Brian Carter Cellars

Abracadabra Red Blend

8.738 ratings
7.52 pro ratings
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Red Blend
Game, Baking Spices, Duck, Goose, Potato, Chili & Hot Spicy, White Rice, Exotic Spices, Pasta, Herbs, Beans & Peas, Onion, Chicken, Pork, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Soft Cheese, Mushrooms, Tomato-Based, Turkey, Veal, Hard Cheese
Top Notes For
Matthew Horbund

Just say no. Tart cranberry meets tart cherry and has a tart baby that I just can't love. Tannic and astringent on the finish.

Just say no. Tart cranberry meets tart cherry and has a tart baby that I just can't love. Tannic and astringent on the finish.

Jul 21st, 2014
Zachary Price

Picked this bottle up at Village Wines, a little wine shop/eatery in the Woodinville Hollywood Wine District. The shop is actually across the street from the Brian Carter tasting room, but when you have a screaming, pebble eating 15 month old with you while wine tasting, sometimes it's better to pick up a few bottles sight unseen and try 'em at your leisure later. Brian Carter Cellars was voted the 2015 Washington Winery of the Year by Wine Press NW. Mr. Carter is somewhat of a WA wine making luminary, garnering accolades throughout his career beginning in the 1980s. He's known for blending, and this one is a master blend of 11 varietals (Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon the majority), or better put a kitchen sink table wine ready to be paired with some bold food. We paired this with a mushroom-winter squash ragù and Malfalda pasta. Spot on. ~$22 | #briancartercellars #redblend #washingtonwine

On the eyes: Deep, concentrated inky-ruby, med stain, med tears, no gas, hazy.

On the nose: Stewed caramelized apple, plum, black currants, hints of black licorice and tobacco. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med+ round body. A bit astringent, like plum skins, black fruit flavor, toasty, peppery, and hints of vanilla. Too much structure and too little flavor on its own. Decent table wine though if paired with a deep dish or pasta.

Picked this bottle up at Village Wines, a little wine shop/eatery in the Woodinville Hollywood Wine District. The shop is actually across the street from the Brian Carter tasting room, but when you have a screaming, pebble eating 15 month old with you while wine tasting, sometimes it's better to pick up a few bottles sight unseen and try 'em at your leisure later. Brian Carter Cellars was voted the 2015 Washington Winery of the Year by Wine Press NW. Mr. Carter is somewhat of a WA wine making luminary, garnering accolades throughout his career beginning in the 1980s. He's known for blending, and this one is a master blend of 11 varietals (Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon the majority), or better put a kitchen sink table wine ready to be paired with some bold food. We paired this with a mushroom-winter squash ragù and Malfalda pasta. Spot on. ~$22 | #briancartercellars #redblend #washingtonwine

On the eyes: Deep, concentrated inky-ruby, med stain, med tears, no gas, hazy.

On the nose: Stewed caramelized apple, plum, black currants, hints of black licorice and tobacco. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med+ round body. A bit astringent, like plum skins, black fruit flavor, toasty, peppery, and hints of vanilla. Too much structure and too little flavor on its own. Decent table wine though if paired with a deep dish or pasta.

Oct 11th, 2016
Jace Hostvedt

How is this so popular and sold in every grocery store? Not good.

How is this so popular and sold in every grocery store? Not good.

Apr 27th, 2016
Cheryl

Very good for a decent price

Very good for a decent price

Jan 5th, 2016
Steve Kappler

Great blend of 20 varietals ....smooth from start to finish....

Great blend of 20 varietals ....smooth from start to finish....

Oct 5th, 2015
D Maria Halstead

Nice fruity blend

Nice fruity blend

Jul 19th, 2015
Stacey Taplin

Good with spicy pulled pork!

Good with spicy pulled pork!

Aug 19th, 2014
Jeff Hackmeister

Love it

Love it

May 23rd, 2014
Asenath Polis

From Kelly☺️

From Kelly☺️

Oct 20th, 2013
Dwight Penn

Great quoffer

Great quoffer

Aug 16th, 2013