TAKEN Wine Co.
"Next generation vintners, Carlo Trinchero and Josh Phelps, are well on their way to becoming Napa Valley's next rockstar winemakers."
About TAKEN Wine Co.
Taken Wine Co. founders and childhood friends Josh Phelps and Carlo Trinchero realized a long-standing mutual dream when they began their wine producing enterprise in 2007, when they created their first wine, the 2007 Taken Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which sold out quickly upon release in 2010.
Josh and Carlo were both born into winemaking families in the small winegrowing town of St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley.
"The 2007 Taken was one of the most talked about releases last year. In several blind tastings, Taken beat Napa Cabernet's that were twice to three times the price!"
As they approached the completion of their college degrees, they frequently brainstormed about how they could set about creating their own wine enterprise. They imagined an entity that would allow them to pursue their shared passions for both wine and business. They wanted to make the vintners in their families proud, but they needed to follow their own path.
They devised a business plan and are now committed to become successful, innovative vintners in their own right. Each succeeding vintage represents another step that Josh and Carlo have "taken" on this path.
Wines
2011 "Available" White Wine Blend
This fresh, crisp, off-dry blend demonstrates two basic strengths of the Taken Wine team. First, Josh and Carlo have a very extensive network within the California winemaking community, allowing them to source wines from small, premium producers that are inaccessible to many of their competitors.
- APPEARANCE: Pale, golden straw color. Clean and vibrant.
- NOSE: Orange peel, faintly floral. Very alluring, very "available".
- MOUTH: Excellent viscosity.
Secondly, as second generation wine producers, Carlo and Josh have been steeped in the nuances of winemaking traditions since birth. They are developing a unique, creative approach to blending, and the 2011 Available is proof positive of this ability.
The wine, which carries a California appellation, blends 60% crisp, cool-climate Mendocino County Sauvignon Blanc with 40% Muscat. This original white blend mirrors the unique attributes of the Taken Wine Co. team.
The "Available" is designed to be the quintessential aperitif, appropriate by itself, or as a prelude to any meal. Enjoy on a family picnic, poolside, or anywhere on a warm summer afternoon. Works well with Indian, Thai, Chinese and other Eastern cuisines. Particularly good with curries. Serve well-chilled.
$13.00 / bottle
2009 "Taken" Cabernet Sauvignon
Following closely on the heels of the wildly successful 2008 Taken Cabernet, which bested many more expensive Napa Cabernets in blind tastings, the 2009 Taken Cabernet shows its pedigree quickly after the wine is poured.
- Appearance: Deep, youthful, garnet red color with purple hue
- Nose: Very focused ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit. Surprisingly deep and ripe. Highlights of medium-toast French oak and vanilla complement the fruit nicely.
- Mouth: Ripe, fine-grained tannins immediately evident. Mouth-coating, velvety texture, leads to a very long finish. Black licorice and black cherry flavors present throughout the profile.
This is a serious Napa Valley Cabernet, and an amazing deal at its price point. The tannins are balanced, so it drinks nicely on its own. Pairs well with almost any red meat, including venison. Most importantly, drink it with good friends who should not be “taken” for granted!
2010 "Complicated" Central Coast Red Wine
It’s difficult to believe this wine from California’s Central Coast (Santa Barbara, to be exact) is actually from California. First of all, the blend, 60% Grenache, 30%Syrah,10% Carignane, is made in classic Priorat proportions – inhale, sip, blink, and find yourself in Spain, southwest of Catalonia.
- Appearance: Deep, purple-tinged, inky color.
- Nose: Aromas of ultra-ripe blackberry, black pepper and plum.
- Mouth: Generous, all-enveloping ripe extract of pure ripe fruit, and a velvety texture.
This is an absolutely seamless wine. It is visually stunning, with a deep, purple-tinged, inky color. Look for aromas of ultra-ripe blackberry, black pepper and plum. On the palate, there is an immediate sense of a generous, all-enveloping ripe extract of pure ripe fruit, and a velvety texture. Perfect balance between fruit, oak and tannin is rare, but this wine delivers. From mid-palate through the lingering finish, loganberry, graphite, black licorice and white/black pepper are ever-present. It is unusual for a wine this powerful and concentrated to exhibit grace and finesse, but the 2010 Complicated clearly delivers on all counts, in a surprisingly un-Complicated manner.
Pair with rosemary-infused lamb chops. Enjoy now, and through at least 2018.
$24.00 / bottle
Contact
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info@takenwine.com |
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Press
Featured Articles
From the Napa Valley Register
Two podcasts for the Noble Rot |
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Radio Appearances |
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Taken Wine on the Gene Burns show Taken Wine on the Greg Cole show |
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Bottle Shots |
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© TAKEN Wine Co. 2012 St. Helena, California