When Brian Carter was a kid growing up in Oregon, he decided to make a batch of blackberry wine. When the container he was making it in exploded – all over his mother’s kitchen – he certainly caught grief. But he also caught the winemaking bug, and that has never stopped. His first job was making wine for Paul Thomas back in the 1980s, which led to a job at Washington Hills, where he stayed for several years before launching Brian Carter Cellars in Woodinville. This red is a Super Tuscan-style blend of Sangiovese (68%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Syrah using grapes from four different vineyards. The resulting wine is stunning, with aromas of strawberry candy, red peppercorn, a whisper of smoke and a dash of soy sauce. The rich entry gives way to delicious flavors of chocolate, boysenberry, blackberry and sweet plums. Modest tannins give this youthful accessibility. Enjoy with lasagna or timballo.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 991 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
Leave a Reply