A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other varieties, here’s a quaffable, easy drinking California red wine that you can open any day of the week. It starts with a rich, dark color and pleases with black cherry, raspberry and vanilla and tannins that are soft and layered. This wine pairs well with both aged cheddar and Gouda cheeses as well as rack of lamb, steak, or pasta in a marinara sauce.
A Pinot Noir that’s priced for all occasions, it is medium-bodied, not high in alcohol (12.5%) and has plenty of flavor. Ruby-colored in the glass, it offers raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla on the nose, flavors of cherry and plum, and a soft velvety finish. An excellent choice with appetizers and main courses, you might try it with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon – or even lamb shanks and pork tenderloin.
A real steal, Three Thieves Pinot Noir is generous, fruit-forward, smooth and silky, and mouthwateringly fresh. Though it’s priced as a weekday wine, this Pinot punches above its weight with complex aromas, concentrated flavors, structure and acidity. The winemakers have this to say about this wine: “The Thieves believe that a great Pinot Noir is a reward unto itself. To craft a wine that showcases the varietal’s most beautiful qualities, the wine is gently fermented and infused with a touch of French and American oak to lend body and support to the bright cherry and berry flavors.” Try it with lamb, roast chicken, pasta, grilled salmon, or even lightly spiced South Asian dishes.
The Three Thieves are passionate about making fine wine for all of us rather than for the privileged or the elite. Sourced from vineyards near the coast as well as from Lodi, this is a California Cabernet that’s smooth and approachable, full-bodied but firm and full of flavor. Those features and the low price make it a great wine for all sorts of occasions: big weekend barbecues, cocktail parties, company events or gallery openings.
Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah (a.k.a. Durif) has been part of California winemaking since the earliest days – whether in the “field blends” of the pioneers or as a varietal wine more recently. Black-skinned and high in tannin and acidity, it can add structure and freshness to red blends or produce a lovely varietal that's hearty, age-worthy and generous with dark fruit, spice and floral notes. According to the winery, “this fruity wine is inky and dark plum in color with aromas of blackberry, highlighted by toffee notes and a touch of plum jam. On the palate, it has a robust structure with lively pomegranate notes and hints of mocha on the long harmonious finish. It makes an excellent accompaniment to beef, game, spicy grilled foods and charbroiled meats.” Spice up your weekday meals with this lively red! Great for weekend barbecues, too!
Located 2 hours east of San Francisco in the San Joaquin Valley, Lodi gets overshadowed by at least half a dozen more famous California wine regions. Yet Lodi has had vineyards since the 1850s and currently accounts for 25% of all wine grapes produced in California and 40% of California Zinfandel. Of course, Lodi produces a lot of bargain-priced supermarket wine. But as Lodi’s many old vine vineyards are being rediscovered, the region’s reputation for bold, full-bodied, and delicious Zinfandel has been growing ever higher. According to the winery, the Old Vine Zinfandel “has aromas of ripe bing cherry, anise and boysenberry jam. On the palate it has rounded tannins, carries a note of raspberry, and finishes with a hint of caramel. It provides an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak or lamb and most pasta dishes.”
Castle Rock Merlot is crafted from grapes sourced from vineyards with optimal climate and soil conditions for this classic varietal. So why is this excellent wine so affordable? This is a winery that keeps their organization lean, so they can purchase high-quality fruit and avoid buying bulk market wine. Exhibiting a rich ruby hue, this elegant medium-bodied wine offers aromas expressive of black cherry, blueberry, plum, and spice. The palate is intense and luscious, showcasing a prominent core of berry flavors with notes of caramel and vanilla bean, leading to a gracefully extended and harmonious finish. Castle Rock Merlot will add as much pleasure to simple mid-week meals as to fine cuts of beef, pasta dishes, and an array of cheeses.
The first thing a wine lover needs to know about the Columbia Valley in Washington state is that its climate is not like that of Seattle. Indeed, the largest AVA in the Pacific Northwest has more than 300 sunny days a year and gets about as much rain as the Mohave Desert. On the other hand, at 46° N, it shares the same latitude as the great French wine-growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, allowing for long summer days and a lengthy growing season. The Columbia Valley’s long growing season, rich volcanic soils, and plenty of mountain run-off for nurturing vines in the dry climate produce bold and nuanced wines, full of structure and balanced acidity. Produced from vineyards on south-facing hillsides, Castle Rock’s Cabernet Sauvignon is rich, structured and supple. Perfect for summer barbecue!
Located between Monterrey and Santa Barbara, the Paso Robles AVA is not among the Central Coast’s cooler climates. Indeed, the Santa Lucia Mountain Range that forms the AVA’s western border, shields most of Paso Robles AVA from coastal fog and winds, which is why Zinfandel, Syrah, and the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon feature prominently among Paso Robles wineries. On the other hand, because Paso Robles features the widest day-to-night temperature swing in California, red wines develop complex flavors over a long growing season. Diverse soils are another key feature of Paso Robles: granite, marine, and volcanic rocks, calcareous shales and sandstone can often be found within the same vineyard block! With Castle Rock’s Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, you get a classic, dark, rich Cab at a price that merits midweek drinking. Pair it with beef, lamb, or even spaghetti Bolognese.
The cool climate of the Anderson Valley AVA near the rugged Mendocino coast provides excellent conditions for growing Pinot Noir. Moreover, the rural landscape feels worlds away from the crowds and traffic jams of Napa Valley. Castle Rock’s Mendocino Pinot Noir is a wine that aims to please with a medium-bodied structure offering delicate aromas of blackberry, caramel, and cedar. The full mid-palate is highlighted by ripe strawberry leading into a long, refined finish. A great choice for your “everyday wine.” Lamb, chicken, salmon, and light pasta dishes will all pair well with this wine.
Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from vineyards planted as high as 750 m. The intense and persistent fruit flavors will liven up casual dining on weekdays or weekends. Moderate alcohol (13.5%), refreshing acidity, and lively tannins will make an excellent match with burgers or pizza. According to the winery, this Cab “offers blackberry and dried cranberry characters with notes of pepper and allspice. The lengthy finish shows hints of cedar along with ripe fruit and toasted oak.”
In the early 20th century, Petite Sirah was one of the most widely planted grapes in Lake County. Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah reminds us that these high-elevation appellations comprise excellent terroir for this varietal. Pour a glass and take in the inky purple/black in color, aromas of dusty ripe plums, and rich flavors of blueberry jam, blackberries, chocolate, earth, and spice. It’s a fruit-forward, full-bodied wine with a nice structure of acidity and tannin. Restrained ABV of 13.9% ensures it will harmonize with rather than overwhelm your meal.