Impress your guest with Spectacular Red Wines from California

by
Maureen Rooney
Wine Consultant, Siesta Key Wines

The holidays are right around the corner, and now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to impress your friends and family this year.  There are some wonderful California wines to enjoy this fall and we are happy to share them with you!

In the past few years, blends have become very popular in the U.S. Although blends have been around for many years, it’s only been recently that California wines have promoted the many grapes they use to make their wine. Technically, here in the states, if a wine is mostly of one varietal, it’s not required, by law, to list all the different grapes that have been added to make up the finished product.  But as Americans become more inquisitive and wine savvy, winemakers are finding that listing all the varietals help the consumer appreciate other types of grapes while increasing their sales on wines that appear to be a fresh idea.

Smooth. That’s the best word to describe our first fall wine. “Entycement” is an extremely smooth blend from Ty Caton Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.  This limited production wine has a deep purple hue and aromas of blackberry and boysenberry.  The first sip reveals notes of dark fruits and the lush feel of a silky smooth, lingering finish of spice.  This wine is an interesting blend of 39% Zinfandel, 27% Syrah, 12% Carignane, 8% Petite Syrah, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Barbera.  It has received a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator Magazine. Definitely a wine you really need to try, not only with steaks but also with spicy pasta dishes. Very easy drinking and is a wine that you can easily drink more than one glass.

The next wine you must try is definitely a “crazy” wine! Seriously, its name is “Pazzo” which means “crazy” in Italian. Crazier than that, it’s not even an Italian wine! But they do use Sangiovese, which IS an Italian grape, but it’s made and grown in Napa! Crazy, huh?

Pazzo is a Sangiovese Blend and has an amazingly fragrant nose of cherries and berries with a rich balance of fruit, oak and tannins. No need to cellar any longer, the wine is perfect for drinking now. Syrah adds a bold, rich component to the wine and gives Pazzo its deep color.  The Wine Advocate has given Pazzo a 90 point rating and describes it as “very sexy, fleshy and succulent. Lots of red and black fruits, meaty with peppery spices with a hint of Provencal herbs.”  Pazzo consists of 54% Sangiovese, 28% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A great wine to enjoy with any beef or hearty meal and, a beautiful Napa wine such as this, makes an impressive bottle to bring to an intimate dinner party.

Although blends are a great way to experience a variety of flavor combinations, we really have to acknowledge another impressive wine that is perfect for this fall. Fitch Mountain Cellars at Knights Valley in Sonoma produces an absolutely lush and velvety Merlot….and it’s 100% true Merlot. Knights Valley Merlot is velvety and rich with a supple finish. Aromas of dark cherries, black raspberries and mountain berries dance in the glass. It is mid to full bodied and is perfect for drinking now or can be cellared for several more years.  This Merlot is an unfiltered wine and has been aged for 16 months in French Oak barrels which adds to the richness and generous flavors of the wine. This is the perfect gift for your favorite Merlot lover.

 I don’t know about you, but I just want to grab a bottle along with some Vermont white cheddar and head down to watch the sunset!

Got wine questions? Need recommendations?  Send them our way! Maybe you will see your question printed in our next article!

Stop by, call or email us. We are always eager to show you something impressive!

Siesta Key Wines is located in the Siesta Key Village. Email us at drinkwine@siestakeywines.com or give a ring at 941-552-9105. Remember…we ship!

Wines available at Siesta Key Wines & Gifts. Shipping available.

Siesta Key Wines
5138C Ocean Blvd.
Siesta Key, FL 34242

941-552-9105
http://www.siestakeywines.com/