Wines
of the Week: S.I.P Certified Reds
Earth
Day
is coming up next week, and what better way to celebrate our
planet on that day (and everyday) than to enjoy a bottle of
S.I.P Certified wine? The brands which proudly display the Sustainability-in-Practice
or S.I.P Seal on their labels produce those wines in a way that
benefits the land, the air, and their workers over the long
term. Here are some delicious S.I.P reds that would be ideal
for the occasion.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Wrath
2012 KW Ranch Syrah
Winery:
Wrath
Grape(s): 00% Syrah
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey,
Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Notes of blackberries, currants, and blueberries come
together with suggestions of bacon, violets, and earth
on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit, current,
and blueberry that coalesce with inklings of spice, smoked
bacon, and earth. Supple and robustly flavored, fans of
heartier red will enjoy this bottle. Just 74 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Ancient
Peaks 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Ancient Peaks
Grape(s): 85% Cabernet, 9% Merlot, &
6% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of blackberries and black cherries meld with notes
of vanilla, toasty oak, and smoke on the nose. With a
sip, flavors of black cherry, plum, and currant emerge,
along with suggestions of vanilla, cedar, and baking spice.
Dark and fairly smooth with cocoa tannins, enjoy a bottle
with your favorite red meat. 7,071 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Ancient
Peaks 2012 "Renegade" Blend
Winery:
Ancient Peaks
Grape(s): 71% Syrah, 24% Malbec, &
5% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrance of blueberries, plums, and black cherries are
accented by notes of pepper, dark chocolate, and limestone
on the nose. Flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and currant
interweave with allusions of cola, cocoa, and spice on
the palate. Rich and concentrated with a highlight of
minerals, it will pair nicely with BBQ and hearty Mexican
fare. 4,430 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Castoro
Cellars 2012 Reserve Barbera
Winery:
Castoro Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Barbera
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, pomegranates, strawberries, and
vanilla greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors
of pomegranate, bing cherry, and raspberry that open up
into nuances of all-spice, minerals, and vanilla bean.
Lighter and more elegant than many Barberas, it would
make a fine match with a thin crust margarita pizza.
Rating: 89 |
|
Castoro
Cellars 2012 Reserve Petite Sirah
Winery:
Castoro Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of plums and blackberries mingle with notes
of bacon, spice, and coffee on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of blackberry, boysenberry, and plum that combine with
traces of minerals, mocha, and smoked meat. Dark and robust,
pair a bottle with your favorite BBQ and enjoy.
Rating: 89 |
|
Pomar
Junction 2012 Merlot
Winery:
Pomar Junction
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: SIP
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Blackberry, cherry, and currant aromas blend with accents
of cocoa and vanilla on the nose. Cherries and blackberries
emerge on the palate, along side suggestions of mocha,
vanilla, and spice. Fruit-driven with ripe tannins, enjoy
a bottle with a hamburger fresh off the grill. 240 cases
were made.
Rating: 88 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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