The Block 88 red blend has been one of our most popular wines to date. Our Operatives love it so much that we purchased every last bottle that was available, and the wine is trickling out of our store. Today, we’re thrilled to feature De Tomas Wines 2010 Napa Valley Red Wine, made by Block 88 winemaker, Thomas Guilliams.

This Napa red blend looks picture perfect in the glass with its deep garnet center and vermilion lip. The nose is beautiful with floral notes of violets and dried rose, with rhubarb, dark plum, and pipe tobacco. There’s more contribution from the barrel on the palate with gingerbread and toffee chiming in, along with mocha and cacao. The fruit component is black currant and gourmet maraschino cherry. This wine is wonderfully balanced, with a thick mouthfeel that pleasantly coats the palate without being overly tannic and provides for a delicious and long finish. This is a very flexible wine that would go well with a wide variety of foods. Try it with pork tenderloin medallions covered in a spicy dry rub.

Winemaker Thomas Guilliams

A Napa Valley native, Thomas was born in 1978 and grew up immersed in grape growing and winemaking. From a very young age, he worked with his parents at their tiny family-run winery in the Spring Mountain District. By age 18, he was a winemaking student at UC Davis, while working in the cellar at Caymus Vineyards. His experience is very hands-on and includes all aspects of grape growing and winemaking.

By age 27, he had formed his own independent label, De Tomas Wines LLC. Today he farms, makes wine, and consults on a limited basis to a handful of Napa wineries.