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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. Here are some lovely red blends our tasting panel discovered:

 

 

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Vina Robles 2012 “Red 4” Blend

Grape(s): 50% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache, & 10% Mourvedre

Region: Paso Robles, Ca

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Cranberry, cherry, and blackberry aromas meld with allusions of pepper, leather, and dark chocolate on the nose. Bramble berries, cherries, and cranberries open up into whispers of spice, earth, and dark chocolate on the palate. A lively red with polished tannins, pair a glass with steak tacos. 15,799 cases were made.

Rating: 90

GRANDROUGE

Opolo 2012 “Grand Rouge” Red Wine

Grape(s): Grenache, Counoise, & Syrah

Region: Paso Robles , Ca

Price: 20-25

Tasting Notes:

The nose offers aromas of strawberries, plums, and cherries, along with accents of sweet spice and perfume. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, and plum unfold into nuances of clove, minerals, and vanilla. A easy going Rhone-style blend with welcoming fruit, enjoy a glass with pork tenderloin. 1,799 cases produced.

Rating: 88

MAESTRO

Opolo 2012 “Maestro” Red Wine

Grape(s): Grenache, Mourvedre, & Syrah

Region: Paso Robles , Ca

Price: 25-30

Tasting Notes:

Notes of cherries, plums, and red currants come together with undertones of cinnamon on the nose. With a sip, flavors of red cherry, ripe plum, and sweet raspberry open up into highlights of brown spice and vanilla. Smooth with refined tannins, match it up with duck. 1,126 cases were made.

Rating: 89

Hunt Que Syrah

Hunt Cellars 2012 “Que Sirah Syrah” Blend

Grape(s): Peitie Sirah & Syrah

Region: Paso Robles, Ca

Price: 45-50

Tasting Notes:

A bouquet of blackberries, plums, pomegranates, and spice rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit, pomegranate, and plum that fuse with hints of pepper, clove, and minerals. A wine with inviting fruit and smooth tannins, it will go nicely with BBQ chicken.

Rating: 93

 

 

GSM-13-Label

Fore Family Vineyards 2013 “GSM” Blend

Grape(s): 65% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, & 15% Grenache

Region: Lake County , Ca

Price: 30-35

Tasting Notes:

Fragrances of cherries, plums, smoked meat, and herbs greet the senses. Black cherry, plum, and blackberry flavors emerge on the palate, alongside suggestions of herbs, white pepper, and oak. Dark fruit and savory flavors strike a nice balance in this wine; open a bottle the next time you eat gourmet sausages. 148 cases were made.

Rating: 90

Vigilance_Cimarron_2013_168_467

Vigilance 2014 “Cimarron” Blend

Grape(s): 79% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 7% Mourvedre & 6% Petite Verdot

Region: Lake County , Ca

Price: 20-25

Tasting Notes:

Aromatics of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries blend with traces of rosemary and spice on the nose. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, and plum unfold into expressions of baking spice and herbs on the palate. Fairly light with plush tannins, chicken cacciatore would make a fine companion. 7,700 cases produced.

Rating: 87

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Sol Rouge 2012 “Gypsy Rouge” Red Blend

Grape(s): 50% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre, 13% Cinsaut 7% Syrah & 3%Counoise,

Region: Lake County , Ca

Price: 30-35

Tasting Notes:

A bouquet of plums, blackberries, cherries, and sweet spice greets the senses. The palate showcases flavors of plum, boysenberry, and black cherry that unfold into whispers of clove, white pepper, and minerals. A lighter Rhone-style blend with plush tannins, a Greek chicken dish would make a fine pairing. Only 25 cases produced.

Rating: 89

2014 Sheriff-01

Vasco Urbano 2014 “Sheriff” GSM Blend

Grape(s): 67% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre

Region: Livermore Valley, Ca

Price: 40-45

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of plums and bramble fruits combine with whispers of vanilla and spice on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of plum, raspberry, and blackberry that interweave among allusions of pepper, vanilla, and earth. With inviting fruit and supple tannins, pair a glass with grilled lamb loin. 168 cases were made.

Rating: 90