Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

Saturday, standing beside local luminaries in the Dumas Station Winery's tasting room, all were fascinated by winemaker Jay Dewitt's newest bottle; Dumas Station 2009 Cabernet Franc, an Estate bottled red wine.

About The Wine:

Dewitt produced 40 cases of this oaken Cab Franc. At 75 percent cab franc, 13 percent Petit Verdot and 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine's backbone is supported by a barrel of spicy tannins. Nose buried deep in the glass, the essence of lipstick rose entices the senses. With first sip, swooshes of mint and wild anise liven the mouth in a bathing of white truffle and kalamata olive. A long-legged maceration of plum and juicy cherries wraps the tongue squeezing every last flavanoid to savor.

Jay Dewitt and Doug Harvey specialize in Bordeauxstyled red wines. Among the Dumas reds: an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, a spicy Syrah, a cherry Merlot and the 22-month oaken '09 Cow Catcher Red: 64 percent cab sauvignon, 19 percent Syrah, 10 percent cab franc and 7 percent petit verdot. Cow Catcher is available at Dumas Station Winery, in bottles at Dayton's Weinhard Hotel, supermarkets and wine bars and cafes across the state.

Honors: Jay Dewitt, for remembering that great wine is only as good as the grape you walk with and for applying bio-diverse practices in field and barrel, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and Country Living, gives you 98 Points of Wine Perfection for Dumas Station '09 Cabernet Franc, a unique blend of great Bordeaux-style red wine. Congratulations Team Dumas! 502-382-8933.

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

By Request: Curry Basil Butter

1 cube butter room temp

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaf

Method: In a food processor, blend all until smooth. Apply Curry Basil Butter to basmati rice and organic vegetable stir-fry paired with a glass of Dumas '09 Cabernet Franc wine.

Hear Judith's seasonal web cast with recipe, photo and wine pairing at: www.chefjduithhenderson.com The "Wine & Country Living Cook Book" now on sale at the Times newspaper office, downtown Waitsburg and wine tasting rooms across the Western states.