Why settle for one beautiful blend, when you can have two? The Whip 2013 (white, $22) and The Spur 2011 (red, $25) are two fantastic wines from California winemaker Murrieta's Well that brilliantly showcase the artistry of blending a selection of grape varietals to create a unique sip.
Murrieta's Well wows with their incredibly aromatic white wine, The Whip. Deftly blending 7 grapes - Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and White Riesling; I loved The Whip's crisp & luscious flavors of peach, melon, green apple, with a hint of citrus. The fruit really shines through but The Whip is not too sweet and has a nicely balanced acidity.
The Spur is a robust blend of five varietals - Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabarnet Franc. Aged for 14 months in a combination of oak barrels, The Spur has beautiful black cherry flavors with a hint of spice and anise. Smooth!
Murrieta's Well has quite the legacy in California - the estate was originally cultivated in 1883 with vineyard cuttings from the esteemed Chateau d'Yquem and Chateau Margaux in France. The historic property was revived in 1990 and focuses on crafting blends that showcase the very best attributes of the terroir. Visit the Murrieta's Well tasting room in Livermore Valley, just 40 miles east of San Francisco, to sample their estate blends.
images courtesy Murrieta's Well
