Unusual Suspects Red A Great Buy!

I've been trying to group my wine reviews but I liked this wine so much I just had to share - especially for those readers in Central Indiana.

One of the advantages of the wine writing gig is getting to taste a lot of wines. Wineries, wholesale, and retailer outlets are always anxious to pour a sip of something special, different, or exciting.

I recently tasted several wines with Ashley Lockwood at Cork + Cracker in Indianapolis, near Broad Ripple. The winner of the bunch was Odisea's Unusual Suspects 2007 Lodi Red. It's called Unusual Suspects because of the blend which is 55 percent Carignane, 35 percent Tempranillo, and 10 percent Grenache.

The grapes come from nearly 100-year-old vines in the California Lodi region. It normally retails around $17-$18. But Ashley has it on clearance at her Cork + Cracker store right now.

The wine has bold dark cherry and an earthy spice flavor that I found totally irrestistable! It has a lovely mid palate and lingering finish. It's obviously distributed throughout Indiana and here is one worth looking for. It's great for wine newbies - something different with the grape blend, a wonderfully rustic flavor, and it's a price point anyone can afford under $15 at Ashley's.

Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com