This smells of dark macerated berries like blackberries and currants along with a touch of chocolate bark and baking spice. The palate is just over medium weight, continuing with currants and black raspberry pie fruit, along with dark chocolate and sweet tobacco that never overwhelms. This is refreshing with juicy acidity and round tannins, finishing with a cocoa powder finish.  This is a lovely wine to drink with or without food. It will pair well with short ribs, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, and pot pies or hearty stews with vegetables or meat.

WINE INFORMATION 

A true négociant, Sean Minor does not own a winery or a vineyard, yet his name stands for character and value in wines in 49 states across the country. Born in Kansas, Sean attended Arizona State University where he received a degree in finance and met his wife, Nicole, before venturing into the world of wine. After cutting his teeth at Napa’s Beaulieu Vineyard, Sean furthered his education in wine at U.C. Davis in Viticulture and Enology and subsequently was recruited to manage viticulture at King Estate Winery & Benton-Lane Winery in Oregon. Sean would soon move his family to California for the opportunity to manage Renwood Winery, where he was able to hone his skills in operations and marketing.

Sean and Nicole Minor began their winery back in 2005.  Their initial line of wines was named Four Bears as a reference to their four young children.  In 2011, Sean expanded his production and began to offer wines under the Sean Minor label and the Sean Minor Four Bears label. The Sean Minor label features premier regions from California while the Sean Minor Four Bears label represents the same quality at a more affordable price.

Grapes for this are sourced from several vineyards in Paso Robles. After harvest they are destemmed and gently crushed into open-top stainless steel fermenters at warmer temperatures. The fermented wine is then racked to a combination of French and American oak for aging.

Charcuterie, Duck, Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pizza, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Sausage, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tomato Sauce