Red Wine Avalon Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The ancient Isle of Avalon features in Arthurian legend as the mystical place where the injured King Arthur was taken to recover from battle wounds and the place from which he will one day return. Inspired by this ancient legend, Avalon Winery in California fuses cutting-edge winemaking technology with old, tried and tested techniques. To create delicious wines that truly express the unique characteristics of California’s diverse winemaking regions, Avalon insists on sourcing their grapes from the state’s finest wine regions. This Cabernet Sauvignon is carefully crafted with fruit from Lodi which benefits from a Mediterranean climate moderated by fresh breezes during the growing and ripening season. The warm conditions here help to create big, bold flavours which are carefully balanced by freshness from the cooling winds. Avalon have decided to add small quantities of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Tannat to this Cabernet Sauvignon to add extra complexity and power to the wine. The result is an intense, full-bodied Cabernet that exudes rich cherry jam aromas and hints of sweet spices from the 12 months of ageing in French and American oak barrels. The powerful, concentrated flavours and firm structure make this an excellent partner for hearty dishes like steak, burgers or beef stews.
2018
Red Wine Avalon Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Red Wine DAOU The Pessimist Red 2018. DAOU is the family winery of brothers Georges and Daniel Daou who searched high and low for the perfect site to found their project in the Napa Valley before finally discovering that Paso Robles had the top quality land they were seeking. The 212 acre estate is located in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles and has been described as a jewel of ecological elements” by the legendary Californian winemaker André Tchelistcheff. This corner of Paso Robles offers a unique combination of Napa-like climatic conditions and soils which are rich in limestone like many of France’s top vineyards. These prime conditions allow the Daou brothers to create stunning Bordeaux-style wines which combine Old World elegance with a touch of New World exuberance and innovation. The Pessimist Red is a powerful blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Tannat which offers an opulent and intense flavour profile bursting with cassis, blackberry, dark cherry and jammy plum notes. The fruit-forward character is complemented by hints of dark chocolate, smoky tobacco, and coffee beans as well as a full body, well-defined tannins, and a hint of freshness which lingers on the palate.
2018
Red Wine The Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner 2018. Decanting is not needed. The inspiration for the varietals blended into the wine stems from the Italian immigrants who originally worked the lands of Napa Valley. Back then the blend was referred to as the mixed blacks” and consists of a collection of the darkest grapes grown in the area. On the nose are notes of dark chocolate, cherry, roasted fig and a clove sizzle. The blend of grapes produced a wild blend of red and dark fruit on the palate: Pomegranate, boysenberry and raspberry to name a few. The wine is aged in a mixture of French and American oak barrels with only 30% of them being new. This allows the fruit to sing, provides tannins that are fine and soft, and adds a subtle spice most noticeable with the vanilla on the finish. Due to the blend of many varietals, the wine is a crowd pleaser. It makes a perfect wine for hosting a dinner party or for the obligatory gift that you need to bring to a party. It will pair with many different red meat dishes, sharp cheeses and will be delicious on its own. The Prisoner Wine Company sources grapes from top vineyards all over California. They look to change the status quo by using alternative winemaking methods and blending unique varietals together.
2018