Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico (2002)

Our son Tony gave us this wine for our birthdays. This Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico 2002 is a deep, ruby red with a medium body. The nose is red cherries, vanilla, with a touch of tobacco. On the palate is red cherries, dark chocolate, plums, and luscious tannins. What more could you ask for in a wine? Tony really did a great job choosing this wine for us. Thanks, Tones!

Today is Tommy’s 24th birthday. He was born around 9:30 a.m. on April 6, 1984. Both Tommy and Tony will be coming to dinner at around 8:00 p.m. tonight. I have a cast-iron skillet in the oven with red potatoes that have been tossed with chopped garlic, rosemary, sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and olive oil. On the stove is a skillet of highly-seasoned chicken that I browned and is now simmering. I have fresh baby-spinach leaves waiting to sautee and a loaf of Italian crusty bread for the oven. Oh, and a pan of freshly-baked dark-chocolate-walnut brownies. This is Tommy’s birthday dinner!

This wine is delicious and will be a great accompaniment to our dinner.

Jacob’s Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (2005)

Tom purchased this Jacob’s Creek Cabernet Sauvignon at our local grocery store for around $6. I like this wine; it is a good Australian, fruit forward hearty red.  The wine is silky smooth with an oak and pepper finish. A great Wednesday-evening quaff! I have been battling a lower-back-spasm issue so I am sitting here with a lot of pillows behind me and Trigger is comforting me on my lap. It is also our anniversary! I am so, so lucky to be married to the love of my life!  But, we aren’t celebrating tonight; we will celebrate this weekend so stay tuned!