Cathedral Ridge Winery 2012 Reserve Rusty Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $44
Sonoma winemaker Michael Sebastiani focuses on two sites near the Columbia River on the Oregon side for this blend of Syrah from Bangsund Vineyard and Zinfandel, a crop from Moody Vineyard near the Deschutes River. There’s a wealth of barrel influence, which contribute Christmas spices to the mix of cherries and cassis and orange zest. There’s also zestiness to the structure as these two varieties provide lots of ripeness without coming across as sweet. Providing balance are tannins akin to espresso grounds. Suggested pairings include Molasses Marinated Flank Steak, and don’t hesitate to substitute London broil for the flank steak.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 275 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
Leave a Reply