If your Father’s Day celebration calls for a full-bodied wine that goes with juicy steaks and barbecue, consider Muddy Arch red wine, a blend from California. It’s produced by the Leonard Wine Company, a Napa-based venture launched in 2014 by St. Louisan Tom Leonard and his winemaker son, Chris. The label is a tribute to our city’s iconic landmark and the Mississippi River.
Tom is the former longtime president of W.T. Leonard & Associates, a manufacturers’ representative firm established by his father. After 40 years at the company, Tom sold his interest in 2012 and founded the wine business. It was a dream that began when he was only 14 and working for his grandmother’s catering business and her Rock Hill restaurant Chalet de Normandie (now Hacienda). His interest continued to grow during college. Then, after graduating, he became a great fan of Old World wines during eight months of European travel in a Volkswagen van with two friends.
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He passed along his love for wine to Chris, who began learning about fine wine at family dinners. Chris took some fall semesters off from college to work harvests in California at highly regarded Napa Valley and Central Coast producers. Following graduation, Chris traveled abroad to work harvests in New Zealand and Italy. He returned to California in 2011 and settled in Napa Valley to pursue his winemaking career.
Muddy Arch 2018 Red Wine, CaliforniaBought • Schnucks, 8650 Big Bend Boulevard, in May for $24.99
Description • Big, bold and juicy, this blend is made from 44% zinfandel, 32% carignane and 24% petite verdot grown in different climates and soils throughout Northern California. Aged in oak for 16 months, it has muscular tannins and tastes of black cherries and blackberries with hints of black pepper and tobacco. A very flavorful red with an alcohol level of 14.8%, this wine calls for hearty fare including grilled red meats, lamb and game.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch lists the best-reviewed wines of 2022. The list has been divided into sparkling, white and red wines.
Follow Gail on Twitter @GailAppleson.