4.79 Archives - Living Napa Cabulous

A More Special Than Usual #WineWednesday

In our house, we usually follow the mantra that wine can make a special occasion, rather than holding great wines to consume on special occasions. Today was a mix of both, being that it’s my birthday and I was granted the freedom to pick any wine I desired from our collection. I eagerly scanned the racks and opted for a big, sexy bottle – a Bressler Vineyards 2008 Cabernet – so my style…

I learned about Bressler a few years ago while on a work trip to Scottsdale, AZ. My group was out for a steak dinner and the sommelier strongly suggested we give the 2004 vintage a try. At one point in the night, the entire table stopped to comment on the complexity and quality of the wine. After our meal, I returned to my hotel room and immediately jumped online to learn more about this fantastic find.

Husband and wife duo Bob and Stacey Bressler produced their first vintage in 2000 with grapes from their St. Helena property. Since then, their vineyard has grown to include 5-acres of their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot for blending. We had the pleasure of sharing a glass of wine with the Bresslers while visiting Napa on a subsequent trip and gained an appreciation for just how passionate they are about their craft. Since that first sip of the 2004, we have made sure to grab each release since. Continue reading Wine of the Week: Bressler 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Reviews and Ratings

Some nights just call for an incredible roster of wine… Within the past couple of months, our closest friends, who happen to live just down the street, lost their two sweet dogs, “Wile E” (yellow) and Sullivan aka “Sully” (brown and white) to old age. When Sully passed yesterday, we collectively knew it was the right time to grab some of our most special wines from the cellar. We took time to look at old photos and share funny stories about these furry boys in their youth and turned the night into more of a celebration. Both wine enthusiasts, we opened four bottles and toasted to great pets past and present, a delicious meal and good, lifelong friendships. Together, we pooled four mind-blowing bottles from the West Coast of the U.S. and Australia. I love Napa wine because it’s what I know. I do enjoy opening my palate to wine from other areas in an effort to continue to broaden my knowledge and appreciation.

Wine Reviews and Ratings

I think I could even go out on a limb to say these were four of the best wines I’ve ever had:

Lewis Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – The tone of our night was set with this beautiful, fruit-forward wine, produced by former pro race car driver, Randy Lewis. It’s a complex 100% Cabernet with grapes from Calistoga and Oak Knoll. It began with aromas of cocoa, black fruit and spice and included flavors of oak, anise and chocolate. This vibrant wine had elegant supple tannins and a dramatic finish. Rating: 4.63 Continue reading Celebrating Four-Legged Friends with Some of the Best Wines I Ever Drank