Wines
of the Week: Zesty Zinfandel for BBQ
Now
that spring has finally arrived,it's time to dust off the old
grill and start cooking up an array of yummy BBQ dishes. Of
course, with a robustly flavored dish, one wants a bold wine,
like Zinfandel. Here are a few that our tasting panel enjoyed
for under $20.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
St.
Francis "Old Vines" 2015 Zinfandel
Winery:
St. Francis
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma County Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
The nose is ripe with cherry, raspberry, and blackberry
notes blending among hints of toasty oak and nutmeg. Lush
fruit is at the forefront of the palate, with cherries
and raspberries leading the way, and toasty spice, alongside
vanilla, backing that up. Supple tannins and nice fruit
make this a great wine for BBQ.
Rating: 89 |
|
Dry
Creek Vineyard 2016 "Heritage" Zinfandel
Winery:
Dry Creek Vineyard
Grape(s): 79% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah,
& 1% Primitivo
Region: Sonoma
County Ca
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries combine
with nuances of pepper and all-spice on the nose. Refined
tannins frame flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum
that flow into hints of dark chocolate, toasty oak, and
spice. A good balance of fruity and spicy, this Zin will
pair well with zesty BBQ.
Rating: 90 |
|
Napa
Cellars 2015 Zinfandel
Winery:
Napa Cellars
Grape(s): 85% Zinfandel & 15% Petite
Sirah
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
One is greeted by notes of bing cherries, blackberries,
spice, and licorice on the nose. Supple fruit flavors
of cherry, raspberry, and plum meld with elements of clove,
anise, and tobacco on the palate. With refined tannins
and solid complexity for it's price point, this Zin is
ideal for most BBQ dishes you might serve.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
Wines
of the Week: Zesty Zinfandel
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
|