Posts Tagged ‘ruby red’
Varietal: Merlot (78% Merlot; 11% Syrah; 6% Tannat; 4% Petite Sirah; 1% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Region: California – USA
Cost: $10 (SRP)
Ruby red in color with aromas of violets and bright raspberries. Flavors of plums, cherries, and blackberry with a long finish. Pairs well with spiced lamb chops, pasta salad, and roasted chicken.
Recommendations: If you’ve been following this site for a while now, you know of my decision to give Merlot another try, having had some bad experiences with it in the past, but having recently found some that I enjoyed. Because of that, I was happy when some samples for Blackstone included a bottle of Merlot to help me on the path to acceptance.
The wine was a dark ruby color in the glass, very definitely red without any real hints of purple. On the nose I got raspberry and a hint of tartness which was then carried through to the palate where it reminded both my wife and I of just under-ripe cherries. I was pleased with the nice smooth finish though, which was impressive given the 13.5% alc/vol (not high, but not low either). Read the rest of this entry »
Varietal: Sangiovese
Region: Italy
Cost: $19.50
Flavors of ripe cherry and plum with aromas of spice and sandalwood. Ruby red coloring that catches the eye before enticing the palate. Will pair well with pasta, grilled food, or just about anything.
Recommendations: When I got this bottle I really had to resist the urge to just open it up and start enjoying it. While patience (and the knowledge that my wife would kill me if I drank this without her) won out, I have to say that this wine was spectacular. Nice, earthy aromas pair well with the cherry and plum flavors and a good tannic finish. Paired with a meal of pasta and red sauce with some ground sausage, this was a perfect compliment to the sauciness of the meal.
The flavors of this wine are subtle, but that’s a good thing as it makes it enjoyable to drink even after the meal is finished without making you want more food just to pair with it. Light, easy to drink, and enjoyable with just about any meal, this is a great find for anybody looking to try Sangiovese.
Special thanks to the International Wine of the Month Club.
