Red Wine Dorli Muhr Samt Seide Blaufrankisch 2017. The roots of Dorli Muhr date back to the year 1912 when 0.17 hectares of vines were gifted to Katharina Muhr by her aunt. Katharina was an enthusiastic grape grower and winemaker, tending to her vines and producing a small amount of wine to be shared with friends and family. Eventually the vines died and the land was left fallow until Katharina’s granddaughter Dorli discovered her own passion for winemaking. Today Dorli runs her small winery alongside the next generation, her daughter Anna. The grapes for this exceptional red are harvested from a total of 20 individual parcels located on Spitzerberg’s southern slope. These sites are planted with 15-35 year old Blaufrankisch vines. As indicated by the name of this wine, the older vines provide the Seide” or silk while the younger vines bring the Samt” or velvet. Once in the winery the grapes are treated with minimal intervention. They are left to spontaneously ferment with wild yeasts with a proportion of the grapes trodden in the traditional style by foot. The young wine is then matured in 1000 and 3000 litre wooden casks for 20 months. The result is a remarkably elegant wine with ample red fruit character as well as a distinctive depth and power from the older vines and the extended ageing.
2017
Red Wine Dorli Muhr Samt Seide Blaufrankisch 2017
Red Wine Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. The Dry Creek Valley AVA in Sonoma County has a grape growing history which goes back over 140 years thanks to the warm and sunny climate which is ideally suited to viticulture. Dry Creek Vineyard is of particular importance to the region since the winery was the first to be established in the Valley after Prohibition. The estate was founded in 1972 by David S. Stare whose vision for the region helped to transform Dry Creek Valley from a small collection of family fruit farms to a well-known wine region. Lovers of big Californian Cabernets will be won over by the bold flavour profile of this stunning red wine from Dry Creek Vineyard. Although the Dry Creek Valley AVA is best known for its hearty Zinfandels, the region has almost as many acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon as to Zinfandel. The dry climate and iron rich soils on the estate help to produce Cabernet grapes which are fruit forward and finely balanced. To add extra complexity the winery adds modest amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot to the Cabernet Sauvignon base. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 19 months to allow all of the components to come together harmoniously. This creates an intense red which exudes rich blackcurrant, cherry and dark berry flavours and aromas and offers a generous full body and firm tannins. The long finish and concentrated flavour profile make this an excellent partner for red meats and hearty stews.
2017
Red Wine Dry Creek The Mariner 2017. Dry Creek was the first winery to be established in its namesake valley since Prohibition when David Stare founded the estate here in 1972. Over the decades its been at the forefront of California winemaking, creating the very first Sonoma Fume Blanc and playing a pivotal role in the creation of the Dry Creek Valley AVA. The winery was also an early advocate of Bordeaux-style blends like this Meritage cuvee composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well as some Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Fruit is sourced from prized hillside vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley with individual plots vinified separately and matured in French and Hungarian oak barrels for 18 months before blending. Dark cherry, blueberries and vanilla dominate on the nose with undertones of spice, mocha and black licorice. On the palate there’s a generous full body complemented by firm tannins, a smooth texture and a long finish peppered with cedar, cassis and woodsmoke. The bold flavour profile makes this opulent cuvee a great match for red meat dishes including hearty stews, a prime ribeye steak and game like venison, pheasant and wild boar.
2017