December is my favorite month of the year (I have the feeling I’m not alone in this). Twinkling lights abound, friends and family come together from far-flung destinations, and there’s an added dose of holiday joy in the air. But there’s the flip side to the season as well: endless shopping lists, last-minute travel, holiday card-writing, small talk at nightly events, and who knows what else. It’s a lot to jam into one tiny month.
That’s why it feels oh-so-good to take a night off from the hectic holiday season, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and relax with a comforting glass of wine. The Trinchero Napa Valley “Mario’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon offers just that kind of respite.
The Napa Valley has become one of the world’s finest wine regions, but there is still so much to explore about its 16 distinct subregions. Because of variations in soil, aspect, climate, and location, each Napa Valley AVA produces a unique style of wine. The fruit for the “Mario’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a vineyard just outside the winery in St. Helena, one of the warmest regions in Napa. This area where the valley narrows is known for producing rich, plump, structured red wines.
A classic Napa Cab if there ever were one, the Trinchero Napa Valley “Mario’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon is richly aromatic, with dark black cherry, vanilla bean, and cigar notes on the nose. The flavors reflect the aromas on the palate, the fruit and oak notes concentrated but not jammy. While the wine has lift and backbone, the palate is soft and inviting, never harsh, with a long, lingering finish. It’s exactly right for taking a night off from the holiday hubbub, curling up on the couch, and toasting the season.