Today’s Quillia Red Blend is a négociant wine, which means that it was sourced from vineyards in Washington state that cannot directly be named. Négociants are able to get their hands on wines from famous name wineries when those wineries have a surplus of their juice from a given vintage. Their secret pact is your reward, dear Operative!

Today’s Quillia 2013 Columbia Valley Washington Red Wine Blend was the surprise hit of this week’s tasting panel. This flexible, everyday drinker is a savory, delectable blend of Washington state’s best Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot. Grab some - before we sell out.

This wine has an extremely dark heart of garnet with a thin lip of crimson around the edge. This Washington red blend has a nose of plum compote, allspice, kalamata olive, sandalwood, and thyme. On the palate, we have a range of flavors, including black currant, fennel, sage, white pepper, and plum preserves. This is an all-around red wine, with a structure that checks all the boxes including that of a long, finely tapered finish. To highlight this wine’s virtues, use a neutral canvas such as English bangers and mash (white sausage with plain buttered mashed potatoes).