Black Ankle Vineyards Slate 3

Wine blends are very intriguing. I have spent a lot of time learning about different varietals, especially ones that people don't usually see.  However, while I work to get an understanding of different grapes, there are people out there who are blending different varietals together.  The learning process almost has to start over again.

Yet, I am willing to continue learning, especially when it comes to the blends such as Black Ankle Vineyard's Slate 3.  This is the third iteration of this blend.  I have previously reviewed the original Slate.  I have tasted the Slate 2, and, there is a bottle in our wine cage.  (That means a wine review may be in the offing.)  But, my beautiful Angel pulled out a Slate 3 from that cage and opened it recently.  So, the wine reviews of the Slate iterations are going to be out of order.  

The Slate 3 is a blend of Bordeaux grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot.  This blend already marks a departure from the original Slate, which had a substantial amount of Syrah and a little Malbec blended into it.  The breakdown for the Slate 3 is 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot.  The grapes come from vines that grow on decomposing slate laced with veins of quartzite, with the slopes facing predominantly to the west and the south.  The wine was aged 18 to 30 months in French oak barrels, with 31% of those barrels being new.   It was bottled in April 2017 and 725 cases were produced. 

The wine pours a crimson red with burgundy tones, suggesting a robust red wine.  The winemakers describe the wine with aromatic elements of dried plums, blackberries and currants, with additional taste elements of orange peel and cracked pepper.  

The fruit elements are clearly present in the aroma of the wine.  In addition to blackberries and currants, I thought I sensed some raspberries.  The body of the wine is firm, with a soft middle gently introducing the fruit elements of the wine, while the edges are a little tighter, with some tannins.  The edges also give those pepper notes and even, appropriately enough, some mineral or slate tones.  There is a dry finish that one would expect from a bold red.  

Overall, the Slate 3 is very good and probably will be even better with age.  That is why we still have a couple additional bottles still sitting in the wine cage.  The wine sells for $45 a bottle. 

ENJOY!

Prive Vineyard's Mélange (2008)

The label reads, as you stroll past the winery, the lavender gardens draw you toward the old world brick oven.  The chimney fills our patio with the aroma of cherry wood embers.  Rustic pizzas and breads appear begging for a great bottle of wine and friends to share it with.  Those words bring back memories for myself, because I have visited the winery, strolled around the patio and seen that old world brick oven.

The winery is Privé Vineyard, a small family-owned vineyard in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  Both Clare and I visited the vineyard as part of our honeymoon, which included a two day, chauffeured trip to over a dozen vineyards in the valley.  While we can say that our experience at each of those vineyards was amazing, the one that probably left the biggest impression upon us was Privé.

I have previously wrote about Privé when I reviewed a couple of their wines in the past, like the Le Nord (2006) and Le Sud (2008).  Both of those wines were estate-wines, produced only with grapes grown on the property.  However, the demand for Le Nord and Le Sud, as well as the limited amount of grapes grown on the estate (it is only a couple acres in size), the winemakers have branched out to produce wines with grapes grown elsewhere.  One of these wines is the Mélange, which is the winemaker's nod to a Bordeaux-style blend.

The Mélange is produced Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec grapes.  All of the grapes are cultivated in Washington State.  The winemakers blend the grapes together and then age the wine in 15% new French oak barrels.  The result is a substantial red wine that can cellar for up to 12 years.  Neither Clare nor myself were patient enough to let the bottle of Mélange (2008) age until 2020.  We lasted only about five years.  

The Mélange pours a nice magenta or crimson red color.  The aromatic elements of the wine suggest dark red fruit, something that carries over into the taste of the wine.  I definitely sensed the pleasing aroma and taste of both blackberries, dark cherries and plums.  There was also a nice hint of spice and pepper, which often came through in the finish.  The wine itself is somewhat dry, with manageable tannins that are not overwhelming.  

The winemakers describe this wine as having been blended for the pizzas that come out of their old world brick oven.  This wine is far more versatile, and could be paired with a range of proteins (beef, lamb, chicken and pork) that are roasted, braised or grilled.  It could also be paired heartier vegetable dishes.  

