This is a highly balanced and easy-drinking Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The body and extraction are relatively light—it’s nimble and lively on the palate—but without losing any of the expected flavor intensity. Merlot gives it clear plum and chocolate notes and the Cabernet, blackcurrant and spice. Beyond these, gentle cherry fills out the flavor profile.

With time and exposure, a combination of fresh and perfumy red floral notes comes forward, along with slightly medicinal fruit notes, herbal tea, and a subtle touch of anise. There is a persistent bass note of warm vanilla that, along with sweet cinnamon and clove, give depth to the aroma set. Its 14.3% alcohol is well integrated, as are its acid and tannins.

The wine is a typical expression of its grape composition and region of origin, but with more elegance and finesse than the average Californian. Its bright acid and fine tannins allow it to pair widely with food. In terms of complexity the wine is relatively simple as of now—cheerful, approachable, fruity—but it should hone its character with time in the cellar.

VISUAL, AROMATIC AND FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS:

Appearance: Light ruby, young, transparent and bright; medium-minus body

Fruit, Floral: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, blackberry, fresh and dried flowers

Spice, Herbal, Vegetal: Cinnamon, clove, anise, mint herbal tea

Oak, Earth, Other: Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, minerals

The post 2022 Sierra Foothills Red Wine appeared first on Small Ass Vineyard.

This is a highly balanced and easy-drinking Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The body and extraction are relatively light—it’s nimble and lively on the palate—but without losing any of the expected flavor intensity. Merlot gives it clear plum and chocolate notes and the Cabernet, blackcurrant and spice. Beyond these, gentle cherry fills out the flavor profile.

With time and exposure, a combination of fresh and perfumy red floral notes comes forward, along with slightly medicinal fruit notes, herbal tea, and a subtle touch of anise. There is a persistent bass note of warm vanilla that, along with sweet cinnamon and clove, give depth to the aroma set. Its 14.3% alcohol is well integrated, as are its acid and tannins.

The wine is a typical expression of its grape composition and region of origin, but with more elegance and finesse than the average Californian. Its bright acid and fine tannins allow it to pair widely with food. In terms of complexity the wine is relatively simple as of now—cheerful, approachable, fruity—but it should hone its character with time in the cellar.

VISUAL, AROMATIC AND FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS:

Appearance: Light ruby, young, transparent and bright; medium-minus body

Fruit, Floral: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, blackberry, fresh and dried flowers

Spice, Herbal, Vegetal: Cinnamon, clove, anise, mint herbal tea

Oak, Earth, Other: Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, minerals

The post 2021 Sierra Foothills Red Wine appeared first on Small Ass Vineyard.

This is a highly balanced and easy-drinking Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The body and extraction are relatively light—it’s nimble and lively on the palate—but without losing any of the expected flavor intensity. Merlot gives it clear plum and chocolate notes and the Cabernet, blackcurrant and spice. Beyond these, gentle cherry fills out the flavor profile.

With time and exposure, a combination of fresh and perfumy red floral notes comes forward, along with slightly medicinal fruit notes, herbal tea, and a subtle touch of anise. There is a persistent bass note of warm vanilla that, along with sweet cinnamon and clove, give depth to the aroma set. Its 14.3% alcohol is well integrated, as are its acid and tannins.

The wine is a typical expression of its grape composition and region of origin, but with more elegance and finesse than the average Californian. Its bright acid and fine tannins allow it to pair widely with food. In terms of complexity the wine is relatively simple as of now—cheerful, approachable, fruity—but it should hone its character with time in the cellar.

VISUAL, AROMATIC AND FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS:

Appearance: Light ruby, young, transparent and bright; medium-minus body

Fruit, Floral: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, blackberry, fresh and dried flowers

Spice, Herbal, Vegetal: Cinnamon, clove, anise, mint herbal tea

Oak, Earth, Other: Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, minerals

The post 2020 Sierra Foothills Red Wine appeared first on Small Ass Vineyard.

SCORE: 90

The Sommelier Company

This is a highly balanced and easy-drinking Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The body and extraction are relatively light—it’s nimble and lively on the palate—but without losing any of the expected flavor intensity. Merlot gives it clear plum and chocolate notes and the Cabernet, blackcurrant and spice. Beyond these, gentle cherry fills out the flavor profile.

With time and exposure, a combination of fresh and perfumy red floral notes comes forward, along with slightly medicinal fruit notes, herbal tea, and a subtle touch of anise. There is a persistent bass note of warm vanilla that, along with sweet cinnamon and clove, give depth to the aroma set. Its 14.3% alcohol is well integrated, as are its acid and tannins.

The wine is a typical expression of its grape composition and region of origin, but with more elegance and finesse than the average Californian. Its bright acid and fine tannins allow it to pair widely with food. In terms of complexity the wine is relatively simple as of now—cheerful, approachable, fruity—but it should hone its character with time in the cellar.

VISUAL, AROMATIC AND FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS:

Appearance: Light ruby, young, transparent and bright; medium-minus body

Fruit, Floral: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, blackberry, fresh and dried flowers

Spice, Herbal, Vegetal: Cinnamon, clove, anise, mint herbal tea

Oak, Earth, Other: Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, minerals

The post 2019 Sierra Foothills Red Wine appeared first on Small Ass Vineyard.

The acid and alcohol are moderate and remain behind the scenes. The aromas and flavors are front-and-center, intense but not fully distinct; one fruit or spice note ends where the other begins, creating an atmosphere of flavor more than an intricate bouquet. The dominant fruit-and-spice profile gains complexity in time with faint orange peel, perfume and minerals.

Complexity: Offers a variety of aromas, more integrated than distinct

Balance: Very good; alcohol and acid are in harmony; tannin is very soft

Expressiveness: Good; a bit reticent in the beginning but gains aromatic intensity with air; it’s evenly expressive through the nose, palate and finish

Character: Light, soft, quaffable; full of dark fruit and warm baking spice

Typicity: Shows typical characteristics of the grape variety and region

Appearance: Transparent ruby; light-to-medium body; relatively light extraction

Fruit, Floral: Blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, orange peel, perfume

Spice, Herbal, Vegetal: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, red peppercorn

Oak, Earth, Other: Hints of chocolate, coffee, minerals

The post 2018 Sierra Foothills Red Wine appeared first on Small Ass Vineyard.