Manteo Red 2012

THE WINE
Carefully selected for intensity, weight, and texture, MANTEO is a rich and immediately drinkable red blend of Sonoma County Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Each varietal contributes a certain character, which when married together, gives the wine many layers of flavors, texture, and a solid tannin structure, thus making it robust enough for the warrior it’s named after.

The debut vintage of Manteo offers real depth, balance and rich, fragrant flavors of boysenberries, black cherries, and cassis, aromatic spices redolent of pink peppercorns and anise, and distinctive notes of earthy minerals, tobacco leaves and smoky, toasted oak. The tannins are well-integrated even in their youth and the wines lushness leads to a long, expressive finish.

Blend: 28% Syrah, 16% Petit Verdot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Zinfandel

WINEMAKER NOTES

MANTEO is a red blend that draws upon the contrast of four varietals. Syrah from Dry Creek Valley lends a freshly picked fruit quality along with earth and spice notes; Petite Sirah from the same region brings weight, density, and rich opaque color; and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot give the blend a foundation of tannin and structure. This robust wine is aged in both French and American oak in order to capture the wine’s complex tones.

TASTING NOTES

We’re discerning about the fruit that goes into this blend, looking for selections that are expressive and exhibit weight and dimension. Our 2015 MANTEO boasts lush flavors of black currants, wild berries, and plum. Earthy spices and wood nuances found on the nose carry through on the palate, creating a warm fragrant character for the fruit. With firm tannins that support the density of the fruit and a finish that is rich and lengthy, our MANTEO wine captures the regal character of the man for which it’s named.