Mission Codename The Devil's Elixir
We offer you this brilliant, under-priced hidden gem wine - from a very talented (read below) winemaker - with our boldest recommendation!
We were in love with today’s wine at first sip. No wonder, considering the winemaker! This mouth-coating jewel of complex, concentrated goodness was made by Kevin Vecchiarelli who lead winemaking at Kosta Brown’s side-hustle sister label, CIRQ. If you’re familiar with those wines, you’ve probably clicked the Buy button already.
This blend is dark enough that you’ll have to hold it up to the light to see the garnet color shine through. Incredible spice leaps out of the glass, enchanting you immediately with redolent waves of sandalwood, potpourri, dried roses, and jasmine. There’s a hint of molasses and gingerbread there too. The palate is lush, full of brooding dark berry flavor with black cherry, black plum, blackberry, and rhubarb leading the charge. Dark cacao finishes it off. This wine delivers. It’s got a lattice of structured tannin that coats the palate and hangs on tights for a long finish. You’ll have to make an effort to put down your wine glass to pick up your steak knife.
This darkly delicious wine hails from the sometimes overlooked Contra Costa AVA (American Viticultural Appellation). This region is rife with old vine wines, including some of the richest and most extracted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel that we’ve come across. Perhaps wines from Contra Costa are so good because the vines have to fight so hard to find water, digging deeper into the soils than their Sonoma County cousins.
If this were a Napa Valley Cabernet blend, it would be a $75 dollar wine, making today’s offer an incredible value.
What the Winery Says
2012 Contra Costa County Diablo Royal Red Wine
- Winemaker
- Kevin Vecchiarelli
- Varietal
- 60% Cabernet Sauvignon
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- 30% Merlot
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- 10% Syrah
- Vintage
- 2012
- Appellation
- Contra Costa County, CA
- Abv
- 14.1%