Banshee Mordecai Proprietary Red 2015 Front Bottle Shot
Banshee Mordecai Proprietary Red 2015 Front Bottle Shot Banshee Mordecai Proprietary Red 2015 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

The 2015 Mordecai has an enticing nose of pepper, violets, cigar and cassis. On the palate it is a mouthwatering mélange of red berry and plum flavors backed by earthy tones of herb roasted meat and fresh black trumpet giving way to a spice-laden finish.

Blend: 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Carignan, 17% Syrah, 14% Zinfandel, 12% Grenache, 11% Petit Sirah, 4% Merlot

Professional Ratings

  • 90
    An alluring blend of many grape varieties, the handsome 2015 Banshee Mordecai Proprietary Red drinks famously well. Made from a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Syrah, Zinfandel, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Merlot, the winery deftly combined what some us in the business call, "a fine kitchen sink blend." Pair the wine's generously fruity wine with a generous serving of Shepherd's Pie. (Tasted: January 19, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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In the relentless pursuit of wines with balance, elegance, and purity, they have developed relationships with some of the most storied vineyards in Sonoma County and beyond to craft Banshee. The main focus for Pinot Noir is on the cool, rugged, coastal areas of the far Western Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley and Sonoma Mountain. Each vineyard has a unique combination of a specific influence, soil type, elevation, age and exposure but the common thread is that it allows the pursuit of Pinot that achieves power without weight. They allow the grapes to express a certain transparency. They highlight a wide range of flavors other than just fruit. Banshee Wines started in 2009 at a bar in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. With money borrowed from their friends and family, Banshee Wines was launched with eight barrels of coveted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The Banshee belief is that the best wines from California are yet to be made...and they plan on producing some of them. They strive to makes wines with the complexity and deliciousness of those found at the very top of the quality and price scale, but at a price that is affordable for everyone and not just the uber-wealthy. The Banshee Tasting Room opened in August of 2013 in downtown Healdsburg, a refreshing and relaxed take on your typical tasting room. It’s more like hanging out at their house and sharing some wine with family, rather than bellying up to an ever-crowed tasting bar. Today the Banshee Wines mission remains the same as it was in those early days – to craft distinctive wines that over-deliver in every possible way.
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California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.

While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.

The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.

This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!

EPC37000_2015 Item# 348479