California small-lot blend full of big flavor
By: Carol A. Wilcox Photos by: Paul Wilcox
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Let’s get this out of the way: I chose this bottle from California Wine Club and yes, Southwest Wine Guide is an affiliate, but the opinions expressed in this wine review are our own and unbiased. If we like a wine (affiliate or not) we say so. If we don’t like it, we say that, too. This is an actual small lot vineyard and you can purchase their wines via their website. In other words, it’s not exclusive to the California Wine Club.
Having said that, oh, what gorgeous bottle packaging this was! That was my first reaction to Verveine Cellars 2015 Red Blend. Truly, the label was simplistically elegant! It looked far more expensive than what we paid for it ($15.00 purchased 13.2% alc). Even though the packaging was pretty, it was the taste that really sold us on this wine and we drank every last little drop.
Verviene Cellars, owned by Sara and Tyler Burt, produce small lots of single-vineyard wines on their biodynamic estate located in Hopland, California. They also source grapes from other vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The sourced grapes as well as their estate grown varietals are all sustainably-farmed. The name Verviene comes from the French term, Verviene Citron (lemon verbena).
The Burt’s approach to winemaking honors simple, traditional and handmade techniques to produce their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and red blends, reminiscent of how wines were made in Southern France, Italy and the early days of California wine production before more modern methods were implemented. They are dedicated to producing generous and approachable wines that can be enjoyed with simple meals in the companion of family and friends.
Pouring the wine into the glass, the deep red color sparkled. There were aromas of chocolate and earth. Red berry and vanilla flavors popped in the mouth and ended with a honey smooth, long, slight pepper finish. As the wine opened in the glass, it only brought more aromas and taste. Not a heavy wine, it was still full-bodied, well-balanced, and wonderful to drink. We paired the wine with a simple meal of hearty minestrone soup and crusty rosemary olive oil bread.
This red blend comes from Verviene’s Sunhawk Farms Estates vineyard. More than a dozen varieties were used to produce the wine with mostly Rhone grape varietals used. Only 240 cases were produced and I’ll purchase more of it soon to enjoy with simple fall and winter dinners. Cheers!
Details:
8338 Medved Lane
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707)-827-3441
1-(800)-777-4443
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