This red blend is a real Frankenwine, lots of different parts sewn together creating a bit of a monster. Candied cherry shines through on the nose from the Sangiovese, but on the palate the Syrah blasts its way to the fore. Smoked meat, blackberries, and sage are there, but they're fighting it out with the Cabernet's blackcurrants and black cherry from the Merlot. Tannins are powerful to the point of harsh. Acids are just as big. The two together, along with the kitchen sink blend, make for an aggressive mouthful of wine. It might settle down settle down and knit together in five to ten years, but right now if you put it in your mouth it just tries to fight its way out to look for a village to burn and a kid to throw in the river.
A big wine, a full, spicy mouthful of black fruit – blackcurrant and blackberry – and loads of spice –...
The nose is a load of blueberries, chocolate, tobacco - and fresh pecan pie, straight from the oven. All of a sudden, it was autumn, and I was diving into a moist pile of leaves in my front yard. That sweet, bold earth scent filled my mouth, and the finish had a plum and cherry chutney element that reminded me of a holiday in Chicago - trees lit up, walking the Miracle Mile and stopping for a hot apple cider.
Deerfield Ranch Winery, in an amazing display of generosity, contributed a case of their flagship Meritage blend, DRX from the 2001 vintage, selected from the library. Retail value is $1,200.00.
This is a truly exciting offer for any wine lover. Fred Parker, a renowned Sonoma County artist, contributed this original 23" x 31" oil on canvas/giclée and framed in oak, "Los Chamizal," and Deerfield Ranch Winery added four bottles of wine, 2 bottles of 2007 Los Chamizal Chardonnay and 2 bottles of 2003 Los Chamizal Cabernet. The Cabernet comes from the very vineyard depicted in the painting. Seriously, how amazingly cool is that? Total retail value is $910.00, and Deerfied will ship to the winner anywhere in the United States.
For a Pinot Noir, this wine is just huge, in my opinion too huge. Delicious and varietally correct pinot flavors...