Salton, Intenso Marselan 2012, Serra Gaucha, Brazil

Tasting Note: This is likely to be your first red wine from Brazil; mine too.

There is something gamay-like about this wine on the nose, perhaps because the Marselan grape originated in southwest France as a cross between grenache and cabernet sauvignon.

The wine is leathery on the nose, creamy on the palate with medium-minus acidity.

Filled with earth, this wine tastes as if it were the product of an entry-level, earth-flavor wine delivery system.

While the marselan grape has largely failed in France, it has succeeded in Brazil, begging the question – what else has failed in France and succeeded elsewhere (like carmenere and malbec in South America)?

Bottle Note: Marselan 100%. Intense purple color with aromas of black fruit, mint, eucalyptus, black pepper and jasmine. Silky tannins and an excellent character. Harvested first half of March.