Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2002 w/ lamb chops

For Helen's birthday dinner, I grilled some lamb rib chops (which I cooked indoors using my trusty Cuisinart Griddler in light of our unseasonable rains), which I served with a mint-basil pesto, and a package of Alessi Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms. I jazzed up the risotto by adding one ounce of reconstituted Mycological Dried Oregon Porcini Mushrooms and using 1 cup of white wine and 1 and ¼ cup of the mushroom soaking liquid instead of the suggested water. I cooked the risotto in my equally trusty Cuisinart CRC-400 Rice Cooker. With Helen's kind permission, I omitted the usually obligatory green vegetable.

The Phelps Cab was a solid match. This was my last bottle (of 6) and it was probably the best. It had thrown enough sediment to justify decanting and, having done so, I let it breathe for about 45 minutes before serving it. The color remained a deep garnet. The bouquet was strong and clean, suggesting cassis, prunes, mocha java, and tobacco. On the palate, it was medium-bodied with a medium finish. Well balanced. Black cherries, plums, prunes, cedar, and tobacco. Grade: B++