2012 Red Blend Kendall-Jackson Vineyards

Usually, buying an established national label meets the pallet’s expectation. K/J is one of those old reliable California labels. That vineyard produces good Merlots, Zinfandels and other reds. At one point, K/J’s Chardonnay was my go-to white wine.

This bottle is a red blend, Avant. It’s one I haven’t tried before. Avant is one of their collection series. Although “Avant” has several meanings, K/J put this red blend in steel tanks. Fermenting in steel, rather than oak, was to bring the fruit taste forward.

I wasn’t disappointed with the delivery: very fruity. The aromas were raspberry, chocolate, red cherry and with a mild spicy finish. Here’s an inexpensive, flavorful inexpensive red wine. The twist-off cap makes it E-Z by not using a corkscrew.

It’s a “drink-it-now” bottle, fitting into a causal situation. Pair it with a cahir.