Paraduxx 2019 Proprietary Red Wine

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

The Paraduxx portfolio has been solely focused on blended wines, something they do admirably. The 2019 is comprised mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon with lighter amounts of five other grape including Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The medley offers dusty black, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, red raspberry light cedar, and sandalwood notes with a very light green tea element and vanilla. The tannins are fairly taught, even after four years, supporting the structure of the wine, and the acidity comes into play making this an ideal companion for food.

2005 Girard Petite Sirah, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% other Rhone varietals.  It is in a great place right now and seems to be at peak.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The  nose has black raspberries, bramble, gravel and smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, great texture.  Plenty of ripe black raspberry fruit with some underlying char.  Nice finish.  Nice on its own, this will work well with grilled or roasted foods.  Drink over the next five years.

Primus 2019 The Blend

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$20.99USD

Earthy tannins leads to blackberry, blueberry, plum, and violets. Made from mainly Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon, there are small amounts of Syrah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc in the mix. This has always been a solid wine for a very reasonable price. It deviates from much oak treatment and instead promotes the raw, earthy flavors of its organic vineyards. The aging consisted of 66% of the wine placed in French oak for 18 months, therefore the oak is supporting and not dominate. Nicely balanced this is a great go-to everyday drinking wine. ORIGIN: Apalta, Chile. ALCOHOL: 13.5%

Quivera 2019 Black Boar Zinfandel

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Though Zinfandel is California’s signature grape, much of what is made is simplistic, jammy and average. Good thing the folks at Quivera have always taken Zin seriously. Comprised of all Zin with 15% Petite Sirah, the Black Boar offers complex flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bay leaf, current marmalade, with light green tea notes, rhubarb, smoked vanilla and subtle charred campfire. The overtness of the fruit is kept in check with moderate tannins and a smart oak program, which included French, American and Hungarian oak, for a total of just 18 months in barrel.

2020 Paraduxx Proprietary Red Wine

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

Paraduxx was started in 1994 with the sole purpose of offerings blended wines to the public. Whereas many wineries espouse 100% varietal, the blend is, and always has been, the ability to craft a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Though this is 60% Cabernet, there are six other grapes playing a part, including Zinfandel, Grenache and Malbec. This is a soft wine that offers noticeable fruit: black cherry, huckleberry, blueberry and blackberry along with light vanilla, green tea and baked apricot. The tannins help to solidify the structure, being potent but not aggressive.

2022 Quivira Rosé, Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

For 20 years Quivira Vineyards has produced a Provencal-style Rosé with Grenache as the lead variety. Additionally there is also 20% Primitivo, and smaller amounts of Counoise, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. There is soft fruit and soft acidity here, a wine that doesn’t overshadow any companion foods. Strawberry, stone, fruits, light citrus, black cherry, rhubarb, and subtle lemon lime fill out the palate. This is not a wine that announces itself and takes control, this is a subtle wine that is meant to be part of the meal.

Donnafugata 2017 Mille E Una Notte

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$82.00USD

An almost shy wine, this flagship red from Donnafugata does not announce itself with overt fruit. The wine needs some time to coax out the subtle flavors and the tight tannins at the outset tell you to wait a while before it opens up. When it does plum, muted strawberry, pomegranate, baked cherry and rose water dominate the opening. Comprised of Nero d’Avola, Petit Verdot, and Syrah, the tannins and acidity support the judicious use of oak. Aged 14 months in small French oak barrels it then spent 20 months in bottle rest. The result is a lovely wine that will work with a variety of foods.

2020 Dalton Levantina, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Petite Sirah, 30% Grenache, 10% Shiraz, 10% Petite Verdot, and 10% Carignan.  Kosher for Passover.  Inky purple/blue in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with boysenberries, black cherries, blueberries, spice and slight smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth.  Plenty of fruit; black cherries, black raspberries and some blueberries.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and will pair well with meat dishes.  A nice wine for a Seder meal.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

2018 Recanati Petite Sirah Reserve, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

What a nice showing for this wine.  We served it as the red wine for our Passover Seder 2023.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is correct with boysenberries, char, and a bit of swisher cherry cigars.  Full bodied.  Nice depth.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is smooth.  Boysenberries with underlying char.  Long finish.  Tasty.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to ten years.  Nice on its own, this worked well with Charoset, Bitter herbs, etc. (and also Eggplant Parmesan).  

2019 Mending Wall Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Palisades is one of the best Petite Sirah Vineyards anywhere.  Now, that is somewhat a backhanded compliment as there just aren't that many of those vineyards.  Still, this is one worth checking out.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char and slight spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, juicy black raspberries with underlying gravel and char.  Long finish.  This is very young and although approachable, it will get better.  It could really use about ten years in the cellar.  Patience will be rewarded.  In any event, this makes good drinking

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