2006 Nickel & Nickel Kelham Vineyard Cabernet

     After a few weeks of non-stop parties, crazy work hours and endless crowds, we are at home on Christmas Eve. I have been wrapping presents for hours and my husband is cooking dinner. He opted to open a bottle of 2006 Nickel & Nickel Kelham Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville (Thank you very much, Jeff & Amanda!).
     As you may know, Nickel & Nickel is a project of the Far Niente partners with a focus on 100% varietal, single vineyard wines. The grapes for this particular bottle come from the Kelhams, who have been farming in Napa for 35 years at the base of the western hills of Oakville.
     This wine is an opaque dark, deep ruby red color with a ruby rim. Intense aromas of cassis with tobbaco and smoke. Full-bodied+, 14.7% abv, heavy tannins yet very well-balanced. Intense ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis with some toasted oak with a l-o-n-g, dry, bit of black licorice finish. So delicious!
     Mild weather here in Houston for awhile, my poor husband preps his food and heats the grill and a monsoon hit. He broiled the filet mignon and lobster tails in the oven and they came out absolutely perfect. His side dishes were asparagus with a bit of garlic and olive oil and baked potatoes filled with Boursin Pepper Gournay Cheese, all done in the oven. Fantastic!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

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