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2009
Ispiri - Rocky Red
Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot. Sonoma Dry Creek Valley
2007
Municipal Winemakers Dark Red
Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) from Happy Canyon area of Santa Barbara County, Syrah (70%) from Tierra Alta and Camp Four Vineyards. Fruit was hand-picked; fermented in small boxes and French oak; and punched down 3 times a day for about 2 weeks. All the wines were basket pressed and matured in a combination of 1, and 2 year old French oak, and older American oak hogsheads for 16 months. 185 cases bottled in February 2009. Peak drinking 2010-2020. Nose is crushed dark berries and licorice with dark choc, smoke, and cold meats. Mouth is full-bodied and ripe with juicy mulberries, tart black currants, mocha, meat and savory cedary flavors. Matches with juicy steaks, stews, braises, chanks, suckling pork belly (Something mushroomy for Vegos). Strong cheese = yes.
2008
Municipal Winemakers Bright Red
Bright Red is made from hand-picked Grenache (38%), Cinsault (37%) and Syrah (25%) grapes sourced from four special vineyards in Santa Barbara County. 2008 was a vintage marked by severe frosts, and tiny yields, with great quality. Each batch was fermented separately in small boxes. The Fermentations were on skins for 10-30 days and punched down 1-3 times every day. All the wines were basket pressed, then matured in older French oak barrels - big ones and small ones. We bottled 150 cases in December of 2009, after 14 months aging. This wine is delicious upon release, but those with patience will be rewarded over the next 7-10 years. Wine is always changing, but at bottling, 2008 Bright Red shows a nose of pure cherries, cranberries, dried herbs, baking spices and smoke. The mouth is slightly rustic, yet balanced by cherry, red currant, licorice, and bittersweet chocolate flavors. The medium body and round tannins finish bright and minerally. Drink it with gamey meats, smokey BBQ goods, thin crust pizzas, homemade pasta sauce, Moroccan lamb, or blackened Cajun chicken. Lighter whiter cheese will match.
