Tag Archives: affordable red wines

Deux Bordeaux de Costco: A Tribute to My Father

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Happy New Year, my Rambling Vine readers! I apologize for my long absence. I miss chatting about wines with you, so I’m picking up right now where I left off, because life is short and there are too many definitive wines to be tasted and told about.

This past summer was beautiful and filled with many wonderful things, but it also brought me a life-sucking case of pneumonia (I had rattling lungs while I was writing my last couple posts early in June), followed by the sudden and unexpected passing of my father in August, and then bronchitis a few days after that. It was all I could do just trying to physically heal, grieve, do even a fraction of the bare minimum, and help support my stepmother who was immediately forced to make some big life changes.

It has been devastating and rough and traumatizing.

I have never been quite as physically and then emotionally sapped as I have been these past few months. But God is faithful and He is seeing me through this. I am doing better even as the reality of my dad’s loss is really starting to set in.

I thought in honor of my lovely dad I would share with you a couple of Bordeaux wines – one that my dad gave to me as part of my Christmas present one year, and one I picked on a whim at Costco. Both wines are 2020 vintages and were bought at Costco, where my Dad was a huge customer. I smile when I recall how much he loved Yellow Tail Australian Chardonnay, but also the expensive Napa Cabs he got me a couple different times that I barely shared with anyone else because they were so mind-blowingly, earth-shatteringly good.

So, the first one from my Dad was the 2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur. Apparently Bordeaux Supérieur wines do have higher standards for quality above regular Bordeaux appellation wines. This was an outstanding wine that did not taste like its price range; I was shocked when I learned it retailed for only about $7/bottle. It’s possible this low price is due to high supply and lower demand. If you can find this and you like it, it’s WELL WORTH buying by the case.
2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur

  • $6.99/bottle from Costco (approximately, price may vary)
  • 14% ABV
  • 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot
  • Aged in French oak for 12 months
  • “deep ruby in color, with a good tannic structure and supple palate. The nose is complex with black fruits, black currant and woody notes.”
  • According to Vins de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur wines are more concentrated, complex, and powerful than most AOC Bordeaux

The Bordeaux blend I took a chance on and that paid off was the 2020 Dame de Boüard from the Montagne Saint-Émilion region. Blends from this Bordeaux appellation use Merlot heavily but also Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

2020 Dame de Boüard

  • $12.59/bottle from Costco when I purchased it in 2023
  • Deep, dark, gorgeous opaque ruby
  • Aromas that explode out of the glass: smoke, spice, meats, black currants, red plum, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, licorice/anise, incense/something sweet. I may have picked up a little bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc in the blend.
  • Dry, warm from the 14.5% ABV
  • Medium body, not a lot of midpalate structure – decanting/aerating helped
  • Light tannins (very muted and in background)
  • Moderate acidity
  • Enchanting and lush
  • The back label calls these wines “delicious, appealing, elegant wines with lovely balance and rich silky tannin.”

As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy excellent Bordeaux. There are many incredible wines to be had at a great deal. The main thing to keep in mind with affordable Bordeaux is that poor vintages happen (years with bad weather). My husband and I had a $10 Bordeaux blend we loved (basically, it was the only one we could remember!) that was amazing certain years but then from another year it was nothing to write home about. Probably worth chatting with your wine steward or doing a little online research before purchasing.

I loved both of these wines and would happily uncork them again. They remind me of my Dad, and how much we both enjoyed having a nice glass of wine with a great meal, usually grilled steak or salmon from Costco.

Dad, you are so missed. Every time I try a great wine I think how much you would have loved it. There were still too many wines we had yet to enjoy together here on earth. But I know that even your absolute lifetime favorite doesn’t compare to heaven’s stores. Until we meet again. ❤

Mexico: Land of Cerveza, Tequila, and… Vino?

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

In which I try a red and a white wine from Mexico….

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and our cherished Mexican restaurants are about to get CA-ROWDED. (A little trick of mine – eat at an Irish pub on Cinco de Mayo and eat at a Mexican restaurant on St. Patrick’s Day). After all, for most Americans, it’s about the spirit of the celebration, not the actual date, right? 😉 Yep, hasn’t failed me yet.

