Founded in 2003, by Arpad Molnar, Peter Molnar and Michael
Terrien, Tricycle Wine Company is the parent company behind two boutique wine
brands – Poseidon Vineyard and Obsidian Ridge. Tricycle is unique in the wine
industry in that it controls the quality of its grapes from soil-to-crush and
the quality of its oak from forest-to-coopering. They import oak barrels from
the Budapesti Kadar Cooperage in Tokaj, Hungary. In addition to his vineyard
management duties, Peter Molnar is in charge of production at Budapesti Kadar.
Alex Beloz, the winemaker, moved to California after working in Bordeaux, New
Zealand and Chile.
Twenty years ago, they planted a vineyard on an old
abandoned walnut orchard, 2460 feet high in the Mayacamas Mountains. They soon
discovered that they were farming on a volcano, on a ridge of solid black
Obsidian glass. Today, the extreme climate, altitude, and volcanics result in a
wine like no other..
Since then, they have dedicated two decades to learning what
makes volcanic wines unique and what is possible in this harsh environment. They
learned that these wines are prized for their aromatics, acidity, and
structure. They built a team of iconoclasts—each experts in their own craft—who
share a strong ethos. They gained a better understanding of climate, soil,
viticulture, winemaking, and hospitality.
In 2023, they mark the 50th anniversary of experience growing
grapes, a tradition passed from their father who fled his native Hungary in
1956. They are the second generation building upon the work of the first, who
planted our seaside Poseidon Vineyard in 1973. They returned to Hungary in 1992
to establish a cooperage in the Tokaj forest–today our wines are 100% estate,
made and aged in their Hungarian Oak barrels.
Obsidian wines are the only Cabernet Sauvignons in
California (perhaps the world) aged in 100% Hungarian oak barrels. Their source
forest in Tokaj is planted to the same oak species used in France, Quercus
Petraea, however the trees grow more slowly due to the volcanic soils,
resulting in 30% higher density of the wood. These super-tight-grain barrels
are low in vanillan and relatively high in eugenol, which tends to emphasize
herbal and spice components, and are toasted slowly at low temperatures to
avoid imparting overt toasty notes.
What is Obsidian rock?
From Wikipedia
Obsidian (/əbˈsɪdi.ən, ɒb-/) is a naturally
occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly
with minimal crystal growth. It is an igneous rock.
Obsidian is produced from felsic lava, rich in the lighter
elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminum, sodium, and potassium. It is
commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian
flows. These flows have a high content of silica, granting them a high
viscosity. The high viscosity inhibits diffusion of atoms through the lava, which
inhibits the first step (nucleation) in the formation of mineral crystals.
Together with rapid cooling, this results in a natural glass forming from the
lava.
Obsidian is hard, brittle, and amorphous; it therefore
fractures with sharp edges. In the past, it was used to manufacture cutting and
piercing tools, and it has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades.
Wow that’s a mouth full for sure, but now you know.
OK now about the wine. The blend is different for sure it
consists of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Malbec 3% Petite Sirah 2% Petit Verdot 2%
Syrah. Estate Cabernet is the signature
wine of Obsidian Ridge Vineyard and embodies the complexity and wildness of the
site. The structure and intensity of upper blocks is complemented by aromatics
and acidity of cooler blocks. The extreme climate, altitude, and volcanics of
the site result a wine with distinct volcanic character—intense color, aroma
and flavor, with a freshness and minerality that typifies the site.
Nice dark hue of purple in the glass. Aromas of red cherries, cinnamon and spice. Flavors of plum,
woven with dried oregano, are supported by a rich texture of fine, leathery
tannins. Notes of star anise, cinnamon, and orange and a bit of pecan pit on
the very end. A lovely balance of
everything you love in mountain California Cabernet.
Cost is $49.99
Cheers,
The Villages Wino
All wines available at Two Old Hags
wine shop in Leesburg. Unless otherwise
noted
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