Tyler Florence was a chef first, winemaker later, so it’s no surprise he created a wine label celebrating blends. In the kitchen, a chef mixes ingredients to make a dish that’s evocative, delicious, better than any of its constituent parts. At the blending bench, a winemaker’s work is similar: aiming for balance and harmony while reaching for novelty, deliciousness, evocation.
This particular blend is a Meritage-style red made from 62 percent Malbec, 30 percent Merlot, 6 percent Cabernet Franc, and 2 percent Petit Verdot. Its lovely deep cypress aromatics feel cooling, suggest mountain cranberry, pine, a breath of winter. The body has smooth tannins and coffee-steeped red and black raspberry fruit, and its pillowy midsection finishes with a vital crack of astringency.
The mélange of sensory impressions suggests youthful exuberance, but it seems plush and welcoming, too. As for evocation, what I got was this: log cabin in the woods, cushy red velvet chairs, steaming coffee, a view of the summit. Why not?
14.5% abv | $25 (sample)
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