2022 Dark Angel

Product Description

‍Experience the internationally acclaimed blend of 91% Carménère and 9% Petit Verdot handcrafted by head winemaker Matt Check. This full-bodied wine evokes the nuanced complexity of 19th century, old-world Bordeaux wines. Aged in new and neutral French Oak barrels, the grapes hail from the exclusive Pontin del Roza Vineyard wine growers in Yakima Valley AVA of Washington State.

Tasting Notes

The color of this wine is truly representative of the dense deep purple pigmentation of the grape and presents itself in the glass as dense deep violet. The complex aromas of this wine showcase smoky hatch chilis, grilled poblano peppers, wet white pepper, quill ink, floral notes of violets at peak performance, sage butter, fresh sauteed peppers, earthy aromas and seared game meat. On the palate this wine pushes forward with well rounded blackberry, black fruits, oiled leather, green pepper skins, and a hint of crushed black pepper and rich soil in the heat of a summer day.

AVA

‍Yakima Valley, WA

Oaking/Aging Notes

‍Aged 17 months meticulously in a balance of new and neutral French Oak barrels to enhance its rich flavor profile. (15% New / 20% 2nd use / 20% 3rd use / 45% Neutral)

Recommended Food Pairings

‍Dijon and herb crusted rack of lamb

Special Notes About Dark Angel Region/Varietal

The Dark Angel is a single vineyard sourced, age-worthy wine from the Pontin del Roza vineyard in the heart of Yakima Valley wine region near Prosser, WA, just west of Walla Walla. The Pontin del Roza vineyard is 100% dedicated to Cellar Beast Winehouse. Year to year this wine is especially blended with Carménère being the primary wine grape variety and Petit Verdot has the supporting blending roll bringing out more earthy notes, black fruits, and dark chocolate. In the 2022 vintage the final blend was selected at 91% Carménère and 9% Petit Verdot. The distinct variety Carménère was an original varietal wine of Bordeaux until a phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century, when it was lost to Europe and later rediscovered in the South American country side at harvest time after a case of mistaken identity. Today, Carménère flourishes in the Colchagua Valley and the Rapel Valley of Chile, as the Chilean wine industry is now the largest producer of this distinct variety.

Awards/Accolades

2021 Vintage

• Double Gold - 97pts - Sunset International Wine Comp. - Sonoma
• Double Gold - Concours d’vin (presented by Sommcon) San Diego
• Double Gold - 92pts - American Fine Wine Competition
• Gold - Sommeliers Challenge
• Silver - Texas International Wine Competition
• Bronze - Great American Wine Competition
• Bronze - Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

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