Trial Blending #2

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Trial Blending #2

The group met and tried lots of blends. After much discussion (and some purple tongues) we decided on the following. Number of bottled cases of each wine is an estimate. We need to validate how many gallons we have in carboys.

1. Magnafique

We increased the merlot by 5 percent over the last tasting trials and added 1% petit verdot. We tried it both with "blended" cabs and the just the idaho cab. No clear favorite. The blended cab was a stronger flavor, for sure. We increased the merlot another 10%, and blended it with just the Idaho cab and liked this blend the best. So this year we have a "Left Bank" style Bordeaux blend. Tasty!

 

Est 70G (29+ Cases)

40% Idaho Cab (28G)

50% Wood River Merlot (35G) ** Need to hold back 35G of Merlot from the Boisique blending.

9% Wood River Malbec (6.3G)

1% Petit Verdot (0.7G)

 

2. Cab Blends

We kept the WA clone-6 separate. It's very strong this year--over ripe from hanging a long time (28 brix). Plus it picked up strong flavors from the MH toast French recoop barrel. We Tried blending it with Syrah and Malbec. We all liked the 60/40 Cab Syrah (better than the straight syrah) and the 60/40 Cab Malbec blend, but liked the Cab/Malbec blend the best. So we have a new blend that needs to be named.

 

(12.5 Cases)

60% RiverRock Clone-6 Cabernet (18G)
50% Wood River Malbec (12G)

3. Encore

Last year we made an Encore blend of syrah rose, malbec and a heavy dose of petit verdot. This year we liked the blend better without the petit verdot. It is amazing how well Syrah and Malbec blend together! Our blend this year is:

 

25G (10.4 Cases)

73% RiverRock Syrah (18.25G)

27% Wood River Malbec (6.75G)

 

4. Boisique

We decided on 80/20 at our last tasting.

(21 Cases)

80% Wood River Merlot (40G)

20% Wood River Malbec (10G)