Fast facts:
2020 Requiem Syrah/Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington $6.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California)
I know you are probably as tired of hearing about the price of eggs – and the politicization of same – as I am. (Poor chickens don’t know what to make of us humans.) But I couldn’t help but notice the intersection of two opposing trends in the free market of supply and demand. As eggs prices rise and wine prices falls, you discover eggs and this “positively decadent” red wine blend being sold for the same price. Not that they are mutually exclusive mind you.
* per San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant where you could snap up a bottle for, ahem, $16.
Here on the Left Coast, we have gone from summer weather back to “winter” in the span of a week. Hence the use of fire and alpaca throws as props for this heavy, warming red that we will be pairing with meatloaf tonight.
A Little Tutorial:
Established in 2018 Requiem Wines is the latest project from the team at AVERÆN, aimed at “producing Napa Valley quality red wine at Columbia Valley, Washington, prices.” The 2020 Requiem Red is a blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Merlot from four prime vineyard sites in the Columbia Valley, mostly the Yakima Valley AVA. Yakima Valley is the state’s oldest AVA (in fact, the first federally recognized area in the Pacific Northwest), and is home to some of Washington’s most storied and historic vineyards. It also is the largest sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley, both in total size and planted acreage, with the valley home to over one quarter of Washington’s total grape vine acreage.
The biodynamically farmed fruit was harvested and completely destemmed. Each varietal was vinified separately in stainless-steel fermentors. A series of blending trials ensued, to ensure the perfect blend, followed by élevage in tank—no oak. Which surprised me, because I taste notes of toast, which I (wrongly) associated with some oak in the aging regimen.
Tasting Notes:
Pours a dark burgundy color. Enticing aromas of dark, brambly fruit and a mélange of warm, aromatic spices. The palate is fruit-forward with flavors of blackberry, cassis and blue plum. Rich and mouth filling, the fruit is punctuated with peppery spice and a hint of earthy richness. Would pair really well with BBQ, roasted red meats and hopefully the aforementioned meat loaf. ABV = 14.8%
Need More Wine Picks from Costco – or Trader Joe’s Even?
If your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.
And if your shopping finds you at Trader Joe’s, you can find our Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.
Remember as alway, let us know if you find something you think we should know about. We will give you a shout out in our review for “sniffing it out” for us.
Cheers!
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