I am revisiting a tasting and review of Dylan’s Ghost wines from June of 2014. Joseph Carris the producer and the Winemaker is Aaron Potts. Aaron was named Winemaker of the Year for Napa Valley in 2012. Pretty great resume if you know wine and the incredible folks that make this nectar of the gods!
“I hold a beast, an angel and a madman in me… and my effort is their self-expression.” -Dylan Thomas-
I am a big fan of Joseph Carr, and he has an exciting portfolio of wines from easy to drink Rose’ to big bold reds that really get your attention. I am an even bigger fan of Aaron Potts.
Aaron Potts has worked with the true legends in Bordeaux including Michael Rolland. He was Winemaker for Château Troplong Mondot and Château La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion. In 2001 he returned to Napa to become the Winemaker at St. Clement and later in 2004 as GM and Winemaker at Quintessa. I love his thoughts on winemaking;
“I think I’m looking for what existed in Napa before the late ’90s,” he says. “All these artificially concentrated, superfruity wines are a bit boring. I’ve tasted so many great, older Napa wines, and I always wonder, why aren’t we making these wines anymore?” -Aaron Potts-
2010 Dylan’s Ghost Stags Leap Vineyard
“THE BEAST”
’10 The Beast from Joseph Carr
This is a deep dark and brooding wine in the glass. In fact it is bordering on inky, most likely because of content of Petit Sirah. The blend is 1/3 each of Cab Franc, Merlot, and Petit Sirah.
The Beast is a BIG WINE, so if you are looking for an easy to drink pinot noir this is not your wine!
Aromas of sweet raspberry, plum, vanilla, mushroom, bacon, and hints of cinnamon.
The Beast is a full body red wine with immediate notes of rich plum and blackberry, rolling into black fruits and raspberry. The flavors seem to change again as I swish it back and forth in my mouth, with flavors evolving into a long finish of crisp apple-smoked bacon and raw cinnamon that go on and on after swallowing.
Med heavy tannins that will mellow in the coming years.
Though lacking somewhat in acidity, it is still a real quality wine that I feel will improve with 2-5 years in bottle, and should age well in the next 10-15. In fact, I wish I had another bottle to compare notes in 10-12 years.
This wine would match perfect with Grilled red meats such as Pork Chops, Steak, Smoked Brisket, or especially Pulled Pork!
The Beast retails for around $48 and can be found at Wine Seacher here
NOTE: Check out my review of the Hell Hollow and the incredible Rose’ Angel from older post dated June 2014.
Thank you for following and reading the ramblings of the Texas Wineaux!
“I hold a beast, an angel and a madman in me…
and my effort is their self-expression.” -Dylan Thomas-
Dylan’s Ghost Wines
I haven’t been this excited about a wine shipment in some time as when I got the notification the Dylan’s Ghost shipment was FINNALY being shipped!
I have known about the winemaker Aaron Potts for many years. In fact he was recently named one of Food & Wines “Winemakers of the Year for 2012”.
When I read that Joseph Carr was producing a few cases of very select wines in the Staggs Leap District in Napa Valley with Aaron, I had to check it out! Joseph started this project 3-years ago, and Dylan’s Ghost Winery has recently released it’s first wines in very small lots.
Aaron Potts has worked with the true legends in Bordeaux including Michael Rolland. He was Winemaker for Château Troplong Mondot and Château La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classé St. Emilion. In 2001 he returned to Napa to become the Winemaker at St. Clement and later in 2004 as GM and Winemaker at Quintessa. I love his thoughts on winemaking;
“I think I’m looking for what existed in Napa before the late ’90s,” he says. “All these artificially concentrated, superfruity wines are a bit boring. I’ve tasted so many great, older Napa wines, and I always wonder, why aren’t we making these wines anymore?”
Dylan’s Ghost “Angel” Rosé Napa Valley 2013
Cuvee: 100% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Napa Valley; Oak Knoll District, with clay soils underlaid by gravel
Beautiful bright Salmon Pink in the glass. The nose of fresh strawberry and floral are the first to jump from the glass. First impression is this will be a slightly sweet Rosé, but NOTHING could be farther from the truth. You understand this immedeatly upon the first sip and swirl in your mouth; this is no wimpy Cali Rosé!
This is a bone dry, acidic, even slightly tannic wine very reminiscent of the Rosé of Tavel, France!
Rose in glass
Notes of Strawberry, watermelon, spices (cloves?), and minerals dominate. This wine coats your mouth and lingers on long after you have swallowed, making you quickly glance to the glass to make sure there is more to enjoy. This is a perfect wine for the hot weather in Texas. And, as this wine reminds me so much of the Tavel Rosé, it should be very food friendly! BBQ’s, Picnics, or simply sitting on the patio is perfect.
These wine s retail (while it lasts) for $25 for the Angel and $50 each for the Hell Hollow and The Beast This is a steal at that price! Go to: dylansghostwinery.com for more details. These wine s will NOT be available in stores.
2010 Hell Hollow
Deep Crimson in the glass. Blackberry, Black Cherry, Hibiscus, cedar, plus a slight old leather & olive on the nose.
Full bodied with medium tannins after an 1:45 decant. This bottle will benefit from a year or two on its side. In fact, I bet this wine will age effortlessly for 10-15 years. Acidity is damn near perfect.
The palate boasts black fruits, vanilla, nutmeg, floral, and a spicy black pepper that lingers on and on after you swallow. This is a quality wine.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Cabernet Franc. The rustic nature of the Stags Leap / Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is mellowed and refined by the Cab Franc nicely.
