Mission Codename Astronomical
If you were here two years ago, you might have scored this wine. But a lot has changed in two years.
Today it’s back, at a much, MUCH lower price than before. With our growing base of Operatives we negotiated a purchase on the remaining bottles and this time you’re saving an astronomical OVER 70% OFF! That brings the price from $60 way down to earth at just $17.
Opal Moon, owned by the Bonneau family and made by the 3rd generation vintner John Bambury, has as of late, been leaving us moonstruck with their quality. As they like holding wine back to release until ready, these wines are often with a pleasantly aged character, masterfully crafted in a style that falls between modern, ripe Napa counterparts and a Bordeaux from an outstanding harvest.
This is unlike most any other Meritage you’ve had. That’s because the majority comes from a balance of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Usually, those varietals make up the minority balance with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot taking front and center.
Saturatingly purple in the glass, the result is a massively juicy blast of black cherry and plum from the Malbec, while the Petit Verdot lends more of that plummy goodness with a firm backbone of tannic structure. Now, at nearly ten years of age it’s turned pillowy soft, but still has a remarkably youthful core of that ripe fruit with additional notes of sage, dark chocolate, figs, and smoky wood spice.
Got a few spots in an empty locker? Good, because this is the perfect way to round it out.
Happy Sunday everyone!
Tasting Profile
Black cherry, plum, sage, dark cocoa, fig, smoky spice
Look | Glass staining pitch black with the narrowest of a glowing purple rim amid garnet hues |
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Smell | Dense, brooding black plum and chocolate are backed by ample wood and smoky game |
Taste | A beautifully structured wine, with concentrated tannins and dynamic, juicy dark berries |
Finish | Wraps with major force, yet even with all the heft, it’s stylish, complex, and age-worthy |
Pairing | Smoked rack of ribs with traditional side dishes like baked beans or creamy mac ‘n’ cheese |
What the Winery Says
2012 'Meritage' Napa Valley
- Winemaker
- John Bambury
- Vintage
- 2012
- Varietals
- 55% Malbec, 45% Petite Verdot
- Appellation
- St. Helena, Napa Valley
- Alcohol
- 15.2%
- Vineyard
- Cypress Ranch (Sustainably Farmed)
- Brix at harvest
- 27.2 (MB), 26.8 (PV)
- Total acidity
- 5.6 g/L
- pH
- 3.66
- Aging
- 30 months
- Barrels
- 50% new French oak from St. Martin, Damy & Nadalie
- Production
- 5 barrels