Brassfield Eruption Red Blend

Brassfield Eruption Red Blend is a full-bodied, multi-varietal California red wine from High Valley at 14.9% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2021 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, underscoring the intensity this volcanic-soil vineyard consistently delivers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: High Valley, Lake County, California  |  Red Blend (Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel)  |  Producer: Brassfield Estate Winery

Production & Heritage

Brassfield Estate Winery sits adjacent to an ancient volcanic cinder cone on the remote eastern edge of High Valley in Lake County, with vineyards planted between 1,900 and 2,200 feet in elevation. The soils are composed of volcanic sands and tephra—small, fused sand pebbles of the Konocti series—that force the vines to struggle for water and nutrients, concentrating flavor and structure in every berry. Each varietal in the Eruption blend is fermented separately in small lots, then aged for 10 months on a combination of French and American oak before final blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Brambled blackberry and olallieberry jam rise first, followed by dried violet, fresh-cut cedar, and dried anise. A thread of molasses and oak spice sits underneath, adding depth without masking the fruit.

Taste: The entry is dense and fruit-forward—ripe black plum, black cherry, and black currant dominate the initial wave. At mid-palate, sarsaparilla, bay leaf, and grilled citrus peel emerge alongside cocoa and espresso notes imparted by the oak aging. Firmly tannic and full-bodied, the wine has a mouth-coating texture balanced by bright, lifting acidity.

Finish: Long and dry, with dark raisin, black pepper, and warm vanilla lingering well past the last sip. The mineral character of the volcanic soils asserts itself here, adding a stony undertone that keeps the finish structured and clean.

How to Drink Eruption Red Blend

Pour at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and give it 20 to 30 minutes in a wide-bowled glass; the tannins soften noticeably with air, and the violet and spice aromatics intensify. This is primarily a food wine and a sipping wine rather than a cocktail component, but it performs well in three wine-based preparations: a classic Sangria, where the dark fruit and spice carry through citrus and brandy; a warming Mulled Wine during cooler months, since the existing anise and bay leaf notes harmonize with traditional mulling spices; and a simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the cola-like sarsaparilla notes already present in the wine create a surprisingly cohesive combination.

Best For

• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked ribs or grilled lamb
• Gifting to a red blend enthusiast exploring California's lesser-known AVAs
• Building a case of high-scoring wines under broad retail awareness
• Serving at a dinner party where bold, crowd-pleasing reds set the tone

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Eruption Red Blend taste like? It is a concentrated, full-bodied wine dominated by ripe blackberry, black plum, and black currant, with supporting layers of dried herbs, espresso, cocoa, and black pepper. Firm tannins and bright acidity give it structure, while 10 months of oak aging contribute vanilla and cedar undertones.

How does Eruption Red Blend compare to The Prisoner Red Blend? Both are multi-varietal California reds that include Zinfandel and Syrah components, but Eruption sources entirely from High Valley's volcanic soils at high elevation, which contributes a pronounced mineral quality and tannic grip. The Prisoner, produced in Napa Valley, typically leans toward a rounder, more fruit-sweet profile, while Eruption finishes drier with more evident spice and structure.

Is Eruption Red Blend good for sipping neat? Yes—its layered aromatics, firm tannic backbone, and long dry finish reward patient, attentive sipping, especially after the wine has had time to breathe in the glass.

Where is Eruption Red Blend made? It is produced by Brassfield Estate Winery in the High Valley AVA of Lake County, part of California's broader North Coast wine region. The estate vineyard sits between 1,900 and 2,200 feet in elevation on volcanic soils adjacent to an ancient cinder cone.

What foods pair well with Eruption Red Blend? Smoked beef brisket highlights the wine's dark fruit and pepper notes. Grilled lamb chops complement its herbal, bay-leaf character. Aged cheddar or Manchego echo the tannic structure and vanilla oak influence. A dark chocolate torte mirrors the cocoa and espresso tones. Eggplant Parmesan matches the wine's body without overwhelming its fruit.

What sizes does Eruption Red Blend come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Eruption Red Blend worth the price? Eruption positions as a mid-premium California red blend, and a 93-point Wine Enthusiast score paired with the distinctive volcanic terroir of High Valley gives it strong value credentials relative to higher-priced Napa and Sonoma blends carrying similar scores.

Why Eruption Red Blend?

High Valley remains one of California's least commercially saturated AVAs, and Brassfield's vineyard—perched on volcanic tephra at elevations above 1,900 feet—is one of the region's defining sites. The 93-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the 2021 vintage, following a 92-point score on the 2017, demonstrates vintage-over-vintage consistency rather than a single lucky bottling. A six-varietal blend fermented in separate small lots and aged on both French and American oak gives the winemaking team unusual flexibility to fine-tune balance each year. The result is a wine that carries unmistakable terroir fingerprint—mineral, structured, intensely concentrated—while remaining approachable enough to open on a weeknight.