Overall, the Mélange is another excellent wine made by a very small, boutique vineyard.  As we drank this wine, Clare and I were reminded of why we like Privé so much.  The wine sold for about $28.00 a bottle; however, Privé is no longer producing the Mélange.  The winemakers are looking to transition from a Bordeaux style blend to a Rhone style blend.  Both Clare and I will definitely looking for that wine when it comes out.

ENJOY!

Black Ankle Vineyards Leaf Stone Syrah (2008)

According to legend, there was a grape varietal cultivated around the ancient Persian city of Shiraz.  The Phocaeans -- ancient Ionian Greeks who were some of the first to make long sea voyages.  Some of those voyages led to the establishment of Massilla (now Marseilles).  The Phocaeans are said to have brought the the grape varietal from Shiraz to Massilla.  They planted the grape in what is now southern France.  Eventually, the grape made its way northward, to regions such as the Rhône valley, where Syrah firmly took its place in the world of French wine. 

This story is just one of a few legends about how the Syrah grape made its way to France.  However, there are many other stories about how the grape has since made its way around the world.  A stroll down the aisles of a wine shop reveal Syrah wines not just from France, but also the California, Chile, Argentina and Australia (where it is known as Shiraz).  And, if one looks hard enough, you can even find Syrah wines from some unexpected places ... like Maryland.

About a year ago, both Clare and I tried a Syrah wine from Black Ankle Vineyards called the Leaf Stone Syrah.  The wine is predominantly Syrah, with a breakdown of 81% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Viognier, 1% Malbec, 1% Merlot.  The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with only 392 cases produced.  We had purchased a few bottles of the 2008 vintage, and, we opened one to enjoy.  At that time, the winemaker suggested decanting the wine, so as to allow it some time to open, or letting the wine cellar for a while to allow the wine to mature.  We decanted the wine and I began to write a wine review.  I did not finish the review at that time, because I wanted to wait to see how the wine developed.  Recently, we opened another bottle of the 2008 Leaf Stone Syrah.  I decided to let it decant as well, just to allow the wine a little air.  And, then I decided to finish that wine review. 

Generally, Syrah wines are very bold, fruit wines.  Joshua Wesson, the author of Wine & Food, describes the grape as having two main expressions: the northern Rhône style, with its "earthy quality, dark fruit and firm tannins" and an Australian style, best described as "jammy" with spice.  From the description provided by Black Ankle, one would assume that the goal was a northern Rhône wine.  The winemakers describe the wine as having "savory hints of smoke, leather, hickory, and plum on the nose," as well as "a lovely earthen and spice edge to the fresh and tart flavors of black cherry, cranberry, olive and vanilla."  These descriptions are apt for a Syrah from the northern Rhône valley.

Our first bottle of the wine did resemble the description, with both earthy and dark fruit elements int the aroma and the taste, which was definitely full of dark red fruits, and, earthy aspects reminiscent of the ground from which the vines grew.  However, after about a year, the wine had matured.  Much of the description -- smoke, leather, and hickory -- had mellowed to a significant degree, allowing the fruit of the wine to be more dominant in both the aroma and the taste.  In some ways, the expression of this wine gravitated away from the Rhône and toward Australia.  The second bottle was definitely the fruit forward, bold wine one would expect from a Syrah, but those earthy elements evolved into more of a spice and pepper.  This new element was very pleasing and it complemented the dark red fruit -- those plums, cranberries and black cherries -- in a very good way. 

Like any Syrah wine, the Leaf Stone Syrah pairs very well with beef and lamb dishes, whether grilled, broiled or braised.  Think a grilled steak or braised short ribs.  It will also work with substantial chicken and pork dishes, such as braises or stews.  

We still have a couple bottles left of this vintage.  It will be interesting to see if there is any more development in the wine.  Only time will tell!

ENJOY!

Clos La Coutale Cahors (2010)

The city was known Divona Cadurcorum.  Or, at least that is the name given to the city by the Roman conquerors when they brought Gaul into the empire.  The Romans brought viticulture to the city and its surroundings, giving birth to some of the oldest vineyards and wines in France.  The city and its vineyards outlasted the Roman Empire.  They grew and flourished into the Middle Ages.  At that time, the city became known as Cahors, and winemakers continued to work those surrounding vineyards, cultivating grapes to produce wines that eventually became known as the "black wine."   

