Wine Last Sold on: February 1, 2013
Truett-Hurst Vineyards & Winery
Featured Wine:
2011 Dearly Beloved - I Thee Red
| Varietal: | Red Blend |
| Region: | California: Mendocino County |
| Avg. Price: | $12.99 |
| Wine Spies: | $9.99 |
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SELL OUT ALERT:
Are you looking for the 2009 Martin Family Zinfandel? We are sorry to report that it sold out, earlier today. In its place, we present to you the lovely, delicious 2011 Dearly Beloved Red Blend our own 2012 Wine Spies Wine Intrigue Award Winner for Operatives’ Choice: Top QPR Red Blend of 2012. This wine beat out all other red blends for this honor.
SAVINGS CODE ALERT:
Use code ITHEESAVE at checkout for Included Ground Shipping on 12 or more bottles.
SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
Mission Codename: A Perfect Union
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Scour the state of California for a delicious, approachable, exciting budget-minded red that satisfies all the senses - including the sense of value. Secure an ample allotment for our well-deserving Operatives.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Virginia Marie Lambrix
Final Assessment
While this may be the perfect wine for Halloween, it is no novelty! In fact, it would be downright spooky if you were able to find a juicier, more approachable wine for less than our ten dollar asking price.
Delivering a juicy rush of mixed berries, sweet spice and earthy goodness, this delicious wine really impressed our tasting panel. If you are looking for a conversation-worthy party wine, or a budget-minded daily drinker, we urge you to stock up on this wonderful treat of a wine.
Tasting Profile
Deep ruby hues, with solid coloration from core to edge. At the wall of the glass, a chubby pink ring runs a circle around the wine. After swirling, tall, thin, wine-stained tears meander slowly down the glass.
Cherry, plum, strawberry and sweet spice lead the way. These are soon followed by ripe blackberry, dried brown tobacco leaf, toasty vanilla and subtle dried red flowers.
Soft and smooth, on entry. Then, as the wine glides across the palate, it introduces a soft, crushed velvet feel. Gradually, an easy dryness spreads from the center of the palate, outward, eventually drying the lips and cheeks. Soft, integrated tannins combine with a medium acidity combine to give the wine a plush overall feel.
Bursting with juicy red cherry, red plum and blackberry. As the wine breathes, it opens to revel follow-on flavors of sweet spice, dried fall leaves, star anise and subtle clove.
Sweet and juicy red fruits tail off over a long interval, gradually yielding to the earthy flavors above. At the tail end, hints of clove and anise persist for a while longer.
About Mendocino
The grapes for this delicious wine were grown north of Sonoma County, along the Russian River and highway 101. The actual AVA is centered between Hopland and Ukiah in the southern third of the county and its grapes are heavily influenced by the climate, which in turn is regulated by the mountain ridges that surround the upper Russian River. The deep alluvial and gravelly loam soils also contribute to the flavor profile of the grapes grown in the region. While Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay are the primary grapes grown in the region, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Petite Sirah and many other secondary grapes thrive in the climate.
What the Winery Says
The Dearly Beloved I Thee Red is a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, sourced from the Central Coast of California. The blend finds a balance between a component of fruit as well as spice. A rich and full-bodied wine, this will stand up to big flavored steaks.
Varietals
Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sirah, Cab Franc
TA
0.602
pH
3.65
Alcohol
13.5%
About the Winery
Truett Hurst is nestled in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, creating world class wines from the special 26 acre haven. Visit Truett Hurst and enjoy our tasting room made of eco-friendly materials, Coho salmon swimming in the creek, sheep grazing in the vineyards, beneficial insect habitat, and our big and bold Zinfandels.
While the formation of the Truett Hurst partnership began in November of 2007, the founding partners worked together at Fetzer Winery years before. At that time, Paul Dolan was Director of Winemaking and hired Phil Hurst, fresh from UC Davis, to work as one of the winemakers. Years later, Phil would hire Paul’s son, Heath, right out of college to work for him. Thirty years after that first meeting, Paul, Heath, Phil and Sylvia Hurst formed a partnership in the Dry Creek Valley. Their vision: create world class wines using biodynamic farming principles. To complete that vision, Mark De Meulanaere and winemaker, Virginia Lambrix were brought in.
The story really begins in the vineyard, where we source fruit from the best hillside, old vine vineyards in Dry Creek. The style of wine, be it spicy and bold, or fruit driven and elegant, is dictated by the vineyard. Understanding this and allowing for the authentic translation of its terroir is paramount for making unforgettable wines. Small, open top fermentations, mixing the cap gently with punch downs and selection of only the best French and American oak are only part of the care that go into handcrafting our wines.
