This is Dusted Valley’s top Cabernet Sauvignon. Southwind Vineyard lies on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, perched high on a ridge of ancient lava flows overlooking the beautiful Walla Walla Valley. The diversity in elevation and soil profiles make it an extremely special place to grow grapes. This wine is dedicated to the loving memory of Chad’s Grandpa Vernon Rhodes. He was a truly amazing man, and this Cab takes its name from his miraculous chocolate chip cookie the “V.R. Special”.
2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Specs
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley, Columbia
Vineyards: Southwind Vineyard Estate
Total Acidity: 6.12 grams/L
pH: 3.8
Alcohol: 14.5%
Techniques: 12-14 day maceration. Aged on fine lees and racked once before bottling. Four Cabernet Sauvignon Clones. Native yeast fermentation.
Oak Program: 45% new French oak
Production: 4,200 bottles
2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
92 Points & Editor’s Choice, Wine Enthusiast
Specs
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley
Vineyards: Southwind Vineyard Estate
Total Acidity: 5.9 grams/L
pH: 3.74
Alcohol: 14.5%
Techniques: 14-17 day maceration. Aged on fine lees and racked once before bottling. Four Cabernet Sauvignon Clones.
Oak Program: 50% new French oak
Production: 3,600 bottles
2017 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
93 Points, James Suckling 92 Points, Wine Advocate
Winemaker’s Notes
This is Dusted Valley’s top Cabernet Sauvignon and is crafted from some of the oldest and most sought after vineyards in Washington State, including Dionysus and our Southwind Estate Vineyards. This wine is dedicated to the loving memory of Chad’s Grandpa Vernon Rhodes. He was a truly amazing man, and this Cab takes its name from his miraculous chocolate chip cookie the “V.R. Special”.
Specs
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Vineyards: Southwind (Estate), Dionysus
Total Acidity: 5.68 grams/L
pH: 3.9
Alcohol: 14.5%
Techniques: 17-21 day maceration. Aged on fine lees and racked once before bottling.
Oak Program: 44% new French oak
Production: 4,608 bottles
What’s Included
6-bottles:
2x - 2017 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
2x - 2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
2x - 2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Case:
4x - 2017 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
4x - 2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
4x - 2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Dusted Valley was founded on the notion that when family works together the American Dream can turn into a living reality. In 2003, these Wisconsin natives took a leap of faith and started a new adventure in the Walla Walla Valley. Today, under the Dusted Valley® and Boomtown® labels, the family farms three estate vineyards and crafts honest wines with a sense of place.
When Dusted Valley was created, the Johnsons and Braunels set out on an adventure – leaving behind their comfortable jobs to do something a little unconventional. And they haven’t looked back since. For the last 21 years, the family has been proudly growing and crafting spectacular Washington State wine under the Dusted Valley and Boomtown by Dusted Valley labels. With strong roots in agriculture, brothers-in-law Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel focus their wine growing philosophies in the vineyard with sustainable practices, low (or modest) yields and minimalistic winemaking. The resulting wines offer a sense of place and showcase their estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and other premier vineyards throughout the state.
As part of their distinctive oak program, Dusted Valley works with barrels crafted from the finest French oak, along with oak sourced from the area near the 45th parallel of Wisconsin where they were born and raised. At roughly a 6,000 case operation, offerings include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay, along with Bordeaux and Rhone Style blends. Dusted Valley proudly shares “the good life” with friends and fans at their two tasting rooms– one at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla and one near Seattle in the heart of Edmonds, Washington.
As we say in the Dusted Valley, “Experience the click of quality and crack that cap! The first two glasses are for your health, the second two for ours!”
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
6 bottles for $189.99 $31.67/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon - $80 = 21.05%
2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
It’s always fun, after receiving the notification email, wondering what type of wine will arrive: red or white (or rose)? full or light body? American or European? When this cabernet sauvignon landed at my doorstep, I immediately shifted my dinner plan from chili to wagyu beef to give it a proper pairing. The bottle was quite cold upon arrival, so I let it sit at room temp for 4 hours before opening it. I then poured out a glass to give it a full three hours to breathe, given its older vintage (2018).
Hidden Valley is a new vineyard for me, so I did some quick research. It is family-owned and has been producing high-quality wines that receive consistently high ratings for 20+ years. This particular wine is at the higher end of their offerings. Although it is now ten years old, it is known to age well, born out with my taste of it.
