|
Wines
of the Week: Holiday Party Sips
If
youíre having a crowd over for the holidays, of course,
youíll want to serve good wine, but thereís no
need to spend a small fortune to do so.† Our tasting panel
has some recommendations that† promise to make your guests
and your wallet happy. Cheers!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cashmere
2016 Red Wine
Winery:
Cashmere
Grape(s): 61%
Mouredre, 22% Grenache, & 17% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
An inviting nose of cherries, raspberries, dark chocolate,
and smoky accents draws one into a glass. Itís
a lush, yet still lively palate, with red berry and plum
flavors leading to traces of chocolate, smoke, and spice.
Offering supple taninins and a welcoming acidity, it calls
for a beef stew.
Rating: 90 |
|
Freschello
Max CuvÈe RosÈ
Winery:
Freschello
Max
Grape(s): Merlot
& Raboso
Region: Italy
Year:
n/a
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 5-10
Review:
Lots of strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries come
forth on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of lively red
berry with a zesty mineral backbone. Quite crisp, with
a fresh acidity, itís an ideal Rose for opening
with food and a great bargain.
Rating: 90 |
|
Whitehall
Lane 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Whitehall
Lane
Grape(s): Sauvignon
Blanc
Region:Wapa
Valley, Ca
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
One is hit with aromas of citrus fruits, apples, and minerals
on the nose. The palate unfurls with flavors of limes,
peaches, and apples playing among nuances of minerals.
Thereís a friendly roundness thatís balanced
by a crisp acidity, making this a wine to pair with your
favorite shrimp dish.
Rating: 90 |
|
Carmel
Road 2016 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Carmel
Road
Grape(s): Pinot
Noir
Region: Monterey
County, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Plums,strawberries, and cherries weave together among
traces of cola, floral earth, and black tea on the nose.
Supple tannins carry flavors of cherry, plum, and strawberry
into undertones of rose petal, cola, and tea. A welcoming
acidity and nice balance make this a solid Pinot for the
price.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sterling
2015 Meritage Blend
Winery:
Sterling
Grape(s): Merlot,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot
Region: California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 5-10
Review:
Lovely aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and raspberries
mingle among suggestions of dark chocolate, clove, and
caramel on the nose. Round and supple, flavors of black
cherry, plum, and blackberry flow into notes of cocoa
and barrel spice. Fairly dry but still offering nice fruit,
itís a bargain at $10.
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
|
|
|