A Date with 7 Daughters

By Claudia and Steve Evans

This California blend tastes like John Coltrane sounds: there's a lot going on and it flows effortlessly all over the place. Great artists can do that - they make the obviously complex seem ridiculously easy. 

If it sounds like we've already enjoyed too much of this heady red, that's only because 7 Daughters is a difficult wine to pin down. The tart fruit opens the eyes on first taste, blooming into the full flavor of black cherries and plums. "Spicy," Claudia says. "Fruity start with a nice peppery finish."

Merlot (51 percent) is the largest concentration in this blend of seven varietals, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (16 percent). Smaller concentrations of Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Syrah, Alicante Bouchet and Carignane give Seven Daughters its complexity and fruity boldness.

Seven Daughters red is nicely paired with meats of any type, and would be especially tasty with Beef Wellington or London broil. At $14 the bottle, it is an affordable choice and makes for interesting dinner conversation as one attempts to pin down the different grape varietals.

We're confident the complexity of 7 Daughters stems from these two little sisters of French origin, whose presence elevates this wine from table Merlot to a truly memorable experience.

A Wine for All Seasons (c) 2010 by Claudia and Steve Evans. All rights reserved.