The term "black wine" is a descriptive one, used in place of the wine's more well known name, Cahors. The description was fairly apt, because the wine is a dark red, tannic wine, that was rough when young but that mellowed with age.  Although first produced by the Romans, the "black wine" or Cahors grew in popularity during in the Middle Ages.  Bottles graced the tables of royalty, and filled the glasses of the King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, as well as King Francis I of France.  The "black wine" was not only popular in royal courts, but also in the church.  Pope John XXII declared in the fourteenth century that Cahors was the sacramental wine and table wine of the Papacy.  The wine even made its way to Russia, where it was known as Kaorskoy and used as the sacramental wine of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Recently, a bottle of Cahors wine produced by Clos La Coutale also graced my table.  The Clos La Coutale is a 60 hectare vineyard located on the alluvial floor of a valley in Southwestern France through which the the River Lot meanders. The winemakers follow the rules of the Appellation d'Origine Protégée, producing their wine using 80% Malbec grapes, also known locally as Côt or Côt Noir.  (The rules of the appellation require at least 70% Malbec grapes).  And, while the rules allow for the use of Merlot or Tannat grapes to complete the wine, the winemakers chose Merlot grapes for this particular wine.

The Clos La Coutale pours a dark, inky burgundy red, which harkens back to the "black wine" of the Middle Ages.  As a 2010 vintage, this wine is still relatively young, which means it is rough and tannic.  It should be decanted before enjoying it at this time.  After being exposed to a little air, the Cahors opens to reveal a bouquet of very ripe dark cherries, blackberries and plums, along with some earth, slate or minerals. 

The Cahors is a very bold wine, young and brash.  The tannins are still very strong, but, the fruit does emerge as the wine sits in the glass.  The dark cherries are the first to emerge, filling the body of the wine, as the plums appear in the finish.  There are also elements of earth, tobacco and spice that appear in the taste of the wine.  The tannins nevertheless are present throughout the wine at this age, resulting in a very dry wine.  

Given its popularity during the Middle Ages, this wine may be paired with medieval dishes, such as Conyenges en Gravey (Rabbits in Gravey), Chaudyns for Swann (Swan with Entrails Sauce), or Monnchelet (Veal or Mutton Stew). For those of us who live in the twenty-first century, this wine is best paired with grilled or roast meats, such as grilled ribeyes or strip steaks, as well as a pork roast. 

While Cahors may have graced the tables of Kings and Popes, it now sits on the shelves of grocery stores.  No ducats required.  It sells for about $16.99 a bottle.

ENJOY!

Black Ankle Vineyards Crumbling Rock (2009)

According to the winemakers at Black Ankle Vineyards, the 2009 season was a difficult one.  Budbreak did not occur until April 25, which was the latest in the short history of the vineyards.  The first weeks and months of the growing season were cool and rainy, with the good weather really not emerging until the end of June and the beginning of July.  That good weather did not last long, with the cooler-than-normal temperatures and rain returning toward the end of July and August.  After the harvest, the effect of the weather was evident ... the red grape production was down by 40%.

While adversity may lead to fewer grapes, it can also produce better wines.  Take, for example, Black Ankle's Crumbling Rock (2009).  The Crumbling Rock is a blend of the four grapes -- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot -- that are commonly used to make Bordeaux wine.  The exact blend is 30% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot.  All of the grapes were harvested between October 5 and October 25, 2009.  After the grapes are picked, sorted and have undergone their primary fermentation, the wine is then aged for sixteen months in 100% new French oak barrels.

According to the winemakers, the 2009 vintage of Crumbling Rock has "a gorgeous ruby red color" and "offers up lush, ripe red fruit on the nose, with smoky undertones and whiffs of baking spice and pencil shavings."  As for the taste of the wine, the winemakers not that "[t]he medium-bodied palate reveals more red fruit, including dark cherries, cedar box sweetness and cocoa."

