Wines
of the Week: Bargain Blends
Everyone
loves a good bargain, especial when it comes to wine, and the
red blend category is a great place to look for them. So here
are a handful of bottles, all available for $15 or less, that
deliver some bang for the buck. Cheers and enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
7
Moons 2017 "Dark Side" Red Blend
Winery:
7
Moons
Grape(s): Syrah,
Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec,
& Grenache
Region: California
Year:
2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
The nose is lush with ripe, red fruit backed up by aromas
of caramal, chocolate, and smoky oak. On the palate, flavors
of cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry meld among elements
of butterscotch, dark chocolate, and toasty oak. Quite
forward, with smooth tannins, fans of soft, fruity reds
will enjoy this. Fans of "old-school" wines
may not.
Rating: 88 |
|
Silk
and Spice 2016 Red Blend
Winery:
Silk
and Spice
Grape(s): 40%
Touriga Nacional, 20% Baga, 20% Syrah and 20% Alicante
Bouchet
Region: Portugal
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of plums, red cherries, brown spice, and cocoa
greets the senses. Flavors of plum, pomegranate, and cherry
interweave among allusions of coffee, chocolate, and clove
on the palate. Quite fruity for an old world wine, (one
could even mistake it for Californian) it's highly sippable.
Fans of smooth red blends should give it a go.
Rating: 89 |
|
Charles
& Charles 2015 Post No. 35 Blend
Winery:
Charles
& Charles
Grape(s): 70%
Cabernet & 30% Syrah
Region: Washington, USA
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
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: 88 |
|
Icario
Rosso 2014 Icario Toscana
Winery:
Icario
Rosso
Grape(s): 70%
Sangiovese, 20% Teroldego, & 10% Merlot
Region: Toscana,
Italy
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Aromas of cherries and plums interweave among hints of
earth and herbs on the nose. Flavors of black cherry,
blackberry, and plum meld with suggestions of herbs and
forest floor on the palate. Welcoming fruit and supple
tannins make this an approachable wine.
Rating: 89 |
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
|