Down to the Well; Murrieta’s Well

January 21, 2018 By Clive Pursehouse Leave a Comment

Murrieta’s Well is a line of wines owned by the larger Wente Family Estates, and the wines crafted under this label are done so with a eye towards blending, and matching particular lots to accent the best of a particular vintage. The history of Murrieta’s Well runs deep in California’s Livermore Valley where the estates planted in the 1880s is one of the state’s originals. The founder Louis Mel built a gravity fed winery into the hillside, and set about creating a vineyard founded on some of the most notable names in Bordeaux, with vine cuttings from Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux. The estate was acquired by Wente in 1990 and then named for the famous bandit Joaquin Murrieta, who may have been the inspiration of Zorro and may have also watered his horses on the estate property.

The wines these days are made by Robbie Meyer who blends fruit from across the estate’s holdings and produce a range of wines from higher end bottles to great value options.

2014 Murrieta’s Well The Spur, Red Wine, Livermore Valley, California $19

A Cabernet based blend the concept of bringing together classic Bordeaux with the California classic Petit Sirah. The blend comes together beautifully, with a rich, redolent red wine that offers depth of flavor along with brilliant balance and structure. Aromas of blue fruit, dusty cherry and cocoa powder. The flavors of blackberry, clove and cinnamon hint at a rich wine but the structure is fine tannin driven and quite elegant.

2015 Murrieta’s Well The Whip, White Wine, Livermore Valley, California $15

A sort of kitchen sink blend from across the vineyard holdings that brings together a series of unusual suspects. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon in equal parts along with dabs of Viognier and Muscat Canelli. This wine is sort of engineered based on what each grape offers. An aromatic wine thanks especially to the Viognier and Muscat Canelli with a great sense of mouthfeel brought to you by the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc bringing the crisp finish. The aromas are honey and tropical fruit, along with a hint of citrus. The palate is ripe with flavors of honey and wet stone along with a zippy citrus finish.

2016 Murrieta’s Well Dry Rosé, Livermore Valley, California $21

A bone dry pink wine from a blend of Grenache and Counoise. Made in the style of Provence this wine is aromatically bright with aromas of cut strawberry and rhubarb, the palate is bright and zippy with strawberry, melon and white flower flavors.

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Love the Zin, Ate the Dinner; Thanksgiving Zinfandels

November 3, 2017 By Clive Pursehouse Leave a Comment

Zinfandel arrived in California as part of the Gold Rush of the 1850s. Its origins though are in Eastern Europe and the wine growing regions of Croatia. After Prohibition when the California wine industry was nearly decimated there was a time when folks mistakenly believed that Zinfandel was a grape unique to the West Coast and California, but it’s ancestry can be traced through Puglia in Italy, where it’s known as Primitivo across the Adriatic to Croatia. In Croatia the grape is known as Crljenak Kaštelanski, which rolls right off the tongue.

California Zinfandel though has taken on a life of its own. The grape thrives in warm temperatures and its ripeness and richness developed in that California sunshine make it the state’s one true signature grape. Zinfandel does well in a variety of areas from Lodi to Mendocino as well as the Dry Creek Valley, where it may reach it’s greatest expression from old, gnarled vines.

Zinfandel is also a wine that does really well come Turkey Day. The rich, spicy character of Zinfandel, and the wine’s relative approachability makes it a crowd-pleaser. The spicy, fruit driven palate also sets it up nicely with a variety of side dishes and it will absolutely stand up to some of the fattier foods that grandma might send your way.

2014 Angry Bunch Lodi Zinfandel, Lodi, California $16

Simple, straightforward, ripe and rich. This Lodi Zin is loaded with rich black fruit aromas, and hints of barrel spice. The palate is packs a wallop in terms of dark fruit flavors, notes of mocha, pepper and cocoa powder lead into the finish. The Angry Bunch Lodi Zinfandel comes from vineyards near the Mokelumne River in Lodi where you’ll likely find some of America’s oldest Zinfandel vines. This wine is a people-pleaser, nothing really to get angry about here folks.

2014 Angry Bunch Mendocino County Zinfandel, Mendocino, California $19

A slight contrast in style from vineyards in the Mendocino Ranches surrounding the Russian River. This wine has an acid and a bit of elegance that the straightforward Lodi did not. Aromas of dried violet, dried herbs and fig. The palate has a lift to it that really balances the ripeness of the Mendocino Zinfandel. Dried fig, prunes and hints of garrigue, along with a bit more structure and a nice kiss of acid at the end.

