The tradition continues. For the 32nd time, Kenwood Vineyards has released a bottling of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon bearing a collectible label.
In 1978, Kenwood defined the marriage of fine wine and art when it released its first Artist Series Cabernet. While it wasn’t a typical combination at the time, after 32 vintages, the series still masterfully brings them together on the wine’s label.
For the 2006 vintage, the label features the work of contemporary artist Sylvia Ji. It’s a piece titled, “La Boheme,” and it was specially commissioned for the Artist Series.
Although a Cabernet Sauvignon label is an unlikely canvas for Ji’s elegant and enigmatic works of art, the 2006 Artist Series captures the incredible depth frequently expressed in her paintings.
In “La Boheme,” she portrtays an “old world” glamour and opulence that perfectly complements the complexity and nuances of the wine.
Ji’s artistic ability is akin to another place and time. Her work encapsulates an alluring beauty that is both cutting-edge and a nod to a time-honored technique. Hauntingly beautiful images brimming with provocation mix with a sense of consternation, hinting that all is not as well as it may initially appear.
Ji incorporates Baroque detailing such as luxurious tapestries, ornamental feathers and gold leafing into her art for an even more elaborate and decorative effect.
Kenwood Vineyards produced 1,696 cases of the 2006 Artist Series Cabernet, a limited quantity intended to enhance its collectability.
