Veterans are naturally the guest of honor with Purple Heart Wines, a collaboration between C. Mondavi & Family and the Purple Heart Foundation. The brand has been around since 2014, and it has donated $40,000 to date to the Purple Heart Foundation, which aids military men, women, and families transitioning back to home.

Noble cause, but how’s the wine (a Bordeaux style blend of about 80% merlot)?

An overwhelming rush of sugar strikes the palate so aggressively that I had to come out of a diabetic coma — however briefly — just to write up my notes on this wine. Notes of Smuckers grape jelly, liquefied with cotton candy dissolved into it, are the dominating flavor characteristics. On the finish: Sugar plum fairies, dancing in my head.

C- / $20

2014 Purple Heart Red Wine Napa Valley

$20

4

Rating

4.0/10