2016 VIVE LE ROCK MENDOCINO COUNTY PETITE SIRAH
Meet The Artist - Nick Egan
With international acclaim for art direction and design, British film director Nick Egan combined his understanding of visual language into an iconic form of punk rock imagery that would be distinctive and influential in some of the most celebrated album covers, fashion lines, and music videos.
Born in London, while still attending school, he began designing covers for historic bands like The Clash, The Ramones and The Dexy’s Midnight Runners, for which he would have his first hit cover ‘Searching for the Young Soul Rebels’. He soon began forming a friendship with entrepreneur Malcolm McLaren, the former Sex Pistols’ manager, and was asked by McLaren to design artwork for the band’s album cover ‘Bow Wow Wow’s See Jungle’(which was recently voted # 10 of the top 100 covers of all times by Rolling Stones Magazine) and McLaren’s own albums ‘Duck Rock’ and ‘Fans’. Nick continued to design album covers for some of the most recognizable and influential musicians, including the Mindi Abair, Duran Duran, Psychedelic Furs, Iggy Pop, INXS, Bob Dylan, The Cult, The Pretenders and more.
To see more of Nick’s art and buy his prints, visit his website.
WINE NOTES
NAME:
Vive Le Rock
VARIETAL:
Petite Sirah
APPELLATION:
Mendocino County
VINTAGE:
2016
Sitting on top of Sonoma in the far reaches of Northern California, this rugged region is home to the burgeoning cannabis industry. You can see it on the ‘mellow’ faces of the many who live here. This region stretches from the very secluded Anderson Valley, which is perfectly situated as a trough for a constant flow of cold Pacific Ocean air, to numerous inland wine regions where high heat and cool nights are the norm. Absolutely stunning grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah are all grown here at the highest forms of winemaking excellence. Though not as well-known as its other big red colleagues, Petite Sirah (“Peh-teet Sear-ah”) is one of our favorites. This is a big red wine, with great juicy dark fruits and a little complexity in the forms of spice and tea leaves, which add earthiness and nuance. This wine is going to age so well, hence the reason this is a 2016 being offered in 2020. Grab your glass and take a long gaze into the bowl. Notice how engaging the garnet reflects back like a large gemstone. Get ready for something special now. Swirl. Close your eyes and take a big smell. Notice the breathtaking bouquet of violets that comes drifting forward. Beautiful. This is a very common aroma in famous Bordeaux wines, but not too often found in California, which makes this wine special. Also, lingering about behind the garden of violets is ripe dark plum and a pinch of black pepper. Take a big sip. There is so much going on. First, feel the dryness in your mouth as the big tannins reflect its rugged Mendocino roots. This wine has minimal winemaking intrusion and presents itself with a bit of swagger. Within 30 seconds of the first sip you can tell it is just a monster, with deep black cherry and cola. There is not much oak, which is common with Petite Sirah. This lets the fruit and complexity shine through. Lastly, notice just a pinch of black pepper giving the final spice to a perfectly crafted wine. If you are not already, we think this wine will turn you into a Petite Sirah lover for sure. And we know it’ll put a smile on your face, much like the cannabis lovers have in Mendocino. :)
Cheers - Eric
ARTWORK & DESIGN
Label Design By Rock Artist & Video Director Nick Egan
This wine is rock ‘n’ roll. The first time I tasted it, my eyes widened and I was an instant fan. It had the power of great rock music. I know great rock music. I toured with Aerosmith and experienced it night after night. What makes rock music differ from other styles? Sheer abandon. There’s an irreverence and a freedom that comes with playing a guitar (or a saxophone) and just letting every emotion play itself out loudly for the world to see. This wine has that unrestrained power you find only in great rock music. I believe music + art live as one. Think of your favorite album covers. The artwork supports and sometimes defines the music on the record. In every aspect, the art completes and elevates your entire experience. The design for this label is by one of my favorite artists. He’s created album artwork and videos for Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Duran Duran, The Clash, The Ramones, Alanis Morisette, INXS, Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, The Cult, Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers, and many more. He’s a close friend, and just a stunning creative mind. Nick painted and created the artwork for this label using black ink only. The figure he painted playing guitar is in full rock ’n’ roll stance on stage. And he made swirls and spatters of ink around him that amplify his energy. It drips with power. And Nick penned the title for this wine, Vive le Rock, in his own handwriting. This wine is rock ‘n’ roll with swagger for days, and Nick’s image and artwork exemplifies that in every way.
- Mindi
MUSIC
Did I say that this wine is rock ‘n’ roll? Yes, I did. Let me say it again. This wine is rock ‘n’ roll! I put together a playlist of music that personifies this big wine. It rocks. It rolls. It has attitude. It amps you up. It makes you feel. Turn it up and listen loudly. This wine, along with this art and playlist, will rock your world.
CLICK BELOW TO LAUNCH SPOTIFY AND HEAR PLAYLIST