Mission Codename Skin deep
Can you find a friendlier, more affordable, and crowd pleasingly plumped up little fruit bomb than this??
Doubtful. Especially thanks to a cool 40 plus percent off! For $16 a pop you really can’t do any better than this.
Skinner is a Wine & Spirits Top-100 winner, hip, family-run operation up in the Sierra Foothills with a very cool story behind them (full scoop here). The short version is Kevin Skinner and his wife randomly stumbled upon an epic piece of family history on their way to Lake Tahoe. After a little research Kevin’s father Mike traced Skinner Winery to his great, great, great grandpa. Then he went all in and purchased the property with one purpose in mind - revive the legacy. And here we are.
This wine was made by Chris Pittenger who cut his teeth at Turley, Marcassin, Robert Biale, and Williams-Selyem. It has all the imprints of fine winemaking - beautiful aromatics, plush deep fruit, and style for days – while somehow remaining shockingly affordable. You’re getting an uber juicy, heavenly smelling blend of 51% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 5% Counoise that will utterly decimate any notion of QPR you had.
One look at the vivid ruby color and you have an idea what’s coming. The aromatics hit first. We had to borrow a quote we found from a social review that NAILS it: “The bouquet is like a sweet lavender buttercream”. Ohhh yes, so true. We’ll add it’s an absolute joy to drink, with heaps of BIG berry flavors with all manner of jammy red cherry and strawberry popping off up front, and a bit of anise and pipe tobacco, blueberry and chocolate rounding things out with some sweet spices in the mix. It’s ripe and lush, but not heavy at all. And terribly easy to drink. And did we mention the price?? Sorry, we’re kinda fixated on that…
While there is NO press on the 2015, Wine Enthusiast raved about the previous vintage, “Exotic and intensely fruity aromas lead to equally vivid fruit flavors that are well matched by moderate tannins and good acidity. Black plum and macerated cherry join hints of cedar and clove for a complex and satisfying flavor profile.” Which is exactly what we found here too, and more!
Truly a spectacular wine for the money, and worthy of at LEAST a few bottles, if not a case.
Don’t miss it!
What the Winery Says
2015 'Smithereens' El Dorado Red Blend
- Winemaker
- Chris Pittenger
- Varietals
- 51% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 5% Counoise, 1% Petite Sirah
- Vintage
- 2015
- Appellation
- El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills
- Alcohol
- 14.4%
- Aging
- 21 months
- Barrels
- 5% new French oak