2014 Joullian Vineyards Retro Rouge Red Wine Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, $25, 13.3% ABV: 48% Merlot, 21% Zinfandel, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2 % Muscat Hamburg.
We have been visiting Joullian Vineyards since our early days exploring wines in Carmel Valley Village. Its tasting room is in a lovely stone building which looks a bit more like an old church than a wine tasting room. They were one of our early favorites for unique Semillon blends and Zinfandels, a rare find in the valley.
This is another Cachagua winery! Distilled from Joullian’s webpage: In 1982, Joullian Vineyards, Ltd. purchased 655 acres of hillside benchland at an elevation of 1400 feet, in the heart of the remote Carmel Valley AVA. 40 acres were planted to Bordeaux varietals in the rocky Arroyo Seco series loam…plus Carmel Valley’s first Zinfandel! The rest of the vineyard was grafted in the 90’s to pre-Prohibition Zinfandel selections, sourcing clones from reputed sources such as Mount Veeder, 3 Palms, Diamond Mountain, Sterling, Ventana, Brandlin, St. Peter’s Church and Lytton Springs.
In their tasting room many years ago, we discovered the Retro Rouge. Joullian’s winemaker based this kitchen sink blend off the style of wine he enjoys. Initially, it was house blend for his private consumption only until he began sharing a few bottles with Wine Club members. Back then, it was a nonvintage blend, but now it depicts a specific vintage. And from time to time, I have stumbled into a reduced case price, helpful for my volunteer wine education efforts. A great red blend at a discount from Carmel Valley? I’m all in. Even at the $25 list price, it is an exceptional value for such a great tasting red blend from Carmel Valley and there is plenty 2014 left, last I checked about 6 months ago.
A few years back, I showcased a nonvintage bottle at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar (WWCS) in Washington, DC. Last Fall, I included this 2014 vintage as part of my Northern Virginia AWS class. It was slated be in my upcoming WWCS class, but that is scrubbed due to COVID-19. Sigh.
Joullian’s winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby color that continues all the way to the edges. Fresh plums, cola and rhubarb pop on the nose. It jumps back and forth between its Bordeaux and Zinfandel base. Soft and velvety at first, then a burst of dried fruit, leather and bright acidity through the finish. Somewhat waxy, lingering flavors of white pepper spice and black cherry. A wonderful, everyday drinker with or without food.” Aged 12-36 months in Center of France oak barrels. Winner of the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Silver Award.
My review: Brilliant dark cherry/garnet color. A sweetness and smoothness on the nose of mocha, blueberry, dark plum and spice. Upon opening: deep fruit, spice and leather on the palate. After it opened up, round and juicy on the palate with a blackberry, cherry, cassis finish. Great food wine.
You can buy this wine and other Joullian wines on the winery’s webpage. As of this writing, you can also find 12 bottles of it at the Accidental Wine Company for $15.99. And I have 12 bottles parked in DC…
© Decanting Monterey 2020
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