by Patrick Ogle
Broc Cellars Love Red 2014 uses Carignan, Valdiguié and Syrah to make a light and lovable red wine.
This definitely made me thing Beaujolais when I sipped it. The blend has a very grapey taste, you might say jammy if that didn't conjure up images of hugh bodied, big alcohol wines like Northern California petite syrahs and zinfandels. This is not one of those; this is a light fruity wine with a nice acidity and not much in the way of tannins. When I say fruity I am thinking mild red fruits, the aforementioned grape and blueberry perhaps. There is also some sort of "spiciness" that I cannot put my finger on. This is subtle.
Love Red is 75 percent carignan, 14 percent valdiguié, and 11 percent syrah. Carignan was once planted extensively in California and there has been something of a revival. When you think of carignan as a varietal, stand alone, grape you generally think of quite tannic wines (we've talked about tannins before but they are a component in wine that give a sort of drying sensation in the mouth). This wine isn't only carignan but it is a high percentage yet it is NOT exceptionally tannic. Innovative winemakers find ways to make old dogs do new tricks.
Valdiguié is also an interesting choice. The grape is little seen outside Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. In the not too distant past it was confused in California with gamay (of Beaujolais fame). It was less than 20 years ago that this was shown to be false. Nonetheless the grape being confused with gamay is pretty good indication the two have similarities. The wine is rounded out with syrah. An unusual blend to be sure.
I've been neglecting reds over the summer months but decided to jump back in. This is a good place to start. Broc Cellars doesn't make tons of this wine (or any of their wines) so if you want to try it? You need to grab it fast. It might be best to just go to the source and get it on their website.
$18-25
Broc Cellars Love Red 2014 uses Carignan, Valdiguié and Syrah to make a light and lovable red wine.
This definitely made me thing Beaujolais when I sipped it. The blend has a very grapey taste, you might say jammy if that didn't conjure up images of hugh bodied, big alcohol wines like Northern California petite syrahs and zinfandels. This is not one of those; this is a light fruity wine with a nice acidity and not much in the way of tannins. When I say fruity I am thinking mild red fruits, the aforementioned grape and blueberry perhaps. There is also some sort of "spiciness" that I cannot put my finger on. This is subtle.
Love Red is 75 percent carignan, 14 percent valdiguié, and 11 percent syrah. Carignan was once planted extensively in California and there has been something of a revival. When you think of carignan as a varietal, stand alone, grape you generally think of quite tannic wines (we've talked about tannins before but they are a component in wine that give a sort of drying sensation in the mouth). This wine isn't only carignan but it is a high percentage yet it is NOT exceptionally tannic. Innovative winemakers find ways to make old dogs do new tricks.
Valdiguié is also an interesting choice. The grape is little seen outside Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. In the not too distant past it was confused in California with gamay (of Beaujolais fame). It was less than 20 years ago that this was shown to be false. Nonetheless the grape being confused with gamay is pretty good indication the two have similarities. The wine is rounded out with syrah. An unusual blend to be sure.
I've been neglecting reds over the summer months but decided to jump back in. This is a good place to start. Broc Cellars doesn't make tons of this wine (or any of their wines) so if you want to try it? You need to grab it fast. It might be best to just go to the source and get it on their website.
$18-25
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