NAPA by N.A.P.A. Michael’s Red – A Fascinating Blend of Five Varieties From Four Vintages

A blend of 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Sangiovese, 2009 Barbera, 2010 Syrah, 2008 Merlotand 2007 Merlot from Napa Valley, California.
SRP of $20 and available for as low as $17. Sample submitted for review. 1,200 cases produced.

From the bottle:

“Michael’s Red offers deep flavors of black cherries, plums, cocoa and sweet vanilla oak wrapped in firm tannins. A few minutes in the glass shows this release at its best, but patient wine lovers will enjoy additional complexity from another 12-24 months of bottle aging. It also welcomes our brother Michael into our 5th generation family of vintners.
— Natalie, Anthony, Paul and Anne Scotto

13.9% Alcohol”

This is a fascinating blend — fascinating because it’s not often that you see not only multiple varieties, but also multiple vintages within a blend. Today’s wine is the first Napa Valley release from Scotto Cellars, a 5th generation wine company started in 1883 that produces a number of different labels in Lodi and Amador County and also recently acquired facilities in Napa Valley.

The Scotto Cellars NAPA by N.A.P.A. Michael’s Red Napa Valley Red Table Wine begins with pleasant aromas of cherry, black cherry, licorice, cedar and leather. The wine is quite tasty with similar flavors to the nose plus a nice amount of spice and some brown sugar and molasses. It ends dry with lingering caramel flavors. It’s hard to say what the different vintages add, but it certainly works when it is all put together.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here. This one has also been spotted at World Market.

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