a trace of dried strawberry, notes of mocha and baking spice, and a touch of cherry cola. Well structured and fully engaging, it has a medium body with sandy tannins and food-friendly acidity, an earmark of classic Chianti. It’s a sensory pleasure to enjoy with sausage pizza or perhaps a hearty smoked mushroom risotto.  

Lago di Merlo 2013 Sangiovese Dry Creek Valley
Balanced and bright the Lago di Merlo 2013 Sangiovese has a grainy yet soft tannin structure with juicy Bing cherry flavors along with dusty plum, mocha-coco, and an earthy porcini finish. The fruit flavors start out a bit muted then build quickly and open to their full potential. High acidity level allows for a variety of pairing options from roasted meats and saucy chicken dishes to aged hard cheese and charcuterie platters.

Peterson 2015 Sangiovese Dry Creek Valley 
The Peterson 2015 Sangiovese reminds me of my Italian grandparents table. Chianti was a mainstay of the Sunday meals where, as a child, I was given a taste of wine cut with water in a juice glass. The memory of those wines came back when I tasted this earthy and wily, classic style Sangiovese. It’s a complex equation of light dusty tannin and bouncy acidity. It’s wild at heart yet balanced in structure with flavors of marjoram, tomato leaf, deep dark fruits of plum and black cherry. A bit of tobacco leaf and leather on the finish meld beautifully with the fruit flavors. A rustic dish of peppers and sausage in tomato sauce or rosemary garlic roast chicken would make a fine complement.

Peterson 2015 Sangiovese, Il Granaio, Dry Creek Valley  
Mama Mia! This is one super duper “Super Tuscan”, blended with 75% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It’s a virtual trip to the Tuscan countryside via the classic light sandy tannin structure, juicy flavors and lively acidity. Rustic, yet elegant with plush dusty fruit flavors of mulberry, blackberry, and dark cherry, and tertiary notes of tobacco, fig and coffee. Pair with hearty lasagna or eggplant parmigiana.

Zouzounis 2017 Sangiovese, Giannecchini Vineyards, Mendocino County 
Fruity and bright the Zouzounis 2017 Sangiovese has layers of red fruit flavor and a lean medium body. High spirited, with frisky tannins that are taught and spiky, a bit of time in the glass gives this wine a chance to relax and unfold revealing dark red currant, cranberry flavors with a touch of tomato leaf. The juicy acidity guides the secondary flavors of black cherry and cola through to a lush round finish.  Tomato and molasses-based BBQ sauces or tomato-based pasta dishes make for a fine pairing.

This post was first published on Along the Wine Road here.

Podcast Epsoide 104 -- Exploring Sebastopol

Grenache --Varietal of the Month

 Grenache or Granacha as it’s known in Spain, is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range from light and smooth to more pronounced and firm depending on the climate in which it is grown. Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Below are capsule reviews of Grenache wines you may find along the Wine Road.

Amista 2016 Grenache, Dry Creek Valley, Morningsong Vineyard  
Exhibiting plum, leather, and licorice with dried strawberry on the nose, the Amista 2016 Grenache has a touch of ripe raspberry and fig on the palate with smooth lingering tannins. This Grenache shows tremendous balance with smooth medium tannins and a nice weight on the finish. I paired the Amista with an old school recipe for Chicken Marbella and it was marvelous complement to the dish, both savory and rich. An old school recipe with a new world wine made for a perfect pairing.

J. Rickards Winery 2018 Grenache, One Lone Row, Alexander Valley  
Rich and juicy the J.Rickards 2018 Grenache is full of black cherry, lavender, jam and allspice on the nose. It delivers a mouth-watering burst of cherry and blueberry, piecrust, and strawberry crumble on the palate with a sweet note of spun sugar on the finish. A delight on its own but I absolutely loved it with Eggplant Parmesan.

