Wines
of the Week: Weekend Winners
During
the week, we all love a great bargain, but once the weekend
rolls around, a lot of us like to spend a little extra for that
better bottle. Thus, here are three wines between $20-25 that
won over our tasting panel. Enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Opaque
2015 Darkness Red Wine
Winery:
Opaque
Grape(s): Zinfandel,
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot &
Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Lots of black cherries, blackberries, and plums come together
with undertones of caramel, clove, and dark chocolate
on the nose. Plush tannins frame flavors of plum, blueberry,
and blackberry that play among allusions of cocoa, toasty
brown spice, and caramel on the palate. Dark, and jammy,
with nice layers, match it up with a bacon cheeseburger.
Rating: 90 |
|
Lapostolle
2015 "Cuvee Alexandre" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Lapostolle
Grape(s): 88%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah & 4% Cabernet Franc
Region: Chile
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Inviting aromas of cassis, blackberries, and black cherries
play with undertones of anise, herbs, and clove on the
nose. The palate unfurls with flavors of blackberry, currant,
and dark cherry harmonizing among suggestions of fresh
herbs, dark chocolate, and licorice. Fine-grain tannis
frame the wine nicely, and a rich, layered character make
it ideally suited for a roast leg of lamb.
Rating: 91 |
|
Tenuta
Guado al Tasso 2016 Il Bruciato
Winery:
Tenuta
Guado al Tasso
Grape(s): 55%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, & 15% Syrah
Region: Italy
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Cherries and plums play among nuances of bacon and herbs
on the nose. Flavors of jammy plum, raspberry, and black
cherry come up front, with floral and herbal accents following.
Big, juicy, and a little savory, lamb stew would make
a very nice companion.
Rating: 91 |
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
|