Thorny Rose Red Blend 2011

Thorny Rose from Columbia Valley, Washington has a funky, youthful label and a screw cap. I get a little put off by screw caps, especially in restaurants that mark up as much as 300-400% on wines. But I’ll try to be open-minded and give it a chance. Thorny Rose is a Bordeaux style red blend with 48% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, and 1% Syrah.
The nose is bursting with black cherry. The palate has a full-bodied mouth feel and bold, juicy strawberry and plum are prevalent. Merlot in the blend delivers an earthy quality. A morsel of vanilla is expressed in the mid-palate. The absence of tannins is noted. The medium-length finish is marginally tainted by a sour taste like under-ripe fruit.
Even though we occasionally enjoy a bold fruit bomb, I felt that Thorny Rose was a bit unbalanced and its finish left us on a low note. Costs about $10.