This is the rare entry, the double down of road vino, and one I completed earlier this week in the Windy City. I’m attending a yearly trade show in Chicago and trying to fight off the deep February cold with a couple of warm reds and good acquaintances.

2012 William Hill Estate Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California, USA.

The first is the 2012 William Hill Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an average red from the heart of Napa Valley, one with a decent jam-like start and easy finish. Since it was served with dinner at the Oral Health America charity fundraiser, I’m uncertain how long the William Hill was allowed to breathe prior to service. It also followed a cocktail hour and thus my palate came to the Cab with Pinot Noir as a precursor…so I trust my questionable tastes less than normal. The dinner was about far more than the banquet food or the California reds, though, but a great cause.

2012 Novy Family Winery Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA.

The Novy was recommended to me by a waitress at Rebar, a cool little hotspot located in the Trump International Hotel and Tower. It was spicy, it was lively, and matched the fun vibe at the heart of the bar. Tasted in conjunction with some popcorn that was kicked up with chili powder or something cajun-style, the Novy was a punch in the nose. Purple fruit flavors, votive candle ambiance that included great views out the side of the building, and a calm after the storm of the trade show day. Russian River Valley one of my favorites within the Sonoma AVA and the bias really held up well in this 2012 vintage. Looking forward to trying this one again in the future.