2014 Ravenswood Old Vine Zifandel, Sonoma County, California $17

Mostly Zinfandel with a bit of Petite Sirah and a few other grapes in the mix, this wine from Ravenswood comes across as a classic California Zinfandel. Notes of vanilla and espresso along with black cherry aromas communicate the time spent in oak. The palate is high octane intensity. A black fruit core surrounded by flavors of smoke, mocha and a touch of white pepper. Ravenswood sources this fruit from 50 to 100 year old Zinfandel vines throughout their Sonoma County holdings.

Urge to Splurge:

2014 Ravenswood Belloni Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California $34

The elegance goes all the way to eleven on this single vineyard bottling from Ravenswood from the tiniest of plots. A 7.5 acre vineyard in the Russian River AVA; Belloni fruit is rare and so this is quite a treat. 100% Zinfandel with aromas of dried fig, sage and dried violet and a touch of sweet wood. The palate offers an almost old world character of dried fruit, hints of earth, herbs, clove and nutmeg. A wine that speaks to the more elegant side of the typically muscular Zinfandel.

2014 Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, California $34

In the Dry Creek Valley, Zinfandel finds its raison d’être. The conditions, the old vines and the grape seem to find a harmony that in other places eludes it. This bottling from Ravenswood, particularly at under $50 is perhaps a sort of approachable greatness for Zinfandel neophytes. The Teldeschi Vineyard was planted by the son of an Italian immigrant and for many years sold its grapes to home winemakers in Sonoma. The founders of Ravenswood struck up a deal with the Teldeschi family for this fruit, and the wine has become a flagship. The aromas are a mix of pepper, espresso and blueberry, the palate is medium weight, with flavors of fennel, earth, blackberry and a dusting of mocha. The structure is undeniable, and the finish goes on well into the dessert course.

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20 Wines Under $17 for 2017

January 8, 2017 By Clive Pursehouse Leave a Comment

It’s a new year and perhaps you’ve made some resolutions? Losing a few pounds, eating healthier, not watching so much television? No judgement. In any case, perhaps your resolution included exploration, in which case I offer you a to-do list of wine exploration. Twenty wines, under $17 for 2017. Good luck, and have a great new year.

Sparkling:

Sparkling wines are often seen as just a way to ring in the New Year, but I suggest that keeping your good fortune in mind on an everyday basis is the positive way to approach 2017. To that end, here are a handful of sparkling wines to help you celebrate the everyday.

14 Hands Winery, Brut, Columbia Valley, Washington $10

Certainly an everyday celebration pricetag, the 14 Hands Brut from Washington State’s Columbia Valley is a blend of many grapes and offers classic, yet quaffable qualities in a sparkling wine. Fermented using the same in-bottle technique as is used in Champagne this sparkler offers lots of cut Granny Smith apple, and citrus creme.

Valdo “Oro Puro” Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene, Italy $12

Not all Prosecco is created equal, and this bottling from the DOCG of Valdobbiadene-Conegliano shows why. The Glera grape’s true home is in these steep hillside vineyards. Savory herbal notes mix with cut pear and apple, and the classically floral elements that make Prosecco one of the great sparkling food wines of the world.

Domaine J Laurens Cremant de Limoux Crémant Rosé, Languedoc, France $15

The Crémant Rosé from Domaine J Laurens is a pretty pale pink and aromatically fruity with red currant, and rhubarb notes. The palate is crisp and fruit forward and there’s a fair bit of body from this blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. Rich flavors and great acidity make for a nice balanced wine.

Zardetto Prosecco di Treviso Brut, Italy $12

A blend from vineyards within the broader Prosecco DOC indicated by the di Treviso. Classic Prosecco aromas of white flowers, chamomile and apple skin. The palate is lean, angular and loaded with citrus zest, underlined with notes of kitchen herbs and hints of apricot.

Non-Vintage, François Montand Brut, Jura France, $11

Brut sparkling wine is classical and clocking in at $11 marks one of the most ridiculous bargains on the wine planet. Aromas of white flowers and honey, flavors of baked bread, chamomile and ripe stone fruit. An incredible bargain from one of the most serious sparkling producers outside of Champage, making outstanding bubbles in the funky and cool Jura region.

