2019 Dry Creek Vineyards - Sailors Cuvee Red Dry Creek Valley MAGNUM (1.5L)

Dry Creek Vineyard was founded in 1972 by David Stare, the first new winery built in Dry Creek Valley after Prohibition and the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc there. Stare's lifelong love of sailing found its way onto the label in 1982, when his daughter Kim commissioned the winery's first sailboat artwork, a tradition that continues today and has earned the family a reputation as the unofficial wine for sailors. Kim now serves as president alongside her husband Don, overseeing the second generation of a winery still built on Stare's original vineyard.

Sailor's Cuvee carries on Dry Creek's long history with Bordeaux-style blending, a tradition that dates back to the 1985 vintage when the estate became one of the first in the country to use the term Meritage. The 2019 combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot sourced from the winery's sustainably farmed hillside and valley floor vineyards, with the exact proportions shifting each year to highlight the strongest lots in the cellar.

Expect black currant and black cherry on the nose, joined by dried herbs, cardamom, and a touch of mocha. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine tannins and a finish that lingers on fine leather and spice. Pour it alongside grilled tri-tip, aged Gouda, or a hearty charcuterie board.