“Château Aro, a dark rubescent ale, conditioned on freshly crushed pinot noir juice and skins, then aged in French oak barrels – all from award winning Escarpment Winery. This very special ‘solera’ release blends together 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages, creating a beer of near unparalleled complexity and depth.”

Glassware: Teku.

Appearance: Interesting colour. Kinda like a mash between a muddy dark red and light brown. What little head forms disappears instantly…and no head = no lacing!

Aroma: Quite dank and musty. Like it has been locked in a dark cellar and hasn’t seen the light of day for years. Loving the subtle tannins from the Pinot Noir juice…comes off rather dry with peppery and earthy spice, raisin, cherry, rose petals and raspberry. A bit of a sharp sting in the nostrils too…then again it does tip the scales at a whopping 11.9% ABV.

Flavour: She’s complex indeed! On the dry side of course but it still displays a lot of ripe fruit sweetness, lees, tart berries and earthy spice. Plenty of warmth – that booze really doesn’t shy away one bit. A fair bitterness to it as well. Finishes dry, earthy and peppery with hints of red berries on the back end.

Mouthfeel: Very dry, prickly, a little astringent at times. Medium body, light-moderate Co2. 11.9% ABV…oopht.

Overall: Has nothing on the ’16 vintage. This one is a blend of multiple vintages and in our opinion it comes off a bit flinty and unrefined. Very complex and we have to give credit there. Not really to our taste though.