I found it to have medium acidity and lots of tannin. (Wine Enthusiast called them “grippy tannins.”) It’s a full-body wine with tastes of black fruit and a long finish that is very dry and somewhat earthy, in a good way. It is deep ruby in color. I really enjoyed it, and it paired beautifully with the beef and even the miso-tahini-yogurt sauce on broccoli. It is a wine intended to accompany food.
It does require lots of breathing time, as initially out of the bottle, it lacks aroma and taste. But it opened up nicely. In sum, it is a wine that merits thoughtful pairing and is worthy of a special occasion. Thank you Terry!
Jeb Dunnuck, the 2018:
92 points. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special comes all from the estate Southwind Vineyard in Walla Walla and is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot brought up in 50% new French oak. Rocking notes of blackcurrants, toasted spice, chalky minerality and lead pencil shavings give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Cabernet with notable balance as well as length. It needs 3-4 years of bottle age, but it’s clearly an outstanding, impressive wine. Drink 2024 - 2039 JD 5/6/21
That 2018 WE review:
92 points. Editors’ Choice. The aromas of green herb, blackberry, black cherry and currant are vibrant and forward. Ripe, hedonistic black-fruit flavors follow. Firm tannins give a tight grip. Give it time in bottle or decant and this yumfest will deliver the goods. — Sean P. Sullivan
Still hanging with the 2018, Wine Advocate:
91 points. Honoring their grandfather Vernon Rhodes, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special is juicy and generous in the glass. It opens with aromas of chocolate-covered blueberries, black raspberries and dark cherries that waft with an undercurrent of floral elements and sweet baking spices that lift the nose. Full-bodied, complex, layered and robust, the wine bursts on the palate with firm, drying tannins that grip the gumline while showing impeccable balance. The wine concludes with a long, lingering finish and tannic edge that remains persistent in the mouth as a parting sensation of elevated alcohol rises up the esophagus. The wine rested for 20 months in French oak, 50% new. Only 3,600 bottles were made. Give it a shot. Drink 2021 - 2029 Anthony Mueller 10/31/22
Suckling 2018:
Aromas of ripe blackberries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Rich fruit with good intensity and length. Charred rosemary and nutmeg add pleasant complexity. 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. Drink now. Screw cap. 2/2022
The 2019…Wine Spectator:
92 points. Sleek and harmonious, with elegantly structured black cherry, pepper and licorice accents that glide toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2029. 400 cases made. Tim Fish 2/28/23
2019…Wine Advocate:
91+ Grown at the Southwind vineyard, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special opens with herbal and peppery red fruit aromas, accompanied by spicy notes and subtle hints of brown baking spices from the 45% new French oak. Flavors of sage, cherry and spiced plums dance across the medium to full-bodied palate before gliding to a long, spicy finish with a slight boozy sensation with an aftertaste of roasted red pepper, dusty dark red fruit and tingling tannins. It’s a beautiful Cabernet that will reward those who are patient enough to cellar age. It underwent native yeast fermentation. Only 4,200 bottles were produced. Drink 2024 - 2033 Anthony Mueller 3/21/24
Looks like a 2019 92 Vinous score bouncing around somewhere…
2017…WE:
90 points. This wine is named after a chocolate chip cookie that one of the proprietor’s grandfather was known for. Spice, dark plum and bittersweet chocolate aromas lead to a palate where the structure takes center stage with hefty tannins at the fore. Give it some additional time in the cellar or a long decant. — Sean P. Sullivan 10/1/21
2017…Wine Advocate:
92 points. Blended with 5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special bursts out of the glass with a generous nose of spiced plum, dusty cherry and blackberry jus, wafting with elegant oak tones of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Full-bodied and rich with texture, bold flavors balance effortlessly on the palate, and structured tannins provide a lift on the mid-palate along with bitter dark chocolate and cassis flavors. The wine ends with a persistent, long-lingering finish full of flavors of blackberry, dried herbs and elegant vanilla tones with a soft herbal complexity that evolves on the aftertaste. The wine rested in 44% new French oak. Wow, this is simply delicious. Well done! Just over 4,600 bottles were made. Drink 2020 - 2032 Anthony Mueller 10/22/20
Suckling, the 2017:
This is a cabernet with depth and character. Full body and round, tight tannins that give a creamy texture with firmness. It’s very focused with dark fruit and powdery chocolate. Shows length and beauty. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot. Better after 2022. Screw cap. 4/2020
Not the blowout pricing we saw 10 years ago on WW, but a compelling offer nonetheless. We still have some of the 2012s. Will crack one open tonight before making a decision.