The winemaker's description of the Crumbling Rock provides an accurate description of the wine.  The wine pours a beautiful, dark, ruby red color.  For my rather amateur olfactory senses (at least when compared to winemakers and sommeliers), I could sense some of that baking spice and a little smoke or leather tucked into the abundance of cherries.  (I did not smell any pencil shavings, but that may be due to the fact that I rarely use any pencils anymore.)

As for the taste, a glass of the Crumbling Rock was like a small basket of dark ripe cherries.  The fruit was the centerpiece of the taste profile, providing the Crumbling Rock with what one would expect from a Bordeaux Blend.  Other elements, such as a little of that baking spice and cocoa, hung around the edges of the wine. (I have to say that I did not sense any "cedar box sweetness.)

The 2009 vintage of the Crumbling Rock can be paired with a variety of different foods or dishes.  Personally, I think that this wine is best paired with red meat dishes, but, it can also be paired well with certain pork and chicken dishes.  This particular bottle was paired with Pork Medallions in a Red Wine Sauce. 

This wine is available from the winemaker, Black Ankle Vineyards.  It sells for $48.00 a bottle.

ENJOY!

Corte alla Flora Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2008)

Francesco Reddi, an Italian poet, has described the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as the "King of Italian Wines."  The wine style gets its name from the town of Montepulciano, which is located in central Tuscany, as opposed to the grape varietal known as Montepulciano.  (The Montepulciano grape is used most commonly in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, which is a subject for another post, such as this one.)   

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has its own Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita or DOCG.  The rules of the DOCG provide that the wine must contain at least 70% Prugnolo Gentile grapes, which are a clone of the Sangiovese grapes.  Winemakers have options with respect to the remaining 30% of grapes, and, use varietals such as Canaiolo Nero, Mammolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine is aged for 2 years in oak barrels.  If it is aged for 3 years in oak barrels, then the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano can have the name "Riserva."

Corte alla Flora produces its Vino di Montepulciano with a blend of 80% Prugnolo Gentile, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The Corte alla Flora Vino Nobile di Montepulciano pours a dark ruby red, with crimson tones.  The winemaker describes the aromas as raspberry, blackberry and sweet violet, followed by coffee and vanilla.  For me, the aromatic elements of this wine were ripe cherries and blackberries, with a little earth and leather.  After a while, I began to pick up some vanilla in the wine.  The body of the wine is subtle, with a little acidity on the finish.  The flavors brought out in this wine include cherries and plums. 

The Vino di Montepulciano can be paired much like a Chianti Classico, Sangiovese di Romagna or a Rosso di Montepulciano.  I paired this wine with Pollo di Parmigiana, my version of the classic Chicken Parmesan. This wine worked very well with the additional spices that I added both to the breading and the tomato sauce.  It also worked paired very well with the chicken, providing a juicy wine that complemented the juiciness of the baked -- as opposed to deep-fried -- chicken breast. 

The Corte alla Flora Vino Nobile di Monetpulciano is available at grocery stores and wine stores.  It sells for anywhere between $19.99 to $22.99.

ENJOY!

Vino del Corazón Merlot

When it comes to wine, there is always a lot of talk about "terroir."   Generally speaking, terroir refers to the special characteristics of an area or region.  For oenophiles and sommeliers, terroir involves climate, as well as soil type and topography.  For me, I never really understood what the fascination is with terroir.  They say that the climate, soil and topography affects the taste of the wine.  However, I have never experienced the weather of the Bordeaux region, I have never ran my fingers through the soil of the Garnacha region nor have I studied the shapes of Chile's valleys.  For me, terroir could have a more personal aspect, one that ties a person to where the particular wine comes from.  An excellent example of this personal aspect of "terroir," is the Vino del Corazón Merlot.

Vino del Corazón is a vineyard and winery in, of all places, New Mexico.  It is the dream of the founders and owners, Erica and Richard Hart.  After having worked for other vineyards, the Harts planted their own vines, grew the own grapes, and began to produce their own wines.  I first encountered the Vino del Corazón wines when I traveled to Santa Fe for work.  After a long day, I decided to walk around the town.  As I walked throughout the historic downtown, I came across the Vino del Corazón wine tasting room. Intrigued by the thought of wine in New Mexico, I checked it out.  Every time I came to Santa Fe, I would check out the wines at the tasting room.  I never took any wine home with me, for fear that it would shatter in my suitcase.  Instead, I always returned home with pounds of the iconic New Mexican ingredient ... ground hatch chile peppers.  And, while followers of this blog know that I love chile peppers, I always regretted not taking home some wine.  That was, until, I realized that I could have it shipped to me.  

