Lidl has a section of their wine department for unique wines that are not part of their regular collection. These wines are available for a limited time and when they are sold, they will not be restocked. One wine that caught my eye last week was "The Blend 2014" by Balnaves of Coonawarra Australia. This Bordeaux blend was priced at $17.99 and the signage said that the wine was rated at 94 points. The rater was not identified but I have since found out that it was James Halliday from Australia. I do not often have the opportunity to taste 94 points wine in my price range, so I bought a bottle.
Coonawarra is a cool climate grape growing region in southeast Australia which is known for premium dry red table wines. The average summertime (December, January and February) temperature is 72 degrees F. and the soil is red "terra rossa".
Balnaves makes their wines from grapes grown on their own vineyards. Winemaker Pete Bissell varies the blend of grapes for this wine each year. Some years Cabernet Sauvignon makes up more than 50% of the blend and other years Merlot dominates. In the 2014 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon is 56%, Merlot is 38%, and Cabernet Franc is 6%. The wine is aged 14 months in French oak and the alcohol content is 14%.
I found the wine to be medium bodied with flavors of black fruit, dried herb and cedar. The finish is very long lasting. I think this is a well made wine but since I am not a fan of dried herb and cedar flavors in my red wine, I will not rate this as high as the Australian rater.
SC Wine Joe rating = 89 points
Coonawarra is a cool climate grape growing region in southeast Australia which is known for premium dry red table wines. The average summertime (December, January and February) temperature is 72 degrees F. and the soil is red "terra rossa".
Balnaves makes their wines from grapes grown on their own vineyards. Winemaker Pete Bissell varies the blend of grapes for this wine each year. Some years Cabernet Sauvignon makes up more than 50% of the blend and other years Merlot dominates. In the 2014 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon is 56%, Merlot is 38%, and Cabernet Franc is 6%. The wine is aged 14 months in French oak and the alcohol content is 14%.
I found the wine to be medium bodied with flavors of black fruit, dried herb and cedar. The finish is very long lasting. I think this is a well made wine but since I am not a fan of dried herb and cedar flavors in my red wine, I will not rate this as high as the Australian rater.
SC Wine Joe rating = 89 points
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