Also sitting on a couple DV bottles we picked up at their Woodinville, WA tasting salon on our honeymoon, so will probably end up buying with the sentimental factor tipping the scales.
@chipgreen the 2012 cab on WW was what got me into Dusted Valley. 2012 was something of a can’t miss year for Washington Cabs, but the VR Special is a higher end offering than the basic Cab so pricing is going to be higher
2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
Good day, all!
I had the luck of reviewing the 2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is a lovely deep ruby in the glass, but very tight initially. The nose has a dusty/earthen backdrop to dark red fruit and toasted oak. With more open time the red fruit becomes a bit more prominent and some vegetal notes enter the party.
This is medium bodied wine, high in tannins, with some acidity, and noticeable alcohol. Similar to the nose, the palate was very tight early. Very front and mid focused and mildly astringent. After a few hours of open time, mouthfeel improved, but still has less structure than I prefer. Currants, bell pepper, and earth.
Honestly this is a “what if” wine for me. What if it had been a cork instead of a screw top? What if it had more years in the bottle? Would it have developed more?
I plan to give it another go today to see if some more time reaps rewards. There seems to be the base of a very nice wine here that will hopefully reward some patience.
I recently had a 2008 Lang Zinfandel with a Stelvin enclosure and the wine was singing!
The myth/reputation that screw tops are inferior is absolutely false. I’d even say they are superior because they eliminate the risk of TCA (cork taint).
Edit to add:
Stelvin enclosures have a failure rate of <1.5% whereas natural corks have a failure rate of ~4.5%.
Yikes, I was alerted that I misidentified the vineyard in my rat. I meant to say Dusted Valley (not Hidden), which is what is offered and what I tasted. I had the vintage, 2018, correct, but late-night math abilities led me to say it is 10 years old and not 8. My apologies for any confusion and thanks to @kaolis for spotting this.
V.R., I finally found in the write up: “This wine is dedicated to the loving memory of Chad’s Grandpa Vernon Rhodes.”
: ) at first I thought Valley Reserve
Took a bottle of the 2012 to dinner last night. Brought my wife along too!
The wine was a deep ruby color. No noticeable bricking when held over a white plate. Cherry mocha nose. Cedar and black cherry, with a little heat, on the palate.
Arancini appetizer. Delicious, and paired nicely with the wine. The little bit of heat on the palate seemed to dissipate and the wine became very smooth and almost too easy to drink.
Dinner was a 9 oz. filet, with whipped potatoes and white cheddar mac-n-cheese. No green stuff for this kid!
The Dusted Valley Cab was excellent with everything on the plate, especially the filet, as you might imagine. Truly a lovely wine. Our server did not seem very impressed when he pulled out his waiter’s key and I said “it’s a screw cap” - but if you know, you know! Overall, very enjoyable and perfect accompaniment for a great meal.
I already went in on a case of these newer vintages with my friend @msten (thanks for doing the heavy lifting!) and my lovely wife and I give it two thumbs way up!
Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker’s Notes
2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Specs
2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
92 Points & Editor’s Choice, Wine Enthusiast
Specs
2017 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
93 Points, James Suckling
92 Points, Wine Advocate
Winemaker’s Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $744/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 13 - Wednesday, Apr 15
Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
6 bottles for $189.99 $31.67/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017
2018
2019
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon - $80 = 21.05%
Each and Every day
All we see is Another
Casemetes Cabernet
(I’ll probably get punished with a Merlot next for posting this
)
@Adamamesh your haiku is good. I’ll let you try my Wu-Tang style.
2018 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
It’s always fun, after receiving the notification email, wondering what type of wine will arrive: red or white (or rose)? full or light body? American or European? When this cabernet sauvignon landed at my doorstep, I immediately shifted my dinner plan from chili to wagyu beef to give it a proper pairing. The bottle was quite cold upon arrival, so I let it sit at room temp for 4 hours before opening it. I then poured out a glass to give it a full three hours to breathe, given its older vintage (2018).
Hidden Valley is a new vineyard for me, so I did some quick research. It is family-owned and has been producing high-quality wines that receive consistently high ratings for 20+ years. This particular wine is at the higher end of their offerings. Although it is now ten years old, it is known to age well, born out with my taste of it.
I found it to have medium acidity and lots of tannin. (Wine Enthusiast called them “grippy tannins.”) It’s a full-body wine with tastes of black fruit and a long finish that is very dry and somewhat earthy, in a good way. It is deep ruby in color. I really enjoyed it, and it paired beautifully with the beef and even the miso-tahini-yogurt sauce on broccoli. It is a wine intended to accompany food.