White Wine:

Perhaps you’re a loyal white drinker, looking to expand your repertoire beyond that go-to Chardonnay. Or, maybe you’re one of those “red wine only” folks, in which case this list might push you to test your comfort zone a little, it’s a new year, take a chance.

2014 Wente Morning Fog Estate Chardonnay, Livermore Valley, California $11

California Chardonnay has perhaps developed a bit of a bad reputation based on the overly oaked models, this value priced Chardonnay shows that restrained use of oak results in an easy drinking balanced Chardonnay from California. The aromas are baked apple, and vanilla, but the palate is a balance of bright sweet, tropical fruit rounded off with notes of cinnamon.

2014 Los Dos White, Campo de Borja, Spain $9

Bright crisp and loaded up on fruit. This blend of Muscat and Chardonnay is all fruit all the time. Aromas of passion fruit, mango and pineapple come through with great clarity given the wine’s steel fermentation. The palate is bright, zippy and full of pineapple. As under $10 bottles go this one is a steal, and a change up on your typical white wine blends.

2014 Casal Thaulero Orsetto Oro, Trebbiano, Italy $15

Trebbiano is a classic white Italian variety and this one fits the bill. Lean, angular and complex compared to many American white varieties, a bit exotic. With aromatics and a palate somewhat reminiscent of an Older World Chardonnay. Aromas of sweet hay, lemon and sage and a palate with a lot of complexity, notes of pollen, honey and candle wax. If you’re looking for new wines to explore this one is perfect.

2015 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon $15

Willamette Valley Pinot Gris is far and away Oregon’s most popular white wine. It’s fruit forward, round character balanced by bright acidity makes it almost universally enjoyable regardless of your personal preferences. This bottling from Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of Oregon’s largest and most consistent quality producers shows why. Aromas are exuberant with sweet fruit, ripe cantaloupe and a round mouthfeel that delivers pineapple, ripe stone fruit and honey.

2015 Tall Sage Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington $12

As Chardonnay goes this wine clocks in at a fairly high alcohol percentage, north of 14% but that doesn’t show up on the palate. Rather than phenolic this wine is bright and zippy. The use of stainless steel tanks during fermentation highlights the crisp, fruit forward character of this Washington Chardonnay with aromas of cut stone fruit and white flowers. The palate is equally zesty with a citrusy hallmark of lime and grapefruit.

Red Wines:

You’ve had your fill of Merlot perhaps and for 2017 you’ve resolved to discover new wines varieties and new regions of the wine growing world. I’ve got you covered on both.

2014 Bodegas Caro, Aruma Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $11

Frankly, it seems a little crazy to me that you can get a wine this good for $11. Argentinian Malbec faced a sort of identity crisis at the height of its popularity. A homogenity of style took hold and the reason the wine became so popular in the first place in Argentina, it’s ample fruit forward character, sort of got lost. This Aruma bottling from Bodegas Caro, arguably one of Argentina’s highest quality bodegas is an insane bargain at $11. There is a litheness to this fruit forward wine which makes it all the more enjoyable, bright red and blue fruit aromatics mix with hints of crushed stone. There’s a surprising acidity, and an incredibly elegant structure that highlights a fruit focused flavor profile. Outstanding wine. Look for it.

2013 Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain $12

Spain may be the single greatest wine value producer in the world. Seemingly the Spanish, throughout their country are cranking out well made wines always south of the $20 price tag, and this well made offering is no different. Monastrell is the Spanish name for Mourvedre, and this wine is a well made example. Intoxicating aromatics of black fruit and barrel spice, and hints of smoke. The palate is rich and redolent. There is ample oak influence on this wine resulting in a velvety mouth coating body. The flavors of dusty blackberry, tobacco and sage round out this masculine, rich wine.

2013 Tridente Tempranillo, Castilla y Leon, Spain $12

Bonus points for outstanding label art on this bottle from Bodegas Triton. While most folks think of Tempranillo from the classic region of Rioja, this grape is made throughout Spain. This wine is a bit brighter than the aforementioned Monastrell, and this is typical of young Tempranillo which really emphasizes red and blue fruit notes. Aromas of candied blueberry and dried violets and a hint of barrel spice. The palate is spicy, and soft. Flavors of sappy raspberry and blackberry along with black pepper.

