As a rat, I cannot help but honestly relay that with being on month 5 of COVID related restrictions, it was a delight to get a heads up for a rattage opportunity, and with a week lead time no less! This meant we actually were able to plan in advance with a suitable menu for tasting, which is a whole new level of responsibility for us.
I admit it, you’d admit it too. We all know the “secret code” to decipher the shipping info. Ours was IRWINTHEMIX. Now, I know Attila the Hun, Mott the Hoople, and Jack the Ripper but we had no familiarity with Irwin the Mix. With that in mind, who wouldn’t Google it? A Rioja type blend? Grenache? Tempranillo? Monastrell? Love it! This instantly biased my tasting, as I am a huge fan of this type of wine. I would have sworn there would be something already in our cellar with this trio, but surprisingly nothing- not even the variety of Twisted Oak Rioja style blends awaiting freedom from their corked awaitingness.
Upon arrival, the wine was released from the cardboard and Styrofoam travel pack, and although it had been consistently in the mid-90s, the bottle was only slightly warm- even after a full day in the brown van. It was carefully relocated for some travel rest and cooldown until Thursday. My wife is a fantastic wine partner, and began planning a suitable Spanish themed dinner.
Thursday, the wine got its photo ops completed before cutting the capsule and uncorking. The label makes for a very attractive presentation that I wouldn’t hesitate to bring to any gathering. Specs are shown on the rear label shot.
The bottle was poured at low to mid 60s⁰F, color was a dark, but clear scarlet-garnet red. Natural cork, with some medium staining.
The bottle had about 20 minutes before pour and initial notes:
Me: Nose- strawberry and cherry, floral, and in a jolt to memories of younger days an aroma which I can best describe as the inside of a fun-sized 3 Musketeers wrapper (more technically a cocoa powder)
My ratting accomplice, who deferred a bit, citing congestion: freshly cut strawberry, not much else noted
Our surprise guest taster, with little wine experience but a great sense of all things food: floral, some black licorice, and dark cherry
Swirling the glass left a thin coat on the glass, but no discernible legs. Next up, the tasting!
Me: jammy fruits, medium body and smooth, slight pucker from medium tannins, a bit of pleasant oak. Some heat in soft palate, and a fruity tart finish.
Mrs. Rat: Noted some cooked berry/jam initially, with chocolate. After a bit, she noted- apricot??? And a moment later- like a chocolate covered apricot mid-mouth.
Surprise Rat: Tart. Dark cherry. Rose nectar or similar.
Then it was time to serve it up with a meal tailored to the blend. Mrs. Ratt prepared Pinchos Morunos (Moorish pork kebabs seasoned with cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander and cinnamon), fresh from the garden lettuce and cherry tomatoes, and Spanish rice. The Mix worked very well with these flavors, particularly with the spices of the kebabs. This is likely the perfect venue for this wine.
After dinner, just for science of course, we decided to see how the wine fared afterward. The opinions here were a bit more mixed. I still enjoyed the simple fruit notes and my flashback to 3 Musketeers bars, Mrs Rat thought it was ‘ok’. With that baseline set, we had a comparison glass of a notable Casemates Grenache we’ve recently had the pleasure to stockpile. In this comparison, The Mix was definitely a simpler, more rustic blend that didn’t have the rich tapestry of aromas and flavors within it, as might be expected.
This is very definitely something you can buy and enjoy with a variety of spicy or barbecue dishes. Although Mrs. Rat wasn’t sure of a case, I have no hesitation on punching the button. Sadly, I am 3 for 4 on rattage not shipping to IL, but am glad to be able to try The Mix.
Day 2 follow up to come, but wanted to get the first part in early for the Friday morning crowd.
As always, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to rat for our Casemates family!!
@ShotgunX Hopefully the vintner will stop by with the metrics. It has a bit of acid, but seems pretty mild. Our non-wine person did detect it, but for him that could have been sensing the alcohol (which was at a pretty normal level).
DAY 2 UPDATE: Fresh off the press, and the results are in. We paired up an afternoon tasting with some Yancy’s NY State Horseradish/Smoked Bacon Cheddar- which worked out very nicely.
For me- the berry notes have darkened, and there is more earthiness.
For Mrs Rat- she noted more peppery notes (obviously she means earthy, right?) And was won over for day two.
We’d love to pick up a case, but our state of IL’s legislature continues to be a pain point for us. I hope we’ll get to see an Irwin offer with IL in the future!
