Full Review

Monte De Oro

Monte De Oro
2018 Estate Grown Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.3%
89 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$38

Monte De Oro
2018 Estate Grown Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.3%
Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of red plum and cheese rind, blueberry goat’s cheese, and bell pepper and a light roast coffee bean with a round, crisp, bone-dry medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish with nuances of plum wine, blood orange, and blueberry jam with well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A tasty and versatile red blend, like a Swiss Army knife of red wine food pairings.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: red plum and cheese rind, blueberry goat's cheese, and bell pepper and a light roast coffee bean
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with nuances of plum wine, blood orange, and blueberry jam
Sweetness Sweetness: Bone-Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years Enjoy with food
Recipes Pairing: Pot Roast, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A tasty and versatile red blend, like a Swiss Army knife of red wine food pairings.

The Producer

Monte De Oro Winery

The Producer
35820 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA 92591
USA
1 951-491-6551

Their Portfolio

93 Monte De Oro 2016 Vigna Vicini Reserve Red Wine Blend, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2018 Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.4% (USA) $46.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Temecula Valley 14.4% (USA) $45.00.
89 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $38.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 13.9% (USA) $45.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Vista Del Monte Vineyard Vigna Vicini Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $42.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Bolle De Oro Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley 11.2% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc, Temecula Valley 13.2% (USA) $20.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2021 Nostimo, Temecula Valley 13.6% (USA) $24.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Galway Vineyard, Viognier, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $23.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Canelli, White Muscat, Temecula Valley 11.7% (USA) $24.00.
90 Monte De Oro 2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $35.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $70.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2017 Unique Elements Estate Grown Red Blend, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $32.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 DePortola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Synergy 65 Rosé, Temecula Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Chardonnay, Temecula Valley 14% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.1% (USA) $42.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2018 Deportola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Simplexity, Red Meritage, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $43.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Malbec, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $90.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Synergy 65 Owners’ Red Blend , Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $44.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2018 Vineyard Estate Grown, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $44.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $90.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $90.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2017 Vigna Vicini Vista Del Monte Vineyard Reserve Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15% (USA) $48.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2019 Congruity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $40.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 12.9% (USA) $35.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Synergy 65 Owners Blend Red, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $44.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.6% (USA) $90.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2018 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 13.9% (USA) $90.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Monte De Oro 2023 Pinot Gris, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2023 Riesling, Temecula Valley 12.4% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2023 Nostimo White Blend, Temecula Valley 13.1% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2023 Dulce De Verano Sweet Rosé, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2023 Dulce De Verano Sweet Rosé, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $43.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Merlot, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $39.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $45.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $45.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Simplexity Red Meritage, Temecula Valley 13.3% (USA) $43.00.

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.