We are SUPER excited to announce our October wine box collaborator, Ben Leard of Marsh McLennan Agency in Opelika. Some of you may remember Ben as the quarterback for Auburn University Football from 1997-2000. The last time Auburn beat LSU prior to this year’s win was in 1999 while Ben was quarterback! He is ranked in the top 10 quarterbacks in Auburn history according to the Bleacher Report. Ben is currently the Executive Vice President and Manager of Operations of the Marsh McLennan Agency in Opelika, Alabama. @justthewino worked with Ben for many years when the agency was still under the name of J. Smith Lanier & Company. Ben also specializes in commercial insurance products and has MANY years of experience in the field.
This case is a prime example of the types of wine Ben enjoys. He loves a big, bold red wine that can pair well with wild game and food off the grill. Ben likes to hunt all types of wild game during his rare moments of free time. Ben is married to his high school sweetheart, Melanie King Leard, and they have three beautiful daughters, Marley, Aubrey, and Peyton.
Introducing, Ben’s Bodda Getta Box! Read below about the details of the wines contained in this box.
Photo by Sarah Beth Wheeler
Each case (12 bottles; 3 of each selection) is $200 + tax.
OR a 4- pack (1 bottle of each) $85 + tax. **Please indicate in your request if want to go with this option.**
Auburn: Orders due by NOON, 10/27, with pickup the following day, 10/28 at Charred Oak Premium Spirits.
Alexander City: Orders due by NOON, 10/28, with pickup the following day, 10/29 at Grain & Leaf.
Dadeville: Orders due by NOON, 10/28 with pickup the following day, 10/29 at 34 Market.
Dothan: Orders due by NOON, 10/25, with pickup the following day, 10/26 at KBC.
Enterprise: Orders due by NOON, 10/26, with pickup the following day, 10/27 at Corks and Cattle.
2019 Prisma Pinot Noir This hand-harvested, 100% Pinot Noir is blend of four clones produced from a single vineyard located in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. The granite soils and cool, coastal climate produce a fresh, vibrant and aromatic wine. It shows bright red fruit notes of strawberry and cherry, with an underlying hint of oak, that leads to a lifted mid-palate and smooth, velvety finish.
2020 Woltrap Red Blend This blend from The Western Cape of South Africa is comprised of 84% Syrah, 15% Mouvedre, and 1% Viognier. The nose is intense, and dark with an abundance of black fruit aromas and scents of violets, pepper, and cured meat with hints of dried coriander and tar. The savory smell and dark berries of the nose follow through onto the palate with flavors of licorice, black olives, cardamom, and notes of cranberry, red currant, and cloves. The mid-palate is full, creamy, and smooth with supple tannins and integrated acidity and shows sweet tobacco and spicy undertones from subtle oak. The wine lingers in the mouth with a smoky, slightly charry, yet very juicy finish.
2019 Chateau Bourdieu Chateau Bourdieu dates back to 1464. Located on Bordeaux’ Right Bank in the Cotes de Blaye region. The estates vineyards have a mixture of clay, limestone and gravel soils that are ideal for Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate covers 180 acres and the vines average a mature 35 years of age. This is a blend of 87% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, and it has captured a Platinum Award and a 97 point score in the Decanter World Wine Awards. They said “Flamboyant and deep, with ample, lush and fresh forest fruits, bramble and cassis, with cascading sweet spice swiftly following. A super, brooding wine which will shine brighter with time.”
2019 Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon For more than 40 years, Smith & Hook has crafted spirited, layered and luscious wines from California’s independent-minded Central Coast wine region. This particular vintage was awarded a 92 point score from Wine Enthusiast. It shows vibrant aromas of dark fruit and black currant with hints of sweet spice and toasty oak. On the palate, it is full bodied and full of flavor with a round viscous mouthfeel backed with a concentrated tannic structure that carries through to a smooth finish.
The Dining Winos 