The Heavyweights!

OK, seriously. Now the big boys from the tasting. They deserve their own post. I'll skip most of the Nickel & Nickel cabernets (Sullenger and Vogt vineyards were my favs from their portfolio, ~$85 each), but let's talk about Insignia and Staglin Rutherford.

I've never had any of that real expensive wine. I've had some Italian Brunellos that certainly weren't cheap, but nothing getting up around $150 a bottle. I was excited.

It was a classic heavyweight cabernet bout. Staglin Rutherford 2004 in the left corner, Insignia 2004 in the right. Both crafty veterans with long track records. Both of these wines can be cellared (and would probably best benefit from that) for some time. I tasted them back to back. For me, Staglin was the winner. It was super rich, was really fruity (but not in a bad way), really complex and had impressive length. That would be the life, drinking Staglin at the steakhouse with you prime dry aged porterhouse. Would I say it's worth the probably $175 you would pay at the store, upwards of maybe $275-300 in a restaurant? Can I even answer that? Let me just say this. Best wine I have ever tried. Period. I was falling in love with the juice, then and there. It was showing excellently, which really surprised me because from what I had heard about these super big California cabernets is that they have got to age. This one will only get better with time and would be so exciting to try in 5 years or 10 years. Don't get me wrong, the Insignia was good (~$215) but Staglin had my heart. I will give a nod to Insignia and say that might have better aging potential. A friend of mine recently had a 1996 Insignia and said it was amazing. You could tell it was getting towards its optimal drinking time. That's 10 bloody years and it's still going strong! That is awesome.

Those of you who know me know that I am not a big spender. I still roll my 1996 Dodge Minivan with no shame (actually some pride...even with the ducktape marks on the bumper). I live at home (hey, I'm working on it...) and the only suit I own was purchased at Goodwill for $10. That said, I'm not afraid to spend some money on consumables (i.e. good food and drink). Real parmesan cheese from Italy, microbrews and lately Belgium beers, quality ice cream and of course wine. Does that mean I'll buy a bottle of Staglin? Honestly, I might do it. I'm surely not made of money but we only live one life. We should treat ourselves every once in a while. Or in this case once in a very long while. I'll go halves on a bottle with anyone who wants. Are you in?