The past couple of weeks have been crazy as work has me moving at a 1000 miles an hour and I’ve been jet setting back and forth to California. Even though the hours have been long, I still tried to find the time to take an hour or two to relax after work and decompress- sometimes you just need it!
While in California, I love to stop by Vintage Wine Merchants in San Jose to enjoy some wine and cheese and disengage from work for a little bit. Vintage is a wine store/wine bar that has an impeccable wine selection. You can buy a bottle at the store (retail price), have it corked, and then enjoy it while sitting in their adorable tasting room. The idea is ingenious and with all of the incredible California wine options– I keep coming back!
This week, the folks at Vintage recommended this Cabernet Sauvignon from Pride Mountain Vineyards. This was my first time trying anything from this winery and I was blown away– the wine was robust, full, yet smooth in its finish and went well with the cheese plate we had.
This wine is also a blend between Napa and Sonoma wines as the vineyard is split in half with two facilities– one on the Napa side and another in Sonoma. The wines are only blended after they have been made in their respective region which allows the winery to claim the 67% Napa and 33% Sonoma blending.
Another great pick from Vintage was this Cabernet Sauvignon by Sequoia Grove. The makers describe it as:
“Dark red-black in color with an intense nose of sweet tobacco and coffee mixed with dark chocolate, cassis, and boysenberries. Background aromas of vanilla and cigar box interplay with a hint of anise. The palate is full, rich, and structured, but the tannins are so supple that the wine comes across with a lightness on the palate that surprises, especially when it leads into a long, long finish filled with coffee and chocolate, which is just as intense at the end as when the wine began.”
Even when times get busy, I think its important to take a step back and at least try to enjoy the moment you are in. Being out in California is a great experience and these unknown (to me at least) wines are always a great find– especially since the smaller vineyards do not supply the stores back in NY.
Happy Friday! Enjoy a glass of wine this evening! Salute!
