As the crimson sun dipped beneath the horizon, a legendary Kraken emerged from the dark depths. Its monstrous tentacles ensnaring the unsuspecting pirate ship, the Black Marauder, resembling the curled tendrils of a vine to a trellis. The ships redwood hull splinters and cracks like a delicate wine glass succumbing to the beast’s crushing grip. Amongst the wreckage, a treasure is uncovered; a rare bottle of Petite Sirah aged to perfection. With each passing wave, the glass vessel shimmered, reflecting hues of garnet and ruby in the moonlit sky. The aromatic symphony of blackberries, currants, and cedar danced upon the salty sea breeze, enticing the senses. As velvety as the monster’s serpentine touch, unveiled layers of Ceylon cinnamon and a whisper of Indonesian clove, harmoniously mirroring the balanced ebb and flow of the ocean’s tides. Silky tannins caress the tongue like gentle waves against a weathered shore, leaving behind a smoky, lingering finish, reminiscent of the haunting memory of the Jolly Roger’s demise.

notes by thomas cherry, master cellar rat