Sit, stay, sip — Pound Hound 2005 California Red Wine

True craftsmanship is in the details, and for me, Michelle Obama’s announcement that the future First Pooch will be a rescue dog is, while not the furthest reaching, perhaps the most fine-tuned detail of a campaign truly run to perfection. They are a family that walks the walk.

In fact, I took the opportunity offered by a brief pause in the geyser of joyful tears running down my face today to google the issue of the Obama puppy, simply to verify my instinct that the Obamas would choose to adopt a dog in need rather than support the shameful practice of breeding living things with the intent that they be paraded around in celebrities’ designer purses.

And indeed, it was true; once again in this past 24 hours I experienced the wholly forgotten sensation of vindication. Lord, I could get used to this! But I digress…

To say that tonight I was looking for a bold wine to pair with the only dinner materials in my fridge — some leftover migas of Michael’s — would be giving myself undeserved credit. (Let it be known, however, to all readers without the advantage of being familiar with Mexican food in Austin, that Elsi’s migas, even left over, ain’t nothin to sniff at.)

I picked up a bottle of Pound Hound 2005 California Red Wine at my neighborhood Sun Harvest for three reasons: Chiefly, I am a dog lover of epic proportions. Proceeds from the sale of Pound Hound go toward benefiting animal shelters, and I believe the only thing better than a good thing is a good thing for a good cause. Secondly, I am already nostalgic for the Sonoma County Wine Bloggers Conference — though it ended just ten days ago — and perhaps looking to capture a bit of those ol’ glory days on the palate. And then of course it was under $12. Enough said.

Pound Hound is an all-around success. Like the perfect puppy, it was big enough to rough house with, yet under control. This wine did not have that ungainly, puckering mouth-feel that seems to be the signature of California reds. It’s hot on the nose but not overwhelmingly so. It’s got a balanced proportion of black cherry, leather, oak, and vanilla, with a hint of cinnamon. Most delightfully, though, it does actually smell somehow like a dog that’s been happily digging around in the dirt on a sunny day. This makes it an ideal autumn wine if you like heavy reds that still retain subtlety.

The label states that Pound Hound “is meant to be fun and lively, like our lighthearted Jack Russell Terrier, Abbey” and has the goal of bringing “you good wine at a good price and, at the same time, to help homeless and mistreated animals.” Well, with a taste that competes with bottles twice the price, I can call this one a winner wherever your political sympathies lie.

Check out these related posts:

1. Confessions of a former California Cabernet drinker
2. Good California Wines! Fog Head Pinot and Hess Chardonnay
3. Screw top wine is here to stay, but is it ready for the big time?
4. Recession anti-depression! Great value California Riesling and Italian red wines
5. Cheap Pinots from around the globe – France, New Zealand, Argentina and California