We had the pleasusre of visiting Pine Ridge Vineyards towards the end of the Covid pandemic, so times were much different than they are currently. Being fans of PRV for many years, we can attest that the property, the people, the wines and the overall tasting experience at Pine Ridge is absolutely stunning and very welcoming. It is a "must visit" destination on your next Napa Valley wine adventure.
Before we get into this wine, we have a confession to make and it might not be an easy one to hear. We typically are NOT "wine with dinner" people. Cue the moans, the eye rolls and horrible feedback. We get it. Wine accentuates your meal. When paired properly, both the food and the vino compliment each other and the experience is beyond memorable. In fact, one of our good friends who is a vintner in Napa Valley will talk your ear off about how lovely wine is with food and the importance of having quality in both.
We aren't going to dig into why wine isn't always served with food in our home. That's a discussion for another day. But we will tell you that the 2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon has begun to change our thoughts on wine and food. Why? Because this wine is an excellent food wine. It paired absolutely beautifully with chicken tettrazini, which honestly should not be an ideal pairing. But the solid tannin and silky smooth feel from this wine made the marriage absolutely seemless. What surprised us even more is that this is what we would call (for lack of better terminology), one of Pine Ridge's entry-level Cabernet. But don't let that disuade you.
Indigo and raisin-colored in the glass, you're immediately greeted by blueberry, vanilla, lighty roasted coffee beans and really ripe strawberries. Again, very silky smooth experience with loads of cherry and strawberry, sweet spice, brown sugar and vanilla bean blend effortlessly to provide you with an overall tasty and memorable wine. While the finish is on the shorter side, this wine's versatility is the shining star here!
ABV: 15.5%
California (Solano, Sonoma, Napa Counties)
Winery: Pine Ridge Vineyards
Suggested retail price: $35.00
Drink The Bottles score: 92/100
