Winery
of the Week:
California Rhone for Summer
Rhone
grape varieties pair just perfectly with summer. In
California, they tend to produce wines that are lively and bright,
which makes them lovely to drink during the warmest months of
the year. Our tasting panel discovered some top-notch offerings
from the several growing areas, so whether you're a fan of Syrah,
Grenache, Viognier, or blends, something here will surely please
your palate.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Longevity
2012 Viognier
Winery:
Longevity
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Lodi
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of peach, apricot, and pineapple meld with suggestions
of springtime flowers on the nose. Peach, apricot, and
tropical flavors emerge on the palate along with floral
and honeyed nuances. Crisp, floral, and refreshing, this
wine will pair well with a variety of Asian dishes. Only
43 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vasco
Urbano 2013 "D. McNally" Viognier
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Arroyo Seco
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of citrus and tropical fruit as well as orange
blossoms rise up from a glass. Tangerine, kiwi, and mango
flavors coalesce with traces of white flowers and minerals
on the palate. A lively Viognier, with a fresh acidity,
fans of bright Rhone whites should give this bottle a
try. 500 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vasco
Urbano 2012 "The Sheriff" GSM Blend
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 61% Grenache, 25% Syrah, &
14% Mourvèdre
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries interweave
with hints of bacon and spice on the nose. Flavors of
blueberry, strawberry and bramble fruit come together
with nuances of white pepper, all-spice, and minerals
on the palate. Bright and fruit-driven with smooth tannins,
you can sip it on its own or enjoy a bottle with BBQ chicken.
560 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vasco
Urbano 2012 "Norm" Grenache
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 100% Grenache
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, strawberries, and boysenberries
meld with traces of vanilla and clove on the nose. A sip
delivers flavors of strawberry, blackberry, and cherry
that unfold into hints of cola and sweet spice. A smooth
wine with plush tannins, pair a bottle with grilled pork
tenderloin. 110 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vie
Winery Mélange Maison II
Winery:
Vie Winery
Grape(s): Grenache, Mourvedre, &
Syrah
Region: California
Year: n/a
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
The nose offers notes of cherries, pomegranates, and blackberries
accented by suggestions of spice and cedar. A sip delivers
flavors of pomegranate, black cherry, and blackberry that
open up into hints of pepper and earth. A bright, rich
wine with plush tannins, it's a fine example of a California
Rhone-style blend. 250 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Vie
Winery 2011 L'Intruse Mourvèdre
Winery:
Vie Winery
Grape(s): 91% Mourvèdre, 8% Syrah,
& 1% Grenache
Region: North Coast
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
A bouquet of strawberries, cherries, pepper, and smoky
oak greets the senses. Flavors of raspberry, strawberry,
and blackberry wrap around suggestions of pepper, anise,
and cedar on the palate. Vibrant, smooth, and layered,
enjoy a bottle with a spicy seafood paella. 110 cases
were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Vie
Winery 2011 "Las Madres" Syrah
Winery:
Vie Winery
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Raspberries, plums, and blueberries meld with notes of
bacon, white pepper, and smoke on the nose. The palate
offers up flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and red currant
that meld with nuances of game and spice. A lighter Syrah
that's well suited for summer dinning, pair a bottle with
grilled chicken seasoned in a Mediterranean-style. 175
cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vie
Winery 2011 White Hawk Vineyard Syrah
Winery:
Vie Winery
Grape(s): 97% Syrah & 3% Viognier
Region: California
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, blueberries, and plums interweave
with hints of earth and spice on the nose. The palate
reveals flavors of bramble fruit and plum that open up
into suggestions of herbs and pepper. A rich Syrah, with
supple tannins, it can be enjoy now with a beef stew or
aged in the cellar for half-a dozen years. 175 cases were
made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Dante
Robere 2012 "Dante's Inferno" Blend
Winery:
Dante Robere
Grape(s): 46% Syrah, 31% Grenache, &
23% Mouvedre
Region: California
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of bing cherries and blueberries mingle with notes
of smoked meat and spice on the nose. Flavors of blueberry,
cherry, and strawberry wrap around suggestions of pepper,
roast coffee, and smoked meat on the palate. Smooth with
robust, smoky flavors and plush tannins, enjoy a bottle
with lamb.
Rating: 88 |
|
J.
Lohr 2011 "South Ridge" Syrah
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Blackberry, cherry, and plum aromas mingle with suggestions
of cedar and dark chocolate on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of blackberries, blueberries, and plums that unfold
into hints of toasty oak and cocoa. A smooth, fruit driven
Syrah, it's a fine choice for an everyday wine.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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