As we make our way toward the start of summer (June 21st) we like to line up some go-to wines for the season, weather, and menu. Rhône-style wines tend to do very well in the warmer months as they know a thing or two about the heat in summer down in the south of France. Well guess what?!? It gets pretty warm in California, as well, and we are fortunate that our friends at Thacher Winery and Vineyard in Paso Robles like to make all kinds of great wines, including this lovely Rhône-style blend! Their philosophy about winemaking and vineyard work is refreshing: "We embrace the growing season's inconsistencies and harvest's unpredictability rather than producing a standardized product." We love representing wines and winemakers of character!
Serious Play is perfectly named as this is indeed a serious and seriously well-made wine-- but the joie de vivre is evident in the glass: approachable, rollicking, balanced and beautiful. The nose is filled with bright fruit (blueberry, plum, mixed berries) as more savory elements provide a solid base: scents of old forest floor, mineral, light spice, candle wax, citrus. The palate showcases bright red and dark fruits (cherry, raspberry, baked plum) with appropriate savory elements: pepper spice, clove, earth. Bright acidity and balanced tannins keep the wine on an even keel and the finish reiterates the fruit in a lenghty flourish.
Pair with burgers and bbq, marinara-sauced pastas, sausage pizza, summer!
Winemaker Tasting Notes - "Maraschino cherries, red plum, and a touch of black pepper entice you on the nose. The impressive palate combines red and black fruits with a dusting of cinnamon and clove. This wine would be excellent a homemade marinana, spaghetti and meatballs. Cellar through 2032."
40% Counoise, 21% Cinsaut, 21% Carignan, 18% Syrah
Serious Play is perfectly named as this is indeed a serious and seriously well-made wine-- but the joie de vivre is evident in the glass: approachable, rollicking, balanced and beautiful. The nose is filled with bright fruit (blueberry, plum, mixed berries) as more savory elements provide a solid base: scents of old forest floor, mineral, light spice, candle wax, citrus. The palate showcases bright red and dark fruits (cherry, raspberry, baked plum) with appropriate savory elements: pepper spice, clove, earth. Bright acidity and balanced tannins keep the wine on an even keel and the finish reiterates the fruit in a lenghty flourish.
Pair with burgers and bbq, marinara-sauced pastas, sausage pizza, summer!
Winemaker Tasting Notes - "Maraschino cherries, red plum, and a touch of black pepper entice you on the nose. The impressive palate combines red and black fruits with a dusting of cinnamon and clove. This wine would be excellent a homemade marinana, spaghetti and meatballs. Cellar through 2032."
40% Counoise, 21% Cinsaut, 21% Carignan, 18% Syrah