After fantasizing over chips n’ guac for a moment, I stopped to ask myself if I had ever had any MEXICAN WINE before. No, I don’t believe I have, I concluded. So self and I went to wine.com and searched for Mexican wine, and then ordered some.

Pack your bags and grab your sunglasses and sandals, we’re heading south of the border for a quick tour! This is for those of us who prefer wine over cocktails, and are curious enough to try a different Mexican beverage. It’s not Cinco de Mayo without Margaritas, claro que sí, but just for fun, since this is a blog dedicated to having fun exploring wine, let’s try some Mexican vino together.

(To whet your appetite, I do have a delectable Margarita recipe coming your way later this week. Watch for it, it’s a beauty!)

Wine #1: L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc 2021
L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc

  • $11/bottle at wine.com
  • 12% ABV
  • Estate bottled/Valle de Guadalupe/Baja California, México
  • Pale yellow with greenish hues
  • Light body, oily texture
  • Strong, refreshing acidity
  • The nose is lovely and highly aromatic. Aromas and flavors include: honeysuckle, peach, yellow apple, pear, honey, banana, melon

Something I did not know about Chenin Blanc is that it maintains a strong level of acidity, even under warm growing conditions. Normally grapes grown in warm climates develop higher levels of sugars than acids.

This would be stellar with fish tacos or pollo a la crema. I tried it with jalapeño-pickled green beans, brie cheese, and whole grain crackers to cure late-night grumbling stomach woes. Great flavors and pairing!

I was surprised by this little Chenin Blanc – it was very nice!

Wine #2: L.A. Cetto Zinfandel 2020
L.A. Cetto Zinfandel

  • $11/bottle at wine.com
  • 13% ABV
  • Estate bottled/Valle de Guadalupe/Baja California, México
  • Medium ruby with magenta tint
  • Light body, medium acidity, dry
  • Tannins are soft, gentle, in the background
  • Moderate finish
  • The nose is really lovely. Initial aromas: peach pie, cinnamon, juicy fresh strawberry, red cherry, watermelon, rhubarb, lemon blossom, pepper, clay. After several days of being open, it showed strong hibiscus, cranberry, and cherry.

My guess before I even tried this was that it would be highly similar to a California red – full body, higher alcohol, lower acid, off dry/residual sugar, and moderate tannins.

Here is what I discovered: this Mexican Zinfandel was absolutely nothing like any other Zinfandel I’ve ever had before. Not even Italian Primitivo, which is genetically similar to Zinfandel.

This was quite different from the dark, inky Zinfandels I’m accustomed to; it lacks the complexity, full body, and moderate tannins. I don’t know if that is an issue with the grapes or the winemaking. Truth be told, even though Zinfandel grapes produce dark, rich wines, their skins are actually rather thin, which should translate to lighter bodied, less tannic wines.

This wine was interesting in that it was so unusual from what I’ve typically experienced in Zinfandel. It does develop more complexity after a few more days of being open, and good on it, it is quite long-lasting without suffering the ill effects of extended bottle opening.

Treat this Zinfandel like a light, juicy, fresh red, and it will make you happy. This Zinfandel could be muy complementario with chile verde. I haven’t tried it, but if you do, let me know if it worked. 🙂

In conclusion, I personally preferred the Chenin Blanc overall, but I would recommend trying both (at only $11/bottle, they are each an easy way to explore Mexican vino). The Zinfandel was fine; it was just unusual for Zinfandel and that was why I had a hard time comparing it. But if you can treat it with an open mind, especially if you’re not a huge California Zinfandel fan, you might actually enjoy this wine. L.A. Cetto also makes a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine.com also offers another label from Mexico that is spendier and from a different region, which I have not tried.

Have you ever had Mexican wine? Comment below!

Nat Geo Wines of the World

Tannat: The Polyphenol Jackpot

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

There is a holiday for literally everything now. From World Compliment Day to Super Mario Day to No Dirty Dishes Day (does a magical cleaning fairy come on that day?), there is no shortage of weird holidays. And why not? Every day that we are alive is worth celebrating – might as well have fun celebrating different things.

