Winemaker Notes
This is a full bodied blend, with
blackberry flavors and notes of smoked
meats and succulent bacon.
Pairs well with everything from a ribeye
steak to pork chops.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Fresh and lively cherry-berry aromas jump from the nose of this blend of Bordeaux varieties. The palate gives flavors of kirsch, licorice and dark-chocolate-covered cherry in a structured framework, with juicy acidity running throughout.
Ammunition Wines & Whiskey, the award-winning spirits brand passionate about the American West, announced that critically acclaimed actress Kelly Reilly has joined the company as a new partner. Reilly joins a leadership team comprising CEO and Co-Founder Andy Wahl and Co-Founder Bill Kerr. In her new role, Reilly will further elevate the premium spirits and wine portfolio with a keen eye for creative and brand storytelling.
Best known for playing Beth Dutton in the hit Paramount TV series "Yellowstone" and numerous feature films, this marks the actress’ first brand partnership. Reilly instantly connected with Ammunition’s deep commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and honoring the land. As a creative visionary for the company, Reilly will lend her talents and passion to a new campaign, “Soil to Spirit,” which celebrates the journey from Earth to bottle and aims to reshape perceptions of women in whiskey. “I have always harbored a deep respect for the land and our natural resources,” says Reilly. “I was immediately drawn to Ammunition’s commitment to create a stand-out product with a brand identity rooted in the spirit of the American West. I’m thrilled to partner with Ammunition and contribute my experiences and perspectives.”
The story of Ammunition is a shared celebration of the values, work ethic and ingenuity upon which this nation was built. This is a story about the underdog and about being uncompromising on quality. About believing so much in what you're doing, that you're willing to swim upstream even in the swiftest of waters. Every drop they produce represents their uncommon (and admittedly, at times, obsessive) pursuit of perfection. It’s the result of long hours, hard work and sleepless nights. In the end, they know that nothing worth doing is ever easy. But make no mistake, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.