If you aren’t familiar with what Ménage à Trois means, then I don’t recommend you look it up at work (especially using an image search engine).  I also don’t recommend that you suggest it to your significant other, unless they’re into that sort of thing.  It also probably isn’t the kind of thing to bring up when you meet their parents, at a PTA meeting, church, or any other time in polite company.  Unless of course, you’re referring to the wine, then the question is worth asking, is Ménage à Trois Midnight worth recommending?

Sight:  A moderate ruby with a lean toward purple.  The edges are solid and hot pink.

Smell:  The nose is distinctly hot, with a little bit of burning.  A touch of green herbs lay in front of pipe tobacco and spice box.  The smell adds a deep baked black cherry, jammy blackberries, and fresh red plum.  Hints of vanilla and mocha are present as well.

Sip:  The body is smooth, but that slightly minty, herbal note never quite leaves.  A good amount of acidity keeps it lively, but never quite washes out the smooth texture.  This helps the weight feel heavy, with plums, blackberries, and vanilla notes all get involved.  A bit of spice is present with tobacco and vanilla.

Savor:  There’s a certain amount of astringency, and a moderate and soft set of tannins.  Subtle amounts of espresso and vanilla linger.

Ménage à Trois Midnight is smooth, but isn’t as smooth as it thinks it is.  The green notes aren’t too disruptive, but they pull you out of the moment  where you’re feeling the weight and the jammy flavors.    That said, there’s a lot of deep mysterious dark fruits here, and a good jammy nature.  Ménage à Trois Midnight has some great highs for the price, but doesn’t quite get past the lows.

Verdict:  Blackberry, Spice, Plum, Herbal, Smooth
Price: $8.99
St. Helena, California