This Ménage à Trois California Red Wine 2007 is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. I bought it tonight. I stopped at Kroger’s for groceries on my way home from work and couldn’t resist, of course, wheeling my already full cart through the wine isles to see what was on sale. This one was marked down from $13.29 to $9.99.
The reason it caught my eye is because my good friend, Vicki Voisin, loves this wine. Vicki is a remarkable woman and I love her to pieces! I know, however, that we don’t have the same tastes in liquid refreshments because she has tried my martini and doesn’t swoon. 
But I give her credit for this one.
Although at first breath it was bit hot and overpowering, after it had decanted awhile it became quite delicious. This red blend has a fragrant nose of green peppers and strawberries. On the palate is a blackberry – like peppery spiciness as well as a mature fruity bell pepper quality. The finish is surprisingly sweet, which I didn’t care for at first, but now that it has had some air the finish is milder and less cloying.
It is Friday night and we are celebrating as we always do on the eve of our weekend! For dinner, I picked a bowlful of tomatoes and started a cast-iron skillet of delicious homemade tomato sauce. That is simmering and I just baked a loaf of whole wheat bread. I will serve the spaghetti with vegetables and our “Vicki” wine and it will be delicious – can’t wait!
(I miss you, Tony!)
October 11, 2008 at 6:11 am
Miss you too!
I’ll have a glass of wine (or two) tonight in your honor…haha.
Love you mom.
October 11, 2008 at 7:35 am
I love you, too, Tony. . .
October 14, 2008 at 6:53 am
Melody…I’m glad you had an opportunity to try this wine. I’ve purchased it at Sam’s Club several times. The name/label is always a conversation starter, to say the least!
November 27, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Melody and Tom,
I too saw this on sale at Safeway and recalled that you had reviewed it, so I bought it. We wound up opening it tonight after Janet’s terrific Thanksgiving dinner. We followed your advice and let it breathe for about two hours, and we both enjoyed the wine very much. I thought it was very smooth and drinkable, and did not notice much sweetness. We will definitely look for this again, especially for the price. (Note: neither of us got any connection to bell peppers!)
November 28, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Steve & Janet — No green peppers? What?? I think you need to re-taste. . .
We love your comment, thank you so much!
Can’t wait to see you at Christmas!
December 8, 2008 at 9:39 am
My husband and I have been drinking this wine for about 1 1/2 years. We were buying the single bottles and figured we might as well start buying them by the case! The wine is great as an evening “wind-down” beverage or with a nice red dinner. We can typically get it by the case at our local Andersons or Kroger stores for about $9-$10 per bottle. I love semi-dry red wines and my husband had a tendency to lean toward the sweeter white wines. It only took a glass or two to get him to reconsider the errors of his ways:)
December 8, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Michelle, Now that’s what I am talking about — a smart wife with great taste in wine and husbands. You go. . .
April 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Yay! This article made me happy! What a delightful way to blog! Go you!
April 3, 2009 at 6:24 am
Will, your comment made ME happy! Thank you very much! Go you!!
July 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm
My wife and I discovered this wine after a friend of ours told us about it. This seems to be her favorite of many we try (most based on your blog!) and we can usually find it for $8.99 at World Market.
August 2, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I have a friend (who reads this blog — hi, Vicki!) who also loves this wine a lot. It sounds like you have found a great price. I used to see it at Sam’s Club and I think it was selling in the $10 range.