Winey Tasting Notes: The Naughty Wine Name Series: Ménage à Trois Midnight

I will admit to enjoying my wine with a side of giggles. Any wine that can make me smile after I read the label is very likely to end up in my cart, especially if it’s a little bit naughty in nature. I always smile when I spy a wine by Menage a Trois, mostly because I remember my shock at first seeing the label (see The Naughty Wine Name Series: Ménage à Trois Red Blend) and then realizing that the menage referred to the three wines used, not some, uh, well, other menage.  I also like to see the look on people’s faces when I tell them how much I love Ménage à Trois. (!) Their red blend is one of my all time favorites.

Now the Ménage à Trois label has introduced a limited release red blend called Midnight (2012, 13.5%, CA). They’re calling it the dark side of Ménage à Trois. Technically, it’s actually a Ménage à Quatre, since there are four wines used to make it (Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon).  But Ménage à Quatre really doesn’t exactly have the same ring to it as Ménage à Trois does, so I will not quibble with them on this fact.

What I will do is tell you right now to go out and buy this wine. Once again, a red blend has made it into my “dangerously good” category. And by dangerously good, I mean that you just can’t resist it. One glass is not enough.

The nose on Midnight is full of ripe cherries and cocoa powder and dark red berries. You will taste cocoa, cherry and a bit of sweet blackberry. It finishes to smooth, faint oak tannins with a cherry bite to them. This wine is velvety and rich in your mouth and is amazingly layered with flavor. You get the fruit but not at the expense of the gorgeous oak and cocoa. Proof once again that Ménage à Trois is doing some wonderful things with red blends.

The taste will make you think of deep red velvet, cold nights with flickering candles and a roaring fire in the fireplace. However, I did just fine tasting this in August, so please don’t think this is solely a winter sipper. I am a bit concerned about this whole limited release thing though. It sort of feels like the clock will strike midnight and poof!! all will be gone. Kind of like Cinderella and her shoe. But losing a bottle of such good wine is so much worse than losing a glass shoe on the steps. Unless of course, a handsome sommelier shows up at my door with said bottle. I digress here…

If you love your red wines balanced, silky and full of flavor you will want to try this. This is a go to wine for sipping alone or with beef or lamb. It is widely available and will cost $10-$12. I’d stock up on it now, when it’s available. It would be a big hit at the holidays!

Cheers!