It's been awhile, and in fact, Sparkman was one of Purple Cellars' first reviews. This was a great tasting, and I was impressed by the whole lineup. I picked the 2020 Yonder Cabernet Franc, a delightful blend of Cab Franc and Cab Sauv, as well as the 2020 Baba, a Cab, Merlot, Syrah blend. These wines showcase Sparkman's interesting, and well balanced blending abilities.
These are all worth mentioning:
2020 Wonderland Grenache 86% Grenache 14% Syrah. Nose of red fruit, violets, mineral, game and white pepper. Ripe red and black cherries, focused, but soft and flowing on the palate complemented by generous white pepper. $35. Score 92.
2020 Baba Discovery Vineyard blend, 34% Cab, 33% Merlot, 33% Syrah. Floral and polished leather nose. Silky soft, pillowy, playful with concentrated blue and black fruit, touch of black pepper, savory herb and mineral. Gentle oak and smooth tannins round out the finish. Great balance. $55. Score 94.
2019 Outlaw 78% Merlot 22% Malbec. Bold, chewy dark fruit, tobacco leaf, wet stone. Black pepper, oak and drying tannins on the finish. An oaky, muscular merlot, sure to improve with time. $55. Score 91. 2019 Rainmaker Cabernet Sauvignon Leather and earth aromas. Soft on the palate, heavy oak and firm tannins. $70. Score 90. 2020 Yonder Cabernet Franc 75% Cab Franc 25% Cab Sauv. Savory nose of tomato jam, black pepper, and green bell pepper. Ultra smooth and gentle palate, flowing with dark cherries, and milk chocolate while wakened with pink peppercorn and notes of savory herb. Tannins are integrated. Stunner. $48. Score 95. 2020 Gaga 85% Touriga Nacional, 15% Syrah. Aromas of dense dark fruit, bouquet of violets, and leather. Silky smooth dark fruit, milk chocolate, and spicy black pepper, all the while swimming in gentle minerality. The finish is long with gentle oak and vanilla, and rounded tannins. $55. Score 93. 2019 Kingpin 88% Cab 12% PV. Aromas of leather, wet stone, and earth. The palate is soft and velvety, medium bodied offering black currant, leather, tobacco, complemented by sweet spice, cocoa, and black pepper. The finish is long with grippy tannins. $70. Score 92.
