This week on First Pour Wine, we’ll be digging into wines from unusual places, and we’ll start with Colorado. While Colorado might seem more appropriate for skiing or recreational herb gardening, the state actually boosts an impressive 115+ wineries. Among the grapes grown, are many european varietals, with Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet France being particularly popular. So can Canyon Wind Cabernet Sauvignon do Cab Sauv justice, or is it time for a trip to California?
Sight: Garnet with deep amethyst coloration, and hints of coppering starting.
Smell: Black pepper, green pepper, hints of mint, and plums all jump out. There’s a good amount of currants and hints of espresso. The nose has a hint of heat, and a slightly gamey note.
Sip: The body is bright, but a little aggressive in terms of the how the texture is effected. Currants and black plums are wrapped in layers of cedar and gamey smoke. There’s a certain meatiness to it, and it picks up hints of mints and herbs.
Savor: Hints of smoke, game, and black plums round out the wine. There’s a nice amount of moderately textured tannin at the finish, and it goes for a fairly long duration.
Canyon Wind Cabernet Sauvignon is in the right place for a cool climate cabernet sauvignon. There are some interesting gamey notes that aren’t typically present, but the core elements of a lean cabernet sauvignon, bright acidity and fruit, run deep in this wine. It forcibly reminds me of a New York merlot with more depth and texture. If you like a cooler climate cab with racy acidity, then it’s worth checking out Canyon Wind Cabernet Sauvignon
Verdict: Plum, Currant, Gamey, Lean
Price: $22
Palisade, Colorado