Throughout our lives together, we’ve looked to one another for support for our respective specialties. It hasn’t escaped me though, that we could get by just fine without mine, while I wouldn’t want to be around long without hers.

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.