2004 Black by Black Red Table Wine Santa Barbara 3 LITER

This is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, approximately one third each. Jim Clendenen crafted a wine with the strength and elegance of an Old World Bordeaux so it is structured to age well. It has a rich mouthfeel, without strong tannins showing flavors of plum, cocoa, leather and subtle floral notes. Aged about 24 months in barrel, it received all the necessary TLC in the cellar to create a dark, rich red that has benefited from bottle age.  The wine is a blend of one barrel each of the best barrels for Stallion Vineyard Cabernet, Bien Nacido Merlot, and Bien Nacido Petit Verdot. The wines are aged in New Taransaud French Oak Barrels.

Black by Black was made for one of Jim Clendenen’s best friends Tom Black.  The inspiration was a special blend Jim Clendenen put together for Toby Keith.  After a long evening in Nashville of drinking Tom’s collection of Bordeauxs, Jim, rarely humble, said he could make the same quality from Santa Barbara fruit.  Jim did just that, the wine was delicious and Mr Keith shared it with friends as a holiday gift.    Jim’s friend Tom, a huge wine collector, wanted a wine he could donate to the many charitable wines events in which he was involved, so Black by Black was born.