Meeker 2016 Grenache Hoskins Ranch, Dry Creek Valley  
Oh boy! This Meeker 2016 Grenache just could not stay in the glass very long! Each sip brought something new starting with bright strawberry and red grapefruit notes then deepening to flavors of blueberry pie, plum and licorice with mid-weight tannin structure. What to pair? I recommend strip steak fajitas with caramelized onions and peppers—it’s just the ticket to make this Grenache shine.

Mounts 2017 Grenache, Estate Grown, Dry Creek Valley
Simply gorgeous—the Mounts 2017 Grenache connects all the dots from tannin to acidity to balance and flavor. It’s a fully integrated and thoroughly delicious example of the grape with tart strawberry and rose on the nose and rich mouthful of pomegranate, ripe cheery and blueberry on the palate with pleasant long lasting tannins. I paired this with a tater tot casserole, which is essentially an old school Shepherd’s Pie, but with tater tots in lieu of mashed potatoes and it elevated the dish from simple and down home to upscale and stunning.

Quivira 2017 Grenache, Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley
The Quivira 2017 Grenache is an enigma of tannin and acidity that will captivate you from the first sip. A rush of ripe red fruit with tart strawberry, grapefruit and orange peel aromatics on the nose. The tannins tap dance across the palate with flavors of pomegranate, maraschino cherry, all–spice and white pepper propelled forward by a rush of tart and energetic acidity. Something grounding and savory such as Figs wrapped in Prosciutto would pair quite well with this juicy Grenache.

This was first published on Along the Wine Road here.

Sauvignon Blanc--Varietal of the Month

Widely planted around the world, Sauvignon Blanc has an array of styles from lean and bright, to juicy and plush. Sauvignon Blanc typically offers great aromatics and flavors that range from zesty citrus, to tart apple, to creamy peach and lean nectarine. Best bets for paring are briny oysters, Thai food, crab cakes, and goat cheeses.

Here are capsule reviews of some of the many Sauvignon Blanc wines you may find along the Wine Road.

A. Toraño 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch Sonoma County
Lean and bright, with medium acidity and tart notes of lemon, lime and quince. This Sauvignon Blanc offers a bit of a riddle, a horse of a different color, with fine spiky tannins that ride into a long finish but with a surprising dollop of creaminess on the end. Satisfying and delicious, a wine equivalent of “Old Town Road”–catchy and memorable. Put it in rotation on your back porch now and all summer long.

Armida 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Redwood Road Estate, Russian River Valley
Apple, pineapple and creamy notes of peach and guava are the leading flavors in this spicy beauty with a rush of floral aromatics on the nose and immense texture and brilliant acidity. Complex and captivating, pair with rosemary roasted chicken or garlic prawns.

Colagrossi 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County 
Pure sunshine and happiness, the Colagrossi Sauvignon Blanc is a classic example of bright citrus, pear and apple flavors and snappy acidity with a clean crisp finish. Nice balance and worthy of a great meal featuring Crab or Lobster. Or enjoy with a simple charcuterie place of spicy meats and goat cheese while relaxing on the deck with your people.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley
You can’t go wrong with this perennial favorite from Dry Creek Vineyards. Intensely aromatic and floral, this wine opens with big flavorful waves of pineapple, grapefruit and lime and delivers light creamy notes of peach, vanilla and guava on the finish. Elegant and full-bodied with a slightly plush mouth-feel, it’s suited to pairing with everything from light cheeses, to vegetable dishes like roasted tarragon carrots, or even pork chops.

Dutton Estate 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Kylie’s Cuvée
Alive with texture and flavor the pale gold with tint of green color hints at the flavors within. On the nose a bouquet of peach blossom, orange, lime, green bell pepper and touch of white pepper. The palate is full of bright acidity and a play of stone fruit and citrus. Round and balanced, pair with goat cheese and arugula salad or your favorite sushi roll.

