Purple Wine Company

I just got back from tasting 7 wines from the Purple Wine Company which was started by one of the former principals of the Blackstone Winery which was sold a few years ago. The notes are brief as I sipped while enjoying some Chicken Tikki Masala and Naan. I ordered some of these wines for the shop, but not all, more due to my current inventory situation at certain price points.

• 2004 Rock Rabbit, Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast ($10) - Good fruit with a little bit of grapefruit. Made in stainless tanks with no Oak or Malo. Good price for a summer wine. Good with food.
• 2003 Mark West, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County ($11) - Good traditional California Chardonnay with some butter, but not overdone. Some Malo here, I was told. I would load up , but I have 15 cases of another $14 Chardonnay to chew through.
• 2003 Mark West, Pinot Noir, Central Coast ($11) - Moderate nose, subtle Burgundian style. Great value. One of the best $10 California Pinots.
• 2002 Mark West, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County ($19) - Moderate nose with more fruit flavors and tannins. Also Burgundian. Very good and fairly valued.
• 2003 Rock Rabbit, Syrah, Central Coast ($11) - Big nose and full flavors. Deep purple color (see Company name!). 12% Cab and some Petite Syrah. Sold! I bought a case as Martin Ray has stopped making the Angeline Syrah.
• 2002 Avalon, Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($8) - 1% Syrah and 1% Tempranillo add some zest and aromas. I liked the wine and loved the price. It's on the list! Good fruit, smooth with tannins and a medium finish. Drinkable $8 California Cab! Will go well with a mixed case of Spanish Grenache, Argentine Malbec and Chilean Carmenere as a great value mixed case.
• 2002 Avalon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($14) - 90% Cabernet with other Bordeaux varietals. Smooth integrated tannins and good fruit. A good wine, but is among a crowded field of good, drinkable $15 California Cabs.

Overall, a good quiver of tasty value wines!