The New Art of Blending

Well, we were wrong again. When we first began writing about wines we were under the misguided impression that if a wine showed up that was made from a bunch of different grape varieties it was merely an attempt by vintners to make use of some grapes that they had bought, grown, and were “stuck with.” We recently found out that we were wrong, very, very, wrong.

We should have realized that we were wrong when we first ran into the French Chateauneuf- du-pape, a French wine made from a laundry list of grapes. So why should American vintners be condemned for doing the same thing; we now have to say, they shouldn‘t. To rectify that faux pas, we searched out wines that were monster blends and must say, much to our surprise, many of them were not only good but were better than good and a fun excursion into the world of wines that were not “the same old thing”

2012 Markham Vineyards Cellar 1879 Napa Valley Blend ($26.99). Markham Vineyards is noted for its fine wines and we are positive that this assemblage was an experiment in blending that more than worked. The constituents are, 36% Merlot, 21% Petite Sirah 14%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 9% Zinfandel, and 8% Petit Verdot. What resulted is an incredibly flavorful wine displaying violet, boysenberry, plum, and tobacco aromas followed by the flavors of graham cracker, vanilla, and spicy fruit. This wine is a credit to the Markham vintners and their ability to successfully blend wines that will make any red wine lover happy.

Sokol Blosser Evolution Sparkling Wine ($24.95). This is a fresh, bright, and extremely enjoyable sparkler that was made in Oregon in the style of a French Champagne but unlike Champagne, from an encyclopedia of grape varieties. Just from the ingredients used, one would expect a sweet wine and so it is, but not so sweet as to suppress the full flavors of the ingredients from coming through. The cast of characters include Riesling, Semillon, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Sylvaner. The wine displays a bright yeast and bread aroma with hints of citrus, which carry over to the flavor then ending in a long finish. If you are looking for a sparkling wine that is definitely not the same old thing, this one is it.

Murrieta’s Well 2011 Livermore Valley “The Spur” ($30). We will start by stating that this is a very classy wine offering what every red wine lover seeks; a soft, smooth, aromatic, and flavorful wine. The blend says it all; 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Petite Verdot (a variety not often found in any quantity in red wines), 27% Cabernet Savignon, 8% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc. This wine has all the flavors and aromas that can be found in a red wine and then some. While there are many flavors to choose from, the first taste offers black cherry and blueberry with a collage of chocolate, licorice, spice and a hint of oak. The finish of this wine is, to say the least, memorable and will probably send the drinker on a hunt for other well blended wines.

Murrieta’s Well 2013 Livermore Valley “The Whip” ($22). At first glance, this wine too looks like a quickly slapped together hodge-podge of grapes; nothing could be further from the truth. This carefully constructed wine is a blend of 28% Semillon, 24% Chardonnay, 14% Savignon Blanc, 11% Orange Muscat, 11% Viognier, 11% Gewurztraminer, and bringing up the rear, 1% White Riesling. While this wine is slightly sweet, the sweetness does not interfere with the fruit flavors but rather embraces them. The wine displays the aromas of peach, pear, melon, and just a hint of citrus. In the flavor department, it is dominated by cantaloupe, pear, honey, and butterscotch. This is not a wine to be casually tossed off as an oddity but is rather a tribute to the art of blending resulting in an exceptional wine.