The experience of this wine feels to me like walking deep into the woods and finding a cigar box made of cedar. You open it, and find that it is filled with mouthwatering plums, black cherries, and peppercorn laid upon eucalyptus leaves, walnuts, and chocolate. There is flint nearby to start a fire, and a bench to sit and savor this wine for a long time. Yes, forgive me, this wine makes me want to write poetry. Mouthcoating, a deep earthiness, with a long finish and perfect balance. 

Pair with coq au vin, roast chicken or duck, grilled asparagus or artichokes, vegetable lasagna. 

We’re going on a trip, somewhere smoky and delicious, where jazz is playing on an old record player. There is a brand-new leather duffel sitting on the old bed, and as you peek inside you find juicy blueberries, deeply perfumed violets, and freshly turned soil, which you sink your hands into. You can also smell the fennel seeds, spicy cloves, and even some oregano. There is a beautiful chalkiness in the air that reminds you of vanilla wafers and cinnamon ice cream. 

Off we go. 

Pair with cheesy veggie pizza, spinach and artichoke dip, or eggplant parmesan. Even a burger would be delicious with this wine, veggie or not. 

If there were a sequel to “American Werewolf in London,” I would want to be drinking this wine while watching. Why? 

1) It’s delicious and smokey and would comfort me during the scary parts. 

2) This wine is a beautiful animal. 

Dark and brooding, ferocious but with an underlying elegance. This wine is a tamed beast. 

Pair with a lentil dal, rich smoky cheeses, mushroom risotto, or herby roasted potatoes.