What to think of something labeled Velvet Sledgehammer? There's no velvet on the 14.5% alcohol: this wine is hot, hot, hot. Initial impression of nose is non-vinifera. Smells of a cross between Concord grape jam (V. labrusca) and my mother's muscadine jam (V. rotundifolia) but fortunately this doesn't come across on the palate. Very deep in color with typical warm climate Syrah fruit with chocolate and earth towards the finish. Big chewy structure and big acid. Not sure what to make of this. The big chewy structure wants food but this is almost an overpowering wine to put with any food. Interesting beast, but two sips was plenty for me.
What to think of something labeled Velvet Sledgehammer? There's no velvet on the 14.5% alcohol: this wine is hot, hot, hot. Initial impression of nose is non-vinifera. Smells of a cross between Concord grape jam (V. labrusca) and my mother's muscadine jam (V. rotundifolia) but fortunately this doesn't come across on the palate. Very deep in color with typical warm climate Syrah fruit with chocolate and earth towards the finish. Big chewy structure and big acid. Not sure what to make of this. The big chewy structure wants food but this is almost an overpowering wine to put with any food. Interesting beast, but two sips was plenty for me.
Jan 14th, 2015
Langhorne Creek, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
