Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso, 2017

The second red wine at the AWS/Tasters Guild wine dinner is Le Macchiole's Bolgheri Rosso. Even at $29.99 (the reduced price for those attending the event, this may be one of the best values of the event. Produced as a "Bordeaux blend," the wine actually contains Syrah (a Northern Rhone grape) as well as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel, then aged for 10 months in a combination of used barriques and concrete.

Dark and dense. I don't find any of the four grapes standing out as dominant. This is just a big, black fruited wine that begs to be enjoyed now or whenever. There are undoubtedly plenty of tannins, but they are not at all intrusive. Rich texture with ripe red berry fruit on the finish. Goes well with the beef tenderloin and cauliflower/potato mash. While I have focused on the wines, I should mention the four excellent courses of food from South Kitchen in Richland, MI.