As I was surfing the Interwebs not too long ago, I came across a scad of wine holidays, including today’s Tannat Day. Realizing I’ve only had one Tannat in my life (to my knowledge) and that I have never blogged about it on here, I took it as a good excuse to pick out a bottle and learn a little more about this prized grape. Learning never ends for an oenophile!

So, here we are… Happy Tannat Day!

Just what is Tannat, anyway?

A cluster of the French grape variety Tannat. Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof - 76833 Siebeldingen, GERMANY

A cluster of the French grape variety Tannat. Photo courtesy Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof – 76833 Siebeldingen, GERMANY

Tannat is a red wine grape that originated in southwestern France, where it is known as Madiran (French wines go by place name not grape name). French immigrants hauled cuttings of their favorite grape down to Uruguay in the 1800s and began cultivating it. While it is grown in numerous countries the world over (including the USA), it has established itself as the top dog wine of Uruguay, in much the same way Malbec has become Argentina’s flagship grape.

Tannat grapes have extra thick skin and a higher amount of seeds inside than other wine grapes. Tannins come from the grape skins, seeds, and stems, and become an important part of wine during fermentation. When the wine is put in oak barrels for aging and development, this also imparts wood tannins. Thus, Tannat wines are by nature super tannic, but good winemakers will tame the tannins through practices like micro oxygenation and oak barrel aging, which allow small amounts of oxygen to soften the wine’s tannins. But not too much, because the high tannin levels are also the trait that will make Tannats age well/last a long time.

So, what’s all the health hype about? Tannins are polyphenols (one well-known one is resveratrol), or antioxidants, which are extremely important for our cell health. Tannins in wine are what cause bitter, astringent, sandpapery, or gritty sensations in your mouth. And Tannat has among the highest levels of polyphenols of any wine period. Other wines with mega-high levels of polyphenols include Sagrantino, Touriga Nacional, and Xinomavro (Wine Folly The Master Guide, pg. 19).

A fellow wine lover’s description of this Tannat on Twitter was compelling enough for me to purchase a bottle of the famed elixir. I decided it was time to get fully acquainted with this varietal, and what better day than on Tannat Day.

You who like big, bold, full-bodied reds, meet your new friend. A high quality friend whose price tag is very reasonable. And one who is very amiable. 🙂

Here are the details and my impressions of the wine:

Bodega Garzon Uruguay Reserva Tannat 2020

Bodega Garzon Uruguay Reserva Tannat 2020

Bodega Garzón Uruguay Reserva Tannat 2020

  • Currently $18/bottle on wine.com
  • Deep purple
  • Medium/full body
  • Dry!
  • 14% ABV
  • Low-medium acidity
  • Very smooth texture
  • This wine is bitter from the tannins, but the resulting texture is not grippy or sandy at all, very well-integrated and full
  • Aromas upon opening: rustic, earthy, animal, herbal, black fruits more subtle
  • Aromas after decanting 1 hour+: black fruits, smoke, spice, minerals, graphite
  • Flavors: black fruits (berry, cherry, plum, olive), meaty
  • Not a long finish
  • This wine is fine to sip solo, but because it is quite dry and bitter, I would recommend serving this wine with food to really let it shine (barbecue obviously and other rich, fatty dishes)

So there you have it. You can’t go wrong with this Tannat; it has good ratings from critics across the board and is lauded for being a top example of Uruguayan Tannat in this price range. Start here and then proceed onward to other Tannats.

Raise a glass of Tannat today. Cheers to your good health! ❤

Anyone else imbibing Tannat today? Where from? Thumbs up/down? Comment!

Nat Geo Wines of the World

Pour Favor: Red Guitar Ignites Un Gran Pasión

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!Vámanos! How about some soundtrack and visual scenery to set the mood….

You know the relief you get when you find your car keys after frantically upturning every part of your house? Or the sweet surprise when you find an unused iTunes gift card in a pile of old birthday cards? Such feelings are a close proximation to what I felt when I found my long lost love; this fantastic, affordable Spanish red that I thought had left me forever, short of a plane ticket to España. None other than Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases). Ah, sweet mystery of life, at last I’ve found you! I first bought this wine at my local grocery store, drank it, fell for it, went back for more, and they didn’t have it in stock. Mi corazón roto. I had almost given up until I was in the “Spain” section at Total Wine and found it there.

