In The Glass: Spangler Vineyards Claret 2008

I sampled this spectacularly bold red blend last month during, what I thought would be, a quick visit to Umpqua Valley’s Spangler Vineyards. As luck would have it, Spangler’s winemaker, Stephen Pappas, was in the tasting room and proudly pouring the line-up of Spangler wines. We tasted through some excellent, big and bold reds that have had a lasting impression on me; including, a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2008 Syrah, a 2009 Petite Sirah, an unlabeled Merlot (that will be another article), and the 2008 Claret.

I ended up taking home the Spangler 2008 Claret – a fully loaded, full bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. Blue-black berries, dark cherries and cigar on the nose flow effortlessly on to the palate to give way to flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and a pie spice finish that goes on and on. This is my kind of Claret.

A couple weekends later, I was at a friends house for a BBQ and bonfire. Knowing the hosts were making steaks, I decided to take the bottle of Spangler Claret to share during dinner – and there were certainly no regrets with my decision. Even the white wine lovers at the party were oohing and ahhing over this big, bold beauty of a red, and it was a stellar match with the grilled steaks. The only downfall? There was only one bottle.