Perisphinctes
Urban Artifact

Taking a stroll on the wild side, Urban Artifact gets away from their tried-and-true kettle souring techniques and ferment a metric phuk-ton of blueberries in the most lambic-like way that they can. In doing so, the booze gods shine upon them.

Deep mauve and with a depth of purple maroon darkness, Perisphinctes builds a dark neon pink froth before reducing to a simmer. Above it all swirls a juicy and radiant notion of dark berries and with the complexity of red wine, souring scents, earthy peppery twinges and a general funky cellar-like condition. As its taste resonates with the early palate, the juiciness of the blueberries are highlighted with taffy, hard candy and cobbler.

Rolling onto the middle palate, the blueberries dry slightly and allow the underpinnings of dry french cider, red wine, lime, grapefruit and lemon a bolster the fruit and bring the berries within balance. Trending peppery, spicy and gently warming, the late palate reinforces the red wine flavors and textures, right down to its whimsy of weathered oak, wood spices and a peppery warmth that closes the session succinctly.

Medium bodied for sour but still quite light overall, the immense blueberry flavors are the focus of the finish as the most pleasant sides of wine coolers and sangrias leave lasting impressions. A strong red wine finish is lasted only by the funk and fauna of cellar pleasantries.