Perrin + Dobbs, Ace of Spades, 2022

Perrin + Dobbs is a boutique collaboration born under the umbrella of Napa native Charles Bartlett’s portfolio (which includes names like Beau Vigne). The brand was created with a singular mission: to produce high-end, "Bordeaux-style" wines that compete with prestige labels but remain accessible to everyday enthusiasts. The wine is crafted by Chad Alexander, a veteran winemaker with deep roots in mountain-grown fruit (formerly of Hess Collection and Robert Craig). Alexander uses his background in geology to select specific vineyard sites in the Estrella District of Paso Robles, known for ancient riverbed soils that provide the "spine" for this wine. Their motto is "Crafting the highest quality Bordeaux varietal wines." The brand centres on the philosophy of "total vine balance," focusing on soil health and precise vineyard architecture to ensure the grapes reach the winery in peak condition. The 2022 vintage is composed primarily of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, bolstered by 5% Syrah, which serves as the "secret sauce" to deepen the wine's colour and provide a plush, savoury mid-palate. To enhance this fruit, the wine is aged in French oak barrels, utilising a precise mix of new and neutral oak that imparts essential structure and spice without masking the vibrant, sun-drenched character of the Paso Robles fruit. The wine opens with a nose of cassis, black cherry, and cedar, accented by dried violet. The palate is vibrantly juicy, bursting with blackberry and black raspberry layered over caramel and graphite. Medium-to-full-bodied, its polished, supple tannins provide a seamless structure that ensures a long, refined finish. Pair this wine with a rosemary-crusted tri-tip or a classic wagyu burger topped with caramelised onions, as the wine's acidity and dark fruit perfectly cut through rich, savoury fats.