Jolo Vineyards, North Carolina (United States) 2022

 A particularly interesting blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Chambourcin, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10.5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, this is quite juicy and bright, as one might expect based on its youthfulness.  What you might not expect is that the relatively small portion of Chambourcin (a high-quality hybrid) seems to over-ride the Cabernet Sauvignon in particular while riding abreast of the Bordeaux varieties in general.  This is expressed by means of a very pleasant cranberry-like fruit note that wouldn’t show up in a “Meritage” as opposed to this “Jolotage.”  This would make a fun sipping wine, and would show very nicely during summer with a light chilling, but would also be great with lighter spicy fare, and could really sing in harmony with a pepperoni pizza.