Dry Creek Vineyard’s founder David Stare is a sailing enthusiast who gave sailing names to many of his wines, such as The Mariner, a proprietary blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This 2008 Mariner was aged for 26 months in French oak barrels. It has a very deep black-ruby color, medium berry aroma with hints of vanilla, bright fruity flavors, choco-berry notes, firm refined tannins, 14.5% alcohol and a long nicely balanced finish with good fruit. A few more years of bottle age will reward the patient.
Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2008
By Gerald D. Boyd