Saturday, March 4, 2023

2011 Alienor 'Le Troubadour' Lake County Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of March, which make this Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that hasn't actually been in my cellar very long, as I recently bought it from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2011 Alienor 'Le Troubadour' Lake County Red Wine is a blend of  Merlot (41%), Syrah (32%) and  Cabernet Franc (27%) from the Lake County AVA of the North Coast of California.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

2011 Alienor 'Le Troubadour' Lake County Red Wine

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from the heavy hand of these varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blueberries, prune, dried moss and undertones of mint and anise.  Take a sip and your tastebuds surprise you with a rush of fresh ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum, that transition to notes of subtle spice and earthy gravel, intertwined with a dark espresso.  The tannings are still quite robust, leading you to the smooth, dusty dry finish that lingers through your next sip.

TACOS!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking wonderfully right now, and at just $20, you could easily sip this throughout the week.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty, earthy dishes, from duck to wild mushroom risotto, grilled lamb to a smoked curry.  Tonight I am taking a completely different road and enjoying this wine with some quick tacos before my second to the last performance this evening.  Cheers!

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