The variety available is filled with treasures, but it can be paralyzing to choose a bottle.

It’s bottled without fining or filtration. It’s one of the compelling Cabs from California every year. It’s well priced, and age-worthy.

The result is a wine that is both charming and drinkable, engaging and refreshing, and — perhaps most importantly — affordable.

My memories about that wonderful dinner with Joe Swan are still clear today, due to our ongoing relationship with him, through the vines he farmed in Forestville in the Russian River Valley.