Enjoyable, affordable California cabs on market
Did we escape the big one, or what? After listening to and watching the weather news, I joined the lemmings for a mad foraging spree. Crackers, chips, dips and mixers for the bread and circus, pro touch football, bad commentator and over-officiated championship fiasco playoffs. Unfortunately those guests living west of Route 13 and north of Smyrna were snowed in and couldn’t make it. The good thing about junk food is it will keep as long as the bags aren’t opened. The wine, as you all know, improves with age. Here’s hoping all you RRs (regular readers, for those new to the column) fared well. I was saddened to see the flooding in Lewes, Dewey and other ocean and bay locations. I’m hoping you are all well and safe, and any damages can be easily ameliorated for a reasonable price.
I read an interesting article discussing the urge to purge that settles over some of us, like a big black cloud, after the excesses of the holiday season. Many name it dieting, getting healthy or any of several euphemisms to avoid the terms normally associated with perdition, Carrie Nation and Bill Wilson. I, on the other hand, know the benefits of moderation, the heart health benefits and possible linking to a decreased risk for dementia that moderate use can effectuate. Anyhow, the article lists several beverages that will aid you in a healthy, moderate direction. You can find it here: http://www.snooth.com/articles/nobody-talks-about-wine in january/?utm_campaign=14196&utm_medium=email&utm_source =all&utm_content =83889#!slide=5.
If you’re looking for a few truly enjoyable, affordable Cali Cabs, check out Hiatus Cellars Napa Valley Cab 2010. You can find this 91-point gem for about $50. Reminds me of a top-drawer St. Estephe. Dark garnet with violet rim leads to different, but satisfying aromas of wet clay, currants and olive. On the palate, more currants, dark chocolate, caramel and nuts riding a medium bodied, balanced frame that finishes dry, with rich chewy tannins and hints of damp earth. Drink next three years. Another at 90 points and mid $50s is Envy Calistoga Cab 2011, which is deep garnet-colored, with aromas and flavors of olive, chocolate, cherries and graham crackers. Fruity but dry, full-bodied, finishes with creamy currant and mocha hints, and smooth tannin pucker. Beringer Knights Valley Sonoma Cabs were once a restaurant bellwether and consistently rated 88-92 points by most serious critics. They still are, and the 2011 are ready to drink, readily available and they are a terrific QPR at $300/case or under $28/bottle, 91 points McD. Opens dark garnet to lovely bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, maple and nutmeg. On the palate currant, sassafras and red fruits are prominent in a solid fruit core supported by a pleasing tannin, acid-balanced frame. Finishes medium and cleanly. The 2012 are 90 points and around $19. Smoke, game, incense, leather, pomegranate, spice and red cherries, writes Galloni. I have not sampled them yet.
Finally for my big-buck buckaroo buddies, the Kathryn Hall Napa Cabs 2012 are on sale. Parker blew them up with a 97-plus, and an effusive write-up, which I felt was mostly deserved. I advised all to hold fire though, and sure enough, after running up to about $155, they have come back to reality around $125. If you truly want to drink Hall Red though, take a look at the Hall Exzellenz Sacrashe Vineyard proprietary red 2010. These got 100s from RP and Cellartracker, and were bid through the roof. The 2012 are as good or better and can be had for a deuce. That price is going nowhere but up.
Don’t forget Rehoboth Beach Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 7. My daughter Marguerite has a team, JMagsforever, that has raised thousands of dollars over the years for this wonderful charity to support Special Olympics. In 2014 they raised $725,000. If you are feeling charitable please go here to donate and join team Jmagsforever: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/j-mags4-ever/2016-lewes-polar-bear-plunge-for-special-olympics.
This is a great fun event that includes many sub events. Pictures from last year can be found by searching Yahoo for Rehoboth Beach Polar Plunge 2016.
Email John McDonald at chjonmc@yahoo.com.
