2019 Cooper & Thief Red Blend

2019 Cooper & Thief Red Blend, From California, United States

Cooper & Thief Red Blend is a dark and  jammy red wine blend loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas. Crafted by Cellarmaster, Chris Leamy, our wine is aged for three months in bourbon barrels, which gives way to soft, velvety tannins with a subtle heat. The combined result is a rich flavor, with a long, lingering finish.

38% Merlot. 37% Syrah. 11% Zinfandel. 7% Petite Sirah. 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. 3% Other Red Blenders, Alcohol: 17%

Some of the greatest wines in California are a blend of various red grapes. The most successful blends follow the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot recipes of Bordeaux, but with even more intensity.

The warm days and cool nights of the Napa Valley in Northern California make it the ideal place to make Bordeaux-style red wines. Although the wines of Bordeaux have historically been considered the best wines of the world, the bolder, richer, and more fruit-forward wines of California are now just as respected.

Just like Bordeaux, California’s dominant grape is Cabernet Sauvignon with its rich blackberry flavors. Merlot is added to soften the edges and add red fruit flavors. Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot are even added at times for complexity. These California blends are very balanced and are great when they are young, but they can also age for decades.

2018 was a very good vintage for Northern California. A cooler spring and summer accompanied by nice rainfall resulted in a longer growing season and a harvest with fruit bursting with varietal character. Fully developed, juicy fruit resulted in full bodied, intense wines.

We take quality grapes from prime California growing regions, and then we stash select lots of our wine in ex-bourbon barrels for three months. Where do we get our barrels? Therein lies the mischief and a secret we keep for ourselves. The California appellation allows us to seek out the best and brightest. The well-known and the secret test plots. Wherever good grapes are grown, we’ll be snooping around…