Full Review

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate
2019 The Hunt Red Blend, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$45

Biltmore Estate
2019 The Hunt Red Blend, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of herb butter, dried berries, forest floor, and ancho with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, swift finish imparting shades of berries in a wicker basket, parchment, and incense and bark with dusty, leafy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A bright dry red blend well suited for a meaty meal.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Crisp & Lively, Quaffable, New World & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: herb butter, dried berries, forest floor, and ancho
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with shades of berries in a wicker basket, parchment, and incense and bark
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Pot Roast, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A bright dry red blend well suited for a meaty meal.

The Producer

Biltmore Estate Wine Co.

The Producer
1 N. Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
USA
1 828-225-1487

Their Portfolio

89 Antler Hill 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $75.00.
BR Antler Hill 2018 Pinot Noir, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County 14.8% (USA) $50.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Antler Hill 2021 Chardonnay, Carneros 14.5% (USA) $40.00.
89 Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Malbec, American 13% (USA) $28.00.
88 Biltmore Estate 2019 The Hunt Red Blend, Sonoma County 14.8% (USA) $45.00.
85 Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Petit Verdot, American 14.1% (USA) $28.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2019 Estate, Merlot, American 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2020 Limited Release, Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.7% (USA) $22.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2020 Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2020 Chardonnay, American 13% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Biltmore Estate 2020 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Pinot Noir, American 13.9% (USA) $28.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Noir, American 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, American 13% (USA) $19.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Gewurztraminer, American 13.2% (USA) $21.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Biltmore Estate 2021 Riesling, American 13% (USA) $18.00.
87 Biltmore Estate 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, American 13.9% (USA) $22.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Merlot, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
92 Biltmore Estate 2020 Limited Release, Malbec, American 13.9% (USA) $30.00.
93 Biltmore Estate NV Cardinal’s Crest® Winemaker’s Blend, American 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
87 Biltmore Estate Cardinal’s Crest Bottle Package 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
85 Biltmore Estate 2021 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2022 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $15.00.
87 Biltmore Estate 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.9% (USA) $15.00.
88 Biltmore Reserve 2019 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $40.00.
86 Biltmore Reserve 2019 Chardonnay, North Carolina 13% (USA) $25.00.
86 Biltmore Reserve 2021 Chardonnay, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
91 Biltmore Reserve 2022 Chardonnay, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
92 Vanderbilt Reserve 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 14.5% (USA) $40.00.

Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
The greatness of red wines from France's Bordeaux region can be largely attributed to the art of blending. There are six red varieties that can be used in a Bordeaux red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Malbec (this last is rarely seen anymore in Bordeaux).

The reason for blending several grapes to craft the final wine is for greater complexity as well as elegance. Each grape has various characteristics and can attribute special qualities to the final wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and tannins, while Merlot has lighter tannins, while Cabernet Franc has a spicy, peppery quality to it. Blending these grapes together will round out all of these qualities; sort of a "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" rationale.

This principal of blending is used in many regions besides Bordeaux, especially in California, were the blends are often given proprietary names, like Opus One, Insignia, and Quintessa. US blends of Bordeaux varietals may also be labeled, in addition to their proprietary name, by the designation of Meritage if they are approved and licensed by the Meritage Alliance.

Blending in Bordeaux is common not only on the prestigious wines from historic estates that cost hundreds of dollars per bottle, but also on the lighter-styled wines that are priced in the mid-teens. Aging potential can often be directly linked to the price of the wine, from three to five years to three to five decades.

Pair these wines with most red meats, games or roasts.