There must have been an array of fireworks in the western sky recently announcing the release of Clarksburg Wine Company’s two explosive red varietals.
The wine facility is located in the Old Sugar Mill in the Clarksburg Appellation, one of California’s premium vineyard regions. The wine company had recently gained a reputation for superb chenin blancs but two darkly dense wines add depth to the portfolio.
Both 2010 red selections – petite sirah ($26) and cabernet franc ($28) – were hand picked and delivered to Clarksburg’s wine facility in half tons bins and cold soaked for 48 hours before fermentation.
Both were aged for 18 months.
Inky and mysterious, this petite sirah is true to the varietal and the denseness sticks to the glass. (The majority of petite sirah plantings in California are actually durif.) Blackberry, boysenberry aromas are remindful of a rich berry cobbler.
This dense, muscular wine is a feast for the palate with firm structure and lush finish. Be careful with the pairing of this intense varietal. Only rich meat dishes – rich, meaty pastas or prime rib will show off this awesome selection.
Often used as a blending grape, this cabernet franc stands alone with pride. The wine is dusty with herb, black cherry and cedar aromas and lovely floral notes of herbs and dried cherry. Cherry and cassis flavors combined with oak and clove complete the lush portrait.
Comments