Wine of the Week: Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend ~ Cask #004

This week's Wine of the Week was another recommendation from my favorite "old-neighborhood" wine shop. Sacred Stone is an affordable label from the Pietra Santa Winery in California's Central Coast, and this Proprietor's Red Blend is a great $10 pick! The blend includes Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Dolcetto grapes, which have been oaked for 24 months in both French and American Oak. This wine is not shy! Upon opening the bottle, I was immediately hit with chocolately, musky, earthy, minty aromas, followed by rich plum. The color is a deep, deep purple. Interestingly, the flavor was not what I expected, given the nose. It is earthy, with stone fruit, but also carries some cherry flavors and spice. It is lighter-bodied than I expected as well, but with good balance and lingering flavors on the finish. The tannins give it a soft, velvety mouth-feel. This wine is wonderfully drinkable, particularly at this price point! Have it on a weeknight with a good meal.