The Waxed Bat 2020
Classic Movie Pairing
Horror of Dracula (1958)Hammer, a small British studio, started a horror renaissance when it began reimagining genre classics in full color. This adaptation followed the Curse of Frankenstein (1957), which also featured acting duo Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Here, Cushing stars as vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing opposite Lee as Dracula. The film was such a great success that the studio cancelled all non-horror films in their pipeline and began working on other soon-to-be horror classics. This deep red pays homage to a favorite vampire incarnation, the bat.
The Wine
Argentina’s Rodolfo ‘Opi’ Sadler is so adept at conjuring up bewitchingly good wines that his peers call him ‘The Magician’ – and this glass-staining mix of Shiraz, Cabernet, and Malbec is one of his signature reds. A previous, trophy-winning vintage of The Waxed Bat was praised for “lovely oak complexity and real depth” (International Wine Challenge). Another year, Decanter described this deep red as “so thick you could paint with it.” The 2020 edition boasts 90 points and a gold medal from the prestigious Gilbert & Gaillard wine guide. Enjoy your bottle with a juicy steak.
The Region
A decade ago, Argentina, the fifth-largest wineproducing country, was called a “sleeping giant” (Wine Spectator). It’s clearly awake now – the star red, Malbec, is a worldwide sensation and Argentine wines are famed for their superb value. The Waxed Bat is crafted high in the mountains of Mendoza, where abundant sun and fresh, irrigating Andes snowmelt produce concentrated flavors with a uniquely fresh edge.
The Name
Opi’s family has a winemaking history that stretches back for decades. “I still vividly recall exploring my grandfather’s cellar in my youth – a dark treasure trove, replete with dusty, wax-topped bottles and sleeping bats, which both thrilled and terrified me. I have never forgotten the experience and have created this special wine in memory of my grandfather and his mysterious cellar,” he says.
With Food
Separately or together, chocolatey Cabernet, inky Malbec, and berry-laced Shiraz all shine with full-flavored red meats. Why not take your next meal up a notch by pairing The Waxed Bat with a juicy beef tenderloin or eye-catching roast rack of lamb? For vegetarians, it’ll pair equally well with savory dishes like baked stuffed eggplant or lentil stew with spinach and potatoes.
What's Not to Love?
TCM Wine Club brings the magic of movies and wine together - all delivered right to your door. Your first case includes 12 delicious wines from around the world expertly paired with the classic films you love on TCM. Plus, enjoy our 3 BONUS CLASSIC MOVIE WINES!