The Mark
TASTING NOTES:
Brother’s Mark Cabernet Sauvignon - “Aromas of cassis, mocha and spicy oak introduce this full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Flavors are framed by black plum, toffee, and spice with a touch of dried green herbs. Vanilla notes and minerality harmonize with a rounded finish highlighted by toasted oak and blackberry fruit. Drink upon release or cellar up to ten more years.” (AbV 14.5%, pH 3.79, TA 5.4 g/L)
Sonoma Classico Red Blend - “From the fruit-forward aromas to the lingering flavors, Sonoma Classico blends the characteristics of each grape seamlessly: red fruit with a touch of warm cooking spices; a rich and velvety taste with plum, spice, and dark berries. Smooth tannins and light toast notes highlight the rounded and lasting finish.” (AbV 14.5%, pH 3.73, TA 6.0 g/L)
Mother Clone Zinfandel - “Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with spicy aromas of cinnamon and white pepper along with red berries and a touch of vanilla. Black cherry flavors blend with vanilla, licorice, and warm baking spices with balanced acidity. The berry-spice combination, so typical of Dry Creek Zin, includes a round peppery finish which is a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.” (AbV 15%, pH 3.71, TA 5.8 g/L)
VARIETALS: Brother’s Mark is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot. Classico is some blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese. Zinfandel is all Zinfandel.
BARRELS: 12 months in American oak, except for Brother’s Mark, which was in French oak. ~30% new.
PAIRS WITH: N/A
THAT REMINDS ME OF: The mark of the beast!
Everybody knows the number of the beast is 666. It always has been, back to the original writing. Except for that one that says 616 instead, but we’ll just say majority rules. Anyway, that number may or may not also be the mark of the beast, which is also mentioned in the same bit of Revelations. There were people in the past several decades who thought barcodes were the mark of the beast, given the whole necessary to buy or sell spiel in that section, but, c’mon. Most scholars believe that the number and mark refer to Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, or just Nero, due to some numerology stuff and historical context around when it was written (likely 95 AD). Nero was both a poor emperor who persecuted the Christians and prophesied as returning because he never really died? It’s a whole weird thing, and conspiracy theories apparently have always existed.
