Bedrock Wine Co. 2016 Monticello Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, CA $80
This wine was a 40th birthday gift from a very dear friend. I held on to it as long as I could (e.g. 6 months) and busted it out one Saturday night on a total whim. On it's own, it was the kind of Cabernet Sauvignon Cab lovers love. But it was also really approachable for those just looking for a really delicious bottle of (admittedly pricey) red wine. Paired with a steak preparation I had never had before -- a big, juicy, flappy piece of super marinated beef, cooked quickly in a grill pan -- it was absolute heaven. Robert Parker gave it a 93, if you care about that sort of thing. I give it a go-get-your-hands-on-a-bottle-if-you-can-afford-it. Buy it HERE.
This wine was a 40th birthday gift from a very dear friend. I held on to it as long as I could (e.g. 6 months) and busted it out one Saturday night on a total whim. On it's own, it was the kind of Cabernet Sauvignon Cab lovers love. But it was also really approachable for those just looking for a really delicious bottle of (admittedly pricey) red wine. Paired with a steak preparation I had never had before -- a big, juicy, flappy piece of super marinated beef, cooked quickly in a grill pan -- it was absolute heaven. Robert Parker gave it a 93, if you care about that sort of thing. I give it a go-get-your-hands-on-a-bottle-if-you-can-afford-it. Buy it HERE.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards 2014 Vecchio Frate, Temecula Valley, CA, $50
This wine is made from the Italian grape Lagrein, which is a really deeply colored and flavored grape that yields wines of the same profile. Renzoni winemaker Olivia Bue -- an amazingly chill, young, ultra-talented rockstar coming out of the Temecula Valley region -- has worked wonders with it here, turning it silky smooth, luxurious and packed with red fruits and sweet baking spices. Buy it HERE.
This wine is made from the Italian grape Lagrein, which is a really deeply colored and flavored grape that yields wines of the same profile. Renzoni winemaker Olivia Bue -- an amazingly chill, young, ultra-talented rockstar coming out of the Temecula Valley region -- has worked wonders with it here, turning it silky smooth, luxurious and packed with red fruits and sweet baking spices. Buy it HERE.
Abacela 2017 Fiesta Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, OR, $25
First of all, who knew they made REALLY amazing Tempranillo in Oregon? I didn't, but now I do, and this one is a stunning example. My husband and I sipped it with a big pan of pulled chicken Chilaquiles and it was one of those combos (and moments) that was just perfect. To be honest, everything I have tasted from this producer is fantastic. And, 2020 marks the winery's 25th anniversary, so help them celebrate by snagging a bottle of this or any one of their other tasty wines HERE.
First of all, who knew they made REALLY amazing Tempranillo in Oregon? I didn't, but now I do, and this one is a stunning example. My husband and I sipped it with a big pan of pulled chicken Chilaquiles and it was one of those combos (and moments) that was just perfect. To be honest, everything I have tasted from this producer is fantastic. And, 2020 marks the winery's 25th anniversary, so help them celebrate by snagging a bottle of this or any one of their other tasty wines HERE.