The wine is 52% Tempranillo, 48% Garnacha. The Tempranillo and Garnacha are like two flamenco dancers swirling sordidly on your palate. Fabulous, fruity, great taste and structure. At $10, the price is ridiculously awesome. This wine, to me, is the whole shebang, todo el asunto. It scores 10/10 on every account.

According to Red Guitar Wines:

“Centuries ago, the Spanish added a sixth string to a little recognized instrument of the time, bringing to life what we now know as the guitar. For countless generations since that day, music, food, and wine have been the fabric of the Spaniard’s joyful and vivacious existence. Put simply, la buena vida (the good life). Our prized old vines of Tempranillo and Garnacha dig deep into the gravel soils of Navarra to produce wines of incredible character and quality, year after year. Red Guitar; a rich and smooth celebration of the Spanish lifestyle.

“Garnacha is the most widely planted grape variety in the world and thrives in warm, dry regions. It produces wines of great concentration and flavor, with explosive raspberry fruit characters and soft tannins. Together, these varieties combine to produce a rich, smooth, and luscious wine full of ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors on a long, soft finish.”

With that, revel in your power and sass as you sip this intensely provocative wine! 🙂

What to Drink When You’re “Hot to Trot”

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Reader, meet the smoothest red wine you’ll ever drink! Photo courtesy 14 Hands Vineyards. http://www.14hands.com

Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

In honor of everyone who is engaged to be married right now, especially my sister. Congratulations Jocelyn and Conor on your romantic Irish engagement!

Being newly engaged can be hazardous to your health… at least it was for me. When the love of my life popped the question and subsequently put a gorgeous carat on my finger, I was inordinately obsessed with MY sparkly object. I would roll my car window down every time I drove, rest my arm out the window and gaze all gooey-like at the diamond, the summation of my happiness. I can’t tell you how many auto accidents I narrowly avoided in those early weeks. I’m still obsessed with my rock, but eventually I mellowed.

But isn’t it wonderful when you’re wallowing in the throes of “just engaged” bliss? When you’re “hot to trot” with the one you love, you’re caught up in a love whirlwind that thrusts you toward the altar with smoldering passion and whiffs of eternal commitment. It’s a red torrent of unflinching romance! With your eye on the prize, nothing can stop you. “Going to the Chapel” is on constant loop in your subconscious. Yes, you fit all the criteria; you’re hot to trot! Here is a celebratory red blend wine that epitomizes the recently engaged state.

I insist you try 14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend. For around $10, it will shock you. Everyone to whom I have introduced this wine has raved about it! The 14 Hands label, like Red Diamond, has quickly become a hot Washington wine buy, and for good reason. Smooth, fruity, yet poised and so drinkable. From the tasting notes: “This approachable and easy drinking red wine offers generous aromas of berries, cherries and currants. A plush framework of soft tannins supports the red and dark fruit flavors that leisurely give way to subtle notes of baking spice and mocha on the finish.” It’s a blend predominantly of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with hints of Mourvèdre and other select red varieties.

This wine goes down your gullet very easily… yeah, just be careful and don’t overdo it! Perfect to share with friends, and toast the future happiness of loved ones!

When Time Isn’t On Your Side: What to Drink

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All too familiar scenario: you drag through the door on a Friday night after a long week of work and while you would love to immediately start indulging in a glass of wine, you have a moderately nice bottle that requires a couple hours worth of aerating/decanting (for optimal taste, you’re a wine connoisseur, after all) and you absolutely cannot wait. Seriously, who has time for nonsense like that at times like these? It’s time to start winding down from your long week and focus on relaxing. A glass of wine is a lovely addition to this process and you need unfettered access ASAP.

This past week was brutal. I was unusually overwhelmed by things that needed to get done, and wasn’t easy on myself about them. Rest assured, my week ended joyfully, but during much of it I was super pressed for time, cramming umpteen tasks that I needed to get done into every minute of the day. This is only natural on weeks where there is more to do than usual. I don’t mind being busy, but I need space and time to relax and recharge. I do better that way. But I also don’t want to miss out on fun activities or neglect the things I really do need to get done (you know, like showering).

