A Wine Between The Rock And The Hard Place

The Birichino Winery is in Santa Cruz, presumably the place that gave us the grapes in the 2023 Birichino Scylla. The California red wine is made from 71% Carignane grapes, 17% Mourvèdre, and 12% Grenache. 

The name comes from mythology. On the label, the wine is said to be an "ode to the Siren songs of sailor-swallowing sea serpents." The person who wrote that must have loved English class in high school. Mythology and alliteration in the same sentence. The label also notes that the wine is "all Scylla, no fylla."

The grapes were taken from old vines, wildly fermented, aged in neutral barrels and bottled unfiltered. Alcohol sits comfortably at 13% abv and the wine costs around $25. 

This wine is medium-dark in the glass. The nose is full of cherry, plum, blackberry, and an herbal note. On the palate, earthy tones shroud the fruit, while a healthy set of tannins excite the tongue. The finish is medium length and the savory notes linger the longest. Pair this wine with beef, lamb, roasted chicken, or even your favorite smash burger. 

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