A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from Lodi, California.
SRP of $15 and available for as low as $10. 25,000 cases produced. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"Not All Vines Are Created Equal.
Noble Vines 1 is a premier red wine blend that celebrates the most admired vine stock grown in our California vineyards. The suppleness of our 181 is artfully blended with the richness of our 337 to form this one {1} benchmark wine.
This elegant red blend offers inviting aromas of blackberry and toasty oak followed by luxurious notes of lush black cherry and pepper with a long and lingering finish. Enjoy with grilled meats, lamb chops and rich cheeses.
13.5% Alcohol"
Noble Vines tagline (Not All Vines Are Created Equal) comes from their use of famous clones of grape varietals that they feel will work best in their vineyards. Clones are genetically identical vines that have nonetheless adapted to specific growing conditions to produce beneficial qualities.
We previously reviewed the Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon which uses a Cabernet clone from Bordeaux. Today's wine also uses this same Cabernet clone as well as a Merlot clone from Pomerol and a Zinfandel clone from Lodi. And while I don't believe these clones were selected based on their ability to produce wine capable of pairing well with everyday foods we found the 337 Cabernet to be a brilliant burger wine while today's wine would make a great match with a pizza. Talk about covering the essentials!
The 2011 Noble Vines 1 Red Blend begins with a very pleasant aroma featuring a whole lot of fruit (black cherry and blackberry) along with a bit of cola, licorice and vanilla. The wine tastes fruity, jammy, smooth and tasty. There's not a ton of complexity in this medium-bodied wine but it is still very satisfying. Silky smooth tannins, a nice spicy streak, hints of oak and vanilla and good acidity add up to an excellent red blend that I'd say is a definite step up from something like anApothic Red. It ends slightly dry with more jammy fruit and spice that lasts a long time in the mouth. Highly Recommended!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 8.0
