WTN: '06 Red Truck

2006 Red Truck Winery, Red Truck, CA ($8.99 New Hampshire Liq Store). Alcohol level: 13.5%. This vintage is made from Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc. Although this brand was supposed to be sold, it still says Cline on the top of the capsule.

It gives you red and black berries on the nose and upfront. Additional fruit contibute to the rich, vibrant, and medium bodied complexity in the middle, and it finishes nicely. Despite the problems this brand has had over the years, it gives you a pleasent everyday drink that would match with a variety of foods.

We matched it with pan braised Kielbasa in red wine, baked red potatoes, and peas. It was a satisfying Wednesday night.

[David M. Bueker]

I wonder if the sale fell through.

I wonder if the sale fell through.

Nope. New owners are friends of mine. One is a former boss.

They bought the brand. They also brought existing stocks. They also have arrrangments with Cline and others to custom-produce.

I would suspect this was product that had already been produced and bottled by Cline as part of their program, preparatory to them agreeing to selling the brand. Hence the cork nomenclature.

This is not uncommon in this industry. Never has been.

People like to believe---and marketers would like to have them believe in the idea of every label and every brand a discrete place, usually in a valley, next to a lake, on a creek or a river, or on a ridge, all of which is picturesque and lovely, and they get up every morning to crush their grapes and make their wines in cherished family traditions of multiple generations. And a handful of those actually do exist.

Folks, this is a business. Someone buys a commodity, puts their branding on it, creates or fosters an image or feel for it, and sells the commodity.

I think Red Truck does a good job of offering decent wine for a fair price, suitable for everyday consumption and enjoyment.

I remember tasting Red Truck, probably around 2003, and thinking "This tastes red."