That's dedication.
My wine rack is full, so I purposely only bring $20 cash with me and no credit or debit card. I am extremely regretful of that as soon as I see the wine labels. They're based on a text from the 1400s, which, of course, makes my inner literatus happy. The labels are not only remarkably eye-catching, but they're full of chaos and destruction, which makes me sickly warm and fuzzy inside.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGjMmsCAUL3lNcreNlZNj645p0DjYx_xWZFaAL2aRhZgYJ9zWcHeASAb1XbqkPa9AgJOryMYi6VP3O2aiv2cGP1t_iLxD0c6SrVfVlX0apptrluYaoWD3ET07WBmxMIHsaSMwPYRRXM8/s320/20161001_132629.jpg)
The winery has several different lines of wines, but the store is only pouring samples from Force of Nature. I'm not a chardonnay aficionado, but my sister is. This chardonnay is citrusy with slight oak. Andrew admits that he isn't a huge chard fan, either, but he likes this one. I have to agree. I am terribly tempted to get the chardonnay to bring to my sister's house, but I already have a marvelous bottle put aside for her. It's delicious, but I decide against it.
The 2014 Zinfandel is fruity, spicy, and complex. It's a great red and a super zin, but still. I've no one to drink the zin with, except maybe a good hunk of cheddar cheese, so I pass on that. However, I'd still speak very highly of it and recommend it without a second thought.
The real taste-off is between the Cabernet Sauvignon and the red blend. My daughter is a cab sauv drinker, and her thirtieth birthday is just around the corner. Andrew is signing bottles for us, and this would certainly be a nice gift. However, I already bought her a couple of gifts and a ticket to tonight's Brew on the Charles. The cabernet sauvignon is wonderful, though -- deep color, rich aroma, hints of licorice and cherry.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaAZp6X2gW1N3tzXmGepavIblVEd8cn5DGzwYL368vr2U49gLlzFGQjO_Ex5tnz_tAIQJe-Ze7V-8SGy1iStgZJwIvjEdgx6QPz3YtyqFLv0swJLBT9ZNR7xD-NhSexCp7VKYvmZfpNo/s320/20161001_142024.jpg)
That means I am leaning toward the red blend, just for me, all for me. I've already won a prize just for saying the magic phrase "I am a Force of Nature" when entering the shop, but this decision means that Andrew signs the bottle for me, just for me, all for me. I walk out of there with some extra labels, a prize of a huge candle with a label on it, and a fantastic bottle of 2014 Red Blend, rich with merlot and syrah and full of berries and spices, for an amazing price of $13.
Winery for this Week -- Force of Nature Winery in Paso Dobles, California.
Wine for this Week -- 2014 Force of Nature Red Blend