2016 SOUL PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON

WINE NOTES

NAME:

Soul

VARIETAL:

Cabernet Sauvignon

APPELLATION:

Paso Robles

VINTAGE:

2016

Hot, dry, gritty, unruly and just downright unfriendly. Just a few kind words to describe this wine’s home-sweet-home. Welcome to Paso Robles, California… the very place where some of the greatest and most unique wines are being crafted today. If you are a Cab lover, and we know many of you are, this wine delivers Cab-love. Though there are many formidable hot days in this region, it is not totally bereft of a refreshing breeze, as there is a small keyhole that funnels in some nice Pacific Ocean refrigerated air. This cools down the grapes at night so they can develop their surprisingly excellent acidity to be in balance with their overt ripeness, creating plush, fruity wines of impressive complexity. Warm days, cool nights… perfect wine growing region. Time to do your lesson once again (I know, hard work). Gaze into the deep ruby-to-garnet color acquired from those thicker-than-normal grape skins that are needed to make it in this rugged environment. Great color. Next, take in the aromas that are abundant with dark cherry and just a squish of ripe dark plum. Finally, taste all those beautiful Cab-like flavors of abundant dark cherry, fresh cola (yep, it’s there) and a trace bit of graphite, which is very Bordeaux-like. Fruit, first and foremost, along with great acidity and a touch of vanilla on the finish from the artfully integrated oak. And from the dust... this wine rises to greatness with a gritty yet beautifully perfect Soul.

Cheers - Eric

ARTWORK & DESIGN

Label Inspiration: Mindi Abair

Some of the greatest and most soulful music has come from some of the most challenging places and circumstances. So, when I tasted this wine, it immediately made me think of soul music. I visited Memphis last year for the Blues Music Awards and I couldn’t help but notice that it is a slow-paced, hot, humid working-class town... and, some of the most amazing music ever created came from these very streets. Think of Albert King’s expressive tone as he sings “Born Under a Bad Sign”, or Sam Cooke’s silky resonance on “You Send Me.” There’s a soulfulness and awe-inspiring beauty in these voices, the music that emanated from Memphis and from the surrounding area. It is the soundtrack to America. Like this wine, soul music came from harsh environments. Paso Robles shaped this full-bodied stellar Cabernet, and Memphis and the South shaped some of the most enduring, beautiful artists and music. There is no doubt that this wine has soul baby! The label artwork is a photo of an old broken-down building with a rusted sign. I believe it personifies the feel of this wine’s humble beginnings and stands for the grit, power and beauty of soul music. From harsh beginnings can come beautiful, inspiring performances in music as well as wine.

- Mindi

MUSIC

The playlist for this wine is the best! This music is big, full of life, and will move you to your very soul. Trust me when I say that you’re going to feel this music and wine pairing. You’ll feel the emotion, the beauty and even the humble beginnings that create such greatness. You may even get up and dance!

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