2007 Jules Melange Vin Rouge

The 2007 Jules Melange Red Blend is one of the most beloved wines here at the store. We generally receive great feedback on all of our wines, but this wine begets adoring e-mails, elaborate praise, and plenty of repeat purchases.

The Jules behind the Jules Melange is Julianna Corley. We met Julianna out in California when she was working with her mother-in-law’s wine company, CrauforD. CrauforD changed hands in 2006 and Julianna went on to create her own wine label in 2007.

We too are crazy about her Jules Melange Vin Rouge (Red Blend), a literal mélange of 48% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, and 19% Syrah. It takes a lot to impress us with the amount of wines we taste, but this one turned our heads with the first sip.

Julianna’s wine background lies mostly in the vineyard. She has worked in the vineyards for Robert Mondavi and held positions in vineyard management companies and as a vineyard consultant. Her experience with various vineyards in Napa and Sonoma has helped her to focus in on specific sites for the grapes that go in to her Jules Melange wines. Julianna’s winemaker-husband, Chris Corley, assists her in making the wines.

There were only 156 cases produced of the 2007 Jules Melange Red Blend. The wine is juicy with lots of blackberry and black cherry flavors and notes of white pepper. The balanced acid and silky tannins make this a complete and well structured wine. $32.99 at the shop. Drink up!