This is Sculpterra’s Bordeaux varietal blend and a very popular wine in the tasting room. The gravel and clay soils in the lower elevation blocks of Sculpterra’s vineyard are remarkably good for Cabernet Sauvignon in particular, and this wine uses fruit from two different Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. The silkscreened label features “Sweet Dreams”, a sculpture by artist, John Jagger. The blend of this wine is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc 25% Merlot. It’s $40 a bottle in the tasting room.  Once the 2014 vintage is sold out, the 2015 will be available online.

This is a young wine, so I poured some into a glass and let it sit for almost 6 hours before tasting it. Go, willpower…

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet colour, with hints of purple. Legs move slowly on the glass.

When first poured, the aroma was very earthy and woody, with strong alcohol. After 6 hours, this wine really opened up nicely.

Complex, medium intensity aromas of cherry, suede, blackberry, and cinnamon-clove spice.

Medium+ acid and tannin are nicely balanced.

Full-bodied mouthfeel, with flavours of cherry, blackberry, leather, and spice.

Lasting finish, with balance and nice oak integration. 

Conclusion

Open now and decant for a few hours, or cellar it and let it develop for a few years. Either way, if you like Bordeaux blends, then I’d recommend you try this wine.

There are still a few cases of the less tannic 2014 Maquette around. See what I made of it here.

Darren.