Red, Red, Reds
Last night was about California red blends– a blind tasting of six wines, with a couple surprises thrown in. One was that the group favorite was not actually a blend (miscommunication about the theme): the 2004 Aquinas Merlot, whose nose was reluctant at first but then made way for a pizza place and later on, toffee. Also very popular was the 2004 Clayhouse Adobe Red, a Zin blend from Paso Robles which smelled to me of blueberry muffins. We also had the 2005 Folie a Deux Ménage à Trois, the lightest of the bunch and reminding me of tinned strawberries. However, I’ve been amiss with some of my choices lately, as my 2002 Venge Scout’s Honor came in next to last perhaps due to some slight heat. Though as we continued tasting during the discussion, it kept changing and improving in the glass.
My first and last ranked were both from the same winemaker… none other than Bonfire Vineyards lovingly made by our cellar rat. One of his wines was equal parts Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc and had too much plastic on the nose for my taste. However, his Cab/Sangiovese, which was like eating a cherry fruit roll-up and then drinking a glass of cran/apple juice, more than made up for it.
The goodies to accompany included yummy Manchego tarts (minis are always so cute), red bell pepper dipping sauce with cheesy bread sticks, sauteed mushrooms, a garlicky mushroom spread, and kabobs with a raita/zazeeki sauce. (And then some See’s Candies)
Overall, good wine and good times, just the way a girl likes it…
….Farley Walker
2004 Aquinas Merlot, 2004 Clayhouse Adobe Red, 2005 Folie a Deux Ménage à Trois, 2002 Venge Scout’s Honor, Bonfire Vineyards
March 13th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
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March 14th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Hey Farley! I just got an e-mail from Marna Moretti at Aquinas vineyards. I had asked her if the 2004 Aquinas Napa Valley Merlot was 100% merlot, and where the grapes had been grown. The response was:
“There is a touch of Cab and Petite Sirah in this merlot - less than 10%.
Yes, all grapes are from Napa Valley, and all of our wines are produced
and bottled in Napa.”
So I guess you could say it was kind of a blend, but not quite as blend-y as the other wines we tasted. Funny, for ten bucks at Bevmo, I think I’m going to buy this wine again?
You know, if it wasn’t for that stupid movie and the line about “f— merlot” I think consumers would really be enjoying a lot more merlot at the table. It really does have wonderful qualities.
You’re probably too young, but do you remember the Merlots from the 80’s? Ah… that was back when a good Merlot had cojones: Made sturdy, not wimpy, and had flavor and an attitude. There are so many wimpy merlots now. It’s like the wine industry has neutered this once proud bulldog of the vineyards. It’s like some of today’s Cabernet Sauvignons are being made like Merlot *used* to be.
Well anyway, it was a fun tasting.
March 14th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Ahren,
That’s cool you got such a quick response. It makes more sense now, knowing it had some PS and Cab. Because I agree there are many wimpy Merlots out there. But I’ll drink ‘em to spite those who choose to let a neurotic character in a movie make their wine choices for them…
And no, I didn’t start drinking wine until the mid 90’s.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Aw… you missed the 80’s? There were some good reds in the 80’s. We had a case of 89 Black Sheep Merlot that was sooooo yummy. C’est La Vie.
Oh, don’t get me started on Ridge Zinfandels from the 70’s. My parents used to take me to weekend picnic-parties at the winery when I was 5. (Yes, count ‘em, five.) The 70’s were groovy.