CMS Red Blend - Hedges

The CMS Red Blend - Hedges from Washington State pours into the glass in a bright ruby red, playing slightly toward garnet at the rim. The dense color already promises at first glance a juicy, powerful red wine with clear fruit and fine spice.

On the nose, the CMS Red Blend - Hedges unfolds a multi-layered aromatic profile. Ripe cherries and juicy raspberries come to the fore first, joined by subtly dark notes of blackberry and cassis. This is followed by refined roasted aromas reminiscent of freshly ground coffee, cocoa, and dark chocolate. Warm cinnamon, a hint of cardamom, and delicate clove lend a seductively spicy accent. A touch of vanilla and some cedarwood round off the bouquet, accompanied by a subtle hint of dried herbs and a slight earthy minerality.

On the palate this red wine is dry, juicy, and pleasantly structured. The cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah combines richness, elegance, and spice. The texture feels soft and silky, yet with noticeable backbone. Ripe red cherries, dark berries, and light plum notes fill the mouth. Notes of coffee, cocoa, a bit of licorice, and sweet spices join in, giving the wine depth and complexity.

The tannins appear fine, ripe, and well-integrated. They provide grip without seeming harsh. The acidity is lively but never sharp. This creates a balanced, fruit-driven yet spicy style with a medium to full body. The finish is long, with nuances of cherry compote, mocha, cinnamon, and a light touch of smoke. A subtle wood note accompanies the finale and reinforces the impression of structure and depth.

The origin in Washington State, shaped by warm days and cool nights, defines the character of this red wine. The climate ripens the grapes intensely while preserving freshness. Soils with components of gravel, sand, and clay bring structure, spice, and a fine, slightly mineral edge into the glass. The classic Bordeaux variety Cabernet Sauvignon contributes backbone, dark fruit, and tannin. Merlot adds richness, a rounded texture, and soft berry aromas. Syrah contributes spicy nuances, dark fruit, and a hint of pepper. The result is a red blend in typical New World style: powerful, ripe, yet surprisingly elegant.

For wine lovers who appreciate red wines with clear fruit, pronounced spice, and a caressing touch of oak, this blend delivers a truly pleasurable experience. The combination of freshness, herbal spice, and roasted aromas from maturation pairs well with both relaxed evenings on the sofa and stylish dinners.

The most important aromas of the CMS Red Blend - Hedges at a glance:

• Fruit: cherry, raspberry, blackberry, cassis, dark plum
• Spice: cinnamon, cardamom, clove, black pepper, dried herbs
• Roasted notes: coffee, cocoa, mocha, subtle vanilla, cedarwood
• Structure: fine tannins, lively acidity, medium to full body
• Style: fruit-driven, spicy, gently marked by oak, long-lasting finish

This red wine impresses with a range of strengths that make it an ideal all-rounder for many occasions:

1. Multi-layered aromas with clear fruit and refined roasted notes
2. Harmonious balance of richness, freshness, and a soft tannin structure
3. Versatile as a food companion or solo
4. Expressive New World style with a sense of place from Washington State
5. Convincing enjoyment at a fair price-to-pleasure ratio

Production of the CMS Red Blend by Hedges

The grapes for this red wine come from selected plots in Washington State. The region lies in the northwest of the USA and offers a dry, sunny climate. Hot days promote ripeness, cool nights preserve the freshness of the berries. This results in clearly defined aromas with deep fruit and lively structure.

The vineyards are planted on soils of sand, gravel, and clay. This mix ensures good drainage and naturally limits vine growth. In this way, grapes ripen with intense aromas, small berries, and concentrated juice. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grow in separate parcels so the ideal harvest time can be chosen for each variety.

The producer places great value on selective harvesting. The berries only reach the winery after strict selection. In many plots, hand-picking is used to process only optimally ripe fruit. This keeps the aroma profile intense and precise. The grapes are brought quickly to the cellar to prevent oxidation and loss of aroma.

Once in the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and gently crushed. A short cold soak before fermentation releases the first color pigments and aromas. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit and freshness. Regular punching down ensures gentle extraction of color, tannin, and aroma.

After fermentation, the individual lots continue to mature separately, partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in wooden barrels. Barriques made from American and French oak lend notes of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and cedar to the wine. Extended maturation on the fine lees adds extra volume and a creamy texture. The cellar master closely monitors each lot, tasting regularly and deciding on the ideal degree of maturity.

Only then are the three varieties blended. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, dark fruit, and length. Merlot adds velvety richness, soft berry fruit, and charming roundness. Syrah complements with spice, dark fruit, a touch of pepper, and a hint of smoke. The producer’s clear goal is a characterful, approachable red wine with a distinctive profile that expresses both the terroir and style of Washington State in the glass.

Serving recommendations for the CMS Red Blend by Hedges

The CMS Red Blend is an excellent match for hearty dishes and flavorful cuisine. Thanks to its fruit-driven, spicy character, it accompanies a wide range of dishes with ease. It is particularly well-suited to grilled and braised meats. Juicy beef steaks, roast beef, or lamb chops harmonize perfectly with the cherry fruit and gentle roasted notes.

This red wine also shows its strengths with slow-cooked dishes. Braised beef with root vegetables, oxtail ragout, or lamb shoulder with rosemary pair beautifully with the dense fruit and the spice notes of cinnamon and cardamom. The ripe tannins meld elegantly with dark sauces and intense meat flavors.

In Mediterranean cuisine, the CMS Red Blend pairs well with dishes such as pasta with ragù, lasagna, pizza with salami or salsiccia, as well as ratatouille or baked vegetables with thyme. BBQ dishes with smoke and grill notes are also an excellent match, for example spare ribs, pulled pork, or burgers with cheese and crispy fried onions.

Vegetarian diners can choose dishes featuring mushrooms, lentils, or eggplant. Mushroom risotto, grilled portobello mushrooms, lentil Bolognese, or moussaka with eggplant suit the character of this wine perfectly. Mature hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Manchego, or Parmesan round off a menu with this red wine in style. Semi-mature Gouda or robust mountain cheese also go very well with it.

The CMS Red Blend is fitting for relaxed evenings with friends, barbecues, informal family gatherings, or a laid-back glass after a long day. It also enhances a rustic menu or a relaxed Saturday dinner. As a gift for fans of powerful, fruit-driven New World reds, it brings both delight and conversation.

The ideal serving temperature is about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. A slight chill before serving adds freshness and tension in the glass. When opened young, the wine benefits from a bit of air. Brief decanting into a carafe before drinking opens up the fruit and oak aromas. A generously shaped red wine glass is particularly suitable, as it gives the cuvée room for its bouquet and development.

Under good cellaring conditions, the CMS Red Blend gains additional maturity over several years. The fruit remains present, while more spice, subtle leather, and tobacco notes emerge. Thus, this red wine already offers great pleasure in the glass today and at the same time shows potential for an elegant evolution in the cellar.

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