Stark Raving Red

Stark-Raving-RedThe Stark Raving Red is a non vintage blend of 34% Tannat, 28% Zinfandel, 18% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah and 6% Other (why do they just say “other,” it’s not a field blend, they know what grapes they purchased) sourced from 80% Central Coast AVA and 20% Lodi AVA (which is inside the Central Coast AVA). The wine is produced by Rosenblum Cellars and should retail for under ten bucks, I found it for $8.99. Tannat is a grape normally found in Southwest France and used primarily as a blending grape. It is a big, bold, tannic grape that is added to wines to give them some backbone. It is probably used here, because Tannat grapes are far more inexpensive to buy than Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but that is perfectly fine with me, because now we have a wine that is not the usual blend. Here we have something that is going to be a little different, which is very cool for an under $10 wine. 10% of the wine was aged in French oak barrels, another 10% was aged in American oak barrels and the rest aged in stainless steel vats for 5 months. The alcohol content is 13.9%.

The color is Smuckers raspberry jam red. The nose is subtle, caramel, plum, summer flowers, french vanilla and faint mocha coffee. The wine is a little more subdued than I expected a Tannat/Zinfandel wine to be, but there are strong jammy flavors with a very firm structure. It starts with cherry and blackberry jam, a little Dr. Pepper, some Snickers chocolate and tart cranberry. The mid palate brings the very firm tannins, you can really sense them, they are large and in charge, but they do not bite. Along, with soft plum and a taste of oak spice. The firm tannins run thru out the body of the wine and help the finish linger for longer than a ten buck wine finish should.

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I was expecting an over-the-top, large wine from the Stark Raving Red and what I got is a juicy red blend, with good balance and solid, firm structure. Now, I like over-the-top wines, especially in this price range, why hold back, but balance and structure in a backyard BBQ wine is an unexpected and welcome surprise. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is not balanced and structured like a Pinot Noir from Burgundy, it is not that hardcore, but for a non vintage, oddball blend it is a very nice effort.

About the Author
Don’t tell anyone, but there is absolutely no correlation between the cost of wine and the quality of wine.

4 comments on “Stark Raving Red

  1. Just a note that there are only 290 acres of Tannat in California. The grape was introduced into the US by Tablas Creek and their delicious, gorgeous Tannat wine is $40. Tannat is originally from France but now is being grown and produced in Uruguay, where it is the signature varietal. Quality Tannat wines from Uruguay start at $20 so I would have to disagree that Tannat grapes are cheap and that they are used only for blending. It is true that in general Lodi grapes are much cheaper, and therefore they can offer wines at a much lower price.

  2. Doug says:

    The Stark Raving Gentleman provides a perfect image for the label.
    Wishing Stark Raving much success!

  3. DEBORAH MOHR says:

    LOVE the STARK RAVING RED. Bought a case at Grocery Outlet.. .
    …NEED. another case !
    Can I get a good price??? Please
    Debbie Mohr
    562. 682-1863

  4. Domaine Dave says:

    Hi,
    https://www.wine-searcher.com is a good way of finding the best online price for wine.

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