Hanna 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Year after year Hanna delivers on the promise of an honest well-made example of the grape with an exciting melody of flavors including pink grapefruit, white peach, lychee, orange peel, lemon and lime and notes of galangal, which is a spice like ginger. It has a fleshy, rich mouth-feel, yet maintains a bright and zesty mineral finish.

Kelley & Young 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley
Pretty, elegant and refined, this medium to full bodied Sauvignon Blanc is the epitome of genteel. Meaning it’s a delight in every way from pleasing aromatics of citrus blossoms and jasmine and to the plush full flavors of apricot, ripe peach, grapefruit, vanilla and a touch of ginger. Lovely long finish that is clean and bright. Pair with good friends and great conversation.

Longboard 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley
Pale straw yellow with a slight tinge of green, the Longboard Sauvignon Blanc is lean in style but full of mouth puckering juicy citrus, plus notes of kiwi, peach, crisp Asian pear and fresh cut grass. Floral and herbaceous aromatics are a signal to what lies ahead on the palate. Makes for a wonderful breakfast wine paired with quiche! Really. Don’t judge. 😉

Peterson 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Redwood Glen Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
A varietal fever dream full of classic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics such as crisp green apple, Meyer lemon, and grapefruit along with a creamy lush line of guava, passion fruit and ripe peach.  There is a an ever so slight savory note of tomato leaf that gives this wine a refreshing lilt and lift from common place to singular with a brisk mineral finish.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Charlotte’s Home, Sonoma County
Fresh aromatics with zesty crisp acidity and full of fleshy peach, passion fruit, quince and green melon. Grounded and balanced with clean, long finish. Classic and refreshing this Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc is the definition of Porch Pounder – which is just another way to say it’s eminently quaffable and thoroughly enjoyable. Oysters, with a jalapeño mignonette, would be just the ticket for a perfect pairing.

West Wines 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley
Opens with a surprising soft floral nose exhibiting aromas of peach and ripe melon. On the palate the West Wines Sauvignon Blanc offers great minerality with bracing bright citrus notes of grapefruit, tangelo, and lemon. Great balance and structure –bring this to share at book club and after the first sip, I guarantee no one will be talking about the book!

Zialena 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Redwood Ranch, Alexander Valley
Tart and full of minerality this classic style of Sauvignon Blanc offers a spring garden of floral aromatics featuring orange blossom, jasmine and bright lime. The initial flavors are lean and dry but quickly open to zesty notes of lemon, kiwi, and an intriguing hit of jalapeño! Perfect summer sipper paired with oysters or spicy Thai dishes.

This post was first published on Along the Wine Road here

Barbera-- Varietal of the Month

Barbera, a variety native to Italy, can vary in flavor depending on where it’s grown; be it warm or cool climate, and how it is produced. Wines from cool climes tend to display brighter tart red fruits and warmer climes revel deeper dark berry fruit flavors. Typically Barbera is delightfully spicy with good acidity, and tends toward medium to light tannins with a smooth finish.

Here are capsule reviews of some Barbera examples you may find along the Wine Road.

Amphora 2014 Barbera, Clarksburg, Heringer Vineyard  

If you’ve spent any time in Italy, or lived there like I have, you may notice that the Amphora Barbera captures an essential “Italian-ness” in its structure and flavor profile. Clean and brisk, yet deeply savory. The initial approach offers bright acidity, and then opens beautifully into a plush mouthful of rich earthy tones and notes of smoky mushroom and leather. Medium tannins carry to a long luxurious finish that would pair exceptionally well with a hearty beef stew or even Pasta alla Norma made with eggplant.

