From the moment they opened their eyes, my children were ablaze. Crackling with expectation for the evening’s festivities, feeding off of one another, they ran with their neighborhood friends until I could rein them in, briefly to transform. I wasn’t far off.

Wielding a hot glue gun and green fabric, I channeled Batman’s villains to counter my heroic son. Since “Batman” wanted muscles, I reluctantly bought them. Catwoman and The Riddler were a breeze, and the “Mom” version of Poison Ivy was a fun challenge. We were ready to hit Gotham City, or rather the Block Party.

What wine pairs with the Dark Knight(one that is over 21)? The 2012 Extremely Rare Black Blend* from Scotto Cellars, of course. A blend of Zinfandel from Lodi and Petite Sirah and Syrah from Lake County and Amador County. Black fruit, black cherry, smooth and plenty of POW! ZAP! BANG! Coffee, spice, and structure, this wine cold sit in the Batcave for while and still hold its own. And at $12 a bottle, you won’t have to hit the Gotham City Bank to enjoy it.

Trick-or Treating was brief but the block party went long. Long enough that we needed another bottle. Luckily, The Riddler had picked up a favorite party red.

Priced to share, easy to pair McPherson Cellars’ La Herencia to the rescue. A blend of 75% Tempranillo, 11% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache, 4% Carignan and 3% Syrah, this wine goes with just about everything. Or nothing. Juicy fruit, a bit of spice, medium bodied, and around $12.

Whether it was the all-day running of the lack of ventilation that came with the “muscles,” Batman ran out of steam early. Catwoman was bested by her boots. And these days, “partying” means sipping wine and chatting by the fire for Poison Ivy and The Riddler. Nothing heroic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, will they make it around the block next year?

Will Batman choose a more breathable fabric?

Will the parents stay up past midnight?

Tune in next year. Same Bat-time, Same Bat-channel

*[This wine was sent as a media sample.  I received no other compensation. Thoughts and opinions are my own.}