2008 Thacher Controlled Chaos

DATE CONSUMED

Sunday, September 29, 2013

VINTAGE

2008

WINERY/PRODUCER

Thacher

WINE NAME

Controlled Chaos

TYPE OF WINE

Red blend

COMPOSITION

42% Mourvedre, 35% Zinfandel, 23% Grenache

SUBNAME/NICKNAME

N/A

VINEYARD DESIGNATION

N/A

REGION/APPELLATION/A.V.A. (American Viticultural Area)

Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL CONTENT

15.7%

PRICE PAID

$35

WHERE/WHEN BOUGHT AND/OR HOW PROCURED

We bought this bottle at the winery’s tasting room in June, 2011.

BOUQUET

The Mourvedre in this blend is mostly responsible for this wine’s meaty bouquet on the nose, along with some peppery spiciness and savory herbs that nicely complement the red fruit and earthy components.

 

TASTING NOTES

One of the best things about American wines is that winemakers and wineries don’t have to follow incredibly strict regional laws/rules/guidelines/regulations as far as what varietals they can/cannot use in their blends like they do throughout most of Europe (especially Italy and France (and extra especially Champagne, Bordeaux, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape)).  In America, anything goes and anything is possible.  You want to blend Pinot Noir with Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (doesn’t that sound disgusting?), go right ahead (but only if you’re that dumb/stupid)!

 Blending Mourvedre, Zinfandel, and Grenache would NOT be allowed in France but is practically encouraged in America.  And if you’re the adventurous type, you will probably enjoy this blend.

Mourvedre and Grenache make for a CLASSIC match/pair/blend, but adding 35% Zinfandel to the mix makes this wine quite interesting.  The Mourvedre and Grenache exhibit their usual (mostly) red fruit elements, along with savory herbs and black pepper.  Where things get REAL interesting is when the Zin characteristics intermingle/contrast with the Mourvedre and Grenache (especially Zin’s almost all black fruity/jammy characteristics).  Zinfandel doesn’t have the acidity and tannic structure that Mourvedre and Grenache exhibit, so the Zin’s soft, silky tannins play quid-pro-quo with the other varietal’s zippy acidity.  I’m also detecting new American oak, which also adds a creamy, vanilla smoothness to the finish.

This is an extremely American red blend: plenty of red and dark fruit, lots of savory herbs and black pepper, oakiness that contributes to the wine’s creaminess, suggestions of earthiness, all bundled-up in rich, creamy deliciousness.  Despite the elevated alcohol level, the wine maintains its balance and integrity (I’d imagine the jammy Zin is responsible for all that alcohol).  Kind of wish we had this wine on the 4^th of July; that would have been extremely appropriate!!

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

We paired this wine with our go-to red blend pairing: ribeye steaks well-seasoned with Kosher salt and tons of black pepper, along with Arthur’s famous mushroom medley.  The wine paired beautifully with the steaks and would go well with just about any/every other red meat dish (meatloaf, pot roast, lamb, etc.).  Because this wine is so rich, creamy, and slightly jammy, I would stick to fatty red meats like well-marbled steaks so that the meat’s fattiness can counterbalance the wine’s alcohol.

AGING POTENTIAL

This wine is drinking quite well right now and thanks to the Mourvedre and Grenache, it should continue to age, mature, and develop for another 10 years or so.

SCORE (on a 100-point scale)

88

Q.P.R. (QUALITY-TO-PRICE RATIO) (POOR, FAIR, GOOD, EXCELLENT)

GOOD

WINERY WEBSITE

http://www.thacherwinery.com/