Colagrossi 2017 Barbera Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

From Aunt Mary to Uncle Giuseppe, this crowd-pleasing Barbera will satisfy even the most persnickety of palates. The Colagrossi Barbera is full of dark red fruit and luscious blackberry with notes of licorice and Allspice. The long easy tannins are a like a big warm hug and perfect for a Sunday family meal of Spaghetti and Meatballs or Chicken Cacciatore. Saluti!
bottles of barbera form colagrossi, Peterson and Ramazzotti

Peterson 2014 Barbera Tollini Vineyard, Mendocino

When my Italian grandfather liked a wine he used to say— “Questo bellissimo!” And I think he would certainly like this Barbera for it’s spicy richness and overall balance. From Tollini vineyard in Mendocino, the Peterson Barbera delivers a wonderful bright sour cherry flavor grounded with notes of Santa Rosa plum and a touch fennel. Satisfying full round mouth feel, with pleasant persistent tannins. Pair with something rich and meaty like Pappardelle with Duck Ragù or perhaps a Mushroom Risotto.

Portalupi 2016 Barbera, Shake Ridge Ranch, Amador County

Hailing from the much-lauded Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador County, the Portalupi Barbera delivers on all the inherent expectations of a great vineyard. Rich, balanced and tremendously nuanced with lush aromas of blackberry jam and deep flavors of mulberry, raspberry. A distinct spicy note of lavender and anise floats along a river of supple tannins to the long and savoy finish. Share with friends over great conversation and pair with braised lamb shanks or sausage pizza.

Ramazzotti 2016 Barbera, Dry Creek Valley, Estate Grown

The Ramazzotti opens with aromas of cocoa and blackberry and a delightful hint of bright strawberry. Spicy and tart, the initial hit of acidity yields to a intriguing note of sweet black cherry on the mid palate as it develops slowly to it’s full showy potential with soft tannins and deep rich lasting flavor. Braised short ribs or a simple charcuterie plate of salami with creamy rich cheeses such as truffle sheep or goat cheese would make a fine pairing.

This was first published on Along the Wine Road here.

Malbec: Varietal of the Month

When we think of Malbec the first thing that may come to mind is Argentina. But the variety actually originated in the Cahors region of France and is one of the building blocks of Boudreaux blends. But Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina is where the grape developed it’s following and found it’s place in the foothills of the Andes and high elevations sub regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. If you like Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon you will most like enjoy Malbec as well. Inky and dark in color, Malbec ranges from medium to full body and pairs well with bold flavor forward foods like saucy meat dishes and strong chesses, and of course it is a delight as well all on its own.

Here are capsule reviews of some of the many Malbec wines you may find along the Wine Road.

Amphora 2013 Malbec Dry Creek Valley, Belvill-Hart Vineyard
Deep purple in color with a bluish halo on the edges as you tilt the glass toward the light.  Intense aromas of blueberries, black currant and ripe dark fruits. Great depth of flavor with full yet supple body delivers flavors of licorice, sour cherry, black oolong tea and a prominent cherry cola vibe. A bright note of maraschino cherry and mocha develops on the mid palate and lingers to the end. Pair with savory and spicy meat dishes like lamb kebabs or Moroccan beef stew.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2017 Malbec
Initially elusive, this Dry Creek Vineyard Malbec develops slowly like a Polaroid photo—faint at first, the aromas and flavors gently come forward then deepen into a full spectrum of dark fruit flavors and vibrant expression of the grape. Rich and complex, it’s bursting with bright spice notes including white pepper and allspice along with lush ripe black fruits, particularly plum and boysenberry. Delicious and satisfying it offers great balance with firm yet silky tannins. You might as well take a picture, because it will surely last longer than the bottle once you open it.

Fritz 2016 Malbec Dry Creek Valley  
Bright clear ruby color with aromas of all spice, candied ginger and plums. Rich and full-bodied it’s constantly changing in the glass as it opens and develops to its full expression. Balanced and buoyant flavors of mocha, fig jam and fresh blackberries dominate on the mid palate. Long graceful tannins glide like velvet to a pleasing finish.

