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Awards from the International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition

We were honored to receive a number of gold medals and high scores at the International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition:

2019 Petit Verdot Best of Class 92 points
2019 Petit Verdot Gold 92 points
2019 Cabernet Franc Gold 92 points
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Gold 90 points
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Block Three Gold 91 points

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2019 Petite Verdot “Beautifully balanced”

This Petite Verdot has a very fragrant nose with macerated black cherries and crème de cassis enveloped in a veneer of creamy oak that does not impede the fruit. The palate is full-bodied with a salacious dark, creamy cassis and chocolate-tinged fruit on the entry. It is beautifully balanced, with a long, sensual finish that demonstrates just what this esoteric variety can do in the right hands. It should last for 15 years in the cellar.

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2019 Cabernet Franc / 92 points / The Wine Guys

Notes of blueberry, red cherry, oak spice, plum, cocoa, slight stem and savory herb. The fruit is rich on the palate with a good amount of oak spice and a hint of vanilla notes. Nice lift on the back palate with some brighter, tart red fruit and acidity. Tannins are present but rather easy going. Decant recommended.

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2019 Cabernet Sauvignon / 92 Points / The Wine Guys

Notes of blackberries, savory herbs, red plum, baking spice, cedar, leather, underbrush, cocoa, oak and licorice. Slight tartness on the palate, more of a medium bodied mouthfeel to it despite its 14% ABV. Medium plus acidity, big tannins, slightly herbaceous finish. Stayed very consistent across 3 days while picking up a very attractive mint and savory herb note near the end, this wine is built to last so no rush to consume.

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2017 Cabernet Franc / Nittany Epicurean

The wine showed a dark garnet color. Black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, licorice, blackberry and oak could each be found on the nose. Black cherry, raspberry and vanilla were easily discernible on the palate followed by nuanced notes of currant, eucalyptus, licorice and oak. The wine was full-bodied and exhibited great length along with soft tannins. This wine would pair very well with a hearty lamb stew.

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2017 Petit Verdot / Nittany Epicurean

The wine showed a dark ruby color. Blackberry, raspberry preserves, cherry, plum and oak all arrived on the deep and complex nose. Black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, mocha, dark chocolate, licorice and oak followed on the palate where the black cherry was the dominant theme. The wine was full-bodied and exhibited good length along with soft tannins. This wine would pair well with grilled lamb chops.

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2017 Petite Sirah / Nittany Epicurean

The wine showed a dark garnet color. Black cherry, raspberry, cassis, vanilla, plum and oak all arrived on the nose. Black cherry, raspberry preserves, plum, vanilla, blackberry and oak followed on the palate where the black cherry notes stole the show. The wine was full-bodied and exhibited great length along with soft tannins. This elegant wine would pair very well with a hearty lamb stew.

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TalkaVino looks at the wines and biodynamics

When you drink wine for pleasure (don’t take it for granted – there are many reasons why people drink wine – to fit into the crowd, to be socially accepted, to show your status – drinking for pleasure is only one of the reasons), mystery, art, magic – call it whatever way you want, but it all comes to a play when you take a sip. Wine is a complete mystery as you have no idea what will be your conscious and subconscious reaction to the experience of that sip – what memories will come to mind?

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2019 Cabernet Sauvignon / Isaac Baker

Medium purple color. Deep but tart aromas of blueberry and black cherries, with complex, deep and spicy tones: tar, mocha, sage, sweet red pepper, black pepper and balsamic glaze. The palate is full but smooth and, like the others, this wine’s acidity is really nice. Tangy plums and juicy black currant fruit blends well with leather, paprika, black pepper, spicy tobacco, mint. A lot going on, and I’d like to see this in five or six years. Cab Sauv with 2% Petit Verdot, aged in 100% French oak.

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2019 Cabernet Franc / Isaac Baker

Deep purple color. The nose sports mulled cherries and deep currant fruit, with a spicy mix of anise, black pepper, tar, leather and espresso. Full but fresh, this shows solid grip but smooth edges to the tannins and moderate acidity. The fig paste and cranberry relish fruit is delicious, and it’s backed up with tar, anise, cocoa, sweet bell pepper, chewing tobacco and some black olive. Really fun and lively but also pretty, complex and age-worthy. All Cab Franc aged in 100% French oak.

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2019 Petite Sirah / Isaac Baker

Deep purple color. The nose shows a nice mix of tangy plums and blueberries, with spicy pepper, anise, some coffee, toffee and mocha. Nice grip on the palate but the tannins have these suave edges and the acidity is really nice, balancing out the deep plum and currant fruit. Notes of black olive, tar, mocha, black pepper and bell pepper add complexity, and I love the deep, earthy, mineral and stony vibes in here. There’s a ton of freshness in here for a Petite Sirah. This puppy will age wonderfully. All PS aged in all French oak.

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2019 Petit Verdot / Isaac Baker

Dark purple color. A deep core of roasted figs, plum sauce, along with charcoal, graphite, tilled soil, coffee grounds, violets – needs air to coax out the depths. The palate shows a solid core of roasted figs and currant paste, grippy tannins, moderate acidity, impressive balance and complexity. Cool mix of spicy and refreshing elements, and I get a lot of mesquite, tar, graphite, roasted red peppers and gravelly earth. A long-ager for sure. Don’t be scared of PV – this is delicious stuff! All Petit Verdot aged in 100% French oak.