Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend

Tasting notes & discussion 91

94 points, Gold Medalist

Typically $25/bottle from Desert Wind Winery
Vintage 2018 from the Wahluke Slope
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; KY; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Desert Wind Winery: “Our southwest-inspired estate is perched on a bluff overlooking the Yakima River in Prosser, Washington, and boasts a large tasting room, overnight accommodations, light kitchen fare, spa services, and ample private event space. Desert Wind’s legacy and acclaimed wines are rooted in family and our sun soaked Wahluke Slope AVA estate vineyard. Our philosophy on winemaking is simple: Start with grapes that show terrific potential and craft smooth, friendly, world-class wines you can drink every day.“

The Ruah the Game

TASTING NOTES: “Medium ruby in color, the 2018 Ruah has aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice, mocha, and a violet lift. The wine opens to darker notes of currant, dark cherry, wild herbs, tobacco leaf, and menthol. This bright, mid-bodied, and harmonious blend showcases energy and balance, with intense red and black fruit flavors and a creamy, rounded mid-palate. It’s a perfect combination of sweet and savory and finishes long with just a touch of wood spice.” (AbV 13.9%, pH 3.7, TA 5.8 g/L)

VARIETALS: 40% Merlot, 33% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Carmenere, 4% Tempranillo, 4% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot

BARRELS: 30 months in neutral oak and stainless steel.

PAIRS WITH: N/A

THAT REMINDS ME OF: The 1939 French film by Jean Renoir, The Rules of the Game.

At the time of its release, critics and audiences hated it. Which was wild, considering Renoir had seemingly been at the top of his directorial game. Part of the reason for so much distaste towards it was the large cuts it took in editing, and the nature of the film’s characters.

The film is a satire of French society on the eve of World War II under the guise of a romantic comedy-drama. Three men vie for the affections of one woman who floats between them, while two other men vie for the affection of another woman, and ultimately those two love “triangles” entangling lead to someone dying. The characters act callously but under this artificial air of merriness. They follow the “rules of the game,” but the rules suck and the game is falling apart, yet failing to follow the rules will still end with you losing.

Panned on release, banned for a few years only to come back in 1946 and be banned again, then finally re-released in its full glory where it has been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time. What a ride.

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Which is more complex, the love triangles of The Rules of the Game or the mixture of varietals in this blend?

The love triangles

The love triangles
The varietals

The varietals

41 votes