Wallet Friendly - Palate Pleasing Wine

Now that the holidays are over it may be time to reflect the damage done on our budgets. Personally I’d rather forgo the reflecting and open up a bottle or 2 of some inexpensive wine. When I say inexpensive that is not to be confused with “cheap” wine - a wine with high value but a low price tag. There are so many of these around the world but the one I’d like to discuss is Wild HorseVineyards from Central Coast California. I recently savored their 2010 Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their 2010 Merlot is a blend of 89% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% other red (see December ’12 article about blends). This had erotic aromas of fresh bright red fruits, cedar, and warm blackberry cobbler. Gracefully, this wine woke up my taste buds with cherry and oak finishing with some chalkiness. This medium-bodied wine was delicious! For about $15 a bottle this is case worthy wine.

Their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Syrah. I was captivated by its scents of fresh cherries, mint, rosemary, and butterscotch. On the palate there were yummy cherries, vanilla and chewy tannins. Slightly fuller bodied than their Merlot and can easily be aged for several years. This one is about $17 – again, a huge value considering the quality!

Both wines are best when you let it breath for about 20 minutes or so. Considering the price tag it’s easy to pick up these bottles, enjoy, and forget how much you spent this past season.

Sláinte! TCW