Colorado’s industry insiders share what they are drinking away from their own wineries

Thirst Staff Report

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Vines 79
I like Vines 79 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. A big bold red wine that goes amazing with steak, but easy enough to drink on its own. Nice acid with balanced tannins make it a nice example of a bold Colorado Cab. It’s a newer winery and owned by great people!
Scott W. Hamilton, Owner and Winemaker, Red Fox Cellars

Rosé
The Storm Cellar
Everything they make is very good, but I particularly enjoy their rosé. The most recent I tasted was a finalist in the 2021 Governor’s Cup. They do an excellent job of blending their components to create a rosé that is light in color, strong in acidity, and has aromatics and flavor profiles that are fun and simple for a great drinking rosé.
Will Thompson, Associate Winemaker, Bookcliff Vineyards

2019 Escalante
Colorado Vintner’s Collective
The 2019 Escalante from Colorado Vintner’s Collective is a new release — a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for the 2019 vintage. The blend lends itself to Petit Verdot, with aromas of dark fruit; blueberry stands out and dark cherry is in the background. There is a peppery spice in the mid-palate, with integrated tannins and a lingering finish.
Joe Buckel, Winemaker, Buckel Family Wine

Cinsault
Buckel Family Wines
If we are rarely out for dinner and we notice Buckel Family Wines Cinsault on a list, it’s a guarantee we are grabbing it. It’s a lighter red, with tons of baked berry fruit, complemented with baking spices. It’s a great way to kick off a meal without wrecking your palate.
Patric Matysiewski, winemaker and co-founder, Sauvage Spectrum Estate Winery

Reserve Malbec
Bookcliff Vineyards
The wine we would like to give a shout out to is Bookcliff Vineyards Reserve Malbec. This well-structured wine shows the true potential of Colorado wine, especially the Malbec grape. The vineyards are situated in Palisade. Nestled along the cliffs and the Colorado River, a good year can ripen this grape to perfection, in turn making a beautiful wine. Bookcliff Vineyards has done a fantastic job.
Richard McDonald, Winemaker, Colorado Vintner’s Collective

Malbec American Heavy Toast (2019)
Sauvage Spectrum
It’s difficult to pick only one Colorado wine as my favorite, but this one is certainly one of them. It is called the Malbec American Heavy Toast (2019) from Sauvage Spectrum. Winemaker Patric Matysiewski has done something special here. This red wine is big, bold and oaky, yet incredibly clean throughout, particularly on the finish. I could try to describe it further, but it is best experienced firsthand, by tasting. Alas, it is only available (as far as I know) in their tasting room in Palisade. Well worth the trip, check it out!
Dave Aschwanden, Owner and Winemaker, Chill Switch Wines