Category Archives: Red blend

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Apothic Red Blend 2011

First wine of the new year, and one that had always caught my eye while looking for new ideas…particularly California red ideas, which always do well in our house.  I started this bottle earlier in the weekend and was surprised at how tart it was initially.  Definitely did not give it enough time to settle into itself when I had the first glass, which was so tart that I almost put it down and switched over to a beer instead.  Let’s say that false start doesn’t show the true colors of the Apothic Red.

Apothic Red Blend, 2011, California, USA.

Apothic Red Blend, 2011, California, USA.

When I gave it another shot on Sunday afternoon, the Apothic came full circle.  I raised an eyebrow and gave it an approving nod.  I didn’t know the breakdown of the blend, or what grapes ultimately make the cut in this dark ruby red, but it had a lovely, deep mouthy feel and engendered a big smile.

Curious, I checked its profile with the winemaker and learned they worked to bring in red jam flavors inclusive of Syrah, Zin, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and some undertones of mocha and vanilla.  I could definitely detect both those spices amid all the fruity reds, and preferred the mocha to the vanilla for this bottle.

I liked it for sure but, given all the wonderful reds there are out there, and even in our rack at the moment, I think I got my initial fill of the Apothic for now.  Maybe more later?

 

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Eclipse 2006 Heron Hill Red Blend

Starting off this cool yet sunny Fall weekend was this red blend – a 49% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon from New York’s Finger Lakes (Keuka Lake) region.  Labeled as a “table wine” I was concerned it would be more of a dessert wine and overly sweet but as soon as we opened the bottle you could smell that wasn’t the case.

Eclipse 2006 Heron Hill Red Blend, Finger Lakes region, New York, USA.

Eclipse 2006 Heron Hill Red Blend, Finger Lakes region, New York, USA.

The Eclipse–a Christmas gift from my wine-loving folks–was pretty excellent.  Settled in like a good cab once it had a chance to breathe for a few minutes and was ample accompaniment for an iceberg wedge salad with blue cheese and a perfectly cooked steak.  Dark berries, tannins that provided initial bitterness before settling into a nice warm comfort, and an easy aftertaste.

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2000 Hayman & Hill Meritage

The second bottle of wine that we killed on the occasion of George’s move to the west coast was this one–the 2000 Hayman & Hill Meritage, a red bordeaux blend from Monterey County on the Central Coast region of California.  It followed a great bordeaux from France and had little trouble muscling up for our taste buds.

2000 Hayman & Hill Meritage – Monterey County, from the Central Coast of California, USA.

My brother from another mother always picks great vino for every event, and this one was right on point.  Most had pasta entres and I think this worked well for them; it definitely went well with my fish special and my garlic mashed.  I haven’t included any winemakers notes in this particular summary but will look forward to having another bottle in the future–and at that time I’ll be sure to add that info to our NON.

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1982 Chateau d’Issan

Perhaps the best wine I’ve tasted to date in my short life.  This red blend was the most luscious, fragrant, and best-tasting…again this is a time when my vocabulary in wine fails to share how amazing a drink this was.  My best friend, a collector of sorts, brought along this treat to Morton’s tonight to accompany a steak dinner among the fellas.  The waiter was enthusiastic about the bottle and–after having some difficulty with the cork–poured generously.  All three of us sampled with gusto while we worked through our wedge salads.  This bordeaux was like great liquid velvet.

1982 Chateau d’Issan, a fantastic red blend from the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France.

The 1982 Chateau d’Issan is a red blend from Margaux, an important appellation in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux in southwestern France. Margaux has several chateaux around it, and each must abide to “Appellation Controlee” rules that stipulate where, when, and how wines must be made in order to warrant the AOC Margaux title. The region is famous for its production of well-rounded, gently perfumed wines–predominantly cabernet sauvignon.

My friend, if you’re reading this, I know how valuable a bottle this was, and it was worthy every dollar.  Really incredible, and a memory that will last a lifetime.