2014 Mastroberardino Aglianico, Campania Italy $13

Aglianico is a wine with a great historical pedigree brought from Greece to southern Italy. It was the foremost component of the most famous wine of ancient Rome, Falerninan wine, a sought after cult wine at the time. Campania may be it most well known growing region these days. Aglianico has a well earned reputation for being highly, and almost unapproachably tannic in its youth and therefore is often blended with Sangiovese to soften it. That is not the case in this Mastroberardino bottling, nor is it necessary. This wine is wonderfully fruity and relatively light bodied. Aromas of stone, strawberry and fennel and a palate of pure bright fruit, bing cherry, wild strawberry and a hint of spearmint at the finish.

2013 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, California $11

One might balk at the pedigree of California Cabernet in the nearly $10 bin but fret not, at least not when it comes to this bottle. Where cult California Cabernet can be a world changing experience, a well made iteration of this grape shows that California may offer a purity of fruit that you cannot find in Bordeaux. This wine is simple, easy drinking and at $11 is just begging for a pizza in the middle of the week. Yet with all that is unassuming about it’s price point and approachability, it’s still a damn nice wine. Aromas of of raspberry and streaks of fresh kitchen herbs and a bright palate of red fruits accent the palate. Raspberry and montmorency cherry with only the slightest hint of cocoa powder.

2013 Lander Jenkins Pinot Noir, California $13

A super approach and budget friendly California Pinot Noir that accents the red fruit character and hints at the elegance of this finest of fine wine grapes. Aromatics of turned earth, dried violets and red currant. The palate is sweet berry fruit, notes of clove and cola and a finish with ample acidity to make this a well paired food wine.

2013 Tie Dye Red Blend, North Coast, California $14

From two of California’s most well known red wine varieties to a “kitchen sink” blend that includes a little of those, along with nearly everything else, the Tie Dye blend, is perhaps aiming at peace and love by blending just about everything. If you like oak influence, this wine is for you. The resultant blend is loaded with barrel aromatics of cinnamon and baking spice. The palate continues to exhibit that oak with notes of cinnamon, espresso and cocoa powder. There is a streak of black fruit throughout the palate, framed by baking spices.

2014 Enrique Mendoza La Tremenda Monastrell, Alicante, Spain $12

If there’s a fitting example at just how much wine you can get for your dollar from Spain, this is it. Mendoza’s entry level Monastrell, offers a high bang for the buck and emphasis on bright fresh fruit flavors and aromas. The wine comes from thirty year old vines at an elevation of two thousand feet. The wine spent six months in neutral American oak barrels (used two to three times) and the resulting wine offers aromas of cola, baking spice and dusty ripe raspberry. The palate is lively, fresh and loaded with red fruit, tobacco and cocoa nibs. What an incredible bargain.

2014 Parducci Small Lot Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino County, California $12

A use of restraint on the oak selection and with fruit from Mendocino County’s inland vineyards you have a wine that shows a lot of class for the price tag. Classic cabernet notes of red berry and white pepper when it comes to the aromas. There’s ample red fruit and brightness on the palate with hints of mocha and just a touch of peppery spice. A great food Cabernet from Parducci.

2014 Root:1 Heritage Red, Maipo Valley, Chile $9

This is a lot of wine for less than $10, about that I have no doubt. The aromas mix fruit, with earthen character,graphite and even hints of coffee. The palate is a core of black fruit, but what makes this wine stand out is its elegance and structure. A blend of Cabernet, Carmenere, Syrah and Petit Verdot, while this are heavy hitting varieties, the balanced blend between oak aged wine and a substantial portion done in stainless steel leaves the wine with a brightness and focus on fruit that make for a great food pairing and an undeniable bargain.

