Red Blend ”Mordecai”, Banshee wine Company, CA, 2016

For the 2014 blend, Cabernet, Syrah and Zinfandel lead the pack, giving Mordecai its hallmark full-bodied weight and density. With less fruit available, these headliners do most of the work, adding bits of chocolatey Merlot, tarry Carignan and spicy Cabernet Franc and Cinsault to round out the blend. The 2014 Mordecai blend is reminiscent of certain hot and dry wine regions in Europe, but the wine remains distinctly California, with its comfortingly familiar wild summer berry plushness.