The Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a red wine produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. This particular vintage of Guardian Amulet offers a rich and full-bodied expression of the varietal, showcasing the best characteristics of the grape. With a deep ruby red color, the wine is visually striking and enticing. On the nose, it exudes intense aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, and ripe plum. These fruit-forward notes are complemented by subtle hints of vanilla, cedar, and spice, adding complexity to the bouquet. On the palate, Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 delivers a powerful and velvety experience.
“…as soon as the Sun sets they assemble in orchards of plum trees, or among ancient ruins, while on summer nights they hold their revels in barns, old hollow trees, by dark hedges or in subterranean caverns… When a wild wild is blowing the witches love dearly to dance.” Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune-Telling, Charles Godfrey Leland
When I saw, for example, the spot in Germany where the Pied Piper supposedly led the children away, it didn t look exactly the same as I had imagined. This conflict between civilization and wilderness is portrayed well in The Witch 2015 , where a family is forced to live at the edge of an impassable forest that they fear is inhabited by a witch.
On the palate, Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 delivers a powerful and velvety experience. The wine boasts a firm structure, with well-integrated tannins that provide a smooth and long-lasting finish. The flavors of black fruits linger on the palate, accompanied by delicate nuances of oak and a touch of earthiness.
There Are Witches in These Woods: Untangling the Fairy-Tale of the Wild Feminine
Our cultural obsession with witches parallels our preoccupation with wilderness. This infatuation may provide insight into how we see our place in the natural world.
Our cultural obsession with witches parallels our preoccupation with wilderness. This infatuation may provide insight into how we see our place in the natural world.
My grandfather Jószef was a Hungarian witch . At least, that’s what my Dad told my brothers and I in the dim glow of a nightlight. Under the covers with wide-open eyes and ears, we walked with Jószef and his book of spells into the woods. Save for the moon glistening through thick brush and the flicker of Grandpa’s lonesome candle, the forest was pitch-black.
We had heard this story before, but it didn’t matter. We loved to be told the same stories over and over. Dad was a great storyteller. Every night we were granted another colourful tale to help tuck us in. But this story? This was my personal favourite. It was a spooky tale—one that made my spine shiver.
My brothers and I partially grew up in Aurora, Ontario, in a house my father built with his own hands. In our backyard there was a garden full of veggies, a sandbox and swing set, and grass that Dad religiously maintained. The yard was his pride and joy, and our happy hunting ground.
Beyond the train tracks, there was a forest which was an enigma to us. With it’s impenetrably dark pine trees and, to us, uncharted paths, it was where wolves howled to the Harvest Moon, bears scratched their backs on great pines, and all manner of creatures lurked. When Dad told us stories these woods are where I pictured them taking place. It made my Grandpa’s magical endeavors even more visceral. There were witches in these woods.
Doubtful that the spell would work and feeling unnerved by a sudden chill in the air, Grandpa Jószef had cold feet. He packed up his bag and rushed out, pushing branches and bushes out of his way. He wasn’t supposed to be practicing magic. He wasn’t supposed to be summoning spirits in the night.
Spooked by a horse whinnying and what he thought was a woman’s cry in the distance, he moved closer to the noise. His heart raced as he reached an area in the field illuminated by diffused light. In a white dress, a lady stood there beckoning—Jószef was as frightened as he was beguiled by this pale figure.
Who was the lady in white my Dad spoke of earnestly so many nights ago? And was my Grandpa really practicing witchcraft? Unfortunately, I never got the chance to ask either of them more questions about this mysterious past.
Vasilisa by Tin Can Forest
Upon a little research I discovered that the White Lady is a common legend in Hungarian mythology. She appears in a variety of folklore from around the world. A White Lady is the spirit of a woman bound to a specific location who had died due to violent means such as suicide, murder, or during imprisonment. However, there may be another explanation for this supernatural sighting.
Enter the szépasszony. Pronounced sayp-uh-sohn-ye. She is a pre-Christian Hungarian goddess that has been demoted to witch-spirit status. An alluring but menacing witch, her name literally translates to “beautiful woman”. She often manifests as a White Lady, with fair-skin, silvery hair, and a white gown. Post-Christianity, the szépasszony has developed a bit of a reputation as a baddie—a femme fatale, a demon who lures children away in a manner very similar to many villains in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy-tales. If she sounds familiar, that’s because she is.
