J Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie 750ml

Valdiguie has become one of California's trendiest wines in recent years, with producers like Cruse, Broc and Folk Machine turning out crushable, chillable versions of this light and juicy red. But for Central Coast winery J. Lohr, which has produced Valdiguie since 1976, trendiness has nothing to do with it.

J. Lohr farms 30 acres of Valdiguie in the Arroyo Seco AVA for a bottling called Wildflower, which at $10 is surely one of the best-value red wines made in California today. The wine is light, bright, juicy and spicy, suggesting black pepper, raspberry and sour cherry. It smells like your hands after you've rubbed a rose petal.

Wine Tasting Notes
Vibrant purple-red in color with youthful hues, our Wildflower Monterey Valdiguie has intense varietal aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, blackberry and bing cherry preserves with a black pepper note. The brambly fruit aromas with black pepper carry through on the palate and are balanced by the moderate acidity and touch of residual sugar. This wine has the capability of aging up to 10 years, but it should be enjoyed in its youth with barbecued salmon, roasted pork or wild fowl. It also complements Brie, Swiss and Edam cheeses. Serve slightly chilled.

Herbaceous character on the nose, lively blue fruits, green beans and hints of blackberries. Easy to drink, very refreshing. 92 Points Decanter