Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part IV:
Portobello
Mushrooms
The
summer cookout is a staple of the season, and
if you're a vegetarian (or you've got friends and family that
are) portobello mushrooms are a fantastic choice. Of course,
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. So, we figure, why not enhance the tradition
of the American cookout with some boutique, uniquely American
wines? Here are some great bottles to enjoy when you're grilling
portobello:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cass
2014 Mourvedre
Winery:
Cass
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, and pomegranates meld
with traces of spice, game, and minerals on the nose.
A sip delivers flavors of bright red berries and pomegranate
along with accents of pepper, butterscotch, and rose petal.
Robust flavors and plush tannins make it a fine pairing
for portobello mushrooms topped with roasted tomatoes
and a balsamic drizzle. 730 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Comanche
Cellars 2013 Tempranillo
Winery:
Comanche Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Tempranillo
Region: San Benito County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of blackberries, blueberries, and plums combine
with suggestions of spice and smoked meat on the nose.
Flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and cherry open up into
nuances of pepper and smoke on the palate. Fruit driven
with robust non-fruit highlights, it's an ideal wine to
enjoy with portobello burgers. 125 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Zenaida
Cellars 2013 "ZC Red" Blend
Winery:
Zenaida Cellars
Grape(s): 60% Petite Sirah, 25% Cabernet,
& 15% Syrah,
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Cherry, blackberry, and cranberry aromas mingle with hints
of tobacco and white pepper on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of bramble berries, cranberries, and bing cherries interweave
with whispers of smoky oak and spice. Lush, yet lively,
a portobello covered with sauteed onions and crumbled
Gorgonzola would be a fine companion. 370 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Eberle
2012 Barbera
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100% Barbera
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, raspberries, white pepper, and
bacon rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors
of cherry, boysenberry, and raspberry that come together
with traces of smoky earth and all-spice. Vibrant flavors
and acidity, make it a very food friendly wine. 528 cases
were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2011 "Starlight" Sangiovese
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of raspberries, pomegranates, and strawberries
are accented by hints of spice and vanilla on the nose.
Pomegranate, raspberry, and cherry flavors unfold into
allusions of baking spice, vanilla, and minerals on the
palate. Bright with a friendly acidity, pair a glass with
a portobello burger topped with fresh mozzarella and a
balsamic vinegar drizzle. 143 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Cambiata
2013 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Cambiata
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Monterey County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
The nose offers aromas of cherries, plums, and boysenberries
that blend with traces of cola, bacon, and smoke. Flavors
of cherry, plum, and bramble fruit combine with highlights
of sweet spice, cola, and white pepper on the palate.
A welcoming acidity and elegant tannins make this wine
a fine pairing for grilled mushrooms. 682 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2013 "Gypsy Rouge" Blend
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 76% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre,
4% Syrah, 3% Counoise, 3% Cinsault, 1% Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries
come together with hints of spice and dusty earth on the
nose. Blackberry, cherry, and cranberry flavors flow into
suggestions of white pepper, minerals, and baking spice
on the palate. A supple red with easy-going tannins but
vivid flavors, it's ideal to enjoy at your next cookout.
350 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
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 |
|
|