Today’s lovely, budget-friendly 2009 Don Ernesto’s Napa Valley Crescendo Red Table Wine is a rich, dark, complex wine with more character than might be expected for a wine of under $19. Especially considering that the wine was made by Napa Valley winemaker, Ernie Weir, of Hagafen Cellars fame.

We have really grown to love Hagafen wines and when we learned of Ernie’s Don Ernesto label, we had high hopes for its lower-priced wines. We were not disappointed. Today’s Red Table wine delivers a rich, dark and pleasing blend that we found pairs best with dark, grilled meats or a hearty meat lasagne.

Enjoy this wine, now, but lay a few bottles down for the next few years for what we presume will be an even more delightful drinking experience.