I often see Milbrandt vineyards listed as a fruit source on many Washington wine labels. The Milbrandt family planted their first vines in 1997 and today they farm 12 distinct estate vineyard sites totaling more than 2,500 acres. Their grapes are purchased by some of the best wineries in Washington.
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| Milbrandt Vineyards sign at Vintner's Village. |
They only began making wine from their grapes in 2005 and in June of 2007 they launched the Milbrandt Vineyards label. Today it is my pleasure to review one of their wines. While I have visited their tasting room in Prosser, Washington, first in 2010 during Spring Barrel Weekend and as recently as October 2014, this is my first Milbrandt wine review. I was quite happy with this everyday red table wine.
*Note: I've included a bonus Milbrandt cooking video below.
Tasting Notes Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Brothers' Blend:
Color: Smoky garnet to clear rim.Nose: Fresh cherry, smoky, ripe plum, orange pith, RC Cola, sharpened pencil.
Palate: Friendly, appealing, sour cherry, orange pith, bright mid-palate, tar on the tongue, with spicy incense and chocolate-cherry into the medium finish. Young, lively, and food worthy. Suitable for game bird and tasty with baked lemon chicken.
After 30 minutes: Dark cherry, a little candied, thicker, touch oily, rose water, with cola and chocolate into the very Washington finish. Grilled meats and pasta with red sauce in order.
After 1 hour: Friendly nose, soft cherry, spice, violets, orange cream, pomegranate. Fluid palate, cherry, caramel, dark chocolate, cola, mushroom, hint of sour-tart on the medium floral finish. More of a drinking wine at this point.
At 1.5 hours: Smoky violets, dark cherry, tar notes, vanilla, chocolate, hint of citrus, modest fine tannin on the lower gum. More relaxed and integrated. Steak would be good company.
At 2 hours: Candied smoky strawberry on the nose. Juicy, ripe Bing cherry with cola,
2.5 hours: Cherry and cola edged with tar, mushroom and dark chocolate, creamy with modest tannin on the fresh finish.
Day two: Round, smoky earth, dark cherry, violets, mild spice and tannin on the tongue, pleasant grip on lower gum, blackberry/raspberry preserve, chocolate, tingle of acidity delivered a fresh medium-long finish. Super tasty. Lamb tacos or Chicken Mole came to mind. My speed.
Thoughts: Good showing at opening, even better on day two. A wine with potential to improve. Expect this wine to continue to integrate in the bottle. My advice is buy a case and open a bottle every 2 months to appreciate how well it develops over time. Well done.
Recommended + Wine of the Week.
Red Wine Blend
Closure: Screw Cap
ABV: 13.5%
SRP: $16.99
Milbrandt Vineyards Tasting Room
Prosser's Vintner's Village
508 Cabernet Court
Prosser, WA 99350
Phone: (509) 788-0030
www.milbrandtvineyards.com
*Bonus cooking video: Butch Milbrandt Shows How to Cook and Pair Wine.
You can find even more fun and delicious cooking videos on the Milbrandt Vineyards channel.
When you are in SE Washington, the heart of Washington Wine Country, I suggest you take some time to stop by Milbrandt Vineyards tasting room in Prosser, Washington. You can thank me later.
Cheers!