Thursday, June 04, 2009

“It’s Auction Week and Friday’s event (The Marketplace) is a fantastic opportunity for this writer to gather a list of dozens of new wines out there worthy of your table. It’s also a fine place to 1) ruin a nice new shirt purchased from Mario’s or Sportago with barrel samples, 2) see virtually every person in town with a buzz on at the same time, and 3) my personal favorite, taste all the smoked barbecue rib offerings and declare a winner (Mustards, last time). I look forward to this incredibly jolly and generous charitable event every year, even more than the Pet Parade.

With this in mind, it seems appropriate that this week’s wine comes from about as local a guy as there ever was, John Skupny. I was actually in the backyard smoking some ribs and was floored by how delicious a pairing this wine was with them. They seemed meant for each other … the sweet smoky meat and the fresh, rich wine … This is quite easily one of the best Cab Francs I’ve tasted in a long time: Silky, fresh, complex, packed with red stone fruits, sweet herbs and a touch of Asian spices, including clove and sandalwood. Irresistibly round and balanced, it is truly a crowd-pleaser.

What is more astounding is that John has made this readily available to everyone ... A big shout-out to the Skupnys and Lang & Reed for making a stunningly delicious wine with pricing rooted in reality. Do not miss it! It’s all over town right now.”  -Stefan Blicker