2008 Mark Herold Acha Red

Composed of 65% Tempranillo, 15% Grenache, 8% Carignan, 7% Graciano and 5% Petit Syrah, there are 950 cases of the 2008 Acha. A very interesting wine, it offers notes of blueberries, raspberries, licorice, graphite, tobacco leaf and spice. Medium-bodied with loads of fruit intensity, purity, personality and soul, the sweetness of the tannins suggest this 2008 can be drunk over the next 4-5 years. These negociant offerings from well-known consultant Mark Herold are accessed from different parts of California, primarily the North Coast. This is a noteworthy new project from Mark Herold. Tel. (707) 256-3111

(tempranillo blended with grenache, carignane, graciano and petite sirah) Good deep red. Spicy black cherry and blackberry aromas complicated by earth and minerals. Sweet and creamy in the mouth, with an intense blueberry flavor dominating. Very expressive already but finishes with a serious tannic structure. This has terrific fruit. Owner/winemaker Mark Herold told me he recently brought back tempranillo budwood from Peter Sisseck (Pingus) in Ribera del Duero, which he hopes to use in a high-end blend with cabernet sauvignon. Incidentally, when Herold sold out his share of Merus, he signed a non-compete agreement that prevented him from making cabernet sauvignon until the 2010 vintage, so he began by making this tempranillo-based wine and a Ch a teauneuf blend under the Flux label.