His wines are meticulously crafted. If a wine doesn't meet his exacting standards, he won't sell it. His wines are unfined and unfiltered, he uses no herbicides or pesticides, and he produces a mere 1,200 to 1,500 cases annually.
Some chefs, he says, hoard secrets. He, however, wants everyone in the kitchen to be as good or better than he is. He now is quite proud of his solid kitchen staff. He can take off for a few days without worrying about the kitchen.
I was compelled to make a Moroccan Beef Stew, a hearty dish to go with a bold wine. I'm a big fan of the Instant Pot, and it's what I used in making this.
The Butler 2014 is a Syrah-based blend with Grenache, Mourvedre, and Zinfandel. The McNab marries Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, and Old Vine Petite Sirah.
I tried both the Red Pepper and Hot Barbeque flavors. Made with beef brisket, they are tender, moist and oh so flavorful. Both flavors bring a bit of heat to the party, but not so much as to overwhelm the palate.
