Italian Bordeaux. ?

No, it’s not a typo, and no, I’m not an idiot.  Well… I can definitely say it’s not a typo.  I didn’t believe it myself, but when I got the bottle up close enough to read, I’ll be damned if it wasn’t true.

Despite being grown and produced in Italy (the northeastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia), the 2004 Blason “Vencjar” is a Bordeaux style wine made with Bordeaux grapes:  equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It was on sale for ten bucks and I was intrigued by this contradiction of geography and grapes so I took it home and pulled the cork.

It’s a big fruit-forward wine… full bodied and despite the grapes, there’s something very Italian about it.  The nose has a faint spicy plum thing going on, and the same goes for the palate along with cherries, a hint of nuts and a tinge of chocolate flavored leather, if such a thing existed.  Subtle tannins and a decent finish.

It was very tasty, and I drank it all by itself, but it was begging for a hearty Italian meal.  I bought two bottles, so the next one may wait till I have some pasta and red sauce.

Next I’ll be searching for a French Chianti…