Gürbüz Blend #1
Have you ever found a producer who just excels at something? For me that person is Akın Gürbüz. I enjoy all his wines (his new Sauvignon Blanc is killer) but in my opinion where he really shines is his reds. Akın Gürbüz made a new red wine? Both hands in the air, sign me up, where do I get in line?!
He’s recently released a slew of new wines including: Hieros Oros (a Bordeaux-style), and varietal Merlot and Cinsault. I drank, I swooned. I haven’t yet posted about them here (although I have on Instagram). His Blend #1 isn’t new though. I’m going back to the classics with this one. I only recently got my hands on one because he makes relatively small quantities of wine. My new mantra: when Gürbüz releases a red wine buy two. One for now and one to age. Because these babies have a long life ahead of them.
So when the chance to get a new vintage of his Blend #1 came up, I grabbed two bottles.
Gürbüz Blend #1, 2017
Gürbüz Blend #1 combines Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon-a popular blend in Turkey. The Shiraz comes from vineyards in Karnar and the Cabernet from his Sea of Marmara facing vineyards in Gazıköy. The wines aged an average of 17 months in oak before blending.
Intense ruby in the glass, the wine offered up profound aromas of brown and sweet spices, blackberry, cherry, pepper, and mint wrapped around an espresso bean core. Suede-covered muscled tannins greeted the first sip followed by a wave of mouthwatering acidity. Complex layers of flavor begin with cinnamon sprinkled forest berries with a dash of vanilla then transform into rich coffee, caramel, and milk chocolate. A peppery streak along with earth linger on the long finish.
Big, full-bodied with 14.9% abv but beautifully balanced this is a powerhouse wine. So, so nice.