Setting: Stylish steakhouse in Napa, California.
Occasion: Valentine’s Day
Food: 16-ounce bone-in rib eye, medium
Wine: Shoulda, coulda woulda decanted, since this big young red is brand-spanking new. But we couldn’t wait, and the forward-thinking winemakers behind this wine have made it in a modern style, so we have no trouble guzzling it with our huge hunks of delicious beef. Indeed, this wine seems made for the menu: it’s got a blood-red-purple color; aromas of ripe fruit, cigar box, and cedar; and a viscous, full-bodied consistency. More plushness comes from the prominence of the grape that plays the main part in the so-called “right bank” Bordeaux blends; its supporting cast of varietals lend structure and deep, sweet flavors of blackberries, plum, and black cherry. Distinct chocolate notes, and a nice long finish begs to be the step up to another bite of yummy rib eye. We got almost as much pleasure from its amazingly restrained price tag.

What could this steak-friendly red be? Write me with your guess or click here to find out:

First, the vintage year: since the wine is “brand-spanking new,” let’s guess that it’s a 2005, the most current release for fine reds on shelves and in restaurants. That’s easy. But what other hints do we have? Well, since the drinking took place at a Napa restaurant, and since the wine is described as modern, fruit-forward, and ready to drink upon release, let’s rule out old world wines, which usually strive for age-ability and elegance. In fact, let’s guess the wine is a local, and that it’s made primarily out of merlot, since that’s the starring grape in Bordeaux blends from the right bank of the Dordogne river, and is famous for making red blends more soft and accessible. Cabernet sauvignon, for its part, is known to add structure and blackberry flavors; petit verdot for providing depth and color; so let’s guess they’re in there too. Since the wine’s price point is described as “amazingly” low for its pedigree, let’s guess it’s from Coho Wines, a new venture by a couple of industry old-timers in Napa, that’s making headlines for sourcing super fruit from celebrity vineyards and then pricing it sanely.

Coho’s merlot-cab-petit verdot blend called “Headwaters” fits the above bill, and retails for about $35.