As cold weather approached this weekend, I was thinking about drinking something that would not only pair well with the hearty meal I was preparing, but would pair well with my soul. Then it hit me! A warm California Cabernet Sauvignon. Truly heavy enough to warm me up and charming enough to take me away to the hills of Sonoma and forget about this cold weather. So I chose the 2012 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Bucklin Old Hill ranch is the oldest ranch in Sonoma County and dates back all the way to 1885. Some of the original vines are still producing to this day. Otto and Anne Teller purchased the Old Ranch in 1981 and the four siblings are now running the winery since 2000, creating some of the finest wines in Sonoma County. With the help of Will Bucklin training at the famous Lafite Rothschild, his style sure shows through in his wines. One of the most interesting aspects of this vineyard is that they do not water the vines. It is a process called Dry Farming. They say that too much irrigation dilutes the fruit intensity and that the roots are capable of mining for their own water. Talk about self-sufficient roots! That would explain the huge ripe fruit in the nose and the rich earthy notes that this Cabernet offers. I would recommend this wine to anyone who wants to enjoy what a California Cabernet should be.
I paired this wine with a simple dish of braised short ribs on a bed of warm, creamy rosemary studded polenta. Simple, yet elegant and perfect for a winter’s weekend.
2012 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon - $34.95
Drinks great now and will age for the next decade or so.
“Eucalyptus, lavender spice and oak on the nose. Full bodied with ripe flavors of blackberries and raspberries with notes of cedar, anise and vanilla oak.” - Sokolin Tasting Panel