Fall is Officially Here. Hunt and Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($29)

A rustic nose on a wine always gets me excited. It reminds me of fall and crisp, cool nights. With mint, black licorice, coffee grinds and cigar wrapper on the nose, I start to envision fall leaves rustling in the wind. There’s a compatibility to the smells of fall and the smell of this wine.

The label, from vintner Chris Hall has some offbeat wines that I’m eager to sample, but his Napa Valley Cabernet opens up nicely with ripe cherry and currant flavors. The flavors are concentrated yet the acidity keeps the fruit flavors fresh. Well balanced and getting me stoked for fall.

Enjoy it with Kalamata olives, hard salami and cheddar cheese. Sit outside and tell stories with friends on a crisp fall night as the leaves begin their beautiful transformation.