Winemaker Notes
Highly aromatic, with pretty red fruits and exotic spice. Dark and vibrant ruby red color with a perfumed bouquet of red and black berries. Wild strawberry, dried cranberry and rhubarb flavors. There’s some nice dried herb and baking spice nuances to this wine. Fine and velvety tannins are supported by decent amounts of acidity. An extremely savory and long finish makes this medium-bodied wine irresistible.
Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Shiraz
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Fruity, mellow and joyful, this blend of shiraz and grenache shows aromas of currants, wild herbs and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with melty tannins. Fruit-forward and easygoing, with a satisfying finish.
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Wine Spectator
Huckleberry cobbler, spiced plum and marionberry flavors are generous and plump, with notes of bittersweet chocolate, cedar and malty Assam tea. Dried mushroom, black pepper, sage and crushed pine needle linger on the finish, where the tannins firm up. Grenache and Shiraz.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.