Rhone grape varieties pair just perfectly with summer. In California, they tend to produce wines that are lively and bright, which make them lovely to drink during the warmest months of the year. Our tasting panel discovered some top-notch offerings from the several growing areas, so whether you’re a fan of Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, or blends, something here will surely please your palate.
Longevity 2012 Viognier
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Lodi
Price: 20-25
Aromatics of peach, apricot, and pineapple meld with suggestions of springtime flowers on the nose. Peach, apricot, and tropical flavors emerge on the palate along with floral and honeyed nuances. Crisp, floral, and refreshing, this wine will pair well with a variety of Asian dishes. Only 43 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Vasco Urbano 2013 “D. McNally” Viognier
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Arroyo Seco
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of citrus and tropical fruit as well as orange blossoms rises up from a glass. Tangerine, kiwi, and mango flavors coalesce with traces of white flowers and minerals on the palate. A lively Viognier, with a fresh acidity, fans of bright Rhone whites should give this bottle a try. 500 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Vasco Urbano 2012 “The Sheriff” GSM Blend
Grape(s): 61% Grenache, 25% Syrah, & 14% Mourvèdre
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries interweave with hints of bacon and spice on the nose. Flavors of blueberry, strawberry and bramble fruit come together with nuances of white pepper, all-spice, and minerals on the palate. Bright and fruit-driven with smooth tannins, you can sip it on its own or enjoy a bottle with BBQ chicken. 560 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Vasco Urbano 2012 “Norm” Grenache
Grape(s): 100% Grenache
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of cherries, strawberries, and boysenberries meld with traces of vanilla and clove on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of strawberry, blackberry, and cherry that unfold into hints of cola and sweet spice. A smooth wine with plush tannins, pair a bottle with grilled pork tenderloin. 110 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Vie Winery Mélange Maison II
Grape(s): Grenache, Mourvedre, & Syrah
Region: California
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
The nose offers notes of cherries, pomegranates, and blackberries accented by suggestions of spice and cedar. A sip delivers flavors of pomegranate, black cherry, and blackberry that open up into hints of pepper and earth. A bright, rich wine with plush tannins, it’s a fine example of a California Rhone-style blend. 250 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Vie Winery 2011 2011 L’Intruse Mourvèdre
Grape(s): 91% Mourvèdre, 8% Syrah, & 1% Grenache
Region: North Coast
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of strawberries, cherries, pepper, and smoky oak greets the senses. Flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and blackberry wrap around suggestions of pepper, anise, and cedar on the palate. Vibrant, smooth, and layered, enjoy a bottle with a spicy seafood paella. 110 cases were made.
Rating: 91
Vie Winery 2011 “Las Madres” Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Raspberries, plums, and blueberries meld with notes of bacon, white pepper, and smoke on the nose. The palate offers up flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and red currant that meld with nuances of game and spice. A lighter Syrah that’s well suited for summer dinning, pair a bottle with grilled chicken seasoned in a Mediterranean-style. 175 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Vie Winery 2011 White Hawk Vineyard Syrah
Grape(s): 97% Syrah & 3% Viognier
Region: Santa Barbara County
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of blackberries, blueberries, and plums interweave with hints of earth and spice on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit and plum that open up into suggestions of herbs and pepper. A rich Syrah, with supple tannins, it can be enjoy now with a beef stew or aged in the cellar for half-a dozen years. 175 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Dante Robere 2012 “Dante’s Inferno” Blend
Grape(s): 46% Syrah, 31% Grenache, & 23% Mouvedre,
Region: California
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of bing cherries and blueberries mingle with notes of smoked meat and spice on the nose. Flavors of blueberry, cherry, and strawberry wrap around suggestions of pepper, roast coffee, and smoked meat on the palate. Smooth with robust, smoky flavors and plush tannins, enjoy a bottle with lamb.
Rating: 88
J. Lohr 2011 “South Ridge” Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 10-15
Tasting Notes:
Blackberry, cherry, and plum aromas mingle with suggestions of cedar and dark chocolate on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of blackberries, blueberries, and plums that unfold into hints of toasty oak and cocoa. A smooth, fruit driven Syrah, it’s a fine choice for an everyday wine.
Rating: 88