With summer in high gear, the scent of juicy meats and savory vegetables wafts towards my back porch and often into my kitchen each night. It seems that each of my neighbors fires up their grill for an easy and delicious dinner on a regular basis. But what are they drinking with that sizzling rib eye steak or shish kebab? Most likely, there’s a beer somewhere close, but I guarantee there are some wines at the ready, too. Like a good neighbor, I’m always here to help… I’ve tasted plenty of wines, sent as samples, that are luscious pairings for a variety of barbeque-worthy dishes. This article focuses on red wines that you’ll love, so find a few and enjoy… you’re welcome!
Merlot fans will crave every sip of the
Flora Springs Merlot 2016 ($35) of 100% Merlot and aged for 15 months in small French and American oak barrels. What’s not to love about notes of sweet vanilla spice, rhubarb pie and juicy red berries bursting from the glass? On the palate, I found food friendly acidity, well integrated tannins, ripe red raspberries, black cherries, dried currants and leather notes. Honestly, this Merlot could pair with anything grilled, but consider a glass or two with grilled herbed chicken or your favorite burger laden with all the fixins’.
Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($50) is a smooth and balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot aged for 19 months in French and American oak. Grapes are chosen and handpicked from Flora Springs’ sustainably farmed vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford and Oakville in Napa Valley. Rich and satisfying, I noted aromas of chocolate covered cherries, cinnamon stick, sweet vanilla and a hint of smoke. On the palate, bright acidity and soft tannins framed flavors of blackberries, chocolate, pomegranate, blueberries and earth.
Simply stunning is
Flora Springs Trilogy Red Wine 2016 ($85). Considered Flora Springs’ flagship wine due to the fact that it dates from 1981 when the “family decided to make the finest wine possible by selecting the highest quality wine lots culled” from their estate vineyards. Even today, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot varieties are sourced from their premium Komes-Garvey estate vineyards. Aged for 20 months in French and American oak, each sip was a gift. Aromas of cherry cola, vanilla, dark chocolate and cinnamon toast led to flavors of spice, black pepper, dark red fruit compote, crushed blueberries, raspberry jam and anise. Remember that peppery rib-eye right off the grill? This wine will be the ultimate pairing.
From Napa Valley, California to Willcox, Arizona, beautiful wines abound! Wines from
Aridus Wine Company (for more about Aridus, click
here), located in Willcox, continue to fascinate me; their wines are flavorful and unique. The
Aridus Syrah 2016 ($37) is of mostly Syrah with a touch of Viognier and aged for 19 months in oak barrels. On the nose, rich spice, black cherries, blackberries, pepper and caramel notes wafted from the glass. My palate was just as satisfied with notes of dark red fruit, ripe plums, cinnamon, cloves, sage and smoke enveloped in vibrant acidity and satin-like tannins. Grilled pork chops or tenderloin will be even more delicious when savored with a glass of Aridus Syrah.
From vineyards in Deming, New Mexico, the Aridus Malbec 2017 ($36) is a luscious riff on a classic variety. Of 100% Malbec aged in oak for 9 months, I discovered aromas of sage, cherries, tangy spice, vanilla extract and freshly picked blueberries. Flavors of bright cherries, dark plums, violets, blueberries espresso and bay leaf were lifted with bright acidity and elegant tannic structure. This medium-bodied Malbec will pair with carne asado and tacos with grilled beef and spice.
The
Aridus Graciano 2016 ($37) is from 100% Graciano cultivated in Cochise County, Arizona – this wine grape is rarely seen or grown outside of Navarra and Rioja in Spain, but Aridus is making it work… for us. Aged for 18 months in French and American oak, I was mesmerized by aromas of dark red fruit, smoke, wet earth, spice, cedar, black pepper, potpourri and graphite. Tangy with lively acidity and medium tannins, I explored flavors of juicy red cherries, mint, cedar, earth and warm spices. One characteristic of the Graciano grape is its ability to age, but you’ll want to enjoy it now, too. Honestly, this wine begs for a thick, juicy steak so start the grill and invite some friends.
You may want to purchase more than one bottle of
The Hess Collection Lion Tamer Napa Valley Red Blend 2016 ($45), an elegant and rich addition to any barbeque. The blend of Malbec, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Petite Verdot and Merlot was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months and each sip reflects the excellence to which the team at the Hess Collection aspires. On the nose, powerful aromas of cherries, oak, vanilla extract, leather, violets, lavender and chocolate wafted from the glass. Lush tannins and bright acidity surrounded a balanced, delicious palate profile of juicy cherries, black pepper, dark plums, black currants, chocolate and boysenberries. For more about The Hess Collection, please click
here.)
If you’ve never tried wines from Hawk and Horse Vineyards, a CCOF Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certified winery in Lake County, Red Hills AVA in California, this is the time. The
Hawk and Horse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($70) is a smooth and sophisticated wine of Cabernet Sauvignon with just a 2% addition of Petit Verdot. Crafted in the old-world style using minimal intervention in order to let the fruit express itself, I noted intense aromas of blackberries, exotic spice, black pepper, blueberries, anise, plums and the slightest hint of mint. The round palate was provided a firm foundation by satin-like tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of violets, bright red cherries, juicy red berries, baking spice, cocoa and licorice were seductive with every sip. You’ll want to pour this incredible wine with your grilled filet, but consider pouring another glass with dessert… chocolate cheesecake with blueberry sauce, perhaps?
Who says dessert can’t be grilled? Not me! Grilled peaches with a sauce of spice and sweet (or a cigar…) will be a perfect ending to a memorable barbeque… especially if the pairing is Hawk and Horse Vineyards Latigo 2013 ($50), a fortified wine produced in the Port style. Of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fortified with Alembic oak aged brandy, the wine spent 29 months in new Marchive French oak from Allier Forest in France. (The term “Latigo” is an equestrian term that indicates the red leather trap that hangs off the left or “port” side of a Western saddle.) Just delicious, I found aromas of sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and fragrant roses. The palate was just as sultry with its sweet notes of smoke, oak and chocolate covered cherries. Just wow!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
