2022 Andis - Cabernet Sauvignon Sierra Foothills "Painted Fields" Curse of Knowledge (750ml)

Andis Wines is based in Amador County in California's Sierra Foothills, where estate winemaker Mark Fowler works alongside respected consultants Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, along with winemaker Lorenzo Muslia, to craft the Painted Fields lineup. The project was born from a desire to challenge long-held assumptions about the region, aiming to prove that the Sierra Foothills can produce Bordeaux-caliber wines with real structure and finesse. Curse of Knowledge, the flagship red in this series, represents years of vineyard research aimed at showcasing the area's high-elevation potential.

The 2022 vintage draws primarily from high-elevation sites, including the winery's own Andis Estate vineyard, and is composed of eighty-six percent Cabernet Sauvignon rounded out with smaller amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Grapes were harvested across several weeks in September and October, then the finished blend was aged for fourteen months in French oak barrels, twenty-five percent new, to keep the fruit at the forefront rather than letting oak dominate.

The wine pours an intense ruby hue, with a bouquet of dried violet, black cherry, fresh herbs, and cocoa powder. Velvety tannins carry a round, balanced mid-palate into a lingering finish of dark berries. It pairs well with braised short ribs, grilled venison, or a plate of aged manchego.