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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

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

 

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