Hello, hello!
Guess what day it is? Whoop, Whoop!
I had to stop in my local Farm Fresh grocery store to pick up a few “middle of the grocery shopping trips” essentials and you know I had to browse the wine selection for a good deal. I can’t help myself.
And, I was rewarded nicely for my “efforts” with this little gem!
Basically, a $20 bottle of wine for HALF OFF! #hooklineandsinker
Plus, I’m a HUGE fan of a Bordeaux-style blend and this one was calling my name:
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.
That makes 100%, right? 😉
As you can see, it comes from Sterling Vineyards and is part of their Sterling Vintner’s Collection.
Now, as you can see, the bottle just says “Central Coast” so it’s hard to tell where exactly the grapes come from. They have several vineyards as you can see here.
While it’s nice to know where the grapes come from so you can get an idea of the potential flavor profile, when you’re buying a blend, especially of 5 different grapes, the combination of them is going to make their own distinct profile just showcasing certain nuances from each grape. And, when you’re looking at a high-production winery such as Sterling Vineyards, all of their vineyards are well established and known to produce excellent grapes. So, vineyard location kinda just becomes interesting trivia for when you’re a contestant on Jeopardy.
Yes, I know – I REALLY need to find a better location to snap my “glass next to the bottle” picture. I just love our bar so much!
As you can see, it pours beautifully and is a lovely, deep cherry/garnet color.
On the nose, I definitely got aromas of cherries and other fruit. I could also smell a little bit of toasty spice. YUM!
This wine did not disappoint! Juicy fruit flavors and a little bit of  spice all rolled into one! It packed a pretty potent punch but, just the same, it wasn’t so fruity that I felt like I needed to chew it. I’ve tasted wines like that and, while they can be quite enjoyable, I prefer to drink my wine and chew my food. 🙂
This wine would pair quite nicely with a variety of foods – we had burgers cuz we’re classy – such as barbecue, stews, meat-rich pasta dishes, etc. You could even do this with chicken (bbq or other strong seasonings) and meatier fish, like salmon or tuna. I’d stay away from a tomato-based pasta dish (except for lasagna which is cheese heavy) because the acidity of the tomatoes would probably make the wine taste a little off.
That being said, it definitely isn’t a food dependent wine and is definitely worth enjoying a glass WHILE you’re cooking.
Talk to me: Do you have a favorite grape? How do you feel about wine blends?
These opinions are completely and totally my own. Sterling Vineyards did not ask me to review any of their wine. I literally just grabbed the bottle because it was on sale and I like blends.
– jennifer
A Hungry Runner 