The Iliad
TASTING NOTES: “The Iliad, our white Rhône-style blend, begins with a bright perfume of honeysuckle and acacia flowers and continues its epic tale with undertones of sandalwood and herbs.
With good acidity, concentration and balance, The Iliad boasts of flavors of apricot and a hint of citrus. The long, clean finish offers a structured minerality with a hint of tannin and cream.“ (AbV 14.8%, pH 3.45, TA 0.52 g/L)
VARIETALS: 57% Marsanne, 38% Roussanne, 5% Viognier
BARRELS: 6 months in majority French oak, 30% new. 5% in stainless steel, maybe the Viognier.
PAIRS WITH: N/A
THAT REMINDS ME OF: The Iliad, the epic poem attributed to Homer.
The Iliad specifically covers a major portion toward the end of the Trojan War. Nine years in, the Greeks haven’t made much progress. Casualties continue on both sides, but it seems like Troy will stand. Agamemnon, commander of the Greek forces, is struggling to keep morale up. Gets even worse when Agamemnon refuses to return a captive, causing Apollo to send a plague upon their forces. Achilles disobeys Agamemnon and releases the captive, which leads to Agamemnon retaliating by taking one of Achilles’ slaves. Achilles protests the dishonor of this whole situation by abstaining from the war until Agamemnon basically admits he needs him.
Before this can occur, however, Achilles’ companion (probably lover) Patroclus goes into battle in his place after being moved to pity watching the Greeks struggle, only to be slain by Hector of Troy. Achilles comes back and kills Hector in revenge. After dragging Hector’s body around the city, Patroclus’ spirit calms him down a bit, and the Greeks agree to relinquish Hector’s body to his father, where the King of Troy and Achilles share a moment mourning their loved ones.