Greetings all from Irwin Family. Wineguy here saying hello. Harvest is underway and Derek is in the field picking today we can get you the actually acidity numbers later today. But the wine has just the right about of structure, I’m actually enjoying this wine with a slight chill when I’m dining on these summer evenings. We had record heat last week and this wine was delicious with a 30 minute chill with Grilled Chicken
@wineguy68 thanks for joining the party! How many cases of “the mix” were produced? What’s the philosophy that drives this wine (I see that it has the same grapes as your single varietal offerings, and with a name like “the mix” it suggests that you threw whatever didn’t make the cut into the same bottling*, but I’m sure there was significantly more thought given to it.) Your website says the grapes were harvested in 2013 and the wine spent 14 months in barrels after primary fermentation. So that means (checks math) that it has been sitting in bottles somewhere for 5 years. Any particular reason?
*Don’t take this the wrong way, I love twisted oak’s 'ol chumbucket
The wine has been in our warehouse and stored in excellent conditions of 55 degrees. Long story short the last 56 to 70 cases was overlooked as we have focused on our new Blends The Bull and The Bruin. The opportunity came to work with casemates and here is a great deal for you to jump on.
Irwin Family Vineyards “The Mix” Grenache Blend
6 bottles for $64.99 $10.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Heck with it, not spending money on gas and almost killing a bottle day in our house. Go COVID imposed home exile! Love the blend and love the AVA so willing to take a flyer. In for the case.
2013 Irwin Family Vineyards The Mix, Grenache Blend
Tasting Notes
Bronze ~ San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 87 points ~ Wine Enthusiast
An enticing blend of Garnacha, Monastrell and Tempranillo, this wine was inspired by the traditional blends of Rioja.
The Mix is loaded with strawberry and raspberry fruit. Notes of violets, clove and coffee throughout. The wine is fruit forward with just the right balance of tannins and structure. Perfect for cool winter evenings.
Specs
Vintage: 2013
Appellation: Sierra Foothills
Harvest Date: Late October 2013
Alcohol: 13.8%
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
6x 2013 Irwin Family Vineyards The Mix, Grenache Blend
Case:
12x 2013 Irwin Family Vineyards The Mix, Grenache Blend
We are proud to call the California Sierra Foothills the home of our wines for over 10 years. With the foothills’ rich soils and Mediterranean climate paired with the right varietals, great wines can happen.
When I set out to start a “family winery”, I wanted it to be just that: a winery owned and operated by the people I love most, my family. There are no outside sources - no winemaker, no delivery man and no vineyard manager. There is us, the Irwin family. We harvest our own crops and make each delivery ourselves. We are a family winery, in every sense of the word, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are a producer of exquisite vineyard designate Spanish varietals, with a New World twist.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Irwin Family Vineyards “The Mix” Grenache Blend - $20 = 15.38%
As a rat, I cannot help but honestly relay that with being on month 5 of COVID related restrictions, it was a delight to get a heads up for a rattage opportunity, and with a week lead time no less! This meant we actually were able to plan in advance with a suitable menu for tasting, which is a whole new level of responsibility for us.
I admit it, you’d admit it too. We all know the “secret code” to decipher the shipping info. Ours was IRWINTHEMIX. Now, I know Attila the Hun, Mott the Hoople, and Jack the Ripper but we had no familiarity with Irwin the Mix. With that in mind, who wouldn’t Google it? A Rioja type blend? Grenache? Tempranillo? Monastrell? Love it! This instantly biased my tasting, as I am a huge fan of this type of wine. I would have sworn there would be something already in our cellar with this trio, but surprisingly nothing- not even the variety of Twisted Oak Rioja style blends awaiting freedom from their corked awaitingness.
Upon arrival, the wine was released from the cardboard and Styrofoam travel pack, and although it had been consistently in the mid-90s, the bottle was only slightly warm- even after a full day in the brown van. It was carefully relocated for some travel rest and cooldown until Thursday. My wife is a fantastic wine partner, and began planning a suitable Spanish themed dinner.
Thursday, the wine got its photo ops completed before cutting the capsule and uncorking. The label makes for a very attractive presentation that I wouldn’t hesitate to bring to any gathering. Specs are shown on the rear label shot.
The bottle was poured at low to mid 60s⁰F, color was a dark, but clear scarlet-garnet red. Natural cork, with some medium staining.
The bottle had about 20 minutes before pour and initial notes:
Swirling the glass left a thin coat on the glass, but no discernible legs. Next up, the tasting!
Then it was time to serve it up with a meal tailored to the blend. Mrs. Ratt prepared Pinchos Morunos (Moorish pork kebabs seasoned with cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander and cinnamon), fresh from the garden lettuce and cherry tomatoes, and Spanish rice. The Mix worked very well with these flavors, particularly with the spices of the kebabs. This is likely the perfect venue for this wine.
