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Wines of the Week:
Bargains for your BBQ - Under $20 IV, 90 Points

These warm and sunny months of the year are the perfect time for firing up the grill and busting out your secret (or store bought) BBQ sauce. And, of course, what better than a rich, hearty red wine to enhance the meal? Here are a handful of bargains (under $20) our tasting panel has discovered so you can keep your guests and, more importantly, your wallet happy.

Click on labels to enlarge

Tait "Ball Buster" 2014 Ball Buster
Winery: Tait
Grape(s): 78% Shiraz, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 8% Merlot

Region: Barossa Valley, Australia
Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
Plums, blueberries, and blackberries interweave with mocha and spice on the nose. Rich dark fruit comes together with coffee and spice on the palate. Round with lush fruit and vibrant accents, pair this with your favorite BBQ.
Rating: 90

Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve 2015 Zinfandel
Winery: Frei Brothers

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region:
Dry Creek Valley, California

Year: 2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 15-20

Review:
Lots of blackberries, boysenberries, and strawberries combine with expressions of sweet spice and toasty oak on the nose. Waves of plum, bramble berry, and strawberry are complimented by suggestions of clove, brown sugar, and oak on the palate. A pulled pork sandwich would do very nicely with a glass.
Rating: 90

Insurrection 2015 Red Blend
Winery: Insurrection

Grape(s): 75% Shiraz & 25% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Barossa Valley, Australia

Year:
2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 10-15

Review:
The nose weaves together equal parts of fruit and spice. A rush of red berries, pepper, and mocha comes forth on the palate. Plush tannins but lively flavors make this wine a fine pairing for pork ribs.
Rating: 90

Wild Thing 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel
Winery: Wild Thing

Grape(s): 80% Zinfandel, 10% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, & 1% Alicante Bouschet

Region: Mendicino County, California

Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 15-20

Review:
Lovely aromas of ripe strawberry, plums, earth, and vanilla greet one from a glass. Smooth, lush fruit flavors of strawberries dominate the palate, accented by minerals and sweet spice. An easy going, fruit-driven Zin, it's a very approachable wine.
Rating: 90

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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