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Best Sparkling Wines Under $20

December 29, 2016 By Stacy Slinkard Leave a Comment

In the ongoing search for the best Champagnes and sparkling wines under the $20 mark, there is good news and bad news. Unless you are shooting for a small 187 ml, single serve bottle of Champagne, finding a true blue Champagne under $20 can be tough (read impossible) to do. For starters, Champagne is only Champagne if the grapes are grown and bottled in Champagne, France and that is never cheap. However, if you just want a sip of the real deal, you can snag small 187 ml bottles in the under $20 price range. Look for some of the bigger Champagne houses like Nicolas Feuillatte or Perrier Jouet in the small serving size bottles. However if you are going for full bottles of French bubbly, take heart. France dazzles with regionally-inspired sparkling wines, known as Crémants (for “creamy”) produced in regions outside of Champagne’s strict regional borders and made in the same traditional method as Champagne. Crémant d’Alsace is a sparkling wine with roots in Alsace or Crémant de Bourgogne represents a snazzy sparkler from Burgundy.

On to more good news, delicious sparkling wine at unbelievable price points is available from all over the wine world. One of the very best budget values in sparkling wines comes from Spain’s northeast Penedes region, carrying the label codename of Cava. Cava wows with fantastic pricing, delicious bubbles and extremely food-friendly leanings. America’s sparkling wine scene brings some serious diversity and palate appeal to the festive flavors and bubble-driven traditions of California, Washington, Oregon and New York. Prosecco, Italy’s fun budget-friendly bubbly, continues to welcome consumers to the wide world of sparkling wine with easy-going style and solid distribution.

Segura Viudas

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava (Spain) $9

Spain has got it going on when it comes to budget-friendly bubbly and the Segura Viudas Brut Cava does its best to give buyers the most bang for the buck. This is a rich textured, creamy sparkling wine running initial floral aromas alongside toasted almond, green apple and d’Anjou pear-driven components that debut again on the palate amid the clean, crisp lines of distinct acidity and a fresh finish.

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut (CA) $18

Gloria Ferrer

Sonoma’s ultra-popular and super sassy blend of New World Pinot Noir (85%) and Chardonnay (15%) captures clear fruit aromas with a heady combination of D’Anjou pear meets Granny Smith green apple, with a dash of lively citrus, a smidge of melon, and ripe strawberry essence all wrapped up in a toasty, vanilla nuance. The medium-bodied palate expression is dry, crisp and balanced with engaging complexity that lingers well into the finish. A top pick for quality to price in the wide world of sparkling wine.

Lucien Albrecht

Lucien Albrecht Cremant Brut Rose (France) $20 A top producer of “non-Champagne” sparkling wine, Lucien Albrecht is known for producing stellar Alsatian Cremants at equally appealing price points. This wine is no exception. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, expect plenty of strawberry swirls to pop on the nose followed by intriguing mineral-driven notes, the palate profile shows a lively marriage of citrus and raspberry components, richly textured with a well-woven finish.

La Marca

La Marca Prosecco (Italy) $13 Prosecco, Italy’s sparkling white wine delight from Veneto, is a fun and festive burst of bubbles that carries an equally attractive price tag. La Marca’s Prosecco lives up to the lively expectations with full throttle bubbles, bright citrus aromas wrapped in a swirl of honey, and the fresh fruit profiles of sweet apple and tangy grapefruit on the dry, crisp palate. The finish maintains a charming minerality, with remnants of citrus in the mix.

Toad Hollow

Toad Hollow Risque (France) $15 This is a low alcohol (only 6%), light-hearted sparkler made from the Mauzac Blanc grape, a regional varietal found in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southwest France. Easy-going apple-driven fruit highlights the nose and echoes again on the refreshing, zippy palate. Truly a unique sparkling wine experience, Toad Hollow Risque is always a crowd-pleaser thanks to its lighter style, fresh flavor and touch of sweet on the finish.

Roederer Estate

Roederer Estate Brut (California) $20 The name “Roederer” may ring a wine bell. It’s the name of one of the most successful Champagne Houses in France, Champagne Louis Roederer. They crossed the pond and began making sparkling wine in California in 1988. Since then, Roederer Estate has become one of California’s most well-reputed sparkling wine producers in the country. The Estate Brut illustrates why. All 600 acres of vineyards are family-owned and each Brut is a blend of multiple vintages, including the elegant addition of oak-aged reserve wines. Expect a 60/40 split of Chardonnay to Pinot Noir in the cuvee with characteristic focus, toasted, nutty aromas, baked apple nuances, solid acidity and a remarkable richness that carries the finish. This Brut is a go-to gig for those looking for Champagne-style on a slightly better than beer budget.

