2010 The Big Easy, Santa Barbara County Red Wine, Fess Parker Winery (you can find it for as little as $25)
There’s lots of surprises here for me. I am not usually a fan of big California reds…especially not of Syrah! But the mind can play funny tricks. When I tasted this big red from Santa Barbara last week, I only knew that the winery was paying homage on the label to the sensuality of New Orleans. Grape varieties? Not listed on the label, so I had no idea. But I tasted. And I liked! The wine is a pretty, medium-hued garnet in the glass, reflecting the wine’s age (heading towards its fourth birthday). The variegated nose is low-key, but there are lots of subtleties to catch: herb, tar, smoke, chocolate, licorice, spice. Best of all is the way the palate reflects the wine’s name: this is big red wine…but, unlike most of them, is easy to drink! The velvety softness is a part of it, but it’s balance that’s the key…the wine resolving in a non-painful, non-hot (despite 14.9 % alcohol), spice-assertive finish (40% aged in new oak), buoyed by a great grapy acidity. Varietals? 66% Syrah, 19% Petite Sirah, 15% Grenache. And one more surprise: Parker gave it a 91! We don’t usually get that close to each other!
Wine4Food
When you’re looking for a hefty California red that actually goes with your grilled meats (the more cooked the better), or your meaty winter braises and stews…this is a wine to count on!
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