Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Reserve Cuvée de José 2015, North Coast, California

Tasting Note: A lively primitivo and carignane red blend with a black-fruit-rich midpalate and lovely aromatics.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of black plum, blackberry, black cherry, red currant and strawberry blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied red blend has medium-plus-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and slightly-grippy, medium tannin.

There is balance between the fruit and acid structure.

Bottle Note: 50% Primitivo. 50% Carignane. Sunce is a family winery located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County – specializing in small artisan lots of vineyards designated varietal wines and classic blends. José Calderon selected his favorite mystery barrels of carignane and primitivo to make this special blend. Only José knows the secret blend. José has been the Assistant Winemaker at Sunce since 2003. He is from Morelia, Michocan Mexico where he studied engineering at Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo. José, a single father, has worked tirelessly to provide an education for his two daughters, Cindy and Christian, and his son, Carlos. In 2005 Jose became a United States citizen. In 2012 Cindy graduated with a BA in history from Sacramento State and is now in the process of getting here MA. José now has four grandchildren. Only 8 barrels made.