2016 Krupp Brothers Black Bart Syrah Port

 

When you find a port wine that you really enjoy, it's kind of like finding that diamond in the rough.  Port wines can be hit or miss if they aren't the primary wine produced by the winery.  The 2016 Krupp Brothers Black Bart Syrah Port is a fine example of Napa Valley port wine made with exceptional fruit, resulting in loveliness in the glass.  This wine consists of 86% Syrah and 14% Petit Verdot Stagecoach Vineyards fruit.  2016 was a great year for Napa Valley powerful reds and that success definitely bled over to this wine.  Inky purple in the glass with cherry cola, dried flowers and sweet candied pecans on the nose.  Flavors of chocolate covered cherry, blackberry pie filling and sweet wood unite for a dense and rich tasting experience that warms the heart.  We tasted this in a whiskey glass and for the smaller pour, it was spot on.  We may or may not (ok, we did) also have this later on with a Reese's peanut butter cup.  That was a great choice, as is this wine.  With only 169 cases produced, you should consider picking this one up.  It has a good 10 years left of an optimal drinking window.

ABV: 18.2%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $65.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

2015 Krupp Brothers The Water Witch

I have long been a fan of Krupp Brothers wines and absolutely love the story of the determination and passion behind how this winery became to be today.  Some of the best terroir in the area was there, but getting to it by removing a nearly infinite amount of rock and having little to no water were two huge obstacles.  This wine pays homage to the dowser that found water for Krupp Brothers and helped turn it into.......wine!  This 2015 Water Witch is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Malbec (24%) Petit Verdot (10%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Tempranillo (9%), Syrah (6%) and Merlot (3%).  This blend is a home run with a medium to dark ruby red color and long legs that run parallel to the glass stem. Aromas of cherry turnover, clove, cigar box and floral bouquet dance in the glass and sing loudly with some vigorous swirling.  This wine is very young but you know that it will continue to gain weight in the bottle over the next 10+ years.  Velvety in the mouth with a finish that seems to linger for minutes, the cherry leads the way with semi-sweet chocolate, cigar smoke and dried earthy spices falling in suit and helping create a memorable and delicious treat.  With just over 500 cases made, this wine is an exceptional value and would be a great accompaniment to smoked brisket if you're wanting to show off your taste of great wine to friends.

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, California

Suggested retail price:  $70.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100