Wine Picks for Red Wine Season
I haven’t posted a review in a while but trust me…I’ve been drinking red wine still. Found a bunch of good ones under $20.
MERLOT
Wente Vineyards Arroyo Seco Sandstone Merlot 2006 from California ($15)
Not a bad little Merlot for the price. I normally wouldn’t go for it but trusted Wente as a producer. Nice winery if you’re ever in Livermore.
SHIRAZ
Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz from Australia ($14)
Not much needed beyond the fact that this is a nice rich Shiraz that’s fairly big for it’s $14 price tag.
CABERNET
Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($20)
Even though it’s a cab on the label, it’s got merlot and cab franc in it. So it has the traditional meritage grapes which may be why it’s just a well-rounded jammy cab.
Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($13)
Another cab blend that does really well for the price. Fairly easy to find a decent 2007 Nor-Cal red right now.
ITALIAN
Santi Valpolicella Solane 2006 Ripasso ($15)
I grabbed it because it was 1) under $20, 2) described as full-bodied and the main reason 3) this Ripasso technique where after it ferments once, they re-ferment the wine by adding it to partially dried grapes that were used to make Amarone. No idea…but it sounded like an interesting way to turn a cheaper wine into a more flavorful red.
And that’s all I have to say.
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