It Starts With A Grape

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My first reaction to this blend out of Spain was simply wow. It has an ultra fragrant nose, filled with spicy aromas of freshly cracked black pepper and clove, dried figs, warm oak, and just a hint of black olives. Add to that its beefy legs, and deep magenta hue, I couldn’t get the glass to my mouth fast enough. And oh what a mouthful…dried cherries, cassis, and oak dominate the palate.  Its got a pleasant bite to it, and notes of cinnamon and dark cocoa that sweep you away to its bone dry charred oak finish. Pair it with a creamy swiss for a mid day snack, or grilled spicy sausage and peppers for someting a little more substantial.

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The oak on this one is a bit overwhelming when you first open it and its a little rough around the edges, so let it breath for an hour or two befor drinking or serving it. That being said, the noes is full of deep dark aromas like charcoal, super toasty oak and casis. Acompanied by subtle notes of black olives, dried prunes, and fresh raspberries, its reminicent of a wood burning stove. Its a little on the tannic side, but not necessarily in a bad way if you like that sort of thing. I think it works well with the rustic, charred sort of flavors, and theres just a nuance of blueberries, right befor its smokey oak finish. It would be great with a hearty beef stew, just throw a cup in while its cooking to add a whole new layer of flavor.

Hailing from Spain, deserving of its name, comes this bold blend of tempranillo and Shiraz. Ready to eat ripe black cherry will be the first thing to tantalize your senses. Followed by plenty of oak, which creates a really nice balance with the fruit, and fresh ground black pepper, that is sure to send shock waves through your taste buds even before your first sip. Rest assured this wine’s bark does not exceed its bite, you get a mouth full of ripe fruit, and perfect tannin structure. I would have liked to see a lengthier finish, however it is crisp and mouthwatering leaving you wanting more. Paired with such foods as bacon wrapped shrimp, or peppercorn steak, this wine will truly shine. Not quite ready for dinner, pair it with an aged Gorgonzola.