“The Barkley” is an homage wine by Clay Shannon, who honors his father with this reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a thoughtful wine – fruit, acid, and tannins – already in balance. Quite a feat at only two years since vintage date.
This is a fruit-forward, full-bodied, luscious blend of Bordeaux-Rhone varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. The alcohol is a little high at 14.5% but somehow it works. This is a very good wine, rich, round, and textural. Decant and drink now with rich stews, chili, steak and burgers, or hold for four to seven years and see how this big Cab evolves.
Click here to read Clay’s Wine Characters Interview, and the history of this homage wine.