We made our first wine in the superlative vintage 2018. In many ways, Strong Arms is a radical iconoclastic wine. I call it a “No Chateau Bordeaux,” because everyone wants a Chateau, and I just want great wine. In fact, when I’ve shown the wine I’ve heard more than once, “Wow, Dan, this tastes good.” As if Bordeaux is so chic that it doesn’t even have to taste good to sell. It just has to be called Chateau.
Strong Arms is modern, fresh, clean, fruity, dark color, black fruits, blueberries, blackberries and currants, with some spice and trademark hints of savory complexity that defines Bordeaux. It’s from the Right Bank, so it’s primarily Merlot with a bit of Cabernet Franc. It is delicious. It’s the kind of wine you can drink every day yet still feel like a special occasion wine, not an every day wine. Also it ages beautifully. Why not treat yourself?
Most radical of all? The label is colorful and fun and alive and young. The art is by a beautiful artist named Mel Kadel and the label was designed by genius Beth Elliott. Look them both up. You won’t regret it.
