A quality table wine on a budget

A quality table wine on a budget

I was introduced to this winery back in the summer of 2004, while working with a friend in his bar restaurant in Banner Elk, NC of all places. I was in charge of developing the wine list and after several reps had made their pitch, finally a wine rep from Hickory, NC came to see me with three bottles in her hands from the winery of HRM Rex Goliath of California. She presented a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a Merlot.

A little history about the label first. It is said, that around the turn of the 20th century, traveling with a Texas Circus, there lived a rooster named HRM (His Royal Majesty) Rex Goliath. A proud star of the circus, Rex was billed as the ‘World’s Largest Rooster’ weighing in at a ‘goliath’ 47 pounds. A colorful poster, carefully painted in his visage, hung proudly above his throne at each show.

It was that colorful legend of Rex Goliath that piqued the interest and imagination of Hahn Estates. In 2002, the Rex Goliath line of wines was born, with a colorful label replicating the one of a kind vintage artwork from the circus banner that hung above Rex’s Roost.

This past week I picked up a bottle of their Merlot from our local grocer, about nine dollars and change and thought this would go well with this weekend’s Sunday roast. I have to say, the label is a great table wine for the beginning to somewhat sophisticated pallet. Don’t worry, this is a quality wine you can try out and if you don’t like it, not feel like you spent a lot of money. The Merlot in this case was light and soft. When it comes to a merlot I usually like it to be a little heavier, more body, and even a hint of smoke, but all in all, it wasn’t bad.

Just before sitting down for lunch, I snuck a piece of milk chocolate left over from Friday’s Halloween. Mmm, the taste of the chocolate mixed with the Merlot was beautiful. Somehow the chocolate gave it that weight the bottle was missing all by itself. Needless to say, I poured two glasses with lunch and enjoyed it with the beef, potatoes, and mixed vegetables, a nice addition to a well cooked meal.

Winemaker Michael Kafka rates his Merlot as "soft, supple, and complex." He goes on to say that "there is a certain elegance to this wine that fits his vision of the perfect Merlot: Pretty and seductive with a decidedly spicy nose of black cherry, cassis and cedar. Very ripe and round, almost like a Jolly Rancher candy. Mouth-filling flavors of plums, cherries and wild red berries dominate from start to finish. Good seam of acidity paired with soft tannins make this a wonderful wine for game fowl such as pheasant or duck. Try a nicely roasted Rock Cornish Game Hen...yum!"

Go to your local grocer’s wine section and try a bottle of HRM Rex Goliath, if you are not into a heavy red, try the Pinot Noir and serve it slightly chilled. Do not leave it in the fridge like a chardonnay, about 60 degrees to 65 degrees is nice for the lighter Pinot Noir, any colder and you will bruise it. Enjoy.