Pop the cork and had a quick taste. This was stunning! Came back a minute later and, uh-oh. TCA. This wine was badly corked. Although this happens less than it used to, it still does happen. What a shame. I will need to revisit this. Stay tuned.
This is made from various sites around California. It is my favorite of the 1000 Stories BBA wines. Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has smoke, black cherries, and slight bramble. Medium to full bodied. Light to medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, black cherries, some root beer notes and plenty of char. Good finish with black cherries and slight, slight black licorice. This is nice on its own and would work well with grilled foods such as a Pork Chop. Drink over the next year or two.
This is made from Cabernet grapes predominately from Lodi. The wine is raised in oak barrels and then finished in Bourbon Barrels. Garnet in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has smoke, tar and slight black cherries. Medium bodied.
C.L. Butaud started making wine in 2014 in Texas, another wine to join the impressive ranks of Texas wines being produced in the fourth largest wine producing state in the U.S. A truly Texas Tempranillo, this offers black cherry notes, tobacco leaf, plum and pomegranate, dried tomato leaf, a slight rhubarb quality and a light earthiness. The tannins and smooth but noticeable and the light acidity helps create a wine that, on the first sip, makes you want food with it. The oak influence is just a wee bit heavy, however the fruit still shines and the balance created in impressive. 250 cases.
This wine is aged in American oak for six months. Note - this is not aged in Bourbon Barrels like many of this wineries wines. Ruby in color, maybe a bit deeper, clear and bright. The nose is a bit smoky with cherry cough drops in the background. Medium bodied with soft tannins. On the palate, cherries, cranberries and slight char. Some alcohol especially on the finish. This drinks better for people who like a bit more of a bigger Pinot. Drink over the next couple of years.
This is a blend of Teroldego with Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir. The wine was aged in American and French Oak and finished in used Bourbon Barrels. Deep garnet in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose bramble, smoke, plums and spice. Full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black cherries, spice and char. Moderate finish. This is different in that the smoke/char is predominant in the wine. It took some getting used to but sharing with others, it seemed the casual wine drinkers really enjoyed it. Drink over the next few years.
Although this winery produces reds aged in Bourbon Barrels, this wine is aged in American Oak barrels (for six months) but it does not appear that this wine in particular is aged in re-used Bourbon barrels. 14.5% abv. Gold/copper/slight silver in color, clear and bright. The nose has slight grapefruit, coconut, and slight spice. Also a touch of char. Full bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, apple and grapefruit notes. Moderate finish. This is a relatively inexpensive Chardonnay that drinks well on its own. It will work with lighter foods or sea food. It would be nice with Chicke
This is a producer who mostly make Bourbon Barrel Aged wines, but this one is made in Stainless Steel tanks. Light silvery/green/gold in color. Clear and Bright. The nose has slight pineapple along with a touch of grassiness. Light bodied, slightly oily texture. On the palate, the pineapple is a bit more pronounced. This is refreshing and easy drinking. Drink over the next year. Nice on its own, this will work with lighter foods. It would be a nice wine with an Avocado Salad.
One sip and you realize this is a different kind of Pinot Noir than the norm. If you know Sonoma Coast Pinot’s, they all have a rustic quality to them; a brambly component that sets them apart from the overt fruity Pinot, and this is a good thing. This certainly offers red raspberry and wild cherry, touches of huckleberry and gooseberry, but it is that resin/bramble/wild berry note that makes this a unique and fun wine. Certainly this wine is not for everyone, the acidity is higher than most Pinot’s, but it immediately begs for food.
This is a blend of 61% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 6% Pinot Blanc. Light golden in color with slight salmon pink hues. A nice mousse with lots of small bubbles. Nice nose with strawberries, cranberries, slight citrus and a whiff of smoke. Medium to full bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, nice minerality with light cherries and some orange citrus. Long finish. This is drinking well now but seems a bit tight. It took a couple of hours to open, so if serving, give it an hour or so to breathe. It is very food friendly and would be great with duck or turkey. A really nice value a
