Dave Kinsey's Art Transcends Boundaries for 2007 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

KENWOOD (SONOMA VALLEY), Calif., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kenwood Vineyards created the Artist Series in 1978 with a simple idea – handcraft the finest possible Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and bottle each vintage with a unique label featuring a work of fine art. The 1975 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon showcased a drawing produced expressly for the label by famed poster artist David Lance Goines, and subsequent Artist Series vintages have featured works by Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Sam Francis, Paul Klee, Wayne Thiebaud, Shepard Fairey and Sylvia Ji.  The 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon label features "Kenwood Rose", a work created specially for Kenwood Vineyards by artist Dave Kinsey combining the art of fine wine and the art of illustration in a presentation that transcends the boundaries of both.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111011/SF83748)

Although a Cabernet Sauvignon label is an unlikely canvas for Dave Kinsey's paintings, Kenwood Vineyards 2007 Artist Series captures the bold multi-layered complexities typically found in his body of work.  Born in Pittsburgh in 1971, Kinsey attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the Art Institute of Atlanta before moving to California in 1994 to further his career as a designer and fine artist. Vastly accomplished, he founded BLK/MRKT Gallery (now Kinsey/DesForges) in 2001 to provide a nexus for exciting art and artists to bring the artistic integrity of advertising back to life.  An artist whose paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, Kinsey utilizes a range of mediums to create textured works that reflect the convolution of contemporary life.  With "Kenwood Rose", Kinsey uses expressive brushstrokes in this charged illustration while remaining true to his bold color palette of reds and blacks.

Kenwood Vineyards always selects the best vineyards lots for its Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon and in the outstanding 2007 vintage, many of those lots came from Alexander Valley in Sonoma County's northeastern corner. The vineyard lots were fermented individually in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and after gentle pressing and racking, the young wines were moved into small oak barrels – 82% French and 18% American – to age for 28 months. Individual barrels were then selected for inclusion in the 2007 Artist Series. The superb character of the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon barrels kept blending to a minimum; the 2007 Kenwood Artist Series assemblage includes just 4% Malbec (for plum fruit and spice) and 3% Merlot (for mint complexity and smoothness). Following bottling, the 2007 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon was cellared at the winery for 18 months prior to release.

The deeply colored 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon immediately impresses with intense yet elegant aromas of cassis, plum, mint and forest floor that evolve in the glass with aeration. Cassis and plum also dominate the concentrated flavors, accented by generous mint and cedar complexity. The intense flavors are complemented by impressive mouthfeel – rich yet not heavy, structured yet polished. Integrated tannins and generous acidity contribute to the long, smooth finish, and suggest this already delicious Artist Series Cabernet will continue to evolve with cellaring.

Like Kinsey's extraordinary paintings, each vintage of the Artist Series has become a true collectible and the 2007 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon promises to continue this tradition. A total of just 1,740 cases were produced. It is available in selected markets nationally at a suggested retail of $70.

Established in 1970 in the Sonoma Valley, Kenwood Vineyards produces premium wines that showcase the world-class quality and character of Sonoma County vineyards.

Discover the art – savor the wine.

2007 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County;

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Merlot; abv—14.5%; cases—1,740; srp—$70.

www.kenwoodvineyards.com

SOURCE Kenwood Vineyards