Relic 'Ritual' Red Wine 2018

2018 Ritual will delight fans of this wine, which Relic has been making since 2007 as an homage to the pioneering, immigrant families who introduced these grapes to Napa Valley. The fruit-forward character of the year has brought tons of high-toned fruit and spice aromatics of strawberry jam, raspberry coulis, five-spice, a dusting of white pepper, underbrush and sage to the glass. On the palate, the classic up valley richness and depth is there, with a lot power in reserve, but on a gorgeously juicy frame. Flavors of blackberry, oolong tea and damson plum abound and play off one another on the long, silky finish. Aged in mostly neutral French oak barrels for 19 months before bottling unfiltered.

Blend: 33% Grenache, 33% Carignane, 25% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah