Reserve Series Mountains Proprietary Red Blend

Big wine…voluptuous, tannin structure was still big, acidity was still medium plus..boozy and delicious

Was a wine club member here for a few years and very much enjoyed the entire portfolio. Stunning winery up Conn Creek Rd just south east of Lake Hennessy. Wonderful people too.

I always found the mountain proprietary blend more accessible at a young age compared to their cab reserve. At 7ys young, and even for the big and structured vintage of 2013, this was very enjoyable close to pop and pour. Brilliant color of purple in the glass offering up aromatics of baked mixed berry pie, fresh potpourri, cedar, espresso, and baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla. While extracted and rich on the palate, it has plenty of tannin to keep things balanced. Red, blue and black fruits accompanied by sandalwood, grilled violets, decadent dark cocoa and dusty character toward the finish.

I say it every time, but I’m always surprised at how much more accessible this wine is compared to their Cabernet. I associate mountain wines with gripping tannins and while this is still quite youthful, it is so incredibly plush. Relentless dark fruits that power through each phase. Fresh squeezed blackberries over everything with a lavender and some smoked meat notes. Lavender, plum, cassis and baking spice.

This bottle is soooooo cool it’s gotta wear shades!!! Thank you @Shay A for introducing me to this winery!
#believethehype!

Decanted for 2 hours prior to tasting. Color was an opaque ruby red. Nose started with dark fruits, cassis and then moved onto black cherry. Fruit forward, plush, and thick. Both tannins and body are moderate, well integrated and very smooth. Finish is powerful and full, carries on. 94+

Awesome. Enough said. Nice fruit, really well balanced, solid with food.

My favorite Aonair wine. Smooth and full of flavor.

Apparently great minds think alike as @Mike R and I both opened this tonight and both received courtesy of @Shay Aldriedge. I should have decanted this baby for sure, but after an hour or so being opened this began to reveal itself. This was a bright raspberry color. The nose is focused cassis and a touch of caramel. On the palate this is fruit forward with medium tannins and acidity. I think I made a mistake by opening this now and would say it will be better with some cellar age to it, or at least a proper decanting! But delicious! So fun to finally try this wine - thanks indeed, Shay!

Found this older vintage at Wine Watch in Fort Lauderdale. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with notes of dark cocoa leaves, blackberries, boysenberry, a semi hickory smoke and something almost like truffles. Medium bodied with moderate tannins (6/10). Started off tight and crispy with strawberries and mountain berries. As it aired out some more earthy notes appeared with some wet dirt. Medium plus finish with a little greenery. Drink till 2020.

Great wine from St Helena. Reserve series 37 Barrel Production from 2014.