$24.99 is the next best price anywhere for this beauty. (And that’s a steal.)
In typical Dan Phillips fashion, it’s from stellar, very much under-valued vineyards, made by a star Spanish winemaker (Oriel Illa), and with an art label by Mel Kadel and designed by Beth Elliot.
Dan says:
We made our first wine in the superlative vintage 2018. In many ways, Strong Arms is a radical iconoclastic wine. I call it a “No Chateau Bordeaux,” because everyone wants a Chateau, and I just want great wine. In fact, when I’ve shown the wine I’ve heard more than once, “Wow, Dan, this tastes good.” As if Bordeaux is so chic that it doesn’t even have to taste good to sell. It just has to be called Chateau.
Strong Arms is modern, fresh, clean, fruity, dark color, black fruits, blueberries, blackberries and currants, with some spice and trademark hints of savory complexity that defines Bordeaux. It’s from the Right Bank, so it’s primarily Merlot with a bit of Cabernet Franc. It is delicious. It’s the kind of wine you can drink every day yet still feel like a special occasion wine, not an everyday wine.
Also it ages beautifully. Why not treat yourself?
He’s right: this would put many a $50+ Pomerol or Saint-Emilian to shame!