Port-style Wine Tasting Event
by Beth Heiserman
This coming Saturday, June 1, is our Port-style tasting. We will be releasing our 12-year-old Aqua Dulce Delight. We have released two other Agua Dulce Delights. The first time was in 2011 and the second was in 2013. This is one remarkable dessert wine that is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah from the vintages of 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The first Release of the Aqua Dulce Delight was in 2011 and sold out over two years ago. I did save a few bottles for a special event like this. It has aromas of black cherries and caramel. Its delightful notes have hints of raspberries, blueberries and peppercorns. It pairs well with chocolate bread pudding or I even made a few times a pumpkin chocolate cake and drizzled the wine on the cake before I iced it for a bit of an exciting surprise. Being able to compare the three versions of the same dessert wine that was bottled at three different dates is truly a unique event to attend.
All our dessert wines have won many awards, including 2 golds, 7 silvers and 5 bronze medals. Plus, in 2014 Sweet Serenity and the 2013 release of the Agua Dulce Delight competed against each other in the same category in the Long Beach Grand Cru. Agua Dulce Delight won silver while Sweet Serenity received a gold and went on to win “Best in Class”. This weekend the OC Fair will be judging our newest release along with many other of our wines.
Reyes Winery’s 12-year-old Agua Dulce Delight is a recognition of craftsmanship. After a decade of care and slow oak maturation, we have bottled this amazing example of complex flavors and artistry port-style dessert wine. This is for those who appreciate quality and every component of wine. It has aromas of fresh figs and orange blossom honey. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah was aged in French oak barrels where overtime it acquired its sophisticated notes and caramel, dates, and a hint of chocolate. A unique blend of award-winning wines was set aside at Reyes Winery to create this complex full-bodied old-world style wine. Its rich spice and fruit notes have continued to evolve. This exceptional wine has a smooth, silky texture and subtle oak nuances that deliver a long elegant finish.
In addition to the Aqua Dulce Delight, you will be able to taste our White Delight that was released in 2011 and another similar version of the white delight from 2014 vintage grapes. Plus, our Sweet Serenity, which is made from our 2009 Muscat grapes.
Each dessert wine will be paired with a petite bite that was paired perfectly, so that you may relish the experience to its fullest. I will be sharing stories about each wine and what it pairs well with. Hope you can join me this weekend. Robert Reyes will be signing bottles that are purchased at the event.