Catalyst by Sparkman Cellars Red Blend 2022
Wine Details
- Red - Medium to Full Bodied
United States- Red blend
- 14.9% ABV
- 750 ml
- 31 December 2030
Flavor Profile
For Chris and Kelly Sparkman, family was the catalyst that led them to winemaking.
Both Tennessee natives who studied environmental science and policy in college, each crisscrossed the country building careers more aligned with the work of Indiana Jones than that of Robert Mondavi.
Kelly trekked from Wyoming mountains to old-growth California forests and dove under icy Alaskan waters for various conservation projects. Chris, meanwhile, served as a policy analyst for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Whaling Commission and as an Agroforester in the Peace Corps. A professional pivot would lead the latter to hospitality, helming sommelier teams at restaurants across the U.S., and marriage would settle the two in Washington’s wine country.
Then came daughter number one, Stella Mae, in 2004. “We had our first child and wanted to create a life where we both could be present in our kids’ lives,” says Chris. “We knew just enough about wine and how to sell it and were just ignorant enough to the complexities of business to go for it.”
That first year, they made about 12 barrels. Today, they’ve nabbed coveted spots on Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 list and have grown their yearly production to over 12,000 cases. They also have ace winemaker Linn Scott leading the way in the cellar.
For Catalyst by Sparkman Cellars Red Blend, Linn sourced grapes from some of the Columbia Valley’s finest vineyards. He settled on a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), supported by smaller portions of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and other red grapes. Then, he aged the wine for 24 months in new oak barrels.
The result is a beautifully rich, complex red wine with velvety, dark-fruit flavors accented by notes of herbs, earth, oak, flowers and chocolate. It has the balance and structure to age gracefully for years to come.
The Sparkman family hopes their lovely red wine will be a catalyst for the meaningful events in your life. But you’ll have to act quickly to enjoy it—only 560 cases were produced.
For Chris and Kelly Sparkman, family was the catalyst that led them to winemaking.
Both Tennessee natives who studied environmental science and policy in college, each crisscrossed the country building careers more aligned with the work of Indiana Jones than that of Robert Mondavi.
Kelly trekked from Wyoming mountains to old-growth California forests and dove under icy Alaskan waters for various conservation projects. Chris, meanwhile, served as a policy analyst for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Whaling Commission and as an Agroforester in the Peace Corps. A professional pivot would lead the latter to hospitality, helming sommelier teams at restaurants across the U.S., and marriage would settle the two in Washington’s wine country.
Then came daughter number one, Stella Mae, in 2004. “We had our first child and wanted to create a life where we both could be present in our kids’ lives,” says Chris. “We knew just enough about wine and how to sell it and were just ignorant enough to the complexities of business to go for it.”
That first year, they made about 12 barrels. Today, they’ve nabbed coveted spots on Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 list and have grown their yearly production to over 12,000 cases. They also have ace winemaker Linn Scott leading the way in the cellar.
For Catalyst by Sparkman Cellars Red Blend, Linn sourced grapes from some of the Columbia Valley’s finest vineyards. He settled on a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), supported by smaller portions of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and other red grapes. Then, he aged the wine for 24 months in new oak barrels.
The result is a beautifully rich, complex red wine with velvety, dark-fruit flavors accented by notes of herbs, earth, oak, flowers and chocolate. It has the balance and structure to age gracefully for years to come.
The Sparkman family hopes their lovely red wine will be a catalyst for the meaningful events in your life. But you’ll have to act quickly to enjoy it—only 560 cases were produced.
