This brand has had a fascinating evolution. Began originally by the late Denis Malbec and his wife May-Britt, it was a Bordeaux-inspired range of high elevation reds from the Cloverdale Peak area. I'd had some in the past and they were always delicious. Once I began working within The Spire Collection, I still enjoyed pouring and tasting the library vintages that Denis had crafted, that were acquired along with the brand by Jackson Family Wines. If memory serves, Denis' last vintage was 2012 and Graham Weerts oversaw the 2013 vintage.
As the brand was entering in renaissance in 2015, winemaker Sam Teakle took over crafting these wines. The label has always provided a delicious Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since my departure, more varietals are now on offer. On a visit to Spire within the last year, I was struck by this wine, so had to take some home.
This vineyard sits at 2866' elevation atop Pine Mountain, in Cloverdale at the top of the Mayacamas range.
It has a dark, brooding nose of Luxardo cherries, shaved cocoa, Marionberry, black currant and Kirsch. There are also underlying hints of clove, espresso and pine resin along with sueded leather.
It has an interesting black cherry cola entry quickly balanced by marked minerality of slate and granite. There is a lovely grilled herb quality underlying black plum, blackberry, black cherry and acai. It has nice verve and acidity and has youthful, grippy yet polished tannin.
In addition to Sam's varied world-wide experience, working with Graham at Stonestreet and the "master of Merlot" himself, Christopher Carpenter at Cardinale and Lokoya, his deftness with Cab and Merlot is apparent.
This is a serious wine, yet at a very affordable price point given its pedigree. I highly recommend this and others by Sam.
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