2021 Stolen Barrel
$ 60.00
The idea of Stolen Barrel came in 2015 when our winery was burgled. One of the items stolen was a one-use Bordeaux-style barrel. After a stalled police investigation, a craigslist search, and some undercover work, we managed to recover the barrel unscathed!
After barreling down our 2015 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, we had just enough of each wine to fill completely fill our "Stolen Barrel." Over the next year, it became obvious that there was something very special about this 50/50 blend.
In 2021, we picked the Cab a little earlier than in years past to capture more vibrancy and tweaked the blend: 40% Merlot and 60% Cabernet. This version is more old world, achieving balance rather than power and presents an exquisite testament to the virtues of patience and the art of winemaking.
At first pour, the wine captivates with a mesmerizing spectrum of red. Its radiant garnet core transitions gracefully into lighter ruby edges. Unlike the deeper, almost opaque hues characteristic of wines that may present as less dynamic over time, our blend boasts a clarity and brightness indicative of a meticulously crafted wine, reflecting the purity of fruit and terroir.
In the glass, it greets the senses with a vibrant tapestry of red and blue fruits, including hints of strawberry, blueberry, cherry, and plum, elegantly framed by an emerging bouquet of cinnamon and graphite. Presently, the wine reveals a youthful vigor, with pronounced tannins and a lively acidity that promises a remarkable evolution.
This wine is in the dawn of its journey, with its current tightness reflecting the strength and longevity it possesses. The tannins and acidity, though prominent now, are the very backbone that will ensure its graceful maturation. Over time, these elements will harmoniously mellow, weaving a well-balanced complexity and depth into the wine's character.
We invite you to embrace the potential of this Cabernet/Merlot blend, a wine designed for the cellar, destined to flourish with age. Whether enjoyed in its vivacious youth or allowed to unveil its full splendor over the years, this blend is a celebration of resilience, transformation, and the enduring beauty of time-honored winemaking traditions.
