Deep ruby color; blackberry, blueberry, cherry, boysenberry, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, coffee, lavender on the nose and palate.
Dry; smooth tannins, some acidity. The wine easily fits into the formula of big fruit, big alcohol, smooth and easy drinker. It is more a solo or charcuterie board/crackers wine than a food pairing wine, but will work with assertive food fare. Blend of merlot, malbec, petite sirah, petit verdot, syrah. Grapes hand-picked, gently destemmed and delivered into top of the fermenter, followed by a short cold soak and inoculation with yeast. After complete fermentation, grape must pressed off skins into another tank. Wine settled, then racked off its heavy solids into mix of new and neutral French and American oak. Aged in barrel 18 months. 15.2 ABV
Domaine Curry began in 2015 as an idea of sisters-in-law Ayesha Curry, an established cookbook author and TV personality, and Sydel Curry-Lee, a mental health advocate. The brand officially launched in 2018. The founders drew inspiration from the values of the woman in Proverbs 31 (Verse 10: Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. Verse 16: She picks out a field and acquires it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.) The founders wished to create a legacy that honors their heritage, challenges industry norms, and builds opportunities for future generations of Black female entrepreneurs in the wine word.
The website notes: “The heart of Domaine Curry is a celebration of the strong women who have shaped the Curry family’s heritage, honoring Ayesha and Sydel’s mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and daughters, as well as generations to come. The initial seed of inspiration for Domaine Curry arrived during a family dinner in 2015, where Ayesha gave a birthday toast for Sydel’s mom, Sonya. As she described her wonderful mother-in-law, many of the attributes she praised were similar to those of the robust red wine she held in her hand: strength and structure balanced with softness, openness, and approachability. The dream was born: in that moment, they recognized the project that would tap into their shared passion for wine while honoring the elegant & powerful women in their lives.”
Constellation Brands acquired Domaine Curry in 2023 and brought the brand under the portfolio of The Prisoner Wine Company. Chrissy Wittmann is the head of winemaking at The Prisoner Wine Company. While no longer the owners, the sisters remain involved in the creative aspects of the brand. Domaine Curry continues to focus on producing high-quality wines while promoting diversity.
Domaine Curry Founders Blend, Napa Valley 2022 delivers plenty of dark fruit flavors and alcohol power, signatures of The Prisoner Wine Company, of which Domaine Curry has been a part of since 2013. The sisters are among the cohort of trailblazing Black women in the wine industry. Easily can be enjoyed by itself as a solo sipper. With its assertive fruit and high alcohol, food pairing can be problematic if not paired with robustly flavored fare. Will work with grilled or roasted beef—juicy ribeye or beef wellington; smoked or barbecued pork ribs; lamb chops, rack of lamb; roast chicken with mushrooms. Grilled portobello mushrooms; roasted eggplant and zucchini; truffle fries. Cheese—bold, aged cheese; blue cheese, sharp cheddar, parmesan, brie, burrata, aged gouda, manchego, camembert, truffle-infused cheese. $70-85