Posted on Feb 1, 2022 in
FEATURES,
OENOPHILE
Winter is red wine season. On a cold night, it is hard to beat a burger, roasted chicken or a steak with a perfectly matched red wine. Here are some winners in all price ranges selected from several hundred red wines I have tasted over the last three months.
CABERNETS
Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder Napa Valley 2018
Named in the recently released Wine Spectator Top 100 at $80
J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles 2018
Only 2,340 three-bottle cases. Best wine I have experienced from Paso Robles from what I now consider one of the great wineries of the world at $100
Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Howell Mountain 2017
Chocolate-covered blackcurrants and blackberries with firm tannic structure and good acidity at $105
Duckhorn The Discussion
Napa Valley 2016
Aged in my cellar a couple extra years, this wine has developed an added, subtle seductiveness. Perfect with a rib eye steak at $140
Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet
Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014
There is a good reason to save a bottle or two from a great vintage like this. Mature, complex, perfect with beef tenderloin at $165
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2018
A first growth quality Napa winner. Everything in sync for an almost perfect Cabernet at $240
Other Red Wines
La Vieille Ferme Non-Vintage
While only stating “France” on the label, this is a Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault. Possibly the best red wine in the world at this price at $7.50
Gran Passione Rosso IGT (Veneto) 2020
Impressive label and bottle design.Contender for best value, all-purposered wine at $13.99
Teliani Valley Separavi
(Country of Georgia) 2019
Similar to a top Cotes-du-Rhone. Another great value at $15
Intercept Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles 2019
From famous all-Pro defensive back, Charles Woodson. Aged 18 months in French and Eastern European oak. Lovely red fruit flavors at $19.99
Green Wing Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley (Washington) 2019
Prodigious first release. With 14% Merlot in the blend, this beauty reminds me of one of the early-drinking St. Juliens at three times the price at $30
Davis Bynum Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley 2018
Aged 14 months in French and Hungarian oak. Excellent balance and hard to beat at $32
Saldo California Zinfandel Non-Vintage
A big, bold Zin with 15.5% alcohol. Enjoy with meat pizza at $40
Gary Farrell Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley 2018
I have yet to meet a Gary Farrell Pinot Noir that I didn’t enjoy! A name you can count on at $40
Migration Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2019
Cherries, strawberries and a hint of cinnamon. Roasted chicken. From the Duckhorn Dynasty at $42
Coen Reserve Malbec Uco Valley 2019
Chocolate-covered strawberries with a hint of cinnamon at $44
Ridge Geyserville 2019
Blend of 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignan, 7% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. The Ridge Zins never cease to amaze me at $44
Paraduxx Proprietary Red Wine
Napa Valley 2019
Cabernet, Merlot and Zinfandel. Lamb at $50
Goldeneye Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley 2018
Best non-specific vineyard Goldeneye ever at $55
Calera Pinot Noir Mt. Harlan
Mills Vineyard 2018
From a vineyard with 2,200 ‘ elevation, planted in 1984! Lovely juxtaposition between elegance and power at $80
