2007 Cougar Aglainico

The 2007 Cougar Aglainico is a 100% varietal wine from fruit grown at the Cougar property in the Temecula Valley. The grapes were fermented in open bin ferments using two different yeasts, spent 18 months in new and neutral American oak and bottled unfiltered. Aromas dill and smoky, jammy briary were accompanied by sweeter oak notes. In the mouth, this medium-bodied wine was savory and briny, with faint briary fruit in background and some oak notes again. Fine grained tannins were a bit drying but the acids were proportionate. The medium-length finish was slightly astringent, with chewy tannins in forefront followed by bright briary fruit. On the second day, this wine delivered lots of rich, jammy fruit (more of a mélange of blackberry and blueberry), light oak notes and faint raisin aromas. Light brininess and oak notes dominated the palate. The texture had become sleeker overnight. The initially drying finish soon evolved blackberry-like, plumy juiciness. The brisket brought the brininess into line, while the BBQ Ribs made for an interesting complexity and synergy. (13.7% ABV, 1 bottle tasted, 248 cases made)

WHO: Cougar Winery
WHAT: Aglianico
WHERE: Temecula Valley, CA
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $29.95