Tom Gore Vineyards Alexander Valley Field Blend 2012: Lush, robust, complex, fruit-forward; midnight black color with faintest hint of dark ruby edge; blackberry, leather, dark cherry, subdued blackcurrant tanginess; smooth, easy drinker with firm, pleasant tannin, acidity. Traditional “field blend” meant varieties were planted and harvested together and you got whatever you got. Since different grapes mature at different times, in most cases today “field blend” means the same as blend—the varieties came for distinct acres and were blended in the winery. Sometimes different varieties are fermented together (co-fermentation), but most often the blending occurs after fermentation. Tom Gore does not state how the 35% petit verdot, 33% malbec, 21% merlot, 6% cab, 5% tempranillo were brought together, but given the quality of this wine, it is likely wines were blended after fermentation to achieve this level of delicious richness. $40
