Menage A Trois Midnight Dark Red Blend

Ménage à Trois Midnight Dark Red Blend is a rich, dark California red blend bottled at 13.8% ABV in a 750ml format. Built from four grapes rather than the brand's signature three, this expression earned 94 points at the 2023 Toast of the Coast Competition for its 2021 vintage — a strong showing that underscores its depth and balance.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Dark Red Blend  |  Producer: Folie à Deux Winery

Production & Heritage

Ménage à Trois wines are produced by Folie à Deux Winery in California. The brand built its identity around three-grape blends, but Midnight deliberately breaks that convention by combining four varieties — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot — in a "more is more" philosophy. The wine is aged on both French and American oak, contributing layers of structure and spice that distinguish it from the lighter, fruit-forward core Ménage à Trois Red Blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruit leads immediately, with concentrated blackberry and black cherry followed by warm baking spice and a subtle thread of mocha. There is a brooding quality on the nose that signals the wine's deeper, fuller character.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-driven, with ripe blackberry and spiced plum coating the palate. At mid-palate, black cherry deepens alongside mocha and exotic spice notes, while Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot contribute firm but polished tannins that give the wine meaningful structure without harshness.

Finish: The finish is long and powerful, with a silky, velvety texture that lingers. Residual mocha and dark spice trail off slowly, leaving a satisfying warmth.

How to Drink Midnight

Midnight drinks best at cool room temperature — around 60–65°F — poured into a large-bowled glass that lets the dark fruit aromatics open up. Decanting for 20–30 minutes can soften the tannins further and reveal additional complexity.

• Red Wine Sangria: The concentrated dark fruit and spice hold up well against citrus and brandy without losing identity.
• Kalimotxo: The wine's bold, mocha-laced profile pairs surprisingly well with cola in this classic Basque cocktail.
• Mulled Wine: The existing spice notes integrate naturally with cinnamon, clove, and star anise for a cold-weather serve.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners that call for a bold, no-fuss red
• Introducing dark red blends to drinkers exploring beyond single varietals
• Casual dinner parties where a crowd-pleasing bottle is needed
• Building a side-by-side tasting with Apothic Dark or the standard Ménage à Trois Red Blend

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Midnight taste like? Midnight delivers concentrated blackberry and black cherry layered with mocha, exotic spice, and plush plum, all wrapped in a silky, full-bodied texture with firm but smooth tannins.

How does Midnight compare to Apothic Dark? Both wines target the dark red blend category at a similar price tier, but Midnight relies on a four-grape blend including Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot for tannic structure, while Apothic Dark leans on a different varietal mix and tends toward slightly sweeter fruit. Consumers frequently compare the two side by side, with Midnight generally reading as drier and more tannic.

Is Midnight good for sipping on its own? Yes — the wine's balanced tannins, layered dark fruit, and long finish make it well-suited for drinking neat at cool room temperature, especially after a brief decant.

Where is Midnight made? Midnight is produced by Folie à Deux Winery in California, drawing grapes from California vineyards to create a multi-varietal dark red blend.

What foods pair well with Midnight? Grilled ribeye steak pairs naturally with the wine's firm tannins and dark fruit. Braised short ribs echo the mocha and spice notes. Dark chocolate desserts complement the wine's cocoa undertones. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda match the wine's intensity. Barbecue brisket with a peppery rub works well against the Petite Sirah-driven spice.

What sizes does Midnight come in? Ménage à Trois Midnight Dark Red Blend is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Midnight worth the price? Midnight positions as an accessible, everyday-premium dark red blend that over-delivers on complexity relative to its price tier, making it a strong value within the competitive California dark red blend category.

Why Midnight?

The four-grape construction is the key differentiator here. By adding Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot to the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon base, the winemaking team builds a noticeably darker, more structured wine than the standard Ménage à Trois Red Blend — one that justifies its own identity in the lineup. The 94-point score at the 2023 Toast of the Coast Competition for the 2021 vintage validates the blend's quality against serious competition. Aging on both French and American oak adds a dual character of refined spice and broader vanilla-mocha warmth that sets Midnight apart from many single-oak programs in this price range. For drinkers who want bold, dark fruit intensity with genuine tannic backbone and layered flavor, this wine consistently hits the mark.