Blending a variety of grapes is an interesting and rewarding way for consumers to try one of the more creative skills of a good winemaker. Often, they can offer a less expensive wine than a single varietal, like Cabernet Sauvignon. While white blends can also be very good, red blends are more popular and plentiful. While some very good red blends are offered pretty inexpensively, some of the most expensive red blends are among the most expensive wines in the world. Think Bordeaux blends from France.What about New Jersey red blends? I’m glad you asked. The Garden State happens to have many great red blends for you to enjoy.
Here are a few of my favorite New Jersey Red Blends (in no particular order)
- Turdo Vineyards Turis 2023 Persara-A wonderful version of a Bordeaux blend, named for Sal’s lovely wife, Sara. The wine is a luscious blend of Merlot, Cab, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc.
- Turdo Vineyards Luca’s Rosso “Super Tuscan”- Sal’s son, Luca Turdo created this wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%); Sangiovese (25%); and Merlot (25%) with a hint of vanilla on the nose and cherry and plums on the palate.
- William Heritage Winery 2021 BDX-Their signature red; the BDX is their Bordeaux style blend. It is medium+ bodied with a hint of chocolate on the nose and cherry on the palate. They have won awards for pretty much every vintage.
- White Horse Winery 2021 Solera-A great full-bodied blend with cherry on the palate and a strong, lingering finish. (Not pictured above).
- Hawk Haven Vineyards Q-A delicious, smooth and tasty Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cab, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot. (Not pictured above).
- Auburn Road Vineyards 2022 Eidolon-Their version of a Coeur d’Est wine. Literally, Coeur d’Est means “Heart of the East.” These wines are only produced by wineries in the Outer Coastal Plains and Chambourcin must be one of the components, along with some combination of Bordeaux style grapes. This red blend consists of Chambourcin, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Incidentally, this wine is named after a poem by the Garden State’s most famous poet, Walt Whitman.
- Autumn Lake Winery 2022 Tortuga-More than just a cute label with a turtle, this wine is a delicious blend of Cab Franc (60%) and Merlot (40%).
- Amalthea Cellars 2019 Europa Legends Series-They make seven red blends in this series, each done in the style of several different classic Bordeaux Chateaux. My favorite is probably their Europa Series I, which is modeled after the famous Chateaux Margaux. It is full-bodied and silky smooth. The other bottles in this series are also excellent. These wines have won many awards over the years (especially the Europa I).
Speaking of Amalthea Cellars…
Amalthea Cellars
I had already planned on doing a post about New Jersey Red Blends and of course, I thought about Amalthea Cellars. My wife and I had a brief, spontaneous visit last week. We bought some crackers and cheese and enjoyed a red flight and white flight in their cellar, where we had the space all to ourselves. I’ll just highlight our favorites in this tasting. Speaking of red blends…
- Europa Legends Series II- This wine is a blend of Cab, Merlot, and Cab Franc. Ir is modeled after the famous Chateaux Latour. It is medium bodied with oak and cherry notes. Nicely balanced with a smooth finish.
And speaking of white blends, this one is an underestimated (in my opinion) white, blend, that punches well above its weight…
- Elara. It is a white blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Rayon d’Or, with bright acidity and hints of peach on the palate.
I did not add to my collection of Amalthea Cellars wines, but you can see by the picture below that I have been building my collection of the great Europa Series wines.
Coming Attractions
- Old York Cellars Spring ’25
- Bellview Winery Spring ’25
- Unionville Vineyards Spring’25
- Hopewell Valley Vineyards Spring ’25
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