93 Point Vintage: 2013 Skyhook Red Blend Sonoma County

Two great tastes that taste great together. Yes, we’re talking about chocolate and peanut butter. And, we’re talking about Grenache and Syrah, two grapes that do a beautiful tango together. They're the base of many Rhone-style red blends, whether they’re blended together in France’s Rhone Valley, particularly in Chateauneuf du Pape or in California. Today, we’re going to California for our Rhone-style blend.

The 2013 Skyhook Red Blend Sonoma County is a Syrah/Grenache blend from Derek Beitler, nephew of Caymus founder Charlie Wagner. Derek got his start at Caymus, working summers at the iconic Napa Valley winery and being baptized by Rutherford Dust. When he struck out on his own, he started Carne Human Winery in Napa with his cousin Joey Wagner and his solo venture, JDB Wines. Skyhook is from JDB wines, created from Derek’s love of Rhone blends. 

This wine is a perfectly well-thought-out blend of Syrah and Grenache. The Grenache—which brings a deep fruitiness and warm spice—comes from the Vivio Vineyard in the Bennett Valley AVA. The Syrah—which adds savory, dark fruits and moderate tannins—hails from two vineyards, Vivio and Thieriot Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Thieriot is home to highly awarded boutique wineries like Thomas Rivers-Brown’s Rivers-Marie and Littorai, where wines sell for $100 and more.

But fear not. While the 2013 Skyhook has grapes from the same vineyard as $100+ wines, it’s a fraction of that cost while still being some serious quality wine. It’s fruit-driven, structured, and earthy with fresh acidity plus a finish that will not disappoint.

The price won’t disappoint either. We’re offering this Rhone-style blend from a Caymus-trained winemaker for 40% off! This is one of the best deals on a wine of this quality we’ve offered in some time. Did we mention 2013 was a 93-point rated vintage as well?

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