Previous Articles Sections Next

At $14, this Napa red wine is an outstanding value for casual sipping

Plus, an Italian red and a California sauvignon blanc for this week's sips.

By Dave McIntyre | 2024-03-14

FROM LEFT: R Collection by Raymond Lot No. 5 Field Blend 2020; Legend Sauvignon Blanc 2023; Tenimenti Leone Tera de Leone Cesanese 2021. (Rey Lopez/for The Washington Post)

Let's kick things off this week with an affordable California red blend as well as a red from central Italy. Plus, California sauvignon blanc is enjoying a renaissance. Here's one from Paso Robles that channels the Bordeaux style and captures its citrus character without the herbal grassy notes we commonly associate with the grape.

California, $14

The R Collection is a line of wines from Napa Valley's Raymond Vineyards meant to be affordably priced. The Field Blend combines cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, petit verdot, zinfandel and merlot into a smooth, ripe, slightly sweet red, fine for casual sipping or to wash down burgers or takeout kebabs. Alcohol by volume: 13.5 percent. Bottle weight: 555 grams (Average).

Distributed locally by Breakthru Beverage Group.

Paso Robles, Calif., $18

Grassy and herbal, yet ripe, this organic sauvignon blanc from Paso Robles echoes Bordeaux with its richness, rather than the raciness of the Loire Valley or the spiciness of New Zealand. Kiwi and star fruit flavors abound, seasoned with lime, lemongrass and ginger. This teeters on the edge of overripeness, but with so much going on, it succeeds. Made with organic grapes. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 475 grams (Light).

Distributed locally by Craft Wines.

Lazio, Italy, $25

Cesanese, a grape variety from Lazio, the region around Rome, had a boomlet about 20 years ago as a tremendous value that could be had for under $10 a bottle. No longer a bargain, cesanese now offers sophisticated red wine to match with grilled or braised red meat. The label lists the alcohol at 15 percent, but the wine doesn't taste hot. ABV: 15 percent. BW: 510 grams (Average).

Imported by Banville Wine Merchants. Distributed locally by Banville Wine Merchants and Artisans and Vines.

Prices are approximate. For availability, check Wine.com, Wine-searcher.com and the websites and social media feeds of the wineries, importers, distributors, and your favorite local wine store. You can also ask your local retailer to order wines from the distributors listed. Bottle weight is included, because this is the single most important contributor to wine's carbon footprint. Have wine questions for Dave McIntyre? Send them to Food@washpost.com.

Good: The wine delivers what it promises at a fair price. If it says chardonnay, it tastes like chardonnay.

Excellent: A wine with character and added interest. May elevate your eyebrows at the first sip.

Extraordinary: An exciting wine that stands out from others in its class. Fist-pumping, table-thumping good.

Sublime: Otherworldly. May have you thinking, "So this is what they were talking about."


This article was downloaded by calibre from https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/03/14/napa-red-wine-value/


Previous Articles Sections Next