Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part III: Lamb
The
summer cookout is a staple of the season, and
lamb is a classic, but perhaps often overlooked, choice. Now,
because nothing elevates a hearty meal like the right bottle
of wine, and there are a lot of great small-production wineries
making top-notch stuff, we figure, why not enhance the tradition
of the American cookout with some boutique, uniquely American
wines? So change it up from steaks and burgers while enjoying
these great wines when you're grilling lamb:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Zenaida
2012 Mourvedre
Winery:
Zenaida Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of red berries and pomegranates mingle with
notes of floral earth and white pepper on the nose. Flavors
of raspberry, pomegranate, and red plum combine with hints
of spice and minerals on the palate. Inviting fruit and
plush tannins, make it a ideal wine to enjoy with lamb
chops from the grill. 108 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Winery
SF 2011 Merlot
Winery:
Winery SF
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: North Coast, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of plums, boysenberries, cherries, and toasty
vanilla rise up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors
of plum, bramble fruit, and dark cherry that unfold into
suggestions of cedar, vanilla, and mocha. Jammy fruit
and chalky tannins, mean lamb kabobs would be a fine paring.
250 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Cambiata
2013 Dornfelder
Winery:
Cambiata
Grape(s): 100% Dornfelder
Region: Monterey County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, red currants, plums, and earth
greets the senses. Bramble fruit, plums, and blueberry
flavors interweave with traces of minerals and violets
on the palate. Dark and perfumed with rich tannins, pair
it with grilled lamb shanks. Only 99 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Comanche
Cellars 2013 Mesa Del Sol Syrah
Winery:
Comanche Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Monterey County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Blueberry and blackberry aromas combine with notes of
game, spice, and earth on the nose. A sip reveals flavors
of blueberries, figs, and boysenberries accented by highlights
of white pepper, smoked meat, and minerals. A Syrah with
supple tannins and hearty flavors, fans of vibrant reds
will enjoy this bottle..
Rating: 90 |
|
Eberle
2013 Steinback Vineyard Syrah
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of boysenberries, raspberries, and strawberries
meld with suggestions of dark chocolate, coffee, and smoky
spice on the nose. With a sip, flavors of dark bramble
fruit and strawberry open up into nuances of baking spice,
coffee, and pepper. Rich tannins and robust flavors make
this wine a fine partner for a leg of lamb cooked over
an open fire. 2,063 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Lula
Cellars 2012 Costa Vineyard Pinot Noir
Winery:
Lula Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Notes of raspberries, cherries, and strawberries combine
with hints of spice and violets on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of raspberry, plum, and strawberry that are accented
by floral and spicy notes on the palate. A Pinot with
lively flavors and acidity, open a bottle with grilled
lamb chops. 600 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 70-75
Review:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, cassis, and black
cherries along with traces of cedar and sweet spice. The
palate delivers flavors of black currant, plum and blackberry
that move into allusions of all-spice, pepper, and smoky
oak. Balanced tannins and smooth fruit incline this wine
towards grilled lamb loin. 100 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2012 "Nocturne" Syrah
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 90% Syrah 5% Malbec, &
5% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of blueberries, cherries, and plums blend with
accents of vanilla and earth on the nose. Flavors of black
cherry, plum, and cassis emerge on the palate alongside
whispers of minerals and creamy oak. A rich mouth-feel
and ample dark fruit mean this wine and grilled lamb will
get along very well.
Rating: 89 |
Check
out our other segments of Great Wines When You're Grilling:
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part I: Hamburgers
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part II: Shrimp
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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