Rancho Sisquoc - Santa Barbara Cab

Rancho Sisquoc 

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013

Flood Family Vineyards 

Santa Barbara County, California. 

The Rancho Sisquoc Winery is part of a Spanish land grant owned by the James Flood family, and is located on the Sisquoc River east of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County. 

Their 2013 Cab is full-bodied, tasting of rich, red berries, cacao, and oak while being moderate on the tannins. We enjoyed this bottle while eating grilled tilapia and watching Stranger Things on Netflix. The vibrant, supple flavors of the cab blended well with the suspenseful fantasy land of bully paybacks and alien monsters.

Josh Cellars Session Wine - Cab Sauv 2014

Josh Cellars sources their grapes from all over California so when you're enjoying a glass of their rich Cabernet Sauvignon you are really taking in a wide ranging bounty of what the state has to offer. The 2014 offering we enjoyed over a roast chicken salad but it may be more appropriate with red meat (veal or lamb). The flavor is rich with blackberries, almonds, and currant with strong, tongue-rubbing tannins. 

I refer to it as a session wine because it's not too fancy, not to heavy, and not too expensive, but still quite flavorful. It can be paired well with food or enjoyed on its own.

Pure Larceny Bourbon

Larceny is made with wheat as the secondary grain instead of the traditional rye. The mash-bill calls for one-third more wheat than most others, resulting in a smoother and more mellow-tasting Bourbon.

All Bourbon Whiskey must be distilled from a mash that contains no less than 51% corn. Going heavy on the corn results in a sweeter, more caramel taste. More rye results in a sharper flavor. Adding more wheat (the last of the possible ingredients in Bourbon besides water) generates a smooth, relaxing flavor that I believe is the perfect blend of all Bourbon possibilities.

The Small Batch nature of Larceny makes sure this Bourbon is up to the highest standards. It goes perfect after a long day of work or while watching the sun set slowly on a warm summer evening.

The Little Port That Could

Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny is a smooth, rich Port wine highly rated by The Wine Advocate. I had a small glass of it tonight after an equally rich supper of veal parmesan while watching Orphan Black. 

This port is mellow, comforting, and reminds me of warm summer evenings, but like most ports, with a 20%  alcohol content, it can get away from you if you're not careful.   Halfway through the glass I swear I almost cracked Orphan Black's labyrinthine plot.