Washington Heavenly Bordeaux Blend

Another quality in a House Wine I seek is flexibility and the option for appealing to multiple palates.   After much debate over including either a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot in the recommended Red House Wines this month, I settled on a quality compromise in the Columbia Crest Les Chevaux 2010.  Like many of the high quality offerings from Columbia Crest, the 2010 Les Chevaux (French for “the Horses”, for the wild horses who formerly inhabited the area) is sourced from the high quality Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Washington state.  This complex yet affordable wine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Syrah for structure.   It features dark berry fruits, along with a touch of cocoa and mocha and polished tannins on the finish.   I am confident you and your guests will peg this red for a much more expensive wine.   Wine Spectator continues to toss acclaim to this winery, awarding the 2010 Les Chevaux an impressive 90 rating.  Retailing for about $16, a bargain in and of itself, your friendly Wine Bargain Sleuth has seen this wine for close to $10 at a warehouse retailer, and my personal cellar contains several bottles of this beauty as I type.   Whether your guests enjoy Cabs or Merlot, the Columbia Crest Les Chaveaux 2010 will satisfy!