2006 Iconoclast

This deep, almost opaque, and - yes - iconoclastic wine is a blend of valley floor Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and Colson Canyon Syrah from Santa Maria Valley. What makes this wine unique is not only its unusual blending of grapes but also its particularly rich flavors, aromas and textures. In this wine, blackcurrants and blackberries mingle in the glass. In this wine, vanilla meets chocolate. Look for hints of tobacco and espresso on the nose and prepare yourself for a solid, velvety finish. Simply put, Carina Cellars’ Iconoclast is in a class by itself.

A rebel without a cause, a “lone wolf”, a true maverick; the Iconoclast continues to defy conventions and perceptions and create a class of its own. An unconventional blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and 33% Syrah from Santa Ynez Valley, this wine provokes with its intense aromas of rich earth and the deep notes of ripe cranberries and pomegranates. Delving further, your senses are accosted with a palate laden with black cherries and currents, with a long finish of nutmeg and mocha. Although this elusive wine won’t last long, one thing you can be sure about…the Iconoclast will never cease to amaze.

200 cases produced

Price: $60 ($54 for Iconoclast Club members)

2006 Mourvedre, Hearthstone Vineyard, Paso Robles

Shakespeare could have written romances about its soft and courteous character, Lancelot could have wooed his Queen by its gentle seductiveness, Lorenzo DeMedici could have defended Florence through its courage and fortitude…if only they had Carina Cellars 2006 Mourvedre at their disposal. We are the lucky ones, so take advantage of this wine’s smoky nose and playful pallet. Strawberry and cherry abound with hints of raspberry and tobacco on the finish. With a power and willingness to serve others, this wine offers the makings of a story that will be with you for many years to come.

$36.00 per bottle ($28.80 for Iconoclast members)

2007 Zinfandel, Paso Robles

The Luciano Pavarotti of wines, this gregarious and full-bodied Zinfandel will sing out in a tenor fit to rival the best of them. The melody begins with an aromatic bouquet fsilled with black cherries, blackberries, rosehips and a hint of darkly toasted walnuts. Then the tenor enters with a palate bursting with plums, cran-raspberries and açai; culminating with that signature “High C note” that resonates with flavors of berry cobbler and dark cacao. The finish continues to reverberate long after the last note is sung, leaving you with just the slightest hint of a rose, left on stage for an encore of this Opera of Flavors.

121 cases produced.

Price: $32 ($25.60 for Iconoclast Club members)

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Farmhouse Vineyard, Napa

Known to be one of the world’s most recognizable grapes, our Cabernet Sauvignon takes that one step further as it is grown in Napa, one of the world’s premier wine-growing regions. In French, Sauvignon is thought to derive from sauvage or savage, indicating that this is certainly a wine that demands reverence. With a bouquet filled with earthen tones that give way to rich cranberry and black raspberry notes, and a palate that satiates with dark plums, currants, and a hint of sage, this wine’s bold and assertive nature will dominate for several years to come. An unencumbered wine such as this will pair beautifully with steak au poivre with a red wine reduction sauce and pommes frites (small fried shoestring potatoes).

Price: $58 ($46.40 for Iconoclast Club members)

2006 Late Harvest Viognier, Westerly Vineyard

The perfect end to a perfect evening! Enjoy this luscious dessert at the end of the night and reminisce about the Dionysian festivities. With a touch of sweetness and a riveting tropical essence, Carina Cellars' first vintage of this wine offers an ending so satiating you will skip the chocolate cake every time.

142 cases produced.

$26.00 per 375ml bottle ($20.80 for Iconoclast Members)