Lost Tribe: Issue One.
Welcome! These two wines are the first of hopefully many that we will try with you all. Napa is America’s most famous wine region, so we’re starting with two Napa Cabernet Sauvignons (Cabs).
But first, some context that you can pull out to impress your friends.
Winemaking in Napa, which started in the 1830s, takes advantage of the geographic and climatic conditions of the valley – precise conditions are super important. Napa’s microclimates are rul’ good for making wine – you can learn more about it here if you’re interested.
Also - note that the region is most known for its Cabs but produces a range of varietals (different types of grapes) and gained legitimacy in 1976 when a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay beat their French counterparts in a blind tasting (they made a movie about it). If you want a deeper understanding of the region, you can start here.
Cabernet Sauvignon, in general, is known for high acidity (tartness), high tannins (bitter and dryness), dark fruit notes (black cherry, blackcurrant) and medium to full body (think thickness, like the difference between 2% milk and whole milk).
On to this month’s wines!
Educated Guess - 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Roots Run Deep Winery
Price Point: $25
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Cherry Fruit, Chocolate, Tobacco Leaves, Earthy Flavors
Music Pairing: Blessed – Daniel Ceasar
A great place for us to start since this name is a reference to all of us trying to pick wine in the store and taking an educated guess. It’s also well rated, affordable and so smooth to drink.
I like knowing the backstory behind the wine, which is also great for impressing coworkers and friends and/or sounding pretentious (it’s all in the tone). If you want to dive into the backstory for the wine, check out this article.
The perfect wine to bring to your friend’s apartment warming in Brooklyn to prove to them (and yourself) that you have matured since college.
See what flavors you taste and let us know if you like it.
Black Stallion - 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price Point: $30
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Plum, Caramel, Licorice, Chocolate, Tar, Oak
Music Pairing: Peach - Kevin Abstract
If appearance matters, this bottle looks substantially more pretentious than Educated Guess, but it came with a good recommendation and backed by high scores and good ratings.
Believe it or not, tar is a normal tasting note descriptor. Here is on article on tasting that might help you make sense of tasting notes.
The brand doesn’t have the most interesting history other than being located at a former equestrian facility (hence the name). It's also owned by one of the biggest wine producers in the US. I tend to like the outcasts and small guys more – but I like the wine so its fine.
If Educated Guess is the wine for your friend’s housewarming, this is the one to bring to their dinner party six months later when you’ll all collectively pretend you have your life figure together for two hours.
Let us know if you like it.