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2010 Tormaresca Neprica Red Blend Puglia

Can’t believe we were able to hold off on this bottle of 2010 Tormaresca Neprica Red Blend Puglia for so long. The last one we enjoyed back in March and I’m sorry to say that we are nearly out of this first shipment. The Neprica is a treat to be sure, but we’ve somehow managed to sample it slowly…sipping slowly over the past three nights.

It’s really been a pre-dinner beverage rather than accompaniment for any food this time. It was consumed right out of the bottle, with no decanting and no breathing–just a quick swirl–and it was delicious each evening. Still a great way to put the work day behind you!

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2010 Tormaresca Neprica Red Blend Puglia

Some comfort food and comfort wine–this red Italian blend figuring prominently therein–marked this Tuesday evening meal. We had originally considered something more healthy and greens-based but deferred at the last minute. Given my own upcoming travel and the uncertain culinary delights I’d have along the way, I wholeheartedly embraced the move to the simple mac and cheese as well as the Neprica.
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2010 Tormaresca Neprica Red Blend Puglia

Based solely on the tasting video and reviews shared on Wine Express, we bought a case of this red Italian blend “sight unseen”.  The first bottle completely fulfilled our every expectation, an amazing  fruity–and light–red that struck pinot-like chords for us.  It was the perfect complement to our evening meal, a delicious homemade potato soup with broccoli, fresh green onion, and chopped bacon.  Good bread on the side, too.

ImageMy wife’s soup was great, and the wine was too.  About Italian wines we know literally next to nothing, but so far we’re off to a great start.  We’re excited to have a case of this blend on hand for the coming weeks and months.  Anyone reading and following along would be happy to have this for him/herself too.  Here’s validation from the big shots:

“Neprica is an awesome blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from southern Italy that offers an unbeatable price versus quality ratio. This rising star of Puglia would pair with meats, pasta or aged cheese and offers clean aromas of ripe fruit, spice and leather.“

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Horse Heavens Hills 2009 Les Chevaux Red Wine

This deep, rich red blend caught our attention at our local Bottle King, where its 90 point Wine Spectator rating was being promoted.  We uncorked and, not waiting even five minutes for the wine to breathe, sipped immediately–it was really heavy by comparison to the pinot noir that usually appeals to us.  And here’s why:

34% Cabernet Sauvignon
34% Merlot
18% Syrah
10% Malbec
3% Cabernet Franc

And it is aged in both French and American oak barrels for 18 months.  We sipped while enjoying shrimp cocktail and then gourmet grilled cheese (mozzarella cheese, basil, and roasted red peppers) sandwiches with seasoned potato wedges.  Kicked up comfort food to ease us into the weekend.

Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Red Wine

Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Les Chevaux Red Wine.

Not sure how much of this is marketing and how much the actual truth, but this is the brief summary of the wine and the region from the bottle itself: “Washington state’s famed Horse Heaven Hills, named for the wild horses that once roamed this area, have been home to the Columbia Crest winery for over two decades.  Our winemaker blends innovation and tradition to capture this unique basalt and bedrock terroir creating wines that highlight the intensity of these grapes. Les Chevaux (French for ‘the horses’) is a special blend of varietals from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and personifies the legacy of the wild horses that once roamed this fabled area.”

Was fun and would be a treat to serve, but we would probably opt for something a little lighter in this situation next time.

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Perneta Tinto Lisboa 2010

This port blend, apparently from the Lisboa region of Portugal, we enjoyed on Friday night (11/11/11) with steak, roasted potatoes, and an amazing asparagus with burnt butter and lemon sauce.  The wine big shots offer the following:

Perneta Tinto Lisboa 2010

Perneta 2010 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Tinto, Red

“Lively aromas of pepper and berries. Plenty of spice behind the plum and red berry flavors that lingers into a long, soft finish. Medium bodied with rich texture and fresh acidity.”

I read that the Lisboa region–just north west of Lisbon in Portgual–is apparently mild and conducive to wine production.  Though once known for producing low-quality wines, it has been restored with new grape varieties that today are regarded for their relative quality and price.  We purchased from Bottle King in Ramsey, N.J.