After dinner, just for science of course, we decided to see how the wine fared afterward. The opinions here were a bit more mixed. I still enjoyed the simple fruit notes and my flashback to 3 Musketeers bars, Mrs Rat thought it was ‘ok’. With that baseline set, we had a comparison glass of a notable Casemates Grenache we’ve recently had the pleasure to stockpile. In this comparison, The Mix was definitely a simpler, more rustic blend that didn’t have the rich tapestry of aromas and flavors within it, as might be expected.
This is very definitely something you can buy and enjoy with a variety of spicy or barbecue dishes. Although Mrs. Rat wasn’t sure of a case, I have no hesitation on punching the button. Sadly, I am 3 for 4 on rattage not shipping to IL, but am glad to be able to try The Mix.
Day 2 follow up to come, but wanted to get the first part in early for the Friday morning crowd.
As always, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to rat for our Casemates family!!
@benguin986 How was the acidity? Not a big fan of acidic wines, but do like these grapes.
@benguin986 disclosure would be a plus…
@rjquillin Ok, I’ll spill it- the 2014 WineSmith Grenache.
@ShotgunX Hopefully the vintner will stop by with the metrics. It has a bit of acid, but seems pretty mild. Our non-wine person did detect it, but for him that could have been sensing the alcohol (which was at a pretty normal level).
@benguin986 Nice touch adding the Casemates wine glass.
@forlich Trying to do our part for branding!
@benguin986 Thank you Mr & Mrs Ratt for the awesome report. And thanks to the Surprise Rat too.
POPSOCKETS! SPROCKETS! DAVY CROCKETT! AWESOME!
DAY 2 UPDATE: Fresh off the press, and the results are in. We paired up an afternoon tasting with some Yancy’s NY State Horseradish/Smoked Bacon Cheddar- which worked out very nicely.
For me- the berry notes have darkened, and there is more earthiness.
For Mrs Rat- she noted more peppery notes (obviously she means earthy, right?) And was won over for day two.
We’d love to pick up a case, but our state of IL’s legislature continues to be a pain point for us. I hope we’ll get to see an Irwin offer with IL in the future!
@benguin986 I’m giving it a shot with a 6-pack. Thanks.
Greetings all from Irwin Family. Wineguy here saying hello. Harvest is underway and Derek is in the field picking today we can get you the actually acidity numbers later today. But the wine has just the right about of structure, I’m actually enjoying this wine with a slight chill when I’m dining on these summer evenings. We had record heat last week and this wine was delicious with a 30 minute chill with Grilled Chicken
@wineguy68 thanks for joining the party! How many cases of “the mix” were produced? What’s the philosophy that drives this wine (I see that it has the same grapes as your single varietal offerings, and with a name like “the mix” it suggests that you threw whatever didn’t make the cut into the same bottling*, but I’m sure there was significantly more thought given to it.) Your website says the grapes were harvested in 2013 and the wine spent 14 months in barrels after primary fermentation. So that means (checks math) that it has been sitting in bottles somewhere for 5 years. Any particular reason?
*Don’t take this the wrong way, I love twisted oak’s 'ol chumbucket
@KitMarlot @wineguy68 300 cases - note the photo of the back label in the review by @benguin986
The wine has been in our warehouse and stored in excellent conditions of 55 degrees. Long story short the last 56 to 70 cases was overlooked as we have focused on our new Blends The Bull and The Bruin. The opportunity came to work with casemates and here is a great deal for you to jump on.
Holy S it’s Friday already in some parts of the country? Why am I still up?
Irwin Family Vineyards “The Mix” Grenache Blend
6 bottles for $64.99 $10.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2013 Irwin Family Vineyards “The Mix” Grenache Blend
Oooh, haven’t had Sierra Foothill stuff in awhile. Love the region. Looking forward to some rattage before I choose between the 6 pack and the case!
Heck with it, not spending money on gas and almost killing a bottle day in our house. Go COVID imposed home exile! Love the blend and love the AVA so willing to take a flyer. In for the case.
/giphy restorative-unstructured-tail
2013 Irwin Family Vineyards The Mix, Grenache Blend
Tasting Notes
Bronze ~ San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
87 points ~ Wine Enthusiast
Specs
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$209.53 at Irwin Family Vineyards for 12x 2013 Irwin Family Vineyards The Mix, Grenache Blend
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, September 14th - Tuesday, September 15th
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Irwin Family Vineyards “The Mix” Grenache Blend - $20 = 15.38%
nice rats, looking for a SoCal split, if there’s any other interest.
@CorTot I could help out a bit…
@rjquillin we can split a 1/2 case if there is no other interest.