Review: 2007 Calluna Vineyards Cuvee Chalk Hill

For such a young wine with big grapes (this Bordeaux blend is 39% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 22% cabernet franc, and 9% malbec), Calluna Vineyards' 2007 Cuvee Chalk Hill is remarkably easygoing.

This Sonoma wine spent 22 months in oak barrels, and it comes across with flavors of fresh fig, cedar, some chocolate, and light tobacco and spice. The tannins are quite understated, giving the Cuvee a simple structure but one which nonetheless hangs on to a bit of backbone, giving it a moderately long finish.

It's a wine that doesn't need much -- it's fine on its own or with a meal -- and the price is easy to like, too.

B+ / $30 / callunavineyards.com

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