The bottle: SLO-Down Wines’ Sexual Chocolate 2016, $26
The back story: Sure, sex sells. But could it also move a bottle of vino?
Apparently, the answer is a decisive “Yes.” SLO-Down Wines, the quirky California brand behind the Sexual Chocolate wine that has become something of its flagship, says its overall annual sales are growing at a healthy 10% annual pace, and it now moves some 14,000 cases annually. That includes plenty of Sexual Chocolate, a red blend of Syrah, Malbec and Zinfandel. But the label, which was founded in 2008 and works with growers and producers in California and Washington state, is building on its unusual branding with such other wines as Broken Dreams Chardonnay and Send Nudes rosé.
The idea is not to take things too seriously. SLO-Down founder Brandon Allen says, “The philosophy has always been to make wine a little more approachable and fun…The labels, much like the wine, are my outlet for creative self-expression.”
As for Sexual Chocolate, the name refers to a fictional band from the Eddie Murphy movie “Coming to America.” Allen admits it started as a joke, but the moniker just stuck.
What we think about it: Surprise! For a wine that has “gimmick” written all over it, this is an invitingly sly slip (fairly well-priced at $26) with a velvety texture. Allen says to look for notes of ripe dark fruit, but he also says you might pick up undertones of — you guessed it — chocolate.
How to enjoy it: This is one of those wines that’s very much a stand-alone sipper — it’s got the kind of unusual character that doesn’t demand food to build on its taste. But Allen nevertheless suggests it goes well with steak, burgers and pizza.
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