Angel Falls Dark Angel: A Ballard Canyon Syrah-Grenache!

Wines-You-Want-to-Share-with-Friends-Night continues – another one from my June DC wine class – was so nice to taste all these wines in person! The connection for us with this wine is the proprietor David Choi used to own Pearson’s Wine & Spirits in Washington DC – back when it was a real wine shop.  Today’s wine was purchased years ago by a “classmate” at MacArthur Beverages in DC.

Outbreak Wine #395: 2014 Angel Falls Dark Angel Red Wine, Stolpman Vineyard, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara, 14.5% ABV, $23 (list $55) 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah, 237 cases produced

About Ballard Canyon from www.ballardcanyonava.org: “The Ballard Canyon AVA has been considered the premier wine growing appellation in Santa Barbara County.  The Ballard Canyon AVA also boasts as it is America’s only Syrah Focused Appellation. The Ballard Canyon AVA has also achieved this prestigious recognition and official status, as receiving its very own federally recognized American Viticulture Area.”

About Angel Falls from www.angelfallswines.com: “Angel Falls was founded in 2012, following a dream and a passion to provide you with the highest quality wines from the best regions and appellations around the world. We take pride in the art of crafting distinctive and expressive wines—putting our heart and soul into every ounce, from vineyard to bottle…” They work with 2 regions in France and 2 in Santa Barbara County. One of the key team members is Peter Stolpman!

“…Spending countless hours—in the vineyards, on the road, meeting and establishing relationships with the grape growers, winemakers, luminaries and personalities—has proven to be quite an adventure!”

“…Working with elite winemakers and using the best grapes available around the world has been a dream come true. Our team values the small production approach to making every bottle of wine we handcraft just for you. The wines we produce here at Angel Falls have character. I believe it shouldn’t cost you a fortune to enjoy a really good, high quality wine. That’s why our team will continue to break the mold, providing you with the very best wines at an affordable price, from the most elite winemakers and vineyards from around the world.”

About the 2014 Dark Angel: “Medium-bodied with fresh, bright, rich and juicy flavors. Expressive with excellent structure. Aromatic notes of plums, raspberries, and wild cherries with subtle hints of cola and mocha. Fine elegant tannins with a nice lingering finish.”

 My Review: Inky. Smoke and black berries on the nose. Palate is brighter berry and a touch acidic. June 2021

I don’t see any recent vintages and wonder if Angel Falls Wines is still being produced.  Looks like most of their wines are sold out, but I saw that Bell Wine & Spirits in Washington DC carries a non-vintage Dark Angel Syrah for $20.  I might like to try that one, too!

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

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Central Coast Sharon

Sharon is a wine aficionado who has decades of first-hand knowledge exploring the many wineries, vintners, tasting rooms and wines across the 9 American Viticultural Areas of Monterey County. She shares her passion as a volunteer wine educator who presents Monterey wines to classes in Washington DC and Northern Virginia. She is Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 1 Certified. She moved permanently to the Monterey area in 2017.

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