Ultra Rare, Stupid Good Relic Rhonish Reds
If you love the work of “cult” California wineries – the savory Syrahs, powerhouse Cabs, elegant Pinots and funky, big-point, blends that you often read about but never seem to be able to find – this offer’s for you. Of course, it’s also for you if you just love great reds that deliver big ripeness held in perfect balance by bright acids, ripe tannins, and a touch of minerality. Either way, you’ll want to jump at this opportunity to try and lay down some of our just-arrived new releases from Relic Wines.
We still have a few cases each of Mike Hirby's stunning Relic Ritual 2010 and meaty Scarpa Syrah 2010. You'll receive our best 12 Bottle/Case Price or any order of 12 or more bottles of Relic wines.
BUT - our web site is a little limited, so you WON'T see your mixed case Relic discount when you look at your order confirmation. Don't worry - we'll adjust all the pricing to the case level before your credit card is charged and show you a corrected receipt when you pick up the wine. Thanks, and happy hunting!
10 Items Found
- Relic Kashaya Pinot Noir 2010 Product #26076 (In Stock)
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This was the first wine sold out in our June offering, so I was especially pleased when Mike and Schatzi told me another few cases were available. If my notes are correct, this is just the second vintage for Relic working with fruit from this small vineyard about 30 miles west of Healdsberg and 3 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. As you’d expect, the site stays cool all year long from the steady Ocean breezes, but it sits well above the fog line for copious daily sunshine.
In 2010, Mike destemmed the fruit completely and aged the wine in a mixture of new and used wood. It’s a biggish Sonoma Coast Pinot with loads of dark cherry and black raspberry fruit and accents of cassis, vanilla, and earthy brush. Starts bright before exploding to coat your entire palate and then coming into clear focus with crisp acids and tannins on the earthy, dark-fruited, finish. The longer you spend with the wine, the more you appreciate the acidity and the earthy undertones that linger after each sip and keep you coming back for more. Just 250 cases made and we’ve got 3. - Relic Artefact Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Product #26633 (In Stock)
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Case price applies to orders for 12 or more bottles of any Relic wines (mix/match). Note that your mix/match Case savings will NOT show on your web site receipt. Don’t worry – we’ll adjust the prices when we pull the wines in the store and before your card is charged.
Artefact remains Relic’s most powerful, muscular, wine but the 2009 edition gets a tad more elegant and aromatic than the blockbuster 2008. Some of that is due to a change in blend. As always, this is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon from a stunning site just above Harlan Estate. But, the Syrah in the 2008 blend has been replaced by nearly 20% Cabernet Franc from the gravelly Jim and Jeanne Frediani Vineyard. Even better purity than last vintage, but still a big wine that needs decanting and a steak today or – better yet – 2 years rest in your cellar.
“A dense, gutsy effort, rich and extracted, with dark berry, spice, mineral and cedar. Offers chewy tannins but also purity and a measure of finesse that will reward short-to medium range cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2026. 425 cases made.”Wine Spectator 93 points
- Relic Ritual Red 2010 Product #26634 (In Stock)
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Case price applies to orders for 12 or more bottles of any Relic wines (mix/match). Note that your mix/match Case savings will NOT show on your web site receipt. Don’t worry – we’ll adjust the prices when we pull the wines in the store and before your card is charged.
As with the 2009, there’s just so much to love about this wine. Start with Bandol’s Mourvedre grape in the staring roll – there are a whopping 11 acres of it in all of Napa, so you don’t often see it playing the lead. Then, add red fruit from juicy Grenache and blue fruit and minerality from 110 year-old Carignan grown at the end of Pickett Road in Calistoga (right next door to one of California’s best and most famous Cabernet vineyards). Round things out with a bit of meaty Syrah and juicy, structured, Petite Sirah, and you’ve got a luscious, highly drinkable, red that will knock your socks off. While still tightly wound, it’s clear that the 2010 edition of Ritual is even more pure, deeply flavored, and complete than the outstanding 2009. There’s not very much wine like this made in Napa, still less at this price point. Grab it now.
“Slow to reveal all its charms, with supple, ripe plum and blackberry fruit woven among crushed rock, cedar and sage notes, this red offers a delightfully teasing mix of flavor, texture and surprising subtleties. Mourvèdre, Carignane, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Drink now through 2022. 460 cases made.” Wine Spectator 92 points
“47% mourvedre, 21% carignane, 15% grenache, 12% petite sirah and 5% syrah. Deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of blackberry, cracked pepper, flowers and spices. Cool, spicy and aromatic in the mouth, with blue and black fruit flavors lifted by flowers and white pepper and given structure by firm tannins. This bottling features the highest percentage of mourvedre yet, notes winemaker Mike Hirby, as well as 110-year-old carignane vinified with whole clusters. Really lovely aromatics here.”International Wine Cellar 92 points
- Relic Scarpa Syrah 2010 Product #26635 (In Stock)
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Case price applies to orders for 12 or more bottles of any Relic wines (mix/match). Note that your mix/match Case savings will NOT show on your web site receipt. Don’t worry – we’ll adjust the prices when we pull the wines in the store and before your card is charged.
As far as we can tell, these are the last few cases of 2010 Scarpa Syrah available anywhere in the USA! A big wine that’s been garnering big ratings for the past two vintages, but stays honest and even pure within its size and power. Mike gets his fruit for the Scarpa Syrah from the Prichard Hill section of Napa’s famous Stagecoach Vineyard. The ripe, mineral-laced, fruit was fermented Northern Rhone-style, with 20% whole clusters to add structure and perfume. Aging in new and used French oak allowed the wine to unwind a bit and find its center before release.
This was still tight and trim when we showed it in November, but is opening nicely now. Deep, dense, complex, and focused, the 2010 Scarpa Syrah is a terrific marriage of New- and Old-World styles. Layered aromas and flavors of wild berries, licorice, raspberry confit, and roasted meat swirl around in this full-bodied red, but everything is in perfect proportion and the finish is elegant and clean. Just 270 cases made and not much left.
