“A well known French winemaker once told me that he thought all wines should be bottled in magnums. When we opened this bottle recently, I understood just what he meant.”

A year as an apprentice winemaker in Europe changed that, and I quickly gained an appreciation for fine wines that fit my budget. I was amazed at how many there were, and how much I liked them.

In a cool growing season like the one we enjoyed in 2023, the vines take their time maturing the grapes – we harvested on October 9 — and we were rewarded with a wine of handsomely dark color, subtle yet exotic aromas of blackberries and plums, and complex spices — Cardamom, Nutmeg, and Allspice. Most attractive though, is the long, delicious finish that surrounds the wine, making it gratifying to drink.

The 2022 Sage Canyon Red is a beauty. The color is bright, and the aroma is attention-grabbing, combining the exotic perfume of pit fruits, like peach and apricot, with wild cherry. There are traces of mineral and earth – a charming, rustic component from the stems.