This post has been brought to you by Hall Winery. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.

Today we’re revisiting California wine country, courtesy of Hall Winery, based in the Golden State’s Napa Valley. So without further delay, let’s get tasting.

The Where – Napa Valley, California

Despite only having produced wine commercially since the 19th century, Napa has become one of world’s premier wine regions, while California as whole has come to produce more than 84% of all American wine, while all but monopolizing America’s premier wine producing talent.

I’ve had Napa described to me – rightly or wrongly – as “Combine the best terroirs of Greece and Argentina, and you have an idea of what makes wine production in Napa such a delight.” However, given how Greek wine toils in relative obscurity, and how Argentinian wine production and profitability has yet to even approach that of California, and one can only fairly assume that there must be more to the Napa story.

One might point to the fateful 1976 blind tasting in Paris, where Napa wines beat out a host of then-revered French labels to secure what can even now only be described as a reversal of monumental proportions. Fair enough. However, even with that in mind, there must be something ‘more,’ as many, many wine regions and little-known labels have had their share of ‘upstart’ awards and recognitions, only to fade back into obscurity.

In truth, it was how Napa ‘capitalized’ on that resounding 1976 Paris win. Ever since, Napa has been on the receiving end of a well-funded decades’ long marketing campaign whose brilliance and reach has been positively Napoleonic. Combined with the strategic production of what’s popular among the consumer-class as opposed to the critic class, all the while being guided, winnowed, and whipped by quality enforcement standards that rival or exceed even the very best French AOCs (protected wine regions), has resulted in the modern Napa Valley phenomenon – a combination that other wine regions around world, including the Old World, would do well to learn from.

As a result, Napa’s success can be summed up as one part enviable climate, one part Napoleonic marketing, and one part draconian quality enforcement.

The Bottles – A Showcase

First up, we’ll be taking a look at the humbly named Jack’s Masterpiece, a 2017 cabernet sauvignon.

Next, we’ll be looking at Coeur, a 2017 cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley’s St. Helena.

Aromatics and Tasting – The Review

1) Jack’s Masterpiece opens with distinct ‘barrel notes.’ Think antique wood, rich vanilla and cocoa essence, set over characteristic dark fruit notes. Blackberry and cassis are prominent, with hints of cherry lingering in the background. Something leathery or perhaps earthy strains to make itself known deeper into the glass, with perhaps just a whiff of forest floor. On the palate, the vanilla carries over quite pleasantly, along with the bouquet’s ripe dark fruit notes. This creates a very enjoyable wine from start to finish.

2) Coeur introduces itself with smokey notes, which hover above hints of antique wood and cracked leather. This frames and accentuates dark fruit notes, chiefly plum and blackberry, with hints of fresh tobacco leaf and vanilla lingering towards the bottom of the glass. On the palate, the smokey and earth notes are quite warming, with black currants and plum rounding out the fruit notes, mixed with something either earthy or chocolatey. Very pleasant, and surprisingly complex.

What to Eat – The Pairing

In general, with both bottles you want to think hardy and substantial. Ribs, steaks, and red sauces are all candidates. Something like a braised rib stew set over pasta would pair beautifully. You might also consider something like a prime rib prepared with a curry and cayenne-based rub with garlic, coriander and cumin would also pair deliciously. A roasted rack of lamb crusted with plenty of herbs and garlic, would also pair deliciously. Beyond meat, think hardy red sauces over pasta, or meaty fish such as grilled shark, or baked eggplant parmigiana. Think heavy, think rich, think substantial.

Have you Tried it? Have you tried today’s wine, or prepared any of today’s pairings? If so, we would love to hear from you! Give us a shout out on Instagram or Facebook with a picture of what you prepared, or let us know down below in the comments how it turned out! We can’t wait to hear from you!