|
Wines
of the Week: Best Buys for Your BBQ
This
labor day weekend (or any weekend for that matter), if you're
getting together with friends and family to enjoy some good,old-fashion
BBQ, then our tasting panel has some wines for you. They're
all reasonably price and tasty. Cheers and enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cline
2016 "Ancient Vines" Zinfandel
Winery:
Cline
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Region: Contra Costa, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A combination of ripe strawberries and red cherries meld
with suggestions of clove and dark chocolate on the nose.
Strawberry jam and bing cherry come up front on the palate,
followed by brown spice, anise, and chocolate. Offering
polished tannins and lush fruit, it's an ideal Zin for
BBQ chicken.
Rating: 90 |
|
Carol
Shelton 2015 "Piazza" Zinfandel
Winery:
Carol Shelton
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of plums, cherries, brown spice, and dark chocolate
rises up from a glass. Waves of cherries, raspberries,
and plums play with highlights of pie crust, all-spice,
and cocoa on the palate. Not a bold, peppery Zin, but
it's quite compelling, especially if you enjoy smooth,
jammy flavors. Pulled pork will make a lovely pairing.
Rating: 90 |
|
Concannon
2016 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Concannon
Grape(s): Petite
Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Blueberries and blackberries intermingle with hints of
pepper and bacon on the nose. Ripe blueberry, black cherry,
and bramble berry fruit notes play nicely among expressions
of spice and herbs on the palate . Polished tannins and
a good balance of fruit and non-fruit flavors make this
a solid for around $15. Enjoy with BBQ tri-tip.
Rating: 89 |
|
Locations
"F" 5 Red Blend
Winery:
Landmark Vineyards
Grape(s): Grenache,
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Region: France
Year:
n/a
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of raspberries, cherries, spice, and cedar greets
the senses. Flavors of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry
jam play among elements of anise and cigar box on the
palate. Lush, yet nicely structured, it's not like a traditional
French blend, but it offers good layers and value. Match
it up with BBQ ribs.
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
|
|
|