It does require lots of breathing time, as initially out of the bottle, it lacks aroma and taste. But it opened up nicely. In sum, it is a wine that merits thoughtful pairing and is worthy of a special occasion. Thank you Terry!
@ehengen Did you rat a 10 year old wine from Hidden Valley as you mention? The wine on offer is an 8 year old wine from Dusted Valley. Just curious…
Jeb Dunnuck, the 2018:
92 points. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special comes all from the estate Southwind Vineyard in Walla Walla and is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot brought up in 50% new French oak. Rocking notes of blackcurrants, toasted spice, chalky minerality and lead pencil shavings give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Cabernet with notable balance as well as length. It needs 3-4 years of bottle age, but it’s clearly an outstanding, impressive wine. Drink 2024 - 2039 JD 5/6/21
That 2018 WE review:
92 points. Editors’ Choice. The aromas of green herb, blackberry, black cherry and currant are vibrant and forward. Ripe, hedonistic black-fruit flavors follow. Firm tannins give a tight grip. Give it time in bottle or decant and this yumfest will deliver the goods. — Sean P. Sullivan
Still hanging with the 2018, Wine Advocate:
91 points. Honoring their grandfather Vernon Rhodes, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special is juicy and generous in the glass. It opens with aromas of chocolate-covered blueberries, black raspberries and dark cherries that waft with an undercurrent of floral elements and sweet baking spices that lift the nose. Full-bodied, complex, layered and robust, the wine bursts on the palate with firm, drying tannins that grip the gumline while showing impeccable balance. The wine concludes with a long, lingering finish and tannic edge that remains persistent in the mouth as a parting sensation of elevated alcohol rises up the esophagus. The wine rested for 20 months in French oak, 50% new. Only 3,600 bottles were made. Give it a shot. Drink 2021 - 2029 Anthony Mueller 10/31/22
Suckling 2018:
Aromas of ripe blackberries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Rich fruit with good intensity and length. Charred rosemary and nutmeg add pleasant complexity. 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. Drink now. Screw cap. 2/2022
The 2019…Wine Spectator:
92 points. Sleek and harmonious, with elegantly structured black cherry, pepper and licorice accents that glide toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2029. 400 cases made. Tim Fish 2/28/23
2019…Wine Advocate:
91+ Grown at the Southwind vineyard, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special opens with herbal and peppery red fruit aromas, accompanied by spicy notes and subtle hints of brown baking spices from the 45% new French oak. Flavors of sage, cherry and spiced plums dance across the medium to full-bodied palate before gliding to a long, spicy finish with a slight boozy sensation with an aftertaste of roasted red pepper, dusty dark red fruit and tingling tannins. It’s a beautiful Cabernet that will reward those who are patient enough to cellar age. It underwent native yeast fermentation. Only 4,200 bottles were produced. Drink 2024 - 2033 Anthony Mueller 3/21/24
Looks like a 2019 92 Vinous score bouncing around somewhere…
2017…WE:
90 points. This wine is named after a chocolate chip cookie that one of the proprietor’s grandfather was known for. Spice, dark plum and bittersweet chocolate aromas lead to a palate where the structure takes center stage with hefty tannins at the fore. Give it some additional time in the cellar or a long decant. — Sean P. Sullivan 10/1/21
2017…Wine Advocate:
92 points. Blended with 5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon V.R. Special bursts out of the glass with a generous nose of spiced plum, dusty cherry and blackberry jus, wafting with elegant oak tones of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Full-bodied and rich with texture, bold flavors balance effortlessly on the palate, and structured tannins provide a lift on the mid-palate along with bitter dark chocolate and cassis flavors. The wine ends with a persistent, long-lingering finish full of flavors of blackberry, dried herbs and elegant vanilla tones with a soft herbal complexity that evolves on the aftertaste. The wine rested in 44% new French oak. Wow, this is simply delicious. Well done! Just over 4,600 bottles were made. Drink 2020 - 2032 Anthony Mueller 10/22/20
Suckling, the 2017:
This is a cabernet with depth and character. Full body and round, tight tannins that give a creamy texture with firmness. It’s very focused with dark fruit and powdery chocolate. Shows length and beauty. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot. Better after 2022. Screw cap. 4/2020
fwiw
Not the blowout pricing we saw 10 years ago on WW, but a compelling offer nonetheless. We still have some of the 2012s. Will crack one open tonight before making a decision.
