Open That Bottle Night (OTBN)

Opened for Open That Bottle Night 2012. Premiere Napa Valley is a special event, an annual fund raiser and auction. Wineries produce special bottles in tiny lots, 5-10 cases, for auction, available that one time and never again. This particular bottle was Lot No. 49, bottle 22 of 60, a Proprietary Red from Monticello Vineyards, hand-signed by Chris Corley. Now I need to track down the other 59 bottles. The nose was rich, deep with plums, cassis, and black cherry, with a touch of spice, perhaps nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate opened black cherry and blackcurrant and a tingly touch of black pepper. Nutmeg and cinnamon peeked through on the mid-palate. Tannins were soft as silk, full, and perfectly balanced with acid. The finish not only lingered, but seemed to echo, pulse, growing with the memory of the taste, fade, then pulse again with the thought of the wine. Drink with very good friends. This would match perfectly with a mutton chop from Keens Steak House. Needless to say, this was Very Highly Recommended. DH.