Four Sharp, Spicy Reds

A weekly roundup of wines worth sharing.

Evodia-lg

2013 Altovinum Old Vines Garnacha Evodia Calatayud DO 
14.5% abv | $13
Made from 100-year-old vines grown in slate soils at 2,400 to 3,000 ft. elevation in Spain’s Calatayud region. Cracked black pepper, pink peppercorns, rose hips, and cranberry notes make for a zesty, spritely red great for rare meats and aged cheeses. A good value in an Old-World, old-vine wine.

2012 Scagliola Sansí Barbera d’Asti Frem DOCG
15% abv | $23
A substantial Barbera with a dense core of blackberry fruits plaited with leather and tea. Top notes of eucalyptus, juniper, and spearmint add dimension and interest, but overall this wine feels a little plush and obvious. Best served with robust flavors, like roasted meats or game rubbed with rosemary and cracked pepper.

2011 Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico DOCG 
14.5% abv | $26
Deep ruby color with notes of woodsy cherries, warm blackberries, tobacco, tea-tannins, and spice. Nicely textured, with a flame of tart cherry fruit on the finish. Decant for best aromatics.

2011 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County AVA 
14.5% abv | $16
A juicy Zin infused with spiced black plums and dusty tannins. Remarkably, this is a reasonable food wine, one that demonstrates that not all California Zin need be poured by the (single) glass.

 

Follow my wine reviews on Vivino and Delectable.

More from Meg Maker
Rot, Gelb, Grün: Three Rieslings from Historic Schloss Johannisberg
Over 1,200 years of viticulture inform the Rieslings grown at Schloss Johannisberg....
Read More
0 replies on “Four Sharp, Spicy Reds”