The beauty (and sadness) of the
wine world is that are far too many wines you will never try, which means there
is so much to discover, you could literally have a new wine every night of your
life and never repeat yourself. Sure, it’s safe to stay with Cabernet or
Chardonnay from wineries you know…but why? The 2013 Cloak & Dagger Espionage Single Vineyard Malbec, 100%
Malbec by the way, is made in Paso Robles and they made a measly 75 cases, but
they should have made much more. If you think you know Malbec, you’d better
think again. A seamless combination of boysenberry, black berry, pomegranate,
black cherry, cedar and a back note of eucalyptus, sweet coffee and a mild
acidity complements this rich, deep and wonderfully sumptuous red. Even two
days after opening it still retains its structure, though admittedly with a
more noticeable pomegranate and tart cherry notes. For wine geeks this
translates to a 2 hour cold soak, 18 days on the skins, 20 months in
barrel (1/3 new French oak, 2/3 neutral American oak). The wine was awarded a Gold
Medal at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – and that’s well
deserved! For anyone who loves wine (and I sincerely love this wine), this is one to try. Hard to find? Yep, and
that’s not a conspiracy. Happily, and unashamedly I carry it at my wine
department in the Upper Village at Montecito
Village Grocery in Montecito, so while not easy to get a hold of (the
winery or me unless I’m mistaken), it’s around, but like so many conspiracy
theories it may vanish as fast as it came. CLOAK AND DAGGER
ORIGIN: Paso Robles,
California
PRICE: $32/ 750ML
ALCOHOL: 15%
BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE: 91
POINTS
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