Full Review

Soquel Vineyards

Soquel Vineyards
2016 Consonante Red Blend, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
Organically Grown Grapes
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$125
Cellar Selection

Soquel Vineyards
2016 Consonante Red Blend, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of cassis tart, juicy plum, pencil shavings, pimento, lavender, black tea, and hints of roasted nuts with a lightly tannic, crisp, fruity medium body and a tingling, distinctive, long finish with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. A firm and poised Napa Bordeaux Varietal blend; decant or cellar.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Rich & Full, Spicy & Complex & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: cassis tart, juicy plum, pencil shavings, pimento, lavender, black tea, and hints of roasted nuts
Taste Flavor: cassis tart, juicy plum, pencil shavings, pimento, lavender, black tea, and hints of roasted nuts
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: In 3-6 years with food
Recipes Pairing: Bacon Wrapped Filet Steak, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A firm and poised Napa Bordeaux Varietal blend; decant or cellar.

The Producer

Soquel Vineyards

The Producer
8063 Glen Haven Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
USA
1 831-462-9045

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 five red varieties that can be used in a Bordeaux red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 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.