*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Wow…it’s been a month since I’ve blogged, and boy have I missed it.  It’s a sign of how busy the holiday season was for me.  Or, really, it’s a sign of how busy the last quarter of  2012 was, as I’m very far behind in my blogging.  It’s a new year, though, and while I’ll definitely try to go back and post what I missed writing about in 2012, I also want to get 2013 off to the right start.  So, let’ get started…

Hubby had to work Christmas Eve, but I was fortunate enough to have the day off.  I was hit with some last minute present inspiration, so I braved the fray of other last minute shoppers and spent the day buying and wrapping my late acquisitions.  As the last present was tucked into place under the tree, Hubby walked in the door and our holiday was underway.

Several years ago, Hubby and I started going to one of our favorite locally-owned restaurants—Ray’s the Steaks—for Christmas Eve.  This year, one of our favorite couples joined us in our traditional Christmas Eve feast.  We ordered a bottle of Michel-Schlumberger Maison Rouge before deciding on our dinners, and the night was off to a fabulous start.  We indulged in sherried crab bisque; filets topped with Ray’s secret spicy Diablo sauce and blue cheese crumbles; New York strips seared with cracked black peppercorns in a port wine-peppercorn cream; and enough garlic mashed potatoes and homemade macaroni and cheese to satisfy even the biggest of carb fiends.  The four of us ate, drank, and were merry, celebrating both Christmas Eve and our friend’s new job, and I think we all rolled out of the restaurant feeling full of good food, wonderful friendship, and festive cheer.

By the time Hubby and I got home, we were ready to open our one Christmas Eve present (another one of our Christmas Eve traditions—opening a new pair of pajamas), relax for a little, and head to bed in time for Santa’s visit.  Of course, some wine was needed while presents were opened, so Hubby turned on the Christmas music while I opened a bottle of red that I thought would be a nice follow-up to the earlier wine and food orgy.

The 2010 Trivento Reserve Syrah (winery) was from Mendoza, Argentina and had a deep ruby color with hints of bright purple.  On the nose, there were plums, nutmeg, and hints of dark chocolate dust.  In the mouth, there were plums and black pepper with hints of nutmeg, chocolate, and cedar.  The wine had medium tannins, medium body, and medium alcohol.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely!  If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed.  At an SRP of $8, this wine has an amazing quality price ratio.  It’s smooth and enjoyable, has nice balance, and is very food-friendly.  Admittedly, it tasted a bit young, so I think it could probably age in the bottle for another year or two.  But, at this price, you could grab two bottles—one to enjoy now and one to open next year.  It looks, though, like it might be a little hard to come by, so if you see this gem of a wine, grab it and don’t look back!

Question of the Day: What’s are your Christmas Eve traditions—celebrate with family or friends, dine in or go out, travel to exotic places or stay put?  Give us the scoop, as I love hearing about other people’s holiday traditions.   

Suggested Retail Price: $8
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3.5 Corks