One of the (obvious) perks to working in the wine industry is a large wine cellar. This weekend after a long work week and lots of Christmas shopping, I had some time to do what I call “Grab and Drink”.
I know what you’re thinking, the name is certainly not original or creative but rather simple and descriptive which is sometimes the best way to go. Every once in a while I will reach into a 100 plus case and pull out 12 different bottles of wine and put them into a case I lovingly call the R&E case, a.k.a., the Rare & Exclusive wines (again…not creative). I’m not sure where I get many of these wines, but I am sure glad I have them.
Tonight I pulled out a gem, Unison 2002 Hawke’s Bay. Not knowing much about the winery I wondered how many of these bottles were imported into the US and if I have more of this wine. If I do it will be a great surprise.
Since the wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Syrah it’s not in a specific category (if those of you trying to find the wine). The color is an inky black sitting in the glass, but when poured into a decanter it looked like the color of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers in the Wizard of Oz. A beautiful color indeed!
The aromas quickly drifted up to my nose where they were gladly accepted. A ton of earth, tobacco, and dark red fruits awakened my senses. I am looking forward in seeing how the aroma changes over the next hour or two, if it lasts that long. My fiancée (who calls herself an amateur wine lover) got her hands on my glass and quickly got her own after one sip of mine. It’s always interesting to get her viewpoint on a wine since often we have two completely different perspectives.
The first sip tasted exactly like it smelled which is what you want. On the front of my pallet I experienced earth and tar-like characteristics and pomegranate and cherry on the mid and back of my pallet. It was almost “refreshing”. The oak was present but not over bearing. It was very well balanced and made my mouth water.
The finish was the fun part for me. The dry notes covered my teeth and the roof of my mouth. As the wine settled in my mouth I experienced the essences of lavender and rose peddles. Delicious!! What a perfect ending to the weekend. By Wes Kollar
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