A long work day in frigid Chicago culminated at the Capital Grill bar, with the Hurricanes vs. Blue Devils basketball game on the bar TV and bright-colored bottles beckoning.  I was tired and well beyond the point of banal small talk, and thus encouraged to see the familiar H3 label behind the bartender.

2011 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest, Washington, USA.

I knew that Horse Heaven Hills had been part of Notes in the past and selected the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon to help warm up my freezing hands and insides.  This Columbia Crest cab quickly ingratiated itself to me, its peppery and spicy undertones doing well to prop up its jammy fruit flavors.  The 2011 Horse Heaven Hills, in my humble estimation, had a deep, earthy taste and an easy finish.  Really enjoyed this.

The H3 accompanied assorted breads and a classic steakhouse meal–a 10oz filet mignon (grilled “medium rare plus”) with creamed corn.  My tired self skipped the wedge salad and just swirled this ruby red around an oversized glass, finally content for the day…glad that I’d selected this Washington-based bargain.