Rubus Old Vine Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015

An intensely colored wine with spicy aromas of cassis, smoked meats and a hint of olive tapenade woven throughout layers of black currant, blueberry and a trace of licorice.  Wonderfully balanced, with a broad mouth-feel and soft tannins that hold together seamlessly.

"The 2014 'Sequel' Syrah is a stunning release from Long Shadows. This gorgeous Syrah is made by eminent Aussie winemaker John Duval, the former winemaker on the Penfolds Grange project. The Syrah wine opens with dense aromatics of smoked brisket, white pepper, black olive and hints of mocha and blackberry jam. There are layered flavors of black cherry, mocha, anise, crème de cassis and blackberry cobbler. This is intense, extracted and remains balanced from start to finish. This is one the best Sequel wines I've tasted in the past ten years. (Best 2016-2027) - O.B."
- International Wine Report (September 2016), 95 pts

 Siegel Crucero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is the fabled grape of both Bordeaux Blanc and the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). This varietal exhibits aromas of musk melon, pine, & grass. The finish is zesty and citrus-like, and goes very well with chicken and seafood.

Lodi, American Viticulture Area (AVA) – The Lodi AVA is located in the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley California, east of the San Francisco Bay. Lodi has warm days and cool nights, similar to the Mediterranean climate. The lower temperatures that occur in Lodi result in fruit with good acidity. A wide range of soils are found in the Lodi AVA, but they generally are deep, loamy, sandy, rocky soils similar to that found in southern Rhone valley.

The Lodi appellation totals almost one half million acres, and the approximately eight hundred growers farm roughly 90,000 acres. Lodi produces more Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel than any other wine region in California, but it is probably best known for its old vine Zinfandel. The vines are often head trained giving them a classic old world appearance.

Zinfandel – The Zinfandel grape is a hearty variety that produces grapes with high sugar levels, often resulting in wines with a high alcohol content. Thought to be a relative of Primitivo that is found in southeast of Italy (the boot heel), Zinfandel can be made into a wide range of wine styles, including White Zinfandel, light or full bodied red wines, and even late harvest desert style wine. However Zinfandel, especially Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, is usually made into a full bodied, spicy red wine with characteristics of red fruit, raspberry, and cherry.

Produced in the heart of Lodi AVA.

Rubus Zinfandel Lodi is made from 98% Zinfandel + 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottled after aging in French and American oak for 9 months.

Rubus Zinfandel Lodi presents with ruby red in color, with red fruit, raspberry, and spice on the nose. This wine is medium in body, with notes of ripe cherry, cedar box, cinnamon, anise, black pepper, and hint of smoke on the palate. It has a long, silky finish.

Selected by Fran Kysela MS.

Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 100 percent Napa Valley Cabernet

Its long finish displays full mature flavors of blackberry, currant and chocolate with just a hint of toasty oak and black cherry. The tannins are refined and polished, allowing the fruit to be the focus.

Dark cherry and crushed berries lift from this dark tooth staining juice. On the palate the wine is weighted, full-bodied. Silky smooth and refined with flavors of plum, cherry and hints of toasted oak. The integrated tannins flow smoothly to a lengthy finish with slight hints of spice and plum.

Pairs well with grilled red meats, roast lamb, marinated chicken, pizza and pasta dishes, Asian cuisine.

Tasting Notes: Deep, dark ruby color, aromas of blue fruits, confectionery and subtle licorice characters, thick luscious palate with good structure and soft finish.

The Blend is 44% Rubired, 31% Durif and 25% Shiraz.

Rubired is a cross between Tinto Cao and Alicante Ganzin (which is itself a cross between Alicante Bouschet and Aramon Rupestris Ganzin). It is known for being particularly adapted to the hot climate and producing dark wines, as the color is not only coming from the grape's skin, but also from the grape juice itself. It was developed in 1958 by H.P. Olmo of the University of California Davis.

Durif, also known as Petite Sirah, is also a cross of two different grape varietals: Syrah and Peloursin. It was created by French botanist François Durif in 1860 while keeping Syrah and Peloursin plants under the same roof; it happened from a natural process called "cross-pollination." The grape itself is known for its very aromatic, plummy character.

Shiraz, which we all know for being the most recognized grape varietal of Australia, brings some minty, spicy and fruity characteristics to the wines.

Grapes are crushed and destemmed then placed in rotary fermenters where three rotations per day break up the cap and extract color and tannin. Commercial yeast is added for fermentation. The juice is pressed to stainless steel for malolactic fermentation, undergoes oak maturation for 9 months, then is stored in stainless steel.

Pairs well with BBQ lamb with roast vegetables.