David Stare, the winery founder’s passion for wine, fueled by living in Germany for a spell and a 2-week trip to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Upon returning to the US in 1970, he read a Wall Street Journal article about California’s bright future for making excellent wines.
That was enough for him to pack up his wife and kids into his station wagon and head for California, immediately enrolling in UC Davis and spending the weekends looking for the perfect site. He discovered a rundown 55-acre prune orchard opposite the Dry Creek General Store and realized his dream was about to begin. He planted the first vines in the area since Prohibition.
If you didn’t know already, Dry Creek can produce some exceptional Merlot, and this wine showcases the varietal front and center. Their 1991 Reserve Merlot won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Honneur at the Challenge International Du Vin in Bordeaux, surprising everyone.
If you are familiar with Dry Creek Wines, and in particular ‘The Mariner’ release launched in 2007, it is a Cabernet-based left bank, Bordeaux Blend. This is the ‘sequel’ to it, a right-bank, Merlot-based Bordeaux blend that is listed as a Meritage, and continues their passion for sailing- they have been the official wine for Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Races since 2016.
It is a blend of 63% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, spending 18 months in French and Hungarian oak- 31% new.
The enticing aromas of black and blueberries dominate the nose with traces of violets and chocolate that draw you in.
The palate is smooth with bold, broad brushstrokes of blueberries, blackberries, plums, and cherries, with secondary notes of turned rich soil, leather, dark chocolate, and just a hint of spices on the finish.
Impressive balance and structure with pleasing, approachable acidity and fine-grain tannins.
The synergy between these varietals is obvious, with impressive results demonstrating that blending is an art that Dry Creek has perfected over a 50-plus-year period.
This has a long future in your cellar- up to 2035 with confidence, possibly longer.
This wine screams for red meat- your favorite cut, straight from the grill or the kitchen. For Veggie options, consider Baba Ghanoush with Falafel and fresh Pita bread- always a favorite.
Vine to Table 