We added another wine in 2012, and that gave us the perfect opportunity for a new label for the Persona.  One of our co-owners, Jenna, designed a more classic and elegant label that worked well with our other wine, Unmasked.  The summer was great and the harvest  gave us great grapes.  When we released the wine, however, we got a couple random complaints.  I was confused as my bottles (brought home from bottling) were great.  One loyal customer went so far as to say, his Thanksgiving was ruined by our wine.  We tried to get  more information, but it wasn't articulated in a way we could make a determination.  Then one local wine friend told me there was to much Brettanomyces in the wine.  This is a yeast infection that can have off odors and occasionally tastes that range from Band-Aid to barnyard (or worse).  That was surprising to me as we paid to have the wine tested prior to bottling.  However, over time, I had some bottles and it was clear that some had an issue.  Now Brett, as it is called, is funny.  First, since it is a yeast, it needs to bloom to be noticeable and that requires some level of warmth.  It could be in the shipping process or at home.  Second, it used to be very common in wines of the Southern Rhone and Burgundy and many people love it.  The French often refer to it as "merde".  To this day, I have friends who request this wine and hope that it "stinks".  At age 12, I was curious how the bottle I brought (and one from my original batch) would be showing.  First, the color was great.  Purple and opaque and bright.  The nose has some stink.  I personally loved it, but others will be put off.  Definitely some barnyard aromas along with black raspberries, slight violets, and roasted herbs.  If served blind, I would guess it was a Chateauneuf du Pape.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, there is no off taste.  Flavors of black raspberries, black pepper, with some char.  Plenty of depth.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood).  As to how long you have to drink, it might be a crapshoot, but this bottle could have gone another five to eight years I think.  

Grade: 
A-
Score: 
92
Vintage: 
2012
Current Price: 
$53.00USD