Michael-David Vineyards Incognito 2005

Smoky black cherry nose, with light medicinal notes. Complex (!). Butter, red fruit, slight candied flavor. Quaffer. Surprising for a "dump bucket" wine blend. Decent QPR at $10.

February 2009

Just beautiful, like drinking red velvet. Aromatic and rich, with blackberries, red currant,a nd spice.

June 2007

This Rhône-style blend is bravely composed of 9 different varietals including: Mourvedre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cinsault, Carignane, Tannat, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Grenache. The outcome is successfully, by design, an enigmatic Rhône Valley tribute including, literally, every typical Rhône varietal.

Surprisingly, I found characteristics and nuances that Incognito unabashedly shared with the previously reviewed Michael & David flagship wine, 7 Deadly Zins, from the opening flavors of thick clove spice and smoke, to the dessert-like sweet jam, brown sugar, and read more...maple-butter finish. Both wines exhibit an amazingly deep textural mouth feel that can be described as baritone or brooding in nature, lacking any sharp peaks of spice, acidity, or astringency.

Incognito’s aroma is also very special. The unusual blueberry dominance in this wine is very unique. I have often considered fruits, such as strawberry, blueberry (as sometimes found in Cabernet Franc), and cranberry, to be almost secondary fruit flavors in comparison to the more common flavors of cherry, currant, blackberry, and plum. These secondary fruit flavors are often present in both taste and aroma, but are still overshadowed by its more predominant cousins. Fortunately, incognito showcases both blueberry and cranberry wonderfully.

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March 2009

No written review

July 2009

No written review

August 2009

No written review

March 2009