CURRENT SIP: 2009 Nickel & Nickel Suscol Ranch Merlot, Napa Valley

Established by the partners of Far Niente in 1997, Nickel & Nickel winery produces 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines. While the focus is on producing great cabernet sauvignon, pretty much everything they make is outstanding, including this merlot from the Suscol Ranch vineyard. The vineyard sits on a nine-acre plot just south of the city of Napa. It’s a cool area that’s foggy early in the season and windy year-round, allowing for slow-ripening of the grapes.

The resulting wine is dense and rich with a lush aroma of dark berries, plum and hints of tobacco. It’s a big and juicy wine with ripe fruits and mellow tannins. I brought a bottle to a ladies wine tasting recently, and though it was everyone’s favorite of the night, we all agreed this sexy wine was better suited for a romantic evening.

PAIR IT WITH: This is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of food. The lush and juicy fruit helped cool our palates after a bite of spicy braised beef barbeque but also matched nicely against chewy dark chocolate brownies. I’d love to try it with lamb chops topped with a dark berry balsamic sauce.

PRICE: $46.99 at Total Wine (2007 vintage)