23. Try it Again: Double Decker Red Blend...

I picked up the 2012 Double Decker Red Blend on sale. It was one of those "Buy any 6 bottles, get 30% off" deals (which I highly recommend), plus I had a coupon.

The bottle is gone now, but I'll be trying the Red Blend again next time it goes on sale. Why? There are some wines that overwhelm the senses with full-bodied complexity, each sip leaving a new sensation to linger on the tongue, mingling with memories of past delights.

The Double Decker Red Blend doesn't quite reach those levels of subtlety. I'd say it's a solid, full-bodied red, but too simple for the ten dollar price tag. Where's the nuance? Where's the complexity?

It left me thinking, "Nothing to complain about... but nothing to brag about either."

Oddly enough, that's why I'll be trying this red again.

See, every wine deserves a second chance. Someone has poured their imagination and skill into that bottle, done their best to create a product that will help you slow down and enjoy life. And so many factors can influence how we appreciate a bottle. 

-Have you prejudged the value based on the label? 
-Was the wine too warm, or too cold? 
-Did something you just ate leave residual flavor in your mouth?

I could go on. But the point is, every wine deserves a second chance. I think there's more to the Double Decker Red Blend than I first sensed, and I'm not ready to give up on it quite yet.

About the Wine
Double Decker wines come from the Wente Winery in the Livermore Valley, just east of San Francisco (another reason to give this red a second shot. These people know how to make good wine). Wente boasts of being the oldest continuously-operating, family owned winery in the U.S. Their premier labels include handcrafted, small lot wines available only to wine club members. 

So what's in the Red Blend? Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Barbera. Barbera lends the fruit-forward elements to the mix, while the Cab offers dry tannins and the Sirah rounds it out with darker berry flavors.

Double Decker 2012 California Red Blend
Nose: Dry, like a Cabernet with some extra sweetness. Hints of fruit at the top of the nose.

Taste: Dry, straightforward red with a touch of strawberries. 

Recommendation: If you're intrigued and want to give this bottle a taste, I won't discourage you. Try pairing it with something savory, like a barbecue chicken pizza, or some barbecued ribs. You might not love it, but I guarantee you won't hate it!

"What?! A screw cap?" This is not the time to be a snob. Screw caps are perfect for picnics and traveling- anytime you are likely to forget your corkscrew.