ONDULÉ Wines, 2014 Esme Red Blend, Napa Valley Coombsville

This wine is from the Coombsville sub-zone of Napa Valley, which is on the cooler, Southern end of the valley. As I like to say, Coombsville is hot because it's not! The result is this elegant, richly-flavored wine showing black currant, blackberry and dark chocolate with a hint of sweet tobacco aromas. This red blend consists of Cabernet (47%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (12%), Malbec (11%) and Alicante Bouschet (11%) - one of the few red-skinned grapes that also has red flesh inside!

On the palate, the wine opens with silky dark plum and coffee notes, progressing to notes of warm saddle leather on the finish. Cassis, sage, and cocoa powder support the brambly, slightly smoky presence of the Alicante Bouschet, whose red flesh imparts a beautiful dark amethyst hue, now growing just slightly brickish as the wine celebrates its eighth birthday.

Organic grapes. Alcohol 14.50% Drink now through 2024

Ondulé Wines was started by the family who owns Acorn Paper Products - one of the top providers of shipping materials to the wine industry. In fact, 'Ondulé' is the french word for 'corrugated'. With their many contacts in the wine industry, and with their love of a good toast at the end of the day, it seemed a matter of time before they caught the winemaking bug and launched their own brand. This is that.