Red Wine Skouras Synoro 2018. It can benefit from decanting. Domaine Skouras is a beautiful winery located in Greece and, more precisely, in the Peloponnese peninsula. George Skouras is the founder and owner, heart and soul of the company. The business began in 1986 with the production of Megas Oenos wine, a great blend of native Agiorgitiko grapes with a lower percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon when this type of blend was rather unusual and innovative. For this reason, Skouras has gained an essential role in the Greek wine scene. Synoro from Domaine Skouras is considered one of the best red wines of George Skouras. Its name, which means border, derives from the position of the three neighboring vineyards. The blend is made up of 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 20% Agiorgitiko. Each variety is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks, and the final wine ages for 13 months in French oak barrels and another 12 months in the bottle. It is a wine with a great personality and excellent aging potential. The aromatic blend exudes elegance and exuberant notes of violet, lavender, red fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, and tobacco. It has an imposing and robust structure in the mouth but is extraordinarily fresh and with velvety tannins. It will evolve beautifully with some time in the cellar. Try it with lasagna, a juicy burger or roast beef or beef bourguignon.
2018
Red Wine Skouras Synoro 2018
Red Wine Sleight Of Hand Cellars The Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Founded in 2007 in Washington state, Sleight of Hand Cellars takes its name from a Pearl Jam song from the Binaural album, a favorite of Trey Busch, winemaker and co-owner along with partners Jerry and Sandy Solomon. The production considered among the most interesting in the state includes a Gewurztraminer (the Magician), a Bordeaux blend (The Spellbinder), and three reds produced in small quantities: Levitation (100% Syrah), Archimage (Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend) and The Illusionist (based on Cabernet). The Illusionist from Sleight of Hand Cellars is an elegant wine produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from proprietary vineyards planted in the AVAs of Walla Walla, Red Mountain, and Horse Heaven Hills. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 20 months in new 64% French oak barriques. In the glass, The Illusionist displays a beautiful deep cherry red color. The aromatic profile is intense and savory with notes of leather, tobacco, black cherries, vanilla pod, and sweet spices. In the mouth, the wine is soft and round, with flavors of blackberries and herbs followed by plums and dark chocolate. The tannins are rich and soft and together with the fresh acidity guarantee graceful aging for the next 15-20 years.
2018
Red Wine Smith Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. To give this powerful Central Coast Cab balance and complexity, the grapes are selected from four distinguished AVAs which have a particular affinity with Cabernet Sauvignon: Pasos Robles, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Hames Valley. Each area adds a unique facet to the wine’s complex personality; Paso Robles is known for its big and bold Cabs, while Arroyo Seco grapes add a firm structure and fruit from San Antonio Valley and Hames Valley contribute rich dark berry, dried fruit and spicy flavours. To ensure these different elements are well-integrated, the wine is barrel-fermented and then aged in French oak barrels for 10 months. The result is a hearty, full-bodied wine bursting with intense aromas and flavours. The nose displays intricate layers of freshly-ground coffee, toast, dark chocolate and blackcurrant jam which evolve into sweet dark berries, vanilla and licorice on the palate. Firm tannins and robust fruit flavours make this an excellent match for braised ribs or earthy game dishes. Smith & Hook takes its name from two former cattle ranches in the Santa Lucia Highlands which were purchased by Nicky and Gaby Hahn in 1980 after they noticed the untapped winemaking potential of the local area. Recently recognised as an American Wine Pioneer” by Wine Enthusiast magazine, Nicky successfully lead the campaign to have Santa Lucia recognised as an AVA in 1991. With nearly forty years of winemaking experience in the Central Coast area, the family-run business is now in the capable hands of the Hahns’ son, Philip.
2018