Borra Vineyards Fusion Red 2005

In keeping with the California tradition of field blends, Borra Vineyards has crafted an exuberant, easy to drink red in its 2005 Fusion. An artful, tasty concoction of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet, and Zinfandel from the winery’s Gill Creek Ranch, the purple, mouth staining 2005 Borra Vineyards Fusion Red makes its debut with a heady aroma of berries, black fruits, and plum. On the palate it continues to work its magic, as it offers up big, rich fruit flavors and pleasant bits of cinnamon and vanilla spice that are ever so nimbly wrapped within soft ripe tannins. To add to the festivities, the 2005 Borra Fusion offers a long, lush finish, as it exits with a flourish. Enjoy this delicious Gold Medal Winner now and over the next few years. It needs very little breathing time, but it prefers to be served at cool room temperature (no more than 66º F).

As the 2005 Borra Vineyards Fusion Red takes it cue from the successful blends of Stephen Borra’s Italian and early California ancestors, we, too, need look no further than the family’s heritage for worthy accompaniments. Roasted meats, wild game, charcuterie, rich pastas, and heady stews all provide welcome complements to Borra’s Fusion Red. Chicago-style pizza; thick, crusty, oven baked rolls stuffed with sausage, peppers, and herbs; pasta and grilled chicken in a heady Alfredo sauce with Mediterranean herbs; and barbecued spareribs constitute just a few of our favorite offerings with Borra Vineyards’ comely Proprietary Red. However, one need not limit oneself to the culinary delights of the Italian table. Giros, souvlaki, kebobs, and other Mediterranean favorites pair nicely with this wine as well. So, whether your style of cooking is rustic or elegant, simple or spicy, Borra’s Fusion Red is ready to serve. Enjoy!

Stephen J. Borra is owner and winemaker at Borra Vineyards in the Clements Hills area of Lodi, a distinct sub district of the Lodi appellation known for producing some of finest fruit in the entire region. The centerpiece of this oenological enterprise is the 200 acre Gill Creek Ranch, which sits astride the north bank of the Mokelumne River where it receives cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay.Here Stephen grows the gamut of the region’s traditional, Mediterranean grape varieties. Alicante Bouchet, Barbera, Carignane, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Zinfandel all call Borra Vineyards their home. Stephen crafts some of California’s most memorable Barbera, Syrah, and Zinfandel as varietals. However, he also pays homage to his maternal grandfather Giuseppe Manassero, who planted the first grape vines on the family property, and California’s centuries old tradition of planting a wide array of vines in a single vineyard in order to fashion robust, mouth filling reds to accompany equally rich and exciting foods. He does this by crafting wines he calls Fusion. Borra Vineyards Fusion wines are blends of traditional California and Old World varietals. Fusion comes in both red and white versions. Fusion Red relies heavily upon the natural affinities that Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet, and Zinfandel share. This month’s feature, the 2005 Fusion Red, has won numerous awards and medals, including a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in 2008.