Mumm Napa

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (California) $18 – Keeping with California’s top sparkling wine themes, Mumm Napa’s Brut Prestige rolls with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as its base grapes. Granny smith apple, toasted notes of fresh baked bread and a hint of spice form the delicate aromatic on this sparkling wine. Dry with a medium-body and well-handled acidity, the fruit components rely largely on citrus-leaning flavors with a touch of melon and fresh ginger-like spice.

Gruet Winery

Gruet Blanc de Noirs (New Mexico) $15 Guaranteed to get the wine conversation rolling, when you share this wine with friends, they fall in love, and then you tell them it’s from New Mexico, south of Albuquerque. This particular sparkling wine gem is produced by French expats, a brother and sister team from Champagne. In the mid-1980s they moved to New Mexico to plant an “experimental” vineyard with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the main grapes of Champagne. The arid climate keeps rot at bay, while simultaneously eliminating the need for pesticides, and the dramatic temperature swings between hot days and cool nights slows the grapes ripening down and adds to the bright acidity found in Gruet wines.

Made in the same traditional method of Champagne (with the second fermentation taking place in the bottle to produce the prestigious bubbles), this smoked salmon colored sparkler dazzles with lively raspberry aromas, apple pie undertones, rich creamy textures and fresh acidity. A delight from start to finish.

*Quick Tip: Gruet (the “t” is silent, making the pronunciation Groo-ay)

Freixenet

Freixenet Sparkling Cordon Negro Brut Cava (Spain) $9 Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, is made in the same method as Champagne (meaning the second fermentation takes place in the bottle not in a tank). Representing one of the wine world’s best deals, Cava is typically built on three indigenous grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Expect some serious fresh factors to kick in here, with apple-themed aromas, a slice of orange and a bit of spice all bolstered by vibrant acidity and solid bubble beading.

Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé Cava (Spain) $9 Based on Pinot Noir and the local red grape, Trepat, it may be no surprise that ripe, red fruit dominates both the nose and the palate. Expect raspberry and strawberry components to sneak in and steal the aromatic show, followed by dried ginger spice and toasted vanilla notes. This is budget bubbly at its best!

Veuve Clicquot

Urge to Splurge? Check out Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (France) $45

This is a popular, go-to wine for those looking to buy well-made, true blue non-vintage Champagne at a relatively reasonable price point, in the under $50 category. Built on the back of 50% Pinot Noir, close to 30% Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier taking 20% of the blend, you can expect a delicate balance of fruit and structure. Lively apple-driven fruit is bolstered by the yeast-filled aromas of fresh baked bread. The palate profile is rich and creamy with bright glints of mouth-watering acidity and a consistent fresh-factor that charms from first sip to full finish. Not ready to part with a full $45? Then check out half-bottle sizes (375 ml) at almost half the price.

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Wine for a Good Cause on Veteran’s Day: Purple Heart Red Wine

November 11, 2016 By Clive Pursehouse Leave a Comment

2014 Purple Heart, Red Wine, Napa Valley, California $17

There never need be a cause to enjoy a fine wine, but when you do get to enjoy a wine for a cause, all the better.

Purple Heart Wines makes a generous annual donation to the Purple Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the unmet needs of military men, women and families. For over 50 years the Purple Heart Foundation has been supporting and honoring the sacrifice military veterans have made for our country. Last year alone, the foundation helped over 19,000 veterans secure over $300 million dollars in VA benefits with their professionally trained VA Service Officers. Only with your continued support will the Purple Heart Foundation be able to provide desperately needed programs to assist veterans with new Service Dogs, Educational Scholarships, resources to help cope with Post Traumatic Stress, and necessary funding for research to heal those suffering with Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Transitioning from the battlefield to the home front has never been more difficult, and every dollar donated makes a difference in the lives of our men and women in uniform – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The wine itself is made by two veterans of the Iraq and Vietnam wars, and so the cause is personal for them. The collaboration between Ray Coursen and consulting winemaker David Grega, is a project backed by the Mondavi Family. The wine itself offers plenty of cause to toast the project, with aromas of black fruit, dried figs and anise, and a notes of black tea. The palate is full and lush with blueberry, black cherry and a wonderful structure that accents fine tannins and a sateen mouthfeel. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and tiny bits of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot.

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