Boeger Winery, El Dorado (Sierra Foothills, California) 2018

 This unusual blend of Italian varieties is a specialty of Boeger, which presents it as an excellent companion for rich Italian dishes.  While well known for Barbera, the winery creates this 7 varietal blend and Barbera is a minor player. Charbono (38%) and Refosco (36%) are Migliore’s primary components with both Merlot and Cabernet Franc checking in at 10%.  Barbera, Primitivo, and Carignan barely made the team.  Aged for 32 months in neutral barrels, all seven parts come together seamlessly to make this a rich, concentrated and, yes, food friendly red that is a conversation starter.  It offers up plenty of  black fruit and woodsy, peppery aromas, and its flavors lean more toward lovely blackberry fruit and baking spice with some leatheriness.  With well integrated tannins remaining in the background, it finishes long and suggests it can be cellared for many years, but it drinks well now.