Another super fun week of wines! We are kicking the flight off with a really tropical Sauvignon Blanc from the McBride Sisters, before heading to California for our three red wines of the week. A red blend from Austin Hope, perhaps one of the best values I’ve tried recently in the Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah, and finishing up with a new Bourbon barrel aged Cabernet.
Grab your flight for only $5!
Featured Wines:
1) McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Marlborough, New Zealand; $16.99
The story of McBride Sisters is a crazy one. Black half-sisters one growing up in Monterey, California and the other in Marlborough, New Zealand. Didn’t even know the other existed until 1999. After connecting and meeting each other, they found each had a passion for wine. In 2005 they decided to go into business together. They started as an importer, learning the industry, and spending the harvest season in some excellent vineyards in New Zealand. Five years later they launch their namesake McBride Sisters label. They now operate the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, with a dedication to help build opportunities and equality for women and people of color in the wine business.
This is a very juicy Sauvignon Blanc. More tropical and stone fruit flavors than the commonly found grapefruit notes. Ripe peaches, mango, Fuji apples, with hints of key lime and lemongrass. - Sample $1.50
2) Austin Hope “Troublemaker” Red Blend NV
Paso Robles, California; $14.99
Syrah / Grenache / Mourvèdre / Petite Sirah / Zinfandel
Austin Hope’s family has been farming in Paso Robles since the late 1970’s and have played a major role in the growth of the region. Troublemaker is their Rhone inspired blend showcasing fruit from Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, and Monterey from multiple vintages. The individual varietals are produced and aged separately seeing 15-27 months in oak. The resulting wine shows lots of cherry and black currant, with hints of black pepper, vanilla and caramel through the finish. - Sample $1.50
3) Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah 2019
Lake County, California; $10.99
Farmer at heart, Clay Shannon started Shannon ridge with a vineyard first mentality. Sustainability first, with a priority of land preservation, and follow the motto “We plant it. We grow it. We pick it. We make it. We own it.” They now manage 1000 acres of their own vineyards along with farm an additional 3000 acres of property throughout Lake County, Sacramento Valley and Napa.
This Petite Sirah really blew me away. Extremely dense with tons of dark fruit. Drinks way above its price. “…blackberry, blueberry and hints of cranberry, black pepper, cedar, warm spices and toasty vanilla notes come out after aging this wine in a combination of French and American oak for 9 months.” - Sample $1.00
4) Buck Shack Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Lake County, California; $19.99
Buck Shack is the newest line of wines from Shannon Ridge. Named after a 100-year old skinning shed on the property that has since been restored and converted into a whiskey bar. Produced from all Lake County fruit, nearly all Cabernet with just a splash of Syrah for some depth and color. Blended and then aged three months in toasted American oak barrels to help soften the wine and then finished three months in freshly emptied bourbon barrels. Big juicy cherry while those heavy charred bourbon barrels add a heavier note of vanilla up front with caramel and nutmeg through the finish. - Sample $2.00