Offering an exotic, complex bouquet of lavender, wild herbs, loamy earth and both red and black fruits, the 2013 Red Wine Blend Night Owl (55% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot) is medium-bodied, elegant, supple and finesse driven on the palate, with this darker, meaty, chocolaty, earthy core that comes out with additional time in glass. This is a sexy, forward effort that will nevertheless keep nicely for a decade given its purity and balance. Drink: 2016 – 2026.
The 2014 Red Wine Blend Night Owl comes from the estate vineyards and is a blend of 43% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot. Its deep purple/ruby-tinged color is followed by a terrific bouquet of cassis, ripe black cherries, licorice and wild herbs. Medium to full-bodied, supple and polished on the palate, with good acidity, it's another fabulous wine.
The 2014 Fred is a brighter and more high toned than its predecessors. It is obvious from the moment it leaves the bottle with its bright red complexion. It still showcases the usual lavender oil and bright nose of the Tablas Creek clone, but it is expressing more red fruit notes. Bouncy and bright in the mouth while round and plush tannins maintain through to the end. Will drink well though 2020.
This wine has come from the earth in all senses. It is as complex as photosynthesis itself. Don’t be fooled by its delicate color; it will swoon you with earth, fire and sea. There is a bright quality to the wine, but the dark flavors persist of burnt orange, dark fruit, rhubarb. There is a strong mineraility in the finish. Pair with meat braised in fennel and orange or a triple cream garnished with chutney.
Umm…why is your Grenache so light in color? Because traditionally, Grenache should be translucent enough to read your watch through it. As we have said in the past, do not be fooled by the color. There is quite a bit of skin and stem tannin holding the flavor of this Grenache. Layers of dried herbs like bay and rosemary sit on top the orange peel and cherry. The medium acidity offers a nice balance and finish.
Well. Well. Well. Malbec. It is that Labrador retriever who lives in your neighborhood and barks all the time only to discover he just loves everyone *that* much. Fairly difficult to farm, hard to watch ferment because of its awkward H2S spikes while the yeast knows full well, they are sitting on a massive pile of yeast assumable nitrogen. Then it finds the bottle and like a giant lap dog, sits on the palate so comfortably. The 2016 Malbec Amparo is 100% Malbec that spent 23 months in 40% new French. Blueberries and violets dance with a slight cranberry note and pillow oak tannins.
Nose of smoked meat, soy sauce and crushed gravel. The smoked meat persists in the mouth, but accented by juniper berries, dried plum, blackberries and olives coat the palate. This wine begs for a lamb chop or steak. The stem and skin tannin bolster the medium acidity. As with most of our wines, please decant. Optimum drinking window is from 2020 to 2028.
