Luc Pirlet Cabernet Sauvignon

Whenever I’m cruising through Total Wine, I always like to find one new wine that based on description (and price of course) I’m willing to try.  Recently, I discovered a 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Les Barriquesfrom Luc Pirlet, a winery located in southern France.   

While I’m on the brink of making the switch from reds to whites, it has still been “cool” enough in the Valley of the Sun to warrant my continued consumption of red wine.  As you can see in the picture, I broke out the “fancy” Waterford to enjoy this Cab.  This practice of mine is pretty common – no reason for that beautiful stemware to sit in the cabinet unused!

After opening this wine, I did let it breathe in the glasses for a bit – well, I was messing around with taking photos!  It opened up nicely and was quite delicious.  I decided to pair this red with sliced Parmesan cheese and some almonds.  Perfect. 

The description just below the bottle at Total Wine that drew my attention (along with the price tag of $9.99) read: “Milk chocolate and dark cherries abound with ripe tannins and integrated oak and spice flavors. The finish is pure velvet and lingers on for quite a long time. An elegant wine with nicely balanced tannins. Great for pot roast or grilled flank steak.”  I mean, really, how can you resist?

If you haven’t switched over to whites just yet, I’d recommend giving this Cabernet a try – it will be worth it.  

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon

I recently shared this in one of my columns for The Ledger but wanted to include here as well.  I had been taste testing wines for the annual wine tasting party that some very good friends of ours were hosting and I remembered another delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that I think you'll want to try.   

14 Hands Vineyards is located in the beautiful state of Washington.  This is a region that can really produce some quality wines.  I’ve even had the honor of visiting a few of the wineries in that area – I’ll save that for another column. 

The Cabernet in particular is smooth, fruity, and has just a hint of spice.  I think that this wine can easily be paired with a tender filet (with a blue cheese crust on top of course!), consumed with a nice selection of boldly flavored cheeses, or simply enjoyed in a large glass while sitting in front of the fire and enjoying the company of friends.  At just around $10 at Total Wine, you might as well give a bottle a try.   

This Columbia Valley vineyard produces many different varietals of wine including whites, reserves, and blends.  To learn more about 14 hands, you can visit their website at www.14hands.com.

Go here to read more about the 2012 wine tasting party and how to host your own.

Root: 1 Cabernet - A Delicious Red Wine for Fall

As we continue to head into the fall season, the hubby and I will start to make the switch from whites to reds in the wine drinking department.  We typically stick with very light, crisp, and refreshing white wines in the summertime, but come fall and winter; bold, flavorful, red wines are what we prefer.   

This post is to introduce you to exactly one of these reds.  I can’t remember the first time we enjoyed Root: 1 Cabernet, but I know today that I’ve never regretted it!   Every time we see it on a restaurant wine list, it is our go to choice.  It has been a while since I purchased it at my favorite place in the world, Total Wine, but maybe it’s time I go stock up on a case so that I am prepared for the upcoming cooler nights.   

The Chilean Root: 1 Cabernet is not only reasonably priced but also a crowd pleaser, which makes it that much more perfect when hosting a party.  This red is a full-bodied wine that offers flavors such as berries, vanilla, and even cherry.  Coming in at just under $9 a bottle, it is an affordable wine that is a must try this season.

Right now, Root: 1 Wine has teamed up with Rewind and is running a limited time offer to receive a free limited edition Carmenere candle when you purchase a bottle of Root: 1 Wine.  Now that's just awesome. You can go here for more details. 

Do you have an upcoming party in the works for the Fall?  Are you attending a dinner party?  Or maybe even a wine tasting?  If so, I hope you will consider sharing this beautiful and delicious wine with your friends and family this season. If not, then get a bottle to drink on your own – it will be worth it, I promise. 

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon - wine tasting winner!

We attended a wine tasting party in our neighborhood last night....although it turned into more of a "drink a lot of wine" party for many of the guests!  This is the 2nd year our friends have hosted this event - and for me - the 2nd year winning it!  The host announced two winners, I'm not sure if it was a tie or how all of that worked, but I was happy I was one of the winners!  We were not surprised by the other couple who won - we have consumed many bottles of wine with them over the years!

The rules are simple, everyone brings a bottle of wine to enter into the contest, the hosts places it into a paper bag that has a number on it.  Once everyone has tasted all of the wines, they vote on a small piece of paper noting their favorite bag number and place it into a voting box..  The hosts tabulates the votes and announces the winner!  It's that easy!

Everyone also brought an appetizer to share - there was SO much yummy food!  Check out the Bite Sized Baked Brie I brought!  The hosts supplied "drinking" wine (and beer of course for the non-wine drinkers) and lots of people brought extra wine as well. 

The wine I chose to enter into the contest was a McManis Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought from Total Wine.  McManis is one of my favorite winemakers.  We learned about them many years ago when we lived in Atlanta at a wine tasting we attended.  They also have an excellent Syrah.  The best thing about this wine?  The price.  $7.99 a bottle.  That's right - an EXCELLENT price for a delicious wine. 

In October 2013, Sunset did a feature on ways to score amazing wine - McManis was on the list!!!

I did another blog post earlier this spring about their Chardonnay - you can check it out here.

Give this wine a try - if your local wine store doesn't have it, see if they can get some for you, you won't regret it!

Now, I'm off to enjoy some of the amazing Gundrun chocolates we received as a prize.....

 

iPhone photo of winning wine at the party!

 

iPhone photo - me with the winning wine!