To welcome the gathering and gift giving season, we are pleased to release the highly anticipated 2023 Crossroads Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 Crossroads Cabernet Franc, and 2023 Crossroads Mountain Blend. 2023 had all the hallmarks of a memorable vintage. Winter and spring rains led to saturated soil and optimal timing for budbreak. Idyllic spring weather maintained healthy canopy growth through bloom and set, while relatively cool weather throughout the growing season allowed sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness to occur in tandem. Extra days of extended ripening of sugars, acids, and tannins provided a winemaker’s dream vintage.
To accompany the 2023 Crossroads release, we are also pleased to again partner with father-daughter team Bryan and Katie Flannery to offer an exclusive cut of their beef to our customers. To prepare for gatherings and celebrations during the weeks ahead, the signature 30-day aged "Rudd Steak" (Kansas City Strip) and a 45-day aged Mini Tomahawk are offered to complement our wines as we enter entertaining season. If you are new to Flannery Beef, we invite you to watch a short video about their business. This exclusive beef offer will close on October 29th.
Notes from winemaker Natalie Bath
The 2023 vintage was one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. With steady and mild weather throughout the season, coupled with a balanced crop load, 2023 had all the hallmarks of a memorable vintage. Winter and spring rains led to saturated soil and optimal timing for budbreak. Idyllic spring weather maintained healthy canopy growth through bloom and set, while relatively cool weather throughout the growing season allowed sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness to occur in tandem.
The 2023 Crossroads Mountain Blend is immediately captivating with aromas of wild blackberry, pomegranate liqueur, and black cherry compote. Intertwined with the broad array of fruit are hints of dried bay leaf, warm cedar, and subtle wet earth. Nuances of powdered mocha, toasted walnut and woodland freshness invite the senses to linger and uncover new depths. On the palate, the wine is layered and full of richness, offering black plum, brambly raspberry, and black currant. Accents of cocoa nib, fresh clove and verdant forest floor emerge through the midpalate, continuing to lift and build towards the finish. Fine-grained tannins leave a lasting impression—sophisticated, yet quietly powerful, a true reflection of its high-elevation origins.
The 2023 Crossroads Cabernet Sauvignon opens with strikingly expressive aromas of Bing cherries and just ripe black plums. Traces of crushed gravel and freshly cracked black pepper dive into a savory tone that is lifted by subtle notes of star anise and delicate hints of allspice. On the palate, a seamless harmony of red and black fruits unfold — layers of sweet blackberry, red and black currant, and freshly baked cherry tart. Lively red plum emerges, rounding the midpalate with delicately intertwined touches of dried rosemary and iron. The texture is supple and generous, carried by finely integrated tannins defined by dark cocoa and warm barrel spice.
The 2023 Crossroads Cabernet Franc opens with an expressive and layered profile, rising instantly from the glass with notes of wild strawberry, tart red currant, and sun-warmed black cherries. As the aromas continue to unfold, hints of dried violets, cedar shavings, and just a touch of barrel spice come into focus intertwined with the medley of fruits. Subtle undertones of cocoa nib, star anise, and dried black tea leaf add depth and charm as the wine continues to evolve. On the palate, the wine is vibrant yet elegant, shaped by finely articulated red and black fruits – ripe plum, marionberry, and fresh currant – supported by a graceful, velvety texture. Black olive tapenade, dusty graphite, and dried thyme offer savory nuances that keep the palate curious, while fine-grained tannins offer structure and balance. The finish is long, carried by gentle spice and a lingering echo of dark cocoa and herbal freshness.
