In December, we received four bottles of Camelot Wines to taste and write about. We did our research and discovered that Camelot Wines was established in 1993 and produces wines from grapes sourced from several vineyards in different areas of California. Vineyard locations include Lodi, Central Coast, North Coast, Sacramento Delta and Clarksburg.

Camelot’s delightful mythical name adds a hint of romance and quality to the anticipation of what is in the bottle. The head winemaker who creates these wines is Mark Rasmussen. We discovered that these wines deliver appropriate nuances and yet the low price point allows more people to be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Camelot Wines produces four varietal wines: Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Camelot Merlot

The first bottle we opened was the Camelot Merlot. The grapes for this inexpensive wine ($7) were sourced from three areas of California – Central Coast, Lodi and North Coast. The wine color was a translucent red. This light bodied red wine was smooth with notes of red cherries and black pepper. The Merlot was fermented in stainless steel and aged for a short period of time in oak. Pairing suggestions include hard cheese, grilled meats, pork roasts, and pastas with red sauce. Information for consumers is easily obtained as a QR code is on the label. In addition, this red wine is soothingly balanced and may be considered a good wine for transitioning from white wines to red wines.

Camelot Chardonnay

The Camelot Chardonnay NV was a light yellow with some oak influence on the aroma. The smooth, crisp taste offered notes of apple, tropical fruit and citrus. The winery suggests pairing this Chardonnay with seafood, chicken, pork roast and cream sauce pastas.

Camelot Pinot Noir

The Camelot Pinot Noir was a blend of grapes from Lodi and Clarksburg vineyards. Fermentation was with stainless steel. This is an easy to drink wine with a smooth taste and medium body. Suggested pairings included herb-marinated lamb chops, grilled salmon and mushroom pizza.

Camelot Cabernet Sauvignon

A translucent ruby, the Camelot Cabernet Sauvignon, offered notes of black fruits on the aroma. The taste had black berries, black raspberries, black cherries and a faint hint of tobacco on the taste. The wine finished with mild tannins and was fruity.

At only seven dollars for a 750ml bottle and nice taste, you can’t go wrong by checking out the Camelot Wines. Looking for a wine for Valentine’s Day and with only a little money in your pocket, a Camelot wine may be what you want.

Cheers! Kathy