1997 Messina Hof Private Reserve

[hotwine]

This was a Christmas gift from our daughter's boyfriend and we honestly had little hope for it. It's made in Bryan, Texas, and we've just not had a lot of luck with home-grown wines. However, this one was a welcome surprise. We served it with stroganoff and broccoli, and it held its own very nicely - shades of a Blackstone CA, with blackberry and vanilla notes and a touch of spice (but a rather short finish). It has none of the big hairball characteristics of so many Merlots these days. Alcohol content is 13% and have no idea as to price, but suspect it's quite moderate. We'll look for it.