Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part VI: Steak
The
summer cookout is a staple of the season, and
perhaps, the ultimate item for grilling is steak. But even with
such status, the right bottle of wine can still elevate a juicy
cut of beef, 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 options for when you're grilling
steak:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cambiata
2012 Tannat
Winery:
Cambiata
Grape(s): 100% Tannat
Region: Monterey County, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of bramble fruit, black cherry, anise, and sweet
floral earth rises up from a glass. The palate showcases
notes of blackberries, plums, and dark cherries that meld
with whispers of anise, cedar, and earth. Dark and dense
with ample tannins, enjoy a bottle with a hearty rib-eye.
348 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Eberle
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Black cherries, currants, and blackberries mingle with
allusions of vanilla and thyme on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of blackberry, cherry, and cassis that come together
with traces of toasty oak, vanilla, and Italian herbs
on the palate. A fine example of Paso Robles Cabernet,
pair a glass with a grilled NY Steak. 2,656 cases produced.
Rating: 890 |
|
Cass
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Cass
Grape(s): 89% Cabernet & 11% Petit
Verdot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of cherries, blackberries, cedar, and vanilla
rise up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of bing
cherry, plum, and bramble fruit that flow into hints of
white pepper, smoky oak, and violets. A wine with dark
fruit and floral highlights, enjoy a bottle the next time
you grill filet mignon. 525 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Zenaida
Cellars 2012 "Fire Sign" Blend
Winery:
Zenaida Cellars
Grape(s): 40% Cabernet, 35% Syrah, &
25% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of cherries, cassis, and blackberries combine with
notes of creamy oak and licorice on the nose. With a sip,
flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and red currant open
up into suggestions of vanilla and floral earth. Lush
fruit and supple tannins make this a fine wine to pair
with prime rib. 171 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Vina
Robles 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Vina Robles
Grape(s): 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12%
Petit Verdot, & 11% Tannat
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Notes of dark berries, cassis, earth, and creamy oak greet
the senses. Flavors of blueberry, currant, and black plum
emerge on the palate alongside accents of cedar, earth,
and vanilla. Dark and concentrated, a t-bone steak would
be an ideal choice for this bottle. 12, 488 cases were
made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Comanche
Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Comanche Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Lucia, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, plums, and raspberries meld
with hints of dark chocolate, herbs, and spice on the
nose. With a sip, flavors of bing cherry, bramble fruit,
and plum meet with allusions of sweet spice, thyme, and
chocolate on the palate. With plush tannins and dark fruit,
for fans of Pinot Noir, it's a fine choice for when you
grill steak. 200 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2011 Estate Merlot
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
The nose offers aromas of currants, blackberries, and
cherries that blend with traces of toasty oak. Flavors
of black cherry, currant, and plum interweave with suggestions
of creamy oak and minerals on the palate. A Merlot with
supple tannins and mouth-filling fruit, it will stand
up to any steak you pair it with. 540 cases were made.
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
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part V: Chicken
Great
Wines When You're Grilling Part VI: Steak
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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