Now that the temperature is dropping, and the holiday hangover is losing its grip, it’s time to cozy up to a nice bottle of red with a bodacious body and lingering finish.  A wine not intended for gulping, but for savoring each sip… like this one we enjoyed last night:

OWEN ROE 2010 “ABBOT’S TABLE”, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON

A blend of:  48% Sangiovese , 15% Blaufrankisch, 14% Zinfandel, 14% Malbec,  7% Syrah, and 2% Merlot

About the Name: David O’Reilly once heard of the generosity offered in many monasteries and was told that upon visiting, anywhere in the world, monks would offer weary travelers a place to dine at their table. He tried this out during a European vacation and found himself seated at the Abbot’s Table, drinking delicious wine and sharing stories of his travels over a home-cooked meal. Shortly after he returned from this memorable trip, David created a new wine, blending bold and juicy flavors together from Yakima Valley fruit. In honor of the hospitality and warmth he experienced while visiting with the monks, he named this blend the Abbot’s Table.

Tasting Notes: 2010 had an unusually cool growing season, which led to a late harvest and lengthy hang-times in the vineyard. Always a favorite, this vintage is just as unique as all the ones before it! The 2010 Abbot’s Table is rich and plush, with rich, dark fruit flavors of blueberry, wild cherries, plum and black currants and is interlaced with notes of tobacco, cinnamon and savory spices. Due to the cool growing season, only 30% of the standard annual production was produced.