LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: November 24

Firestone Vineyard 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley, California)

Sale $17.10, Regular $20.10
Discount (until Nov. 27): $3.00
LCBO #292128 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Juicy blue berries, a touch of mocha and gentle smoke. Pure Cab, and pretty too.
Pairs with: Good ol’ everyday fare, like a quick stir fry, tri-tip steak, beef stew, chicken parm sandwich, bratwurst on a crusty bun. It could go lofty too, with a nice ribeye.
Good for: Weeknights when you want a good wine but don’t want to raid the cellar.
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink: Now to 2020.

Why we're drinking this
We love Santa Ynez, the cool valley region of Cali located northwest of L.A., about 90 minutes from Santa Barbara. They’re somehow less precious than the kingpins of Napa and Sonoma farther on up the state. Cabernet ripens nicely here, with cooling ocean breezes keeping the heat in check. The wines are a little leaner and more focused and, when made with extreme care like this Firestone, they can achieve incredible elegance.

Tasting note
That’s one pretty nose! Layered blue berries and black cherry, a little cassis and mocha, and a savoury/herbal top note. Silky texture, generous and fruity, with careful use of oak that takes a back seat to the fruit. At 14.2% alcohol, it’s got some stuffing, but it doesn’t feel heavy or weighty. Tannins are present but softening, making for a good food wine. It can stand with California Cabs costing twice as much, easy. But at this price, you can feel ok about drinking it with a really good hot dog or sausage. No need to get fancy. Bloody good wine.

Find it at your LCBO
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