The beautiful yet dangerous witch trope is abundant in media. Women’s bodies, especially depicted in a sexual, terrifying, or an enchanted way can be seen everywhere from paintings to books, movies, TV shows, songs, and even political discussions, just to name a few. She is the wicked witch, the intelligent, dominating woman, the whore, and the crone. Regardless of which sub-category—classic, wicked, or hot, it doesn’t matter—the female witch trope can be powerful, magical, and unsettling. Witches are intoxicating. They have been for millennia.
Witches in art have been examined before, such as in the Witches and Wicked Bodies exhibit at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The exhibit explores witches and women’s bodies in art over the past 500 years. What I’m curious about witchy imagery is it’s association with nature.
Before we get down to the crux of the matter, who or what do I mean by witches?
WYTCHES: VOLUME 1. Graphic novel. Story by ScottSnyder. Art by Jock. Image Comics, 2015.
Defining the witch is difficult because the practice of witchcraft has varied among cultural and societal groups. Dictionary definitions predominantly tell us that a witch is a “woman with magical and/or evil powers“, or an “ugly, ill-tempered old woman.”
Certainly witches were not only women. In fact, during historical witch-hunts there were persons accused of witchcraft from all races and genders, such as Tituba, a South American native who was enslaved in Salem by a Puritan minister and the first to be accused of witchcraft during the 1692 Salem witch trials. Conversely, John Samond of Danbury was a male beer-brewer accused of being a “common enchanter and witch” in 1560.
In art, the witch is overwhelmingly a female figure. She has long, flowing hair that is tangled by the wind. She often has pale skin, dark crimson lips, and a wild look brewing in her eyes. The witch may be riding a broomstick beneath a full moon, tending to a cauldron bubbling with unknown elixirs, or accompanied by a gaggle of witches and their animal companions—an owl, a black cat, a bat, or a snake. The women dance around a fire or crawl up fireplaces chaperoned by diabolical creatures. They may form a circle under a full moon’s light, wreathed by a forest.
The witch motif has been used so often in media that it has become a little unoriginal. Think store-bought witch costumes and the surge in campy witch-themed TV, film, and books. Then there’s the witchy aesthetic of Halloween season all over social media, and all-year round in alternative subcultures. Not that I don’t love a little camp and Gothic witch glam—it has its place and time. Despite the witch’s sometimes ready-made traits, she serves as an archetype that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
It can help us to look at the psychology of archetypes. These can be used to understand why some of us are drawn to witches in the first place. Archetypes are representations of collective tendencies within us. They use images, patterns, and characteristics that help us understand human behavior and even the psyche. According to Carl Jung, archetypes are unconsciously played out and can be observed in motivation, desire, and action.
In the archetypes of Jung the witch is represented by both the Witch and the Priestess. They are two sides of the same coin; like Yin and Yang, the Witch is the shadow side while the Priestess is the light. Although witches are often portrayed in a dark light, they have also historically been the healers of our communities. They revered the natural world for it’s physical, psychological, and spiritual healing qualities.
Fairy-tales, horror stories, and artwork throughout the ages have trained us to associate witches with evil, destruction, and wickedness. On the light face of the coin, witches are also a representation of the healing power of nature, and the importance of respecting the Earth.
This wine pairs exceptionally well with hearty dishes such as grilled steak, roast lamb, or venison. Its robust character can stand up to rich and flavorful sauces, bringing out the best of both the food and the wine. It also makes for a delightful companion to aged cheeses and dark chocolate desserts. The Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a testament to the winery's commitment to producing high-quality wines that capture the essence of the grape variety. This vintage showcases the classic characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon while offering a modern and approachable profile. Its excellent balance and structure make it a wine that can be enjoyed now or aged for further development. Whether sipped on its own or paired with a delicious meal, the Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a wine that will impress both experienced wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. With its bold flavors, refined tannins, and elegant finish, it is a bottle that is sure to leave a lasting impression..
Reviews for "The Essence of Elegance: Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021"
1. Robert - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. I found it to be overly tannic and lacking in fruit flavors. The alcohol also seemed quite high, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the wine. I had high hopes for this bottle based on the description, but it fell short for me. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I simply did not enjoy the Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. The flavors were flat and muted, and it lacked the depth and complexity I look for in a Cabernet Sauvignon. It also had an unpleasant aftertaste that lingered. I had heard good things about this wine, but it did not live up to expectations. I would not purchase it again.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I found the Guardian Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 to be quite disappointing. The wine lacked balance, with the tannins overpowering any other flavors present. It had a harsh, bitter finish that was not enjoyable. I had hoped for a smoother and more nuanced experience, but this wine fell short for me. I wouldn't recommend it.