Cabernet Franc Blends
2021 Cuda Ridge Wines Mélange d’ Amis – Blended with Friends and Enjoyed by All
Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Mélange d’ Amis, which means blended by friends, is a Saint-Émilion style Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend. It is described as delightfully complex and elegant with various layers of fruit depending on the vintage. Each year the mix varies but the taste remains opulent. Their 2023 vintage won Best of Class and a Gold Medal at the International Cabernet Franc Competition (Blend Division) by both the Professional and People’s Choice Judges, Gold Medal at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition and 93 points from Wine Enthusiast.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Since its inception, this has always been one of my favorite wines. The blend makes an easy sipping wine as well as one to enjoy with food.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine, when poured into the glass possessed a glistening magenta coloring with a medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, aromas of red bold fruits and floral scents rise to meet you. On the palate, a symphony of flavors dances merrily in the mouth with raspberry and strawberry for a delightful taste. Secondary flavors of pepper, spice and vanilla wrap up the flavor profile. At the finish, one experiences the multi-level structure of this wine and velvety tannins.
2021 vintage came in 14.5% alcohol and is made up with 63% White Cat Vineyard Cab Franc, 35% Thatcher Bay Merlot and 2% Smith Ranch Verdot. It was barrel aged in new French oak for 17 months. Only 49 cases were produced.
The 2023 vintage of Mélange d’ Amis is $65/bottle and consists of 50% White Cat Vineyard Cabernet Franc, 35% Thatcher Bay Vineyard Merlot, 5% White Cat Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% White Cat Vineyard Malbec, and 5% Estate Petit Verdot 14.5% alcohol. Only 48 cases were produced.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine most definitely will make my annual list of Best Wines tasted in 2026. Can’t wait to taste their current vintage!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Dinner with this wine was marinated and seared tri-tip steak. Seared at 1500 degrees and served medium-rare. Accompanied by Mexican Street Corn consisting of sweet corn toasted in a skillet, chopped serrano peppers, orange bell pepper, green onions and goat cheese. Also, a chopped salad that included broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green onion, crispy corn, cornbread crumbles, lettuce and served with a creamy Elote dressing. The salad dressing was smoky and tangy and tied in with the corn and meat beautifully.
The Mélange d’ Amis with its fruit surrounded the seared meat with each succulent bite. The wine also provided a soothing respite with Street Corn and worked well with the salad. A very good food and wine pairing and will be repeated soon!
The Winery
Photo from Cuda Ridge Wines
Larry Dino, the winemaker at Cuda Ridge Wines and the owner along with his expert wine taster Margie Dino, now has all six modern Bordeaux varietals available at the tasting room.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the solid and simple marketing ideas that Larry devised is his coloring scheme: White label for his Reserve wines, Black label for his non-Bordeaux wines and purple label for his Bordeaux varietals.
The list of awards for all his other wines is extensive and would direct you to his website to view the dozens and dozens of noteworthy awards.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly