The Blissful Marquis '22
TASTING NOTES
This unique blend, crafted from three grape varieties, boasts a medium ruby-red color and an intriguing medley of dried figs, cassis, spices, licorice, anise, black olives, oak, and a hint of eucalyptus in its aroma. The surprising taste is juicy and complex, with an abundance of dark fruit.
ABOUT THE GRAPE
"I am not drinking any f****** Merlot!" A well-known quote from the snobbish lead character in the wine movie Sideways. Ironically, one of the world's most iconic wines is made from Merlot: Château Petrus in Pomerol. And not only in Pomerol, but also in the nearby Bordeaux wine region of Saint-Emilion, outstanding wines with a Grand Cru Classé status are produced, often featuring Merlot as the primal grape. Merlot is also of great significance in the rest of Bordeaux, where it is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, among others. The grape imparts richness and a soft texture to wines with beautiful dark fruit flavors. Merlot is so popular that it can be found all over the world, from China to Switzerland and from New Zealand to Chile. Art & Vin managed to cultivate the perfect Merlot for us.
Cabernet Franc, a characterful grape variety, originates from France, where it plays a significant role in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. In Bordeaux, it is an essential component of the renowned Bordeaux blends, adding depth and elegance to wines like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. But in the Loire Valley, particularly in regions like Chinon and Bourgueil, Cabernet Franc stands out as a remarkable red wine with fresh acidity and expressive red berry aromas. The grape also ventures into other countries, such as Chile, South Africa, and Brazil, and even China, where it ranks fourth in terms of planted grape varieties. Our juicy Cabernet Franc, like our Merlot, comes from Art & Vin.
Sangiovese plays a major role in enchanting Tuscany. It is the primary grape for the well-known Chianti and its more upscale and complex sibling, Brunello di Montalcino, which must consist of 100% Sangiovese. Both wines carry the 'DOCG' designation, indicating that they are made according to strict rules and meet specific quality standards. In the same area, you can find wines that are partially made from Sangiovese and supplemented with international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The winemakers behind these wines grew tired of the rules and decided to make what they liked. This led to "table wines" and no "DOCG qualification." However, the wines were so good that they were soon labeled as Super Tuscans. Today, these wines are among the most expensive in Italy! So, we thought, why not try making a Super Tuscan, or better yet, a Super Amsterdammer! We purchased beautiful Sangiovese grapes from Societa Agricola Maremmalta in Italy and blended them with the aforementioned Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The result is this exciting The Blissful Marquis.