One of the bottles that I had shipped to me is the Vino del Corazón Merlot.  While wine professionals may view "terroir" as something involving the climate of northern New Mexico, the composition of its soils, and/or the shape of the hills (all of which may be very important), this wine drives home what I think could be the personal aspect of terroir. 

The Vino del Corazón Merlot pours a crimson red, although the red is a few shades lighter than a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The winemakers, that is the Harts, describe the aroma of their Merlot to include violets, cherry and spice.  For me, I have always had problems identifying particular floral aromas, as opposed a more general sense of flowers.  I did readily detect the aroma of cherries, which are the centerpiece of the aromatic feature of this wine.  There are also whiffs of earth or spice lingering in the background, but the cherry aroma is first and foremost with this wine.

And, as for the taste, that is where the personal aspect of the terroir comes into play.  I do not know if it is the climate, soil type or terroir, but this wine clearly speaks of New Mexico.  The Harts describe the wine as having flavors of vanilla, plums and black cherry.  I could see the plums and black cherry, but the vanilla was a little too far in the background. 

However, what truly caught my attention is the spice flavors.  Not just any spice, but a suggestive hint of  that quintessential New Mexican spice ... hatch chiles.  The spice is not heat, but flavor.  The hatch chile flavor lingers around the edges of the wine, particularly in the finish.  It was as if someone sprinkled a little green or red hatch chile powder on those plums and black cherries. I really enjoyed that hatch chile flavor, which got me to thinking about the jars of ground hatch chiles sitting in our cabinets.  The chile flavor is most noticeable in the first several sips of the wine, but, as the wine sits, the spice flavor fades a little into the background, with the fruit taking over.  

I had this wine delivered to my home.  I checked Vino del Corazón's website, and it does not look like it is available. However, the Harts have other wines available, such as their Cabernet Sauvignon, which I have previously reviewed and which I also recommend.   

ENJOY!

Monte Antico Toscana (2007)

IGT.  If you google that acronym, you are most likely find the American company that specializes in developing, manufacturing and distributing gaming equipment.  All of that is fine and good if you are looking to buy slot machines.  However, if you are like me and are trying to learn more about wine, then IGT means "Indicazione Geografica Tipica," one of the classifications established by the Italian government.   

These wines got this classification because of a "failing" on their part, namely, the wines fail to qualify for one of the two big classifications (DOC and DOCG) for Italian wine.  This failing is usually because of the blend of grapes used to produce the wine or because of where those grapes are grown.  Despite such a "failing," if you can really call it that, some of these wines are of high quality and are much more than any Vino da Tabola or red table wine.  (Personally, I think some of these wines are better than some DOC and DOCG wines out there.)  Therefore, in 1992, the Italian government created the IGT designation to give these particular wines their proper due.

One such "IGT" wine is the Monte Antico, which is a blend produced in Italy.  According to the label, this blend is the "result of the synergy" between Italian wine dspecialist Neil Empson and renowned winemaker Franco Bernabei.  Empson and Bernabei say that they pick the finest grapes from the best Tuscan hillsides.  The wine is aged 1 year in oak barrels and then six months in the bottle.

The Monte Antico is an interesting blend of fruity grapes, like Sangiovese, with darker, earthier grapes such as Cabernet Savignon.  In fact, the exact blend of the wine is 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot grapes.  these proportions have a lot to do with the appearance, aroma and taste of the wine.  The wine pours a dark crimson red. The wine has aromas of red cherries, with a little floral element to it.  These aromas clearly remind the drinker that the Sangiovese grapes are the predominant grape in this blend.  The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes contribute to the taste of the wine, providing some additional layers beyond the cherry flavors provided by the Sangiovese grapes.  There is a little earthiness in the background.  