Hanna 2015 Malbec, Alexander Valley, Red Ranch  
Dark purple to garnet in color with a nose of blackberries, brambles and maple sugar. On the palate a full flavored rush of blueberry, black cherry, tart cranberry, and cherry cola. Tightly wound at first but settles down quickly. Each sip builds on the last, delivering a nuanced and delicious take on chocolate covered cherries. And I’m not talking about your grandma’s chocolate covered cherries, circa Forest Gump, nope—I’m talking about truly awesome chocolate covered cherry cordials made from the finest, juiciest cherries enrobed in the highest quality chocolate. That’s what this Malbec is reminiscent of—pure joy.

Kelley & Young 2016 Malbec, Alexander Valley, Robert Young Vineyard
Kelley &Young 2016 Malbec offers bright vibrancy with great depth grounded in dark fruits. Aromas of black plum, sage, vanilla, and spicy carnation open up in the glass. Abundant black currant, dark cherry, blueberry, raspberry and sweet tobacco are revealed on the mid-palate with a pleasing through line of anise. Deep, dark, and intense the long persistent tannins linger with a fine silky, powdery texture. Enjoy with braised meats or a simple charcuterie board of smoked meats and hard cheesees.

Longboard 2016 Mystos Malbec
Named after a secret surf spot, the Mystos Malbec is ripe, robust and fragrant with flavors of dark fruits, juicy Santa Rosa plums, blueberries, and hint of Cuban cigar. Full of texture, the silky smooth tannins are like a portrait of Elvis on black velvet: exciting and slightly irreverent, but classic in all regards. Surf the wave of flavor in this Malbec and pair with Korean BBQ or Memphis pot roast.

Peterson 2015 Malbec Estate Grown Dry Creek Valley, Bradford Mt. Vineyard  
Malbec loves a high elevation and Bradford Mountain, at 1260 feet, is an optimal location for growing wines that are expressive and reflective of their place—aka terroir. A few sips of this Malbec and you’ll be wondering—was this made by a winemaker or a wizard? It’s as if the wood sprites came out at night and secretly created a magical elixir. Aromas of crushed violets, brambles, dark fruits, cedar and a touch of spicy wild carnation mingle in the glass. Tremendous structure and balance support the plush flavors of licorice, mocha, dark cherry, boysenberry and a sassy top note of pomegranate. The supple tannins offer a steady backbeat to the thrum of texture and depth all the way through the finish.

Rodney Strong 2014 Reserve Sonoma County
Sourced from individual lots on hillside vineyards, this Malbec is rich, lush, full bodied and age worthy. Aroma of violets, vanilla and coco puffs open into an opulent mouthful of blackberry and cola, with baking spice and a tinge of nutmeg. Long finish with lasting supple tannins. Pair with lamb couscous or enjoy on it’s own with a good book and a kind-hearted dog by your side.

Robert Young Estate Winery 2014 Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Dark garnet in the glass this lovely Malbec delivers aromas of black cherry with notes of plum, French vanilla and sweet and tobacco. Opens beautifully into a cascade of flavors featuring juicy ripe raspberry, wild sage, ginseng, tealeaf and a dusting of cocoa. Fine to powdery tannins with long undulating finish that rolls across the palate in satisfying waves of flavor.

Selby 2015 Malbec, Dry Creek Valley
Eighteen months in French oak give this Malbec a rich and complex structure with dominant flavors of red plum, blueberry, cocoa, and crushed violets. Medium tannins with a dollop of sugarplum smooth out the finish. Pair with Mac and Cheese made with the sharpest cheddar you can find. Or create a cheese board of semi soft and hard cheeses that will complement and harmonize with the cherry cola notes of the wine.

Williamson Wines 2014 Tango Malbec, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
Big and beautiful, the Tango Malbec is a tailored power suit of flavor with a lacy camisole beneath. Tango, like it’s name implies is intense and fiery, a dance of inherent tension between lush fruit flavor and subtle tannins. Dark and seductive, it opens strong but settles into a delicate pas de deux of fleshy Bing cherry, wild violets, all spice, cigar box, caramel, and sage. Soft velvety tannins sidle quietly into the night. Best paired with someone you love.

This post was first published on Along the Wine Road here.