It takes a lot of competitive drive and spirit to make it both in the NFL and wine business. One of the storied names in Seattle sports history, Rick Mirer is a former Seattle Seahawk quarterback that is now applying his trade in Napa, producing brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon wines. One of the most illustrious high school quarterbacks in Indiana state history, Mirer earned the Academy of Achievement Award as the top high school football player in the country in 1989, as well as the Atlanta Touchdown Club's Bobby Dodd Award as the nation's best high school quarterback. At Notre Dame, Mirer was just as good, winning three bowl games and accounting for more points running and throwing (350) than any other player in Notre Dame history.
The Seattle Seahawks were a very poor team when they drafted Mirer in 1993. Still, Mirer finished his rookie season 5th in the AFC with 274 completions and 2833 yards and was AFC Rookie of the Year by United Press International. Mirer’s remaining seasons were not as successful in Seattle, being set behind an abysmal offensive line. Having gone to those games in the 1980s, all of us in the stands knew that Mirer was really not given a fair chance with such poor protection. Eventually traded to the Chicago Bears in 1997, Mirer continued to play as a backup quarterback until 2004.
Close friends with Drew Bledsoe, and drafted right behind him in 1993, Mirer admits that his friendship with Bledsoe helped lead him to start Mirror Napa Valley. Bledsoe and Mirer even took off-season vacation with their wives to Napa Valley. During the off-season they would also try to stump each other with wines from Port or Brunello di Montalcino. It made sense that both quarterbacks would start their wineries post-football. While playing for the Raiders and 49ers Rick became even more passionate for wine, being so close to Napa Valley. Finally in 2008 Rick started Mirror Napa Valley, utilizing the winemaking talents of Kirk Venge, formerly of Mumm Napa Valley.
I adored the new Mirror wines. The 2017 Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) is dense with lighter herbal tones. This beauty is ready to go now. Even better is the gorgeous and layered 2017 Mirror ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is really elegant wine with serious aging potential and fantastic terroir. For more about Rick Mirer’s great winery go to https://www.mirrorwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Mirror Napa Valley.
2017 Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Mirror Napa Valley shows brilliant cassis and sandalwood tones woven together with graphite and shades of red bell pepper with espresso bean on the beautiful bouquet. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great mid-palate density. Layers of rich dark fruits collide with Black Forest Cake and graphite flavors with loamy soils. The length adds to the enjoyment as this brilliant new Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 92
2017 Mirror ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Mirror ‘Howell Mountain’ was sourced from the Cimarossa Vineyard. The nose evokes cassis with anise, blackberry compote and volcanic soils. The refined texture and brilliant finish really impresses here. Layers of creme de cassis, red bell pepper, chocolate covered espresso bean and tobacco leaf all really come together well. Gorgeous in its youth, the truly outstanding ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for many decades to come. Drink 2022-2040- 94