Old man winter does not seem to want to depart this year. Though we are on the cusp of spring, cool temperatures continue to linger throughout the country, bringing high winds, rain, and snow to areas that are not used to the cold, like California. It was hailing in SoCal last week!

You need a bold, robust glass of elevated red wine to warm you from the inside out tonight. Consider uncorking one of these beauties tonight.

I am such a fan of the wines crafted from the mountain AVAs of Napa Valley, specifically those from Howell Mountain. There is an earthiness that melds with the rich fruit growing on the slopes of the mountain that produces balance in the glass. Duckhorn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon showcases this balance layering black cherry and berry with notes of graphite, espresso, and forest floor. A consistently delicious selection.

You may hear the tune “Snake Farm” from singer Ray Wylie Hubbard, playing in your head as you ease the cork out of the bottle of Priest Ranch “Snake Oil” Cabernet Sauvignon. And we hope you do so with a smile on your face because Hubbard’s song is as fun and whimsical as this wine is delicious. From the high-elevation Sommerston Estate above Napa’s Yountville region off the Silverado Trail, the luscious wine is hand-picked and fermented naturally before 24 months of French oak aging. The resulting wine melds currants and blueberry with licorice, dark chocolate, and allspice.

Mascota Unanime Merlot is a gorgeous black plum and cherry-filled expression of premium quality Merlot from Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes. Complex and beautifully structured while maintaining approachability, the wine has a nice freshness that melds with crunchy tannin, creating a lovely balance on the palate. The finish is slightly spicy, which melds with a savory note that makes it perfect with a warm bowl of chili or grilled meat.

Bold and powerful, with layers of black cherry, toasted vanilla, and warm spice, Bodega Monticello Limited Reserve Rioja reveals exactly what I love about Spanish wines. Powerful and bright with Old World charm. Oak melds with fruit that melds with an undertone of minerality. Delicious on its own or with a platter of tapas and chicken paella.

#cheers