Given the high percentage of Sangiovese grapes, this wine could be paired much like a Chianti.  More specifically, this wine could be paired with pastas with red sauces, as well as roasted chicken and pork dishes.   The Monte Antico could also be paired well with any of the hard cheeses from Tuscany, such as the Pecorino Toscano. 

The magazine Wine Enthusiast gives this vintage a score of 88, which is very respectable. This wine is available at most wine stores and grocery stores for about $8.99 to $10.99 a bottle. 

ENJOY!

Black Ankle Vineyards Slate (NV)

Recently, my beautiful Angel, Clare, met a couple of longtime friends for a wine tasting at a vineyard ... in Maryland.  I have heard about wineries in the Free State, but, I know very little about them.  Clare got to learn about one particular vineyard, Black Ankle Vineyards, which is located in Frederick County, Maryland.

Black Ankle Vineyards has been in business for about three years.  It is growing an impressive array of grapes.  The red grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  The white grapes include Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner and Viognier.  This is pretty impressive for a vineyard that is located in Maryland, rather than in California, Oregon or Washington State.

Black Ankle's winemaking process is also rather interesting.  The winery uses once-used or brand new barrels for aging.  Lighter reds are aged for months in once-used barrels, while heavier reds are aged in new barrels.  The winery ages its wines between sixteen to eighteen months in the barrels.  After her wine tasting, Clare bought a bottle of Black Ankle Vineyard's Slate, a blend of six different grapes.

The Slate is made with grapes grown on a hillside of decomposing slate with veins of quartz. The wine is made with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Syrah, 22% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. This wine does not have a vintage because it is made primarily from grapes picked during the 2007 and 2008 harvests, along with grapes from the 2010 harvest.

The wine pours a bright crimson red, with tones much fuller than other wines that I have tried.  The aroma is full of red berries, like ripe cherries, strawberries and blackberry.  The winemaker suggests dried plum, blackberry, currant and a little cracked black pepper.   Those berries carry over to the taste, but there they are joined by some other flavors such as black pepper or white pepper.  There is also a hint of minerality. 

Black Ankle produced only six hundred cases of the Slate.  The wine has an ABV of 13.9%.  The bottle is available at the vineyard's tasting room and a bottle sells for $45.00.  

ENJOY!

Chateau Lescalle Bordeaux Superieur (2003)

When one thinks of French wine, the first thought is usually Bordeaux.  The wine comes from the largest wine appellation in France.  The Appellation Origin Controllee in Bordeaux accounts for nearly one-quarter of all AOC wines produced in France.  Wine growing in this region dates all the way back to the Roman Empire.  As early as 48 A.D., the Romans planted grapes in this region to produce wine for the soldiers.  The first recorded evidence of winemaking in the Bordeaux region dates back to Pliny the Elder in 71 A.D.

Chateau Lescalle is a small chateau built by Emanuel Tessandier in 1875, near the town of Macau, which is located in Haut-Medoc and on the edge of the Margaux appellation.  The winemaker Claude Gaudin oversees the vineyards that have dense vine plantings, which limits yields and increases the intensity of the fruit.  The winemaker also extends the extraction time to pull all of the flavor out of the grapes.  The result should be an intense wine.

When I poured this Bordeaux Superieur, I immediately saw the need to decant the wine.  (I only had a glass, so I let it sit for a while, the rest was going into making a Bordeaux Au Jus for the Herb Crusted Standing Rib Roast.)  The need to decant this wine is to be expected, especially in light of the fact that the wine has sat in the bottle for about eight years. 

The wine pours a nice dark crimson color, with only the faintest deep purple hue.  The aromatics of this wine speak of dark cherries, plum, earth and some spice.  The taste of this wine is very fruit forward, with a lot of dark cherries and blackberries, along with earthy notes.  

Planet Bordeaux.com suggests that this wine is more like a Medoc Cru Beaujolais rather than a Bordeaux Superieur, but, I am glad it is just a Bordeaux Superieur.  At $18.49 a bottle, it is much more affordable and allows for many more people -- like me -- to try a great wine without having to fork out a lot of money for the wine.

I purchased this wine at Capital Beer and Wine, a new beer and wine store in Bethesda, Maryland. 

ENJOY!

For more about this wine, check out Planet Bordeaux.com.