Two weeks ago, I evaluated the best of the white wines sampled this summer, from May to September’s Labor Day. Here’s the best of the reds that made their way into the pergola with the Wine Goddess, Wine Butler and others. Pinot Noir and red blends dominated the scene.
All these wines were purchased either locally or in New Hampshire liquor outlets. Prices may vary today from the original cost.
Cabernet Sauvignon
– 2008 Sequoia Grove, Napa Valley, $32 – A luscious, full Cab at a solid price point. Smooth, blackberry and toasty finish.
– 2010 Airfield Estates Cabernet, Yakima Valley, Washington, $18 – Good berry taste, mouthfeel.
– 2009 Shannon Ridge Cabernet, California, $11 – Fine complement to grilled burghers, steak tip. A true bargain.
Pinot Noir
– 2010 Cambria Pinot Noir, Washington, $24 – Lovely cherry nose and palate pleaser.
– 2009 Laetitia, Arroyo Grande Valley (Calif.), $23 – Gorgeous accompaniment to blackened salmon or salmon salad.
– 2009 Talbott Kali Hall, Carmel Valley (Calif.), $20 – Distinctive ripe cherry and plum flavors and well-structured. Best buy and value and my No. 1 pick.
– 2010 Kendall Jackson Reserve, California, $18 – A quality wine that tantalizes the tongue with subtle strawberry, cola and vanilla treats.
– 2009 Coppola’s Director’s Cut, Russian River Valley, Calif., $17 – A blockbuster from the Godfather director.
– 2010 Mark West, California, $10 – The working man/woman’s special. This winery knows how to turn out quality juice in volume.
Red blends
– Troublemaker by Austin Hope, Paso Robles, $19 – Syrah plays the lead among the Rhone-style varietals packing unique cherry and licorice flavors in this dark ruby blend. It fights to a long finish.
– 2008 Tete-a-Tete, Domaine delle Terre Rouge, Sierra Hills, $14 – A Rhone-style red full of red fruit flavor. Delightful discussion wine.
– 2008 Le Drunk Rooster, France, $10 – Grenache (65%) and Syrah (35%) mix delivers a blackberry taste to crow about. Great with hard cheeses.
– 2008 Boogle Phantom, California, $15 – Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Mourvedre unmask a powerful liquid. Best with spicy barbeque.
– 2008 Spaceman Wine, Napa Valley, $26 – Ex-Red Sox lefty Bill Lee tosses a near-perfect toasty, lush Cab-Merlot-Syrah beauty.
– 2009 Three Saints Steakhouse Red, Santa Barbara County, $16 – A divine concoction of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah. Fruity with hints of pepper.
– 2009 The Optimist Shiraz/Cabernet, Australia, $23 – The glass is always half full with this big, bold, refreshing Down Under concoction.
– Jettlyn Winery Mon Couer, Paso Robles, $16 – A Master Blend if there ever was one, six grape varietals combine in exquisite silkiness of berry and earth flavors.
Syrah
– 2006 ‘R’ Rockblock Reserve, Washington State, $36 – A Walla Wall wallop with any choice steak. Well-structured for a long raspberry/chocolate finish.
– 2008 Fess Parker, Sonoma Valley, $16 – It’s too late to save the Alamo, but there’s plenty of dark fruit muscle (with spices) to power any big beef dish to victory.
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