Also sitting on a couple DV bottles we picked up at their Woodinville, WA tasting salon on our honeymoon, so will probably end up buying with the sentimental factor tipping the scales.
@chipgreen
Unlikely we’ll see $15 bottles from them again any time soon.
@chipgreen @rjquillin
That sounds like great news!
Unless you meant to say “Unlikely we’ll see…” or “Likley we’ll not see…”.
@chipgreen the 2012 cab on WW was what got me into Dusted Valley. 2012 was something of a can’t miss year for Washington Cabs, but the VR Special is a higher end offering than the basic Cab so pricing is going to be higher
2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon
Good day, all!
I had the luck of reviewing the 2019 Dusted Valley V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is a lovely deep ruby in the glass, but very tight initially. The nose has a dusty/earthen backdrop to dark red fruit and toasted oak. With more open time the red fruit becomes a bit more prominent and some vegetal notes enter the party.
This is medium bodied wine, high in tannins, with some acidity, and noticeable alcohol. Similar to the nose, the palate was very tight early. Very front and mid focused and mildly astringent. After a few hours of open time, mouthfeel improved, but still has less structure than I prefer. Currants, bell pepper, and earth.
Honestly this is a “what if” wine for me. What if it had been a cork instead of a screw top? What if it had more years in the bottle? Would it have developed more?
I plan to give it another go today to see if some more time reaps rewards. There seems to be the base of a very nice wine here that will hopefully reward some patience.
@mtnzj a cork will not develop a wine more than a Stelvin kinda weird to say that
Man it’s probably a very nice wine but screw top is a non-starter for me at this price point.
@FOMOhoarder
Don’t fear the screw cap!
@chipgreen @FOMOhoarder
Agreed.
I recently had a 2008 Lang Zinfandel with a Stelvin enclosure and the wine was singing!
The myth/reputation that screw tops are inferior is absolutely false. I’d even say they are superior because they eliminate the risk of TCA (cork taint).
Edit to add:
Stelvin enclosures have a failure rate of <1.5% whereas natural corks have a failure rate of ~4.5%.
@chipgreen @kawichris650
I am sure you are right about the wine. This is probably a me problem but I like the process of opening a good bottle via corkscrew.
@FOMOhoarder I’m on the opposite side of the spectrum. Tired of opening a tainted wine … Wish everyone would use screw tops.
@FOMOhoarder @ottbirdbrain then you should pick up more Tercero - only screw caps! And great contents inside the bottle, too, of course!
@FOMOhoarder @klezman @ottbirdbrain for sure Tercero does not disappoint…
@FOMOhoarder Stevin cap is an upgrade, my friend
@bunnymasseuse @klezman @ottbirdbrain @turbo5000
Ok fine I came back to buy a fomo case. and take my.screw top lumps but it’s not available in Maine!
Yikes, I was alerted that I misidentified the vineyard in my rat. I meant to say Dusted Valley (not Hidden), which is what is offered and what I tasted. I had the vintage, 2018, correct, but late-night math abilities led me to say it is 10 years old and not 8. My apologies for any confusion and thanks to @kaolis for spotting this.
@ehengen A friend who will not be identified was wondering how the salad dressing was…kidding…cheers!
@ehengen and glad you didn’t use AI in your review
V.R., I finally found in the write up: “This wine is dedicated to the loving memory of Chad’s Grandpa Vernon Rhodes.”
: ) at first I thought Valley Reserve
Took a bottle of the 2012 to dinner last night. Brought my wife along too!
The wine was a deep ruby color. No noticeable bricking when held over a white plate. Cherry mocha nose. Cedar and black cherry, with a little heat, on the palate.
Arancini appetizer. Delicious, and paired nicely with the wine. The little bit of heat on the palate seemed to dissipate and the wine became very smooth and almost too easy to drink.
Dinner was a 9 oz. filet, with whipped potatoes and white cheddar mac-n-cheese. No green stuff for this kid!
The Dusted Valley Cab was excellent with everything on the plate, especially the filet, as you might imagine. Truly a lovely wine. Our server did not seem very impressed when he pulled out his waiter’s key and I said “it’s a screw cap” - but if you know, you know! Overall, very enjoyable and perfect accompaniment for a great meal.
I already went in on a case of these newer vintages with my friend @msten (thanks for doing the heavy lifting!) and my lovely wife and I give it two thumbs way up!
@chipgreen Nicely done sir…and large of you to bring a +one ha!
@chipgreen they serve food like this in Ohio?