If you love the Zinfandel-based reds from Turley and Ridge, you're going to love this Red Blend made by the Dusi Family. You're also going to love the price!
For years, the Dusis have sold grapes from their prized vineyards to some of the best names in the business, most notably Turley and Ridge. They continue to do so these days, but they also make their own wines. Case in point is their Model M Red Blend, a ripe and plump blend of 25% each Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Syrah.
I love a good bottle of Turley every now and then, but high prices and limited availability make that something I can't do on a daily basis. That's not the case with J. Dusi's Model M -- this stuff is priced to sell and more importantly, you can make it your new "house wine."
2020 J. Dusi Model M Red Blend
"Baby Turley" Red Blend at a crazy good price!
For three generations, the Dusi Family have farmed the vineyards of Paso Robles with the help of their 1939 Model M tractor. Up until 2011, they were just farmers, opting to simply grow grapes and sell all of them to other producers. When Janelle Dusi took over, she decided it was time for her family to start crafting their own estate-bottled wines.
I'm glad she made this decision, as Dusi's Model M has become one of our best-selling domestic reds. Just 1,800 cases were produced for the year, and this egalitarian blend is ripe, plush, and decadent. Not at all sweet, but certainly soft and round with just enough acidity to keep things on the up and up, it is a wine that will please lots of palates.
While this is not meant for significant aging or deep contemplation, I guarantee you it's going to make you very happy from the first smell to the last drop. Offering up an attractive array of of dark cherry and blueberry preserves, plum pudding, peppery spice, and subtle herb, it's full-bodied, fruit forward, and oh-so-enjoyable.
Despite being large and in charge, it has ripe and seamless tannin, making it ideal for enjoying with or without food. I love it with a good smash burger, BBQ, or with pretty much anything off the grill. You will too!
