2017 Herman Story Casual Encounters
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Saturated ruby. Expressive, smoke-accented black and blue fruits, licorice and potpourri on the perfumed nose, with olive and cola nuances in the background. Juicy, appealingly sweet cherry, blackberry and fruitcake flavors are underscored by a vein of smoky minerality and flesh out steadily through the back half. Displays a suave floral quality on the persistent finish, which is framed by rounded, well-knit tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
More inky colored, the 2017 Casual Encounters checks in as 40% Syrah, 35% Mourvèdre, 19% Grenache, and tiny amounts of Carignan and Tannat. Lots of mulled black fruits, smoked meat, barbecue, and peppery notes emerge from the glass. It's full-bodied, super-rich, and concentrated, yet still stays light on its feet and beautifully balanced. It's a classic, sweetly fruited, sexy 2017 to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years or so.