Clayhouse Adobe Red 2009

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
Blending red wines is certainly an art and subject to the winemaker’s discretion. Some wines are co-fermented from the start so the wine can slowly develop the flavors of all the grapes.

Others — like this California wine from Paso Robles — are fermented in separate lots in stainless steel tanks and aged in oak barrels before being blended prior to bottling.
There are six grape varieties — zinfandel (32 percent), petite sirah (25 percent), malbec (13 percent), cabernet sauvignon (11 percent), syrah (10 percent) and petite verdot (9 percent) — in this juicy and fruit-forward wine. It displays lots of red fruit and berry flavors and is easy on the palate.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied with flavors of cherry, licorice and rose.” 3 stars
 Chris: “Smooth tannins, with strawberry, cherry and red licorice.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $13.
Coming next week: Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc

A by Acacia 2007

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
This red blend comes from Napa Valley producer Acacia, which sourced the grapes from various vineyards in California.
Acacia is known for its chardonnay and pinot noir wines grown in the Carneros region just north of San Francisco, but this selection comes from the Sonoma area.
This is a Rhone-style blend with syrah, grenache, mouvedre and a splash of viognier. It adds up to a soft and smooth wine layered with red fruit and delicate spice. There’s a lot of texture in this wine, which would pair well with grilled food or pasta. It’s a blend that is very approachable.
Sherry: “Smooth with lots of fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Cedar notes; raspberry and cherry mint flavors.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Cupcake Red Velvet 2009

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE

Cupcake wines are part of the Underdog Wine and Spirits company, which runs several wine labels including A Mano, Big House and Fish Eye.
All of them fall under winemaker Adam Richardson, who sources grapes and oversees the production.

This red blend features zinfandel (47 percent), merlot (29 percent), cabernet sauvignon (19 percent) and petite sirah (5 percent).

Each varietal is fermented separately, blended and oak-aged. The result is a wine that keeps your nose and tongue busy trying to work through the layers of aroma and taste. It's semi-sweet with dark fruit and chocolate flavors but is very smooth.

Sherry: "Fruity black cherry and raspberry with licorice notes on the finish." 3 stars
Chris: "Molasses notes with flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Almost a bit too sweet for a red." 2-1/2 stars

Available locally for $10.

Coming next week: D'Arrigo Riesling