This October, we’ll taste Halloween-adjacent wines that are just pure fun deliciousness. Plus, consider – and enjoy – the suggested candy pairings.
Vermentino, called Rolle in southern France, is a variety known for its refreshing acidity and clean, floral nose. The name ‘Elicio’ is derived from the Latin, meaning “to evoke, elicit, or bring forth,” but in this case, let’s go with its alternate definition, which is “to summon, as in a spirit.” As evidenced from the label, the earth (and also a grape?!) is held in a celestial orbit which emanates connectedness across all things. If that is a little too ‘woo woo’ for you, just know this white is delightful. From sustainable farming practices, the Elicio has matured in stainless steel to preserve Vermentino’s fruit-bomb flavors but has also undergone 7 months of lees aging to add body and complexity. At first sniff, its fresh herbal (garrigue) and lemon-lime aromas emerge, followed by green apple, grapefruit, and pineapple on the palate, rounded out by salinity on the finish. Such a unique wine deserves an uncommon candy, such as the Zero bar; its white fudge, nutty nougat, and gooey caramel will be a heavenly match for the Elicio’s punchy flavors.
Francesco Cirelli’s respect for the environment is infused in his wines. He notes, “I strive to bring out as much as I can of the peculiarity of the region, the season’s harvest and even my own sentiments in the wine I produce. It’s my belief that the wine has to reflect its place of origin and its creator.” Agricola Cirelli is certified organic, specializing in more than just grapes – their farm maintains bees and sheep while also producing olive oil, vegetables, fruit, and meats of supreme quality. Cirelli insists that his wines will be fresh, light, low alcohol, and highly drinkable, and this wine made from 95% Trebbiano and 5% Muscat is a wonderful example. With 20 days of Trebbiano skin contact, this orange wine, with a spider on the label to show his deference to natural winemaking, is refreshing and light-hearted. A floral nose evolves into white peach, apricot, and lemon on the palate, culminating in a hint of sea salt and basil. Paired with fruity, chewy Starburst, the Cirelli Orange will be a treat.
Winemaker Ryan Zotovich has the mission to “consistently deliver impossibly good 100% Pinot Noir at an unrivaled price.” Alas, like Captain Ahab obsessively chasing a white whale across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (that is a Moby Dick reference), Zotovich has perfected the paragon of Pinot Noir with a positive price (I was once an English teacher – now you’ve had an allusion and alliteration). Folly of the Beast shows what the Central Coast can do best: it’s fog-filled mornings and breezy evenings have a favorable effect on Pinot Noir’s persnickety nature. What you taste is pure bliss: cherry, plum, and black raspberry are amplified by a year of time spent in French oak, 40% of which was new, resulting in additional notes of forest floor and leather. This wine is no folly. Enjoy a glass with some Twizzlers, with its candied cherry and strawberry goodness, and don’t forget to also try it with black Twizzlers, with their spicy anise flavors.
The founders of Spellbound chose the name and label imagery to “suggest the ever-present magical, mystical
force of the moon.” To further elaborate, Spellbound takes “inspiration from the celestial spirit of the lunar calendar, which reminds us that all life's phases are worth remembering.” Umm, yeah. Grapes are sourced throughout the state of California where the warm days and cool nights result in balanced and expressive wines, just like this thirst-quenching 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Not too heavy at 13% ABV, this Cab can be enjoyed any season or time of day. Quintessential varietal notes of blackberry, ripe plum, and cassis meld with a hint of cedar, spice and tobacco, which emerge due to a mix of aging in both American and French oak. A spellbinding match will be a Twix bar with its chewy, rich caramel, its crunchy but buttery cookie, and its coating of sweet, creamy milk chocolate.
Vinter Dan Morgan Lee had initially prepared to study veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis. It wasn’t until pretty late in his college journey that he discovered that enology fulfilled his scientific and agricultural interests. So he changed course (literally) and graduated with his enology degree and was immediately hired at several wineries in Monterey County to garner experience. In 1982, he and his wife started their own label, Morgan, and in 1996, they bought what has become one of the most sought-after vineyards, Double L, in Santa Lucia Highlands. Lovers of Rhône varieties, they decided to craft this red blend, a play on the famous French appellation ‘Crozes’ Hermitage. With 58% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, plus 3% Tempranillo, this red spent 10 months in 100% French oak, a portion of which was new. The luxurious mouthfeel is enriched by notes of boysenberry, blackberry, chocolate covered cherry, tobacco, vanilla, and spice. Such a wine begs for a decadent but tangy chocolate-covered fruit, like Raisinets. But you can also certainly go with chocolate covered cherries if you are feeling even more devious.
Founders Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett discovered a skeleton key in the large farmhouse that eventually became their first tasting room at William Chris. Passionate advocates for Texas wine, they used the symbol of the skeleton key on this line of wines to “unlock the potential of Texas wines.” While Bill has moved on from the winery, promoting his own artisan Blackmon Wines, William Chris is thriving and now has multiple brands and partnerships, including Uplift, Grower Project, and Yes We Can, a canned rosé. This award-winning Proprietor’s Red is a blend of 38% Sangiovese, 33% Mourvèdre, 17% Tempranillo, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its multidimensional aromas and flavors include spiced apple, dried red cherry, pomegranate, vanilla, and toasty oak. The ‘Skeleton Key’ will really satisfy alongside some Snickers, with a sweet and salty contrast of crunchy peanuts, soft nougat, and chewy caramel textures.
We all know that wine can be pretentious and snobby but also beautiful and almost spiritual. Coming from an artisanal family like the Silvestrins, whose primary winery is in Napa’s St. Helena, The Cult Cabernet is a special wine for sure – just look at the label! In their own words: “At The Cult Wine Co., we believe enjoying wine should be fun. For us, wine is for loud potluck style dinners, endless catch-up conversations, poured for those long rambling toasts, with glasses that don’t need stems, all to make every occasion a celebration.” I want to be in this “cult,” and this Cabernet Sauvignon with its racy acidity, firm tannins, and medium-plus body deserves to be savored. With a lengthy 15 months in the barrel, 25% of which was new French oak, the palate proffers red and black fruits, like raspberry, black cherry, and blackcurrant, supported by nutmeg and coffee notes. A delectable accompaniment to The Cult Cab would be Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which offer both sweet and salty traits plus melt-in-the-mouth creaminess.
Moroccan-born Malek Amrani started The Vines Wines as a response to his own vice – Napa wines and their often heart-stopping price tags. His mission was to craft wines he would enjoy without the $450 bill. Concentrating on what individual AVAs in Napa Valley do best, like a magician, he crafts blends and single varietal wines that won’t break the bank. Amrani acknowledges that Cab is king in Napa but wants to celebrate other varieties that thrive there, as seen in ‘The Millennial.’ A blend of 63% Petite Sirah sourced from Mount Veeder, 21% Malbec from Coombsville, 8% Primitivo from Oak Knoll, 7% Tempranillo of Carneros, and 1% Charbono from Suisun Valley, just east of Napa, this wine makes a statement. At first taste, ripe strawberry and blueberry jam are complemented by baking spices like cinnamon and cardamom, with a finish of vanilla, dark cocoa, and sweet tobacco. A significant amount of time in oak, between 12 and 32 months depending on the grape, contributes complexity. Only 720 total cases of this wine were made, making this your new vice. Dark chocolate with its fruity-sweet-bitter notes will make the wine shine even more.