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:
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
|