Red Thread Red Blend 2018

Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
$78 (Wine Club Reorder – $70)

According to Chinese legend, an invisible Red Thread connects those that are destined to meet or make history together. Red Thread Wines believe that they have created a wine that will connect you to many joys, laughter, and love that life brings to us. Connection is everything, and in the times we are living, isn’t this what we all need! The Red Thread bond extends through the brilliance of the wine creation and extends to your food pairings, and personal enjoyment.

Red Thread Wines comes to us from Gretchen and Brian Brakesman who faithfully met on a night out in San Francisco. Unbeknownst to either of them they were destined for a life together. As they say, “we are both forever grateful for the mythical red thread that is connected to Gretchen’s finger and Brian’s ankle”. With Brian’s fastidious approach to winemaking and vineyards and being a Napa Valley native and Gretchen’s ability to sell ice to Eskimos, it seemed like a great time to complete their thread, and bring us incredible wines.

The grapes for these incredible wines come from one of the premier vineyards on top of Howell Mountain, Summit Lake Vineyards. While wines from Howell Mountain are renowned for their luxury, Gretchen and Brian have priced their wines to be approachable and accessible as possible, hoping to connect the fate of other wine lovers who share their same passion. The Estate Blend is a true representation of the terroir with its balance of dark fruit and full body.

The new release of this blend is amazing. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Zinfandel and 10% Petite Sirah. This is a fun wine because the blend changes every year based on harvest and how the wines will work together. This year, black licorice, ripe blackberry, and fresh leather are the first fragrances that hit your nose. On the palate this robust mountain wine shows strong ageable tannins, ripe plums and cassis.

Superbowl Sunday is slowly approaching and for me that means snacks on snacks. Pretzels are a must. The mighty pretzel has a stronger, nuttier flavor then your standard potato chip, so they can stand up to a big robust wine like this one.

Jennie Kaplan Woodson – February 2021