A tempting treat from the Land Down Under that’s under $10 a bottle, 2010 Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) is a wine that drinks BEAUTIFULLY without needing decanting. You can drink it the second you pop the cork. I poured some in our decanter but it made scant difference. Voilà instant gratification, pour away!

From the tasting notes: “A full bodied, juicy sweet palate with cherry, chocolate and plum flavours with a smooth finish.” I find it smooth and easily drinkable, but it possesses enough flavor complexity to pair very well with red wine foods, particularly a rich beef stew or pasta, or even Afghan cuisine (yes, I’ve had this wine with Afghan cuisine at a local restaurant, and it’s awesome). On its own, it’s mellow and yummy.

For those of you who pride yourselves on time-saving tricks and tactics, put this red wine at the top of your list for “time-saving” wines. Now go have a glass and relax!

Time is
Too slow for those who wait
Too swift for those who fear
Too long for those who grieve
Too short for those who rejoice
But for those who love
Time is eternity.

~ Henry Van Dyke

Red Diamonds Are Everyone’s Best Friend

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Just remember, Red Diamonds are a girl’s (and boy’s) best friend!

Lasso This Merlot: Red Diamond Wines Shine Brilliantly

Many of you feel dazed and confused when shopping for wine. Rows of seemingly identical bottles stretch along for miles, all sporting cryptic labels with meaningless verbiage. “What does this even mean?” you wonder as you scratch your head and do your best to translate with a limited vocabulary. It’s as though you’ve landed in a rural French village in 1862, equipped with only a week of high school French. You begin to perspire and panic like a straight man in the salon shoes section of Nordstrom. Is that $30 bottle worth the gamble? Maybe, maybe not.

It can be overwhelming, but it need not be intimidating any longer! Here is a wine you can zoom in on with laser wine vision, swoop in for the kill, and get out in time to finish the rest of your shopping. Whew!

This, my friends, is it. This is the quintessential red wine you will want to buy by the case, because it is incredible. Red Diamond Merlot from Washington is one of my personal all-time favorite wines. It happens to be one of the top ten Merlots in America. (PLEASE don’t go up in price, Red Diamond!). It is perfect on its own, but it is also wonderful in sangria, a Spanish punch made out of red wine. It’s dark and fruity, with perfect body and balance. Did I mention it’s less than $10?

From the tasting notes: “Our Washington Merlot opens with a beautifully knit blackberry, cherry, and spice scented nose with a toasty oak background. Sweet fruit on the palate is complemented by medium-bodied but firm tannins. Red Diamond celebrates the personality of Washington’s distinctive red wines. Layers of luscious flavors are revealed in each bottle, exuding style and confidence. Our Red Diamond Merlot is a shining example of Washington’s best varietal – a polished wine with softly spiced black cherry, berry and plum flavors.”

Don’t limit yourself to just the Merlot… they also make other wines, including Shiraz, Malbec, and Chardonnay! I can personally vouch for the Cab, it’s outstanding.

A rule of thumb: any wine you cook with must also taste good. It need not be expensive, but taste good it must! (Like Yoda I speak, expert therefore I be).

Here’s a recipe for Sangria I made recently for a Cinco de Mayo party (courtesy of Better Homes & Garden New Cookbook, 14th ed., with my comments). I recommend using Red Diamond Merlot, as it imparts a subtle cinnamon flavor to the sangria and blends well with the citrus juices.

1 cup orange juice (no pulp)
¼ cup lime juice
1 750-milliliter bottle dry red wine (Red Diamond Merlot)
¼ – 1/3 cup sugar
Ice cubes

In a 2-quart pitcher stir together orange and lime juices. Add wine and sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved (I like the sugar from Trader Joe’s). Cover and chill for 3 to 24 hours. Serve over ice.

I garnished mine with orange and lime slices, frozen cranberries and Golden Delicious apple chunks. This sangria is fantastic; it’s like winter mulled wine, but for spring.

I hope Red Diamond becomes one of your favorite go-to wines!

A Primer on Pinot Noir (And A Couple to Get You Going)

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Ah, Pinot Noir! In the wine world, saying you’re a fan of Pinot Noir tends to signify you’ve made it to the wine big leagues. Pinot Noir is an enigma; classy, mysterious, shapeshifting. It has soared in popularity since the film Sideways came out, which in large part contributed to killing off Merlot production in California. (Just you wait, Merlot’s comeback is just around the corner… if shoulder pads can come back, certainly Merlot can – and to me, Merlot never went out of style in the first place).

