Tasting-Hokiebird Red

Hokiebird Red 
-Chateau Morrisette-Meadows of Dan
-Virginia, USA
-unknown year
-$12.99 

http://www.thedogs.com/wine/red-wines/hokie-bird-red.html

Hokie Bird Red and Hokie Bird White, the officially licensed wines of Virginia Tech, were released on September 9, 2004. Virginia Tech's long standing involvement in enology and viticulture research programs and the university's commitment to improving the overall quality and scope of the Commonwealth's wine industry, makes the partnership with Chateau Morrisette® a natural fit. As with any officially licensed product, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all of Chateau Morrisette's Hokie White and Hokie Red is contributed to the general scholarship fund at Virginia Tech. Chateau Morrisette® is proud to offer these signature wines to Virginia Tech supporters, alumni and friends.

About This Wine

A unique blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot produces this exceptionally smooth off-dry red wine. Its appealing spicy character and medium body enhance many dishes as well as light hors d’oeuvres. It’s obviously well bred!

Tasting Attributes

Aroma: Fruity. Palate: Berries, subtle spices. Finish: Smooth. Off-dry, medium-bodied. Chambourcin, Cabernet, Merlot.

My notes: 

I received this wine as a gift for Christmas and as true Hokie, naturally I was very excited. It's in stores all over Blacksburg and looking at the label, it appears like it would not be a great wine. No year, no grape variety mentioned and certainitly pretty basic. What was interesting, just looking at the bottle, there was not punt on the bottom of the bottle. I'm not exactly sure what to make of that, since its a cheaper red, but it still seemed interesting. 

The color on first pour was very light, a light ruby color. It seemed too light to be a cabernet or merlot. The smell was at first alcohol and then it was flowery, maybe rose and then Earthy. The final smell before the taste I noticed apricot and that became all I could smell. On taste it was dry but very fruity. It was noticable that it was from the United States because it was very fruity. There were blackberries and citrus. The apricot I smelled became a taste which I really liked. It was a very smooth wine and the spice that it mentioned on the back of the label came out in the mid palate. Honestly there was not a lot of earthy flavors, which was surprising and I really struggled trying to figure out what type of grapes were in it. I was surprised to read it was Merlot and Cabernet. 

Overall a better wine than I was expecting.