Introducing Walldeaux Smithie

It not only tastes delicious and priced under $20, but also it just happens to have one of the most clever wine labels and name for a red wine blend in Walla Walla County.

Walldeaux Smithie is the clever combination of Walla Walla + Bordeaux = Walldeaux. Adding "Smithie", a nick-name for the old blacksmiths of many moons ago, and you have a perfect name for a winery located in a old blacksmith building located in downtown Walla Walla.

The name for this new red table blend is a perfect fit for Forgeron Cellars, as Forgeron is French for blacksmith and Forgeron’s winemaker, Marie-Eve Gilla is from France. The handsome "Smithy", donning his French beret, was designed by the very talented, Becky Wilson of Chameleon Design in Walla Walla. The back of the label, with its western feel, gives the story of Smithie’s unique heritage of Old World and New World wines and his ties to "Bozeaux" vignerons (I love the "artful" use of these names that are a forbidden standard on wine labels, unless they are from the Bordeaux region).

So how does the wine taste? It’s bold - - very bold with Cabernet Sauvignon qualities, in spite that the wine only has 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.5% Cabernet Franc in it. 55% Merlot, 10.5% Syrah, and 7% Zinfandel round out this red blend with smoothness, fruitiness and spice. The smooth tannins are there giving me an impression that this wine can lay down for a few years. But why? At such a great value, you can enjoy it almost every day as your "go-to-wine." You know - - that daily glass-a-day heart medicine that the doctor told you about?

Lots of dark fruit comes through with a finish of cocoa powder in this non-vintage wine. I noticed the second day, after opening, it reminded me of a blackberry pie with a toasty buttery crust. This red blend is going to be an ultimate food wine for many menus. Whether you are serving a smoked salmon, roast beef, backyard burgers, or even a plate of chocolate brownies, Waldeaux Smithie will be the perfect pairing. Sante Walldeaux, you handsome and tasty man, you!