Wine is one of my passions. I find it intriguing to try new vintages, styles, varietals, regions and different price points. Wine is something that is a very personal thing – meaning what I may enjoy, you may not. Absolutely nothing wrong with having opinions. That is the beauty of wine tasting.
Several years ago I stumbled upon a wine club for the insider. It is called Porthos and was founded in 2000 by three wine aficionados who were dedicated to finding undiscovered small production and boutique wines in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Today, they do reach beyond these two famous wine regions. Their mission is to provide personalized service, insider connections and insider scoop.
Often an email pops up in my outlook that alerts me to a special find. I read the description and I am hooked. I click the order form, select the quantity and go to the checkout online. Of course my credit card is already stored for easy ordering. It is way too easy these days. A few weeks ago, such an email popped up. It highlighted a more rare to find wine by the one of the most powerful wine couples in Napa Valley, Andy Erickson (Screaming Eagle, Hartwell, Dalla Valle) and viticulturist Anie Favia (Abreu and Screaming Eagle). The wine was a 2008 Leviathan Cabernet Blend from Napa. Knowing that Screaming Eagle is the mother of all cult wines, this was a must purchase. Porthos even sweetened the deal by including free shipping if you purchase six or more bottles. So I did.
Last night, as one of our traditional Friday night evenings, my husband and I had wine and appetizers. I pulled one of the Leviathan bottles from the cellar. The bottle is a sturdy weight with a simple beautiful label. The word Leviathan refers to a monstrous sea creature mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Also, refers to a very large animal, especially a whale. I guess the bottle is synonymous with the meaning.
Leviathan carries a 96 point rating from the wine insiders at Porthos. This wine is a stunning Bordeaux blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 17% Syrah and 7% Cabernet Franc. Aromas jump out of the glass that resemble coffee beans, smoke, leather, dusty rose and black cherry pie. Once you take your first taste, you experience velvet tannins and quickly changes to intense flavors of dark cocoa, raspberries, caramel, ripe cherries and plums. The finish is reminiscent of dark fruit and an ever so slight sweetness.
It is fun to discover and taste the new up and coming wines from the wonderful wine regions of Napa and Sonoma. Leviathan is one of the new cult wines and is sure to have a following of the grand cult wine of them all, Screaming Eagle. My bucket list includes having just a taste of Screaming Eagle one day. If I just click my ruby red slippers three times, surely dreams can come true.
Several years ago I stumbled upon a wine club for the insider. It is called Porthos and was founded in 2000 by three wine aficionados who were dedicated to finding undiscovered small production and boutique wines in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Today, they do reach beyond these two famous wine regions. Their mission is to provide personalized service, insider connections and insider scoop.
Often an email pops up in my outlook that alerts me to a special find. I read the description and I am hooked. I click the order form, select the quantity and go to the checkout online. Of course my credit card is already stored for easy ordering. It is way too easy these days. A few weeks ago, such an email popped up. It highlighted a more rare to find wine by the one of the most powerful wine couples in Napa Valley, Andy Erickson (Screaming Eagle, Hartwell, Dalla Valle) and viticulturist Anie Favia (Abreu and Screaming Eagle). The wine was a 2008 Leviathan Cabernet Blend from Napa. Knowing that Screaming Eagle is the mother of all cult wines, this was a must purchase. Porthos even sweetened the deal by including free shipping if you purchase six or more bottles. So I did.
Last night, as one of our traditional Friday night evenings, my husband and I had wine and appetizers. I pulled one of the Leviathan bottles from the cellar. The bottle is a sturdy weight with a simple beautiful label. The word Leviathan refers to a monstrous sea creature mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Also, refers to a very large animal, especially a whale. I guess the bottle is synonymous with the meaning.
Leviathan carries a 96 point rating from the wine insiders at Porthos. This wine is a stunning Bordeaux blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 17% Syrah and 7% Cabernet Franc. Aromas jump out of the glass that resemble coffee beans, smoke, leather, dusty rose and black cherry pie. Once you take your first taste, you experience velvet tannins and quickly changes to intense flavors of dark cocoa, raspberries, caramel, ripe cherries and plums. The finish is reminiscent of dark fruit and an ever so slight sweetness.
It is fun to discover and taste the new up and coming wines from the wonderful wine regions of Napa and Sonoma. Leviathan is one of the new cult wines and is sure to have a following of the grand cult wine of them all, Screaming Eagle. My bucket list includes having just a taste of Screaming Eagle one day. If I just click my ruby red slippers three times, surely dreams can come true.
I love your wine posts. I love wine but I really don't know much about them...you are educating me with these posts :)
ReplyDeleteall I drink is cabernet will have to give this a try thanks~
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I am a cab girl so I will have to try it out :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely blend of fruit! I am going to add this to my "to-taste" list :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for the recommendation :) I seriously need to join a wine club.
ReplyDeleteCocoa, raspberries and caramel? Oh yes, I wll need to try this. I'm one of those people who teeter on the edge of the wine world. I love it, love wineries, but I just haven't jumped in to surround myself fully with wine knowledge as of yet. A club would probably help! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds delightful. I just pulled together a Meritage style blend from my own supplies from last year and this year. I am trying to be patient to let it sit for a while. My cab and syrah from Chile are also quietly aging. A few more months...
ReplyDeleteJason
I will have to try this!
ReplyDeleteI am drinking boxed wine right now...so you know I need to step it up! This sounds like a wonderful wine, and you are encouraging me to step out of my box (literally!)
ReplyDeleteI've just become nostalgic for California and wine country. I grew up in San Jose and would visit my mother in Lake County not too far north of Napa Valley. I miss wine tasting like you wouldn't believe.
ReplyDeleteGreat find you have here. I'll definitely have to check that out.
Sounds fantastic - my husband would absolutely love this wine! And I just signed up for the newsletter - could be dangerous, but thanks for sharing Porthos and Leviathan with us :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I especially love cab franc...Markham makes a very good one if you haven't tried it!
ReplyDeleteTraditions are great to have. I love that wine too. Good luck on the contest!
ReplyDelete