This wine definitely caught my attention for its depth of color, incredible palate balance, structure, and when I realized it was appellated "California" I didn't even flinch - this was great juice. Luxury, balance, medium-bodied, value priced; all descriptors that perfectly encapsulate this inky beauty.
Lot 422 comes to us from an established winery in the Lodi region, and due to strategic blending with some Napa Valley Merlot, landed just a hair under the 85% requirement to be labeled as Lodi. Nurtured with about 1-year in French oak, and accented beautifully with the Merlot (I think they said 17-18%) this is a wine of dark fruits, mocha, toffee, caramel, and chocolate - but don't be fooled, this is not a sweet wine; again, luxury.
I mentioned value, so how about $13/bottle? Originally $20/bottle from the source winery, that makes this bad boy 60% OFF. Boom boom.
Dark as expected from this grape, black cherry, crushed lilacs, mocha, and black tea are lifted over a dark chocolate and blueberry bed. The palate is medium-bodied with small, plentiful, grippy tannins supported by rising acidity accenting toffee and further blueberries with black tea. Good length on the finish, vanilla-flecked waves are interspersed with black fruit and caramel.
13.9% alc.
