These are the days that make so many declare Fall as their favorite time of year. Sunday brought brilliant blue skies, warm temperatures and tall autumn grasses waving in the cool breeze.
Night brought cooler temperatures and starlit skies along with a toasty warm backyard fire.
It was quintessential October, so I chose a wine to embody that experience.
Bogle's Phantom is perfect for October. It is full of depth and mystery, an apparition that appears only now, during this season of ghouls and goblins.
The 2010 vintage consists of 51% Zinfandel, 47% Petite Sirah, and just a bit, 2%, of Mourvedre. It sees a long aging, over 24 months, in 1- and 2-year-old American oak, to add a comfortable spice and complexity.
The Phantom presents a dark garnet color and full aromas of dark berries and whispers of smoke. Flavors represent the blend well with plenty of black cherry and dried herb along with anise and a hint of clove. Black pepper spice and cranberry emerge mid-palate. The wine is smooth and soft, with a firm finish of dusty tannins. The 2010 drinks well now, but still presents a youthful character. Further aging in the bottle will allow flavors to become more deeply integrated.
The Phantom appeared to us on this October afternoon and wrapped us in its mystery by the flames until it disappeared into the night.
