A more sophisticated supermarket blend, the Aravail Vineyards Monterey County Red Blend.
70% Syrah and 30% Grenache from Monterey County, California. A portion of the wine is aged in French and American oak barrels with the remainder in stainless steel tanks. The wine has just 1.7 g/L of residual sugar.
Sample submitted for review. The wine is typically priced around $12.99 and is occasionally available for slightly less. The Aravail brand is a private label of Ahold Delhaize USA and is available primarily at their Food Lion stores as well as Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Giant Food and Giant/Martin's.
From the bottle:
The 2019 Aravail Vineyards Monterey County Red Blend opens with a pleasing, attractive aroma of dark fruit (black cherry and plum), a little spice and a touch of dried herbs.
Taking a sip reveals a soft and smooth, easy to drink, dry and tasty wine featuring similar flavors to the nose with juicy fruit in the mouth. Buyers of your typical overly sweet and artificial grocery store reds might be put off by this one but we enjoyed the Rhone-like style. It even has a touch of meatiness to it.
It ends dry, a bit grippy and long with some lingering juicy fruit.
I was happily surprised at the blend for a grocery store wine, and it delivers some good value. A more sophisticated supermarket red blend perhaps?
Taste: 7 (87-88 points) Cost: 7
OVERALL RATING: 7.0
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