Into the Light

A "dark horse" is someone, or something, that seems to come from nowhere to succeed. We often use it discussing politics, and horse racing's Triple Crown was in the news this week, where a "dark horse" can be quite literal.

We're taking a look at a different Dark Horse. Actually, several different Dark Horses: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Red Blend and Sauvignon Blanc.

At Dark Horse Wines, their passion is crafting bold wines that deliver the unexpected. They marshal the best agricultural and winemaking practices from around the world to guarantee the highest quality.

Their Winemaker, Beth Liston, believes winemaking is a treasure hunt. She is constantly experimenting with different grape varietals and new winemaking techniques. From bold Red Blend to smooth Chardonnay, her passion for creating exceptional wines that outperform their price is unsurpassed.

The 2012 Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon has bold flavors of blackberry and cherry supported by firm tannins, brown spice and a dark chocolate espresso finish. This Cabernet Wine was carefully aged to develop dark fruit flavors and dark roast aromas.

Dark Horse Cabernet is made from a blend of hand-selected grapes grown predominantly in the Lodi and Delta winegrowing areas of California's Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.

The 2012 Dark Horse Chardonnay has rich flavors of baked apple and pear, layered with toasted oak, notes of caramel and brown spice with a smooth, lingering finish. This Chardonnay underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand selected yeast and then a secondary malolactic fermentation to create a round, full mouthfeel.

The ripest fruit from the Lodi, Delta and Clarksburg areas were selected for their Chardonnay wine and we’re proud to offer it as the perfect complement to Dark Horse red wines.

The Dark Horse Big Red Blend has deep flavors of dark berry and black currant, supported by plush tannins, hints of dark roasted oak and a long finish. This Red Blend underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand chosen yeast to provide enhanced color, structure and fruit characteristics.

Dark Horse Big Red Blend is made from a medley of Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot sourced from Argentina, California and Australia. This blend dares to be bold, and serves as an exploration of some of the best varietals red wine has to offer.

The most refreshing wine from Dark Horse, the Sauvignon Blanc offers bright aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry lined with fresh green notes. Layers of citrus and melon flavors create a crisp taste with medium viscosity and a long, refreshing finish.

Winemaker Beth Liston selected these grapes from premier California vineyards. The dry and warm year of 2014 allowed just the right amount of sunlight on the berries, resulting in an ideal balance of flavor and acidity in the glass. The deliciously ripe citrus flavors and crisp minerality in this Sauvignon Blanc make it comparable to any New Zealand contender.

Each varietal is priced at only $7.99 in the Bottle Club®.