Last Bottle

There was a small, pan seared filet of beef tonight with a wine pan sauce and some pasta with mushrooms.   The wine was the last bottle of an old friend, a 2005 Sly Dog Cellars, Bin 92, Red Hills, Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon. 

I loved this wine when I opened the first of the five bottles I eventually bought, and I loved it just as much tonight though the wine was a little different than the first bottle.  The flush of youth was gone and was replaced by fully mature wine with flavors of red cherries, a dark plum or two, and a nice blend of cinnamon and allspice.  The tannins and acid survived, though the tannins were a bit softer than the previous bottle - which was two years ago.  The finish was long and at the very end the tannin cleaned the palate and refreshed it.    It remains a delicious bottle of wine that is not overdone in any way.  Totally balanced and wonderfully delicious.

2005 Sly Dog Cellars, Bin 92, Red Hills, Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon.   13.8% alcohol and $15.