Quench & Temper Bas Vineyard Chapter IV 2019
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Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Instantly, Chapter IV shines brightly through the glass. Ruby in color with hints of garnet. Red fruits, eucalyptus, white pepper, and hibiscus instantly jump out and introduce themselves. White pepper bridges the gap from the aromas to the taste in seamless continuity. Cranberry and strawberry lead the charge with tobacco and rosemary bringing the depth and complexity. This beauty of the wine is wrapped together in gentle yet firm tannin structure. The bright red fruits bring medium acidity complementing the savory earthiness.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 30% Graciano
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
An even spit of Syrah and Graciano, the 2019 La Cantera Bas Vineyard is a smaller production cuvée revealing a deep plum color to go with a great nose of blackberry and blueberry fruits as well as peppery herbs, candied violets, and hints of leather. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a good sense of freshness, and a great finish.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
