Red Blend Reserve, 2018. Samuel Charles

Samuel Charles was created by Quintessential Wines, a multi-national wine company representing wines from no less than 11 different countries. Steve Kreps Sr. began his career in the wine business in 1973 as a sales booster for small wineries. He rapidly expanded, moving from one state to ten in a few years. Eventually he founded a wine brokerage company for premium and ultra-premium wines covering the Midwest region. Ten years later, Steve formed a prestigious import and marketing company, which he eventually sold in 2002 and founded Quintessential.

Instead of just representing wineries, Steve was now going to partner with them. This was almost unheard of at the time and was enthusiastically embraced by the wineries. The beauty was that they didn't just have a sales company to work with. They now had a partner whose success depended on theirs. We call it a win-win. However, Steve is a marketing guy, not a winemaker. So he hired none other than Bob Pepi, one of the finest winemakers in Napa. His family goes back several generations, growing exceptional grapes and making great wines. It has obviously worked well for all concerned as our selection is yet another winner.

Samuel Charles is a blend of 50% Zinfandel, 40% Merlot, and 10% Petite Sirah. Zinfandel from Lodi is infamous. It produces prodigious wines like nowhere else. That's what accounts for the charge of blackberries, strawberries, and searing tannins that are softened by the Merlot. Serve with a spicy pepperoni pizza or wild boar pasta.

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