2001 Cloud 9 Composition is a bottle that Lynn added to her cellar after tasting it at the San Dimas Chamber’s fundraiser in 2007. Memory being what it is these days, I remember that the pourer was very handsome, the bottle design unique and the story behind the wine irresistible! This tempranillo, syrah, barbera, cab sauv and petit verdot blend was created to accompany food. Appellation designations were ignored, focusing instead on blending varietals found in Old World regions in traditional blending processes. Cloud 9 Wine represents the shared vision of three talented, longtime wine professionals, Scott Heron, Jon Engen, and Scott Harvey. This incredible wine talent spent many collective years drinking great wine but wondering if there might be something never yet tried. Unfortunately, the trio is no longer making wines together, Engen died in 2012, Scott Harvey is constantly reinventing himself and it appears that Heron is working in the corporate side of the wine industry. Quite a pity since the Composition was still drinking well, rounded and deep flavors of licorice, plum and rich palate coating body; it was the perfect accompaniment to the prime rib.