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Body: full | Sweetness: dry | Alcohol: 13.5% Region: Santa Barbara County, California
With notes of anise, black cherry, and cocoa, this wine is everything you’d want: robust, essence of dark fruit, and flavorful. You’ll notice the black cherry upon first taste and then the richness of the cocoa opens while, just in time, the anise finish smooths out the entire taste. I’m telling you, you’ve never tasted a California red this good.
“A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot from two of the most prime spots in the Santa Ynez Valley, this wine is a wonderful portrayal of where it comes from and how it was made. Grapes were picked at optimal ripeness for fruit flavor and texture, and the juice was fermented in stainless steel before 14 months aging in 40% new french oak. The result is soft tannins and a lush, velvety texture.” —WINC
I served this bottle in 15 Ounce JoyJolt Spirits Stemless Wine Glasses, the perfect feel and less delicate than traditional glasses. I was sent the bottle by an excellent wine subscription service (though you can buy selectively by the bottle as well) WINC. I’ve been getting great wines from them monthly for over a year and it’s well worth it.
A couple final notes to help you enjoy this wine: pop it open 20 minutes before serving, and it goes great with beef, cheeses, chili, bbq or similar flavors.