Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part V: Chicken
The
summer cookout is a staple of the season and
chicken is a classic, healthy choice. Now, since 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 fire up the
BBQ, and open any of these great bottles when you're grilling
chicken:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Zenaida
Cellars 2012 "Wanderlust" Blend
Winery:
Zenaida Cellars
Grape(s): 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, &
15% Mourvedre
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, raspberries, and cherries meld
with suggestions of smoked meat, vanilla, and spicy oak
on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit, bing
cherry, and strawberry along with accents of cedar, spice,
and vanilla. Lively flavors and plush tannins, make this
an ideal wine to enjoy with a Greek-Style grilled chicken
breast. 202 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2012 Rosé Wine
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): Grenache, Mourvedre, &
Syrah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of strawberries, watermelon, and nectarine rises
up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of strawberry,
cranberry, and citrus fruit with accents of minerals and
thyme. Crisp and vibrant, it would pair nicely with grilled
chicken breasts seasoned by fresh herbs. Just 75 cases
were made
Rating: 89 |
|
Winery
SF 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Winery SF
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: North Coast, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Citrus fruits, honeydew, and peach aromas mingle with
hints of bell pepper and minerals on the nose. A sip brings
forth flavors of lime, melon, and peach that flow into
whispers of wild grass and minerals. Bright flavors and
a friendly acidity make it an ideal pairing with grilled
chicken in a citrus marinade. 1,500 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Cass
2014 Marsanne
Winery:
Cass
Grape(s): 100% Marsanne
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of peach, apple, banana, and white blossoms
greet the senses. The palate reveals flavors of stone
fruits, melons, and apples along with accents of flowers
and pistachios. A rich, floral white with a welcoming
acidity, open a bottle with grilled chicken in a Asian
marinade. 390 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Comanche
Cellars 2012 "Maverick" Blend
Winery:
Comanche Cellars
Grape(s): 60% Syrah & 40% Sangiovese
Region: Central Coast, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of cherries, raspberries, and cranberries come together
with nuances of candied nuts and spice on the nose. Flavors
of bing cherry, cranberry, and bramble berry unfold into
hints of earthy spice and cola on the palate. It's a bright,
fruit-driven wine that's ideal for fans of chicken at
your next cookout. Only 80 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Eberle
2013 Chardonnay
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of pineapples, lemons, and Asian pears combine
with suggestions of creamy, buttery oak on the nose. With
a sip, flavors of tart apple, pear, and pineapple emerge
alongside notes of toasty oak and buttered popcorn. Supple
with a nice touch of acidity, grilled chicken served with
a creamy sauce would be ideal for this wine. 4,006 cases
were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2013 Chardonnay
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
The nose offers a bouquet of crisp pear, apple, vanilla,
and toasty oak. The palate delivers flavors of peach,
pear, and green apple accented by nuances of buttery oak
and vanilla. Not too acidic and not too creamy, it's a
fine Chardonnay to enjoy with grilled chicken breasts.
800 cases produced.
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
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part III: Lamb
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part IV: Portobello Muyshrooms
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 |
|
|