Dark Horse Wines: Finding the Perfect Pair for Summer Racing
Image:
Description:
Dark Horse wines are an affordable pair for summer racing. (Photos courtesy of Geoff Worden)
Want to buy a wine for less than $10 with the best logo that features wine and horses? Buy some Dark Horse. Want to know more about the wines? Keep reading.
Their logo features a silhouetted horse head with a stylized wine glass "blaze" from the eyes to the nose, a fantastically eye-catching design. I was unfamiliar with the wine but an observant reader mentioned the name to me a while ago and I was excited to finally find some in Maine.
DARK HORSE LOGO CORKS
The wine is part of the Gallo family and while I find some of their wines to be a bit generic, they consistently offer good value. Gallo is a big operation so Iʼm not sure if they are purchasing fruit specifically for these wines or if they are using vineyards they own. I can tell you that there is a dedicated winemaker (and spokesperson), Beth Liston, who has moved up through the Gallo organization and comes with a diverse range of experience. Seeing the winemaker actually represent a brand at this price point is unique and sends a strong message of confidence in the wine.
DARK HORSE LOGO SCREW-CAP
With lots of family around, I pulled some corks and we all tasted and explored the wines. Overall, they all had some minor flaws and issues but for this price ... my answer would be (and was), “live with it,” since you will not find perfection at this price. They list at retail at $9.99 but I found them under $8. We tasted everything but the Pinot Noir, which was not available at the time. All the wines are from California, but carry no more specific designation.
Sauvignon Blanc, 2014
The bottle color is distinct, not quite clear but also not green. It is the lone screw-capped wine. Grapefruit and tropical fruits with bright citrus, the wine was juicy and without any over-the-top flavors. The grapefruit was delicate, perhaps a bit difficult to imagine, and subtle citrus emerged as it warmed. Lime came out too, like some of my favorite Sauvignons from Lake County or even Rieslings from the Mosel. There is no obvious sugar but it is not bone dry ... there is a soft sweetness. An excellent warm-day wine but youʼll be happier if the wine stays cool.
Merlot, 2013
The nose featured a slight green pepper note and smelled like “real” Merlot, which was much better than I expected. All too often, in this price range, Merlots are thick, with a slightly sweet, syrupy style, they taste more like laboratory experiments than wine. There is tannin but it is moderate and fine, not aggressive at all. Some clay aromas emerged with time and the bell pepper became a bit stronger but this was the most interesting and “serious” wine of the reds. This tastes like Merlot should and it was the favorite of the night.
Cabernet, 2013
Dark fruit dominates the nose and there is assertive but integrated tannin. The oak is obvious, especially on the finish where vanilla really blossoms. As the wine opened, the nose became a bit more sandalwood and raw oak - with vanilla there too. At this price there is no way they are using seasoned wood to age the wine and it seemed a lot more like wood chips or staves being used based on the noticeable, somewhat raw tannin notes. The tannic bite gave way to more spiciness as the wine opened. Not too off-putting at the price but I would choose a different wine unless a big steak was on the menu, and then I might spend a bit more on the wine anyway.
Red Blend, #01A
There is no vintage on this one, so be sure to check the blend number if you fall in love and want a case. When the bottle was first opened, there was little nose but it was immediately juicy and easy to drink. Or slurp, in big gulps. The palate hinted at chocolate and was a bit sweet. Overall, soft, easy and simple. Though it was neither thrilling nor serious, it worked well with our barbecued chicken. This would be a nice wine to chill a bit and drink at a picnic or outside on a warm day. One taster said it smelled like “Halloween” and I did pick up some Tootsie Roll flavor. One taster called it “chocolate water.” I added chimichurri to my chicken and it worked perfectly with the strong flavor and spicyness.
The wines are completely drinkable with some highlights and I could easily offer the Sauvignon Blanc and Red Blend for any summer get together, with horse racing or without. The Merlot wants more serious fare and is not as gulpable. The Cabernet I found lacking though there was nothing left in the bottle when we cleared the table. It certainly fit Dark Horseʼs motto, “Be Bold.”