The Meditrina (5) is an approachable blend of syrah (48%), pinot noir (27%), and zinfandel (25%) from Sokol Blosser in Oregon. In the glass, this wine looks like a syrah, with a deep purple color, while delivering notes of red berry fruits, earth, and toast.

This is a very drinkable wine, one that offered good fruit, balanced acidity, and a decent finish. We paired it with a dinner of a rich, hearty sausage sauce on soft polenta with fresh roasted asparagus alongside.

At 10,000 cases, a $15 price point, a stylistic name/label, and it's own web site, the Medtrina is made to move quickly through the sales channel. The marketing push, or spin, is clearly evident on the back label, where it states, "it was created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel".

Don't get me wrong, I like the playful positioning and overall approachability of the Medtrina's marketing effort. But it still amazes me when a bottle claims to offer "the finest" grapes in the wine. It's spin, plain and simple - a disingenuous approach toward fooling a customer into thinking they are buying something special.

If offered this wine again, I would drink it, but not without a bitter aftertaste resulting from the label's marketing hyperbole.

Full Disclosure: I received this bottle as a free sample from a Portland-based distributor of Sokol Blosser. For more information on my wine sample policies, please review my disclosure statement.

Related Links
Medtrina Web Site
Sokol Blosser Medtrina Page
Just a Grape's Review