BULK BUY!
36% Syrah, 34% Zinfandel, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Sirah and 3% other varieties from California (55% Mendocino County, 32% Sonoma County, 7% Santa Barbara/Monterey/San Luis Obispo Counties and 6% Napa County).
Sample submitted for review. SRP of $17 and available for as low as $12. 50,000 cases produced.
From the bottle:
"Family Owned. Artisan Quality. Inspired by Bordeaux-style wines, Summation blends classic red varietals into a beautifully layered, complex whole. Smoother than Cabernet Sauvignon, richer then Merlot, more balanced than Zinfandel, this red wine blend offers intriguing flavors and aromas: roasted coffee, dark chocolate, pomegranate and black cherry intertwine to offer a multi-layered mouthfeel and sumptuous texture.
13.5% Alcohol"
"California Red Blend" is a bit of a loaded term these days in that there have become at least two distinct styles in the under $20 market: the traditional dry blends (Meritage and Rhone style blends for example), and the bordering on sweet red blends that have become so popular (thinkApothic Red, Gnarly Head and Cocobon). Most people tend to be fans of one or the other. And while I appreciate both styles, my personal taste is much more on the traditional dry side which means today's wine is right up my alley.
The 2010 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Summation Red Blend begins with a very pleasant and complex nose of blackberry, black cherry, plum, and spice along with secondary notes of anise, mint and vanilla. The wine tastes delicious with flavors of plum, black cherry, licorice and a little oak. There's even a bit of a zesty mineral streak on this medium-bodied wine. Excellent spice notes flow into the long, smooth, dry, finish. A tasty, complex and easy to drink wine that's even better on day 2!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 8.5
