The Cellar: California Red Blends

The Cellar: California Red Blends

When it comes to experimenting with blending various grape varietals, California winemakers continue to push the envelope. Sometimes the result is less than lackluster, but when they get it right, boy do they get it right! This week’s recommendations are California red blends that are sure to impress, and for under $20 I consider them great values. If you have a thirst for more and would like to expand your knowledge about wine in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, you should consider attending my ‘Evening with Wine’ events. The next such event, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, is scheduled for Thursday, January 26th. For more information visit www.ProvidenceWineAcademy.com

2008 Merriam Vineyards Sned Red, Sonoma County, California

Merriam Vineyards is a relatively small producer located in Sonoma County. For owners and vintners Peter and Diana Merriam it is all about the blends, especially Bordeaux style blends. With only two Estate

vineyards, the folks at Merriam rely on partnerships with other grape growers throughout the county. During the growing season, Peter and Winemaker David Herzberg work closely with these outside growers in determining crop load and to fine-tune other essential viticultural practices. Merriam Vineyards is dedicated to sustainable viticulture – a practice that includes reducing the use of pesticides, composting of all stems and pomaces, as well as cultivation of cover crops to revitalize the soil.

The 2008 ‘Sned Red’ is an interesting limited production blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Petite Verdot. The Petite Verdot adds density and color, as well as concentrated black fruits flavors. Along with the Cabernet it makes for a good medium-bodied wine. While a little tight and bitter in the beginning, this wine does open up after a while. As it does, the dark fruit flavors reveal themselves, alongside a dose of smoke and an interesting hint of mint on the finish. This wine's tannic backbone and acidity makes it a suitable meat and potato wine.  

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2010 Trentadue Old Patch Red Lot #32, North Coast, California

After more or less being pushed out of what is now the Silicon Valley in the late 1950’s, the apricot and cherry farming Trentadue family moved to Sonoma County's then remote Alexander Valley. There they

purchased a 208 acre ranch in an area in which, at the time, land was cheap and plentiful. Keeping up with their Italian heritage, the Trentadue family soon started growing grapes – the first varietal being Carignan. The 2010 ‘Old Patch Red’ is predominantly Zinfandel blended with Petite Sirah and Tempranillo sourced from Mendocino and Lake Counties of Northern California, as well as Trentadue’s own Estate Carignan.

This is another wine that needs an hour or so of aeration. The result of this makes for a softer wine than the previous one. The 50+% amount of Zinfandel gives the wine a sweeter fruit profile – jammier, with more baked dark fruit flavors. Interestingly, it also has 31% Petit Sirah, a grape known for adding tannins and spice, among other things. All in all, the Petit Sirah’s dark fruit flavors complement the Zinfandel’s flavors making for a wine that is robust and flavorful.  

Enjoy!

Steffen Rasch CSW is ready to answer any wine-related questions, comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to email him at [email protected]. And as always, don’t forget to follow GoLocalProv’s Wine Cellar on Facebook.

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