At first, I didn’t understand the appeal of Pinot Noir. The first glass I intentionally ordered tasted like fruity water (it wasn’t a good wine – otherwise I would have liked it – and I think it had been open too long, too). But with so many friends claiming it as their favorite wine of all time, I knew I couldn’t throw in the towel just yet.

So, you’re asking, what is all the hype about Pinot Noir and WHO will explain it to me? First of all, a quick quasi-science lesson: Pinot Noir is the picky princess of the grape family, so she demands a very specific climate, weather, sun/rain mixture, careful, painstaking tending, and the list of demands goes on as long as J-Lo’s artist rider. But this lavish TLC pays off royally and can lead to some truly awesome, world-class wines. Once you taste a great Pinot Noir, you appreciate its refined qualities and everything it represents in terms of excellent winemaking craft. It also explains the sticker shock you might experience when surveying fine Pinots in your favorite wine shop.

Fear not! If you’re new to Pinot Noir, let me give you a couple of easy-going, easy-drinking Pinots that are at or under $10 a bottle. While they may not be superstar arena rock concert material, they are still the equivalent of a surprisingly good coffee shop open mic night.

Whole Foods Market has a section of very good affordable wines, and very knowledgeable wine stewards, so always chat them up for their best recommendations. Redtree Pinot Noir is from California and is around or under $10 a bottle. From the tastings notes: “Our 2010 Pinot Noir displays aromas of fresh fruits and strawberries, with a hint of oak in the background. This lighter-bodied wine provides cherry flavors on the palate and more red fruits, finishing with soft tannins.” Not bad, actually. Underwood Cellars Pinot Noir is from Oregon, $10 at Whole Foods Market, and is also quite tasty. From the tasting notes: “The Underwood Pinot Noir exhibits aromas [of] cranberries, red raspberries, with notes of smoke and spice. The palate is filled with sweet raspberry fruit intertwined with warm cinnamon tones. The wine’s bright acidity and fine tannins come together in a fruit laden finish.”

Even if you love red wine, you don’t always want a 10 on the Richter scale of a bold, dark, intense red wine. Be surprised by these light and delicious Pinot Noirs. Let me know how you liked them!

Hailing A Cab? You’ll Need 14 Hands

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If only hailing a “cab” were as easy as hailing a cab… wave your hand in the air and POOF! A bottle of 14 Hands Cab!

Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon

I’d like to hail a cab, a very special cab (sorry, yellow taxi, not you)… 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon, to be specific. So pay attention! This is one of the Rambling Vine’s ultimate, go-to red wines; full of great fruit flavors and exhibiting great, overall harmony and balance. I can’t tell you how many people I have recommended this wine to… even perfect strangers at the grocery store. Then when I see them next week they bow down before me with burnt offerings and… yeah, not exactly. But they gush over this wine, and you will, too!

Now, when I talk about 14 Hands Cab, keep in mind I also hold their Merlot in very high regard, so their Merlot is also a “not-to-be-missed” wine (I am writing about the Cab, selfishly, because I could think of more puns). Whether you like Cab or Merlot is sort of like asking a 14 year-old girl whether she’s Team Edward or Jacob… they’re both delicious in their own ways, just with slight differences. It’s a matter of comparing apples and oranges. So I don’t think you’ll have a problem with either one. Au contraire, they are both fabulous.

For a while the 14 Hands’ single varietals Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were only available at restaurants. The winery sold their Hot to Trot Red Blend in stores (also exceptional… another post for another day), but fans cried out for their Cabs and Merlots. Hallelujah, these are now also available to the general drinking public! In my not-so-humble opinion, this is the apex of affordable, extremely smooth, drinkable, high quality Washington red wine.

I secretly hope Washington wine doesn’t get too popular and correspondingly expensive (or worse, of inferior quality). That would be devastating. It’s definitely gaining more and more fans around the globe, and for good reason. Until that day comes, drink up! If this is your first foray into Washington red wine, this is my highest recommendation to you.

Cheers!