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2008 Hellcat by Airfield Estates

Snow yesterday, sleet today, which makes for very treacherous roads in the Columbia Valley. Trapped in our own home, what is a family to do? It's a perfect excuse to raid the wine cellar and enjoy comfort wine with comfort food.
Spaghetti with 2008 Airfield Estates Hellcat.

For lunch today my wife cooked spaghetti with a robust red meat sauce, garnished with flakes of Parmesan cheese and garlic bread on the side. She also selected the wine, an Airfield Estates 2008 Hellcat. We purchased this bottle at their family owned Prosser, Washington winery during Spring release weekend in April 2010.

Lunch was most enjoyable. The 2008 Hellcat complimented our comforting meal and left me glowing with contentment. I stuck my head out the front door to snap the photo below and quickly retreated to the warmth of home and another glass of wine.

Snowy Pagoda.

The 2008 Hellcat is a dark, clean garnet color. I love the nose on this wine: lively aromas of candied dark fruit, resin, tar, a whiff of Arabic incense specifically Ood Muattar and molasses. Round flavors fill the mouth, with cherry, raspberry and road tar. The  balanced acidity and tannins compliment this medium/full bodied wine, it is dry, firm, with a lengthy finish. My inner lips are most content. This wine opens up beautifully, it is fully enjoyable when you remove the screw cap, but it gradually gains in character the longer it is open.

An aromatic red wine, with plenty of flavor and complexity to please most. It also pairs very well with spaghetti. I recommend drinking now or over the next couple of years if you have this vintage. Lovely.

A blend of 88% Tempranillo, 6% Grenache, 6% Syrah.

13.9% ABV

 Learn more about Airfield Estates at: http://www.airfieldwines.com/ 

Cheers!
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