WASHINGTON - BJanuary 2008 Big Reds Sampler Case
winery: Avalon Wine
Save $55.60 from retail price
Three each of:
Mark Ryan offshoot: Guardian Gun Metal Cab 04
Owen Roe Rosa Mystica Cabernet Franc 06
Walla Walla's Gramercy Cellars Lagniappe Syrah 05
Alexandria Nicole Destiny Red 05
MORE INFORMATION
Guardian Cellars Gun Metal Red 2004 $36.95/$33.25 (new name - was Mark Ryan)
Mark Ryan offshoot Guardian Cellars was formed by Jerry Riener and Mark McNeilly, who work together at Mark Ryan Winery.
Avalon tasting notes: Wow! An intense nose, redolent of cedar, black cherry, persimmon, and red currant introduces this big Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Flavors of black cherry and black currant mingle with a unique jammy note of marionberry and plum. Silky tannins flavored with white pepper and cedar finish the wine. Aged for 30 months in 60% new oak, the lengthy time in barrel shows in the complexity and smooth finish. 58 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 percent Merlot and 12 percent Cabernet Franc, all sourced from Conner Lee Vineyard.
Owen Roe Rosa Mystica
Cabernet Franc 06 $41.95/$37.76
Avalon tasting notes: The 2006 Rosa Mystica Cab Franc is all about elegance and sophistication. The aromas are complex--bright red berry, perfume, and cedar. Initially, the wine is supple and delicate, hiding a richness and depth that fleshes out with a minute or two of air. It's surprisingly drinkable now for a young wine, and will win over even the most ardent Cab Franc non-believer.
Alexandria Nicole Destiny Red 05 $47.95/$43.16
"92 pts." Wine Enthusiast Magazine (May 2007 issue)
"93 pts" Wine & Spirits Magazine (October 2007)
The Destiny Red is a dark ruby colored wine shows concentrated aromas of blackberry fruit, cedar, eucalyptus, spice, cigar box and dried herb aromas; sweet cranberry, ripe cherry, leathery, with hints of vanilla, these quite complex flavors are friendly; medium to full body with wonderful balance of richness; long finish, with muscular tannins and grip.
Gramercy Cellars Lagniappe Syrah 05 $35/$31.50
Gramercy Cellars Founder Greg Harrington is the youngest American to ever pass the Master Sommelier exam. Before becoming a winemaker, Greg was the wine and beverages head for BR Guest Restaurants, Wolfgang Puck restaurant group, and Emerile Lagasse's restaurant group.
In New Orleans, Lagniappe means "A little something extra". Winemaker Greg Harrington says: " the wine dIsplays an amazing floral nose with hints of orange rind. Flavors of liquid stone and gravel, with smoked meat and red and black fruits. The wine is all about balance with fantastic acidity and intense fruit and earth flavors."
Stephen Tanzer reviewed the wine, saying: "Good medium ruby. Vibrant aromas of violet, bacon fat and smoked meat. Juicy, fresh and precise, with a saline nuance adding complexity to the wine's dark fruit flavors. With alcohol just under 14% and only 10% new oak used for aging, this offers lovely purity of flavor."
