The Second Renaissance by Pleasant Hill

Recently, my friend Robin gave me a gift of a bottle of Pleasant Hill’s “Renaissance II” Red Wine. I sat on it for a couple of weeks, but on Sunday, I decided it was time to crack it open. Though the sun was shining brightly, the air was crisp and chilly, Autumn was in full swing, and I decided it was time to open this particular bottle of red wine. And, I’ll tell you, I was not disappointed.

This is a wine chock-full of imagery. Full of personality and plot, the “Renaissance II” packs a lot into a 750ML bottle.

Pleasant Hill Cellars
2006 “Renaissance II” Red Wine
Columbia Valley
25% Syrah, 25% Tempranillo, 25% Merlot, 25% Lemberger
$24

Dark and leggy, the “Renaissance II” smolders like a mysterious and sexy woman in the corner of the proverbial hotel lounge, cloaked in shadows while a pianist taps out “Ne Me Quitte Pas” on a baby grand. The aroma drifts like perfume from the glass before you can even get close enough to identify it. A closer sniff reveals dusty currants, black cherry, chocolate powder, with hints of ripe raspberry.

At first taste, you’re struck by an exotic, velvety mouthfeel, intense acids and heat from the 15% alcohol, but these elements are well balanced and welcome. Dark fruits like plum and black cherry follow, along with chocolate, leather, tobacco, mahogany, and moss–serious, intense and focused.

However, if you linger, take a minute to take it all in, you notice the suggestion of sweet fruit punch underneath all of the potency, as if that dark mysterious woman was wearing pink underneath it all–a more delicate, feminine side that reveals itself only if you look for it.

Pair this wine with a glass and enjoy.