California is well known for its high quality wines. Environmental and geographical conditions in California are conducive to production of “full-bodied” “oaky” whites, and what many call “full-throttle” reds. A variety of red wine grapes are grown all over California, the major types being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel. In addition, many other red grapes like Pinot Noir, Carignan, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah, Syrah and Sangiovese are cultivated in the state. The following is a brief introduction to some of the finest red wines of California.
Priced at $22.00 per bottle, Morgan, Monterey Syrah 2003 is a delicious red wine. It is full-bodied with a sweet, ripe, and fruity character. This wine has flavors of ripe red fruits and vanilla oak. Barnwood, Santa Barbara County Petite Sirah “Long Shadow” 2004 is priced at $20.00. The complex nose of this wine suggests bacon, black fruits, vegetal character, a rubbery note and black pepper. It is full-bodied wine and full of flavor too. Taz, Santa Maria Valley Syrah “Goat Rock” 2004 has a blackberry, inky and a little rubbery character. Priced at $28.00, it is a big but complex Syrah with black fruit, leathery and mineral flavors.
The 2001 Villa Mt. Eden is a fine Zinfandel from Mead Ranch, perched high atop Napa’s Atlas Peak. The price is $16.00 and this wine owes its intense, ripe flavors to caramel, rich blackberry and chocolate aromas. Although it contains 15.5% alcohol, you hardly feel any heat in this balanced wine. Priced between $19.00-$21.00, the 2003 Sebastiani Alexander Valley contains 76% Merlot, 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Syrah, 3% Petite Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Its aroma indicates the presence of black cherry and cranberry fruit with tinges of aromatic black tea. A flashy Merlot, it is rich and well balanced. This wine goes particularly well with lamb or grilled burgers and sausages. Rockledge 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a $45.00 a bottle wine whose aroma has scents of dark plum, mocha, black cherry and roasted coffee. This wine’s specialty is its thick mid-palate where flavors of dark fruits, cherry, slight sage and clove spiciness, along with toasty oak rule the roost. It goes well with roasted meats in rich sauces.
Shale Ridge 2004 Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon costs about $12.00, and its plum, black cherry and vanilla aromas lead to a full-bodied core of rich black fruit flavors and a lengthy, very juicy finish. You can try it with pork chops stuffed with wild rice. Priced at $18.00, Rosenblum 2003 Yolo County Rominger Vineyard Syrah will remind you of the magnificent wines of the Cote Rotie. The flavor comes out particularly well in the company of roasted lamb crusted in garlic and rosemary. The wine is ripe and zesty with hint of Viognier that adds an intoxicating aspect to it. Gary Farrell 2001 Calypso Merlot from Sonoma County, California costs $40.00 and has rich aromas of black cherry, currant, dill, cedar, mocha and spice. It contains 17% Cabernet in the blend that boosts its structure without compromising its character. The flavors of this wine are rich and ripe, with lots of juicy plum, blackberry and vanilla. The wine goes heavenly with lamb chops, savory grilled meats and rich pastas.
This is just a small sampling of the many great red wines that come from the California region. No matter what your wine preferences may be, you will find a California wine that suits your tastes.
