This $19 merlot is kosher for Passover and ripe with berry flavors
Two American classics highlight our selection of wines this week: A juicy zinfandel from California’s Amador County and a crisp pinot gris from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. We round out the trio with a kosher merlot from South Africa that echoes old-style bordeaux.
Sydney Back Merlot 2021
Two and one-half stars
Paarl, South Africa, $19
Classic merlot in a bordeaux style, with flavors of dark plums and berries accented by an aroma commonly described as “pencil shavings.” There’s structure here without the wine tasting as though it were propped up by oak. Kosher for Passover, Mevushal. Alcohol by volume: 13.5 percent. Bottle weight: 425 grams (Light).
Imported by Marquee Selections. Distributed locally by DMV Distributing.
GREAT VALUE
Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris 2022
Three stars
Willamette Valley, Ore., $20
This was a whiplash vintage, featuring the first growing-season frost the Sokol Blosser family experienced in five decades of growing grapes in the Willamette Valley and the warmest October in Oregon history to bring the grapes to ripeness. Oregon has a unique voice in pinot gris, between the weight of Alsace and the light refreshment of Italian pinot grigio. Think Asian pear, crisp guava and floral jasmine flavors. Pinot gris has been eclipsed by chardonnay as the darling white grape of Oregon’s winemakers, so kudos to Sokol Blosser for sticking with it. Certified B Corp. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 620 grams (Average).
Distributed locally by RNDC.
Easton Zinfandel 2016
Three stars
Amador County, Calif., $25
Here’s a chance to experience traditional-style zinfandel from old bush-trained vines on the red-earth mountain slopes of Amador County. Jane O’Riordan and Bill Easton specialize in deeply colored red wines from zinfandel and barbera under the Easton label, and Rhône varieties as Terre Rouge. Their style combines depth and power with precise balance. The wines also age well, as this 2016 shows bright cranberry and raspberry flavors with herbal notes of sage around the edges. This is a delicious intro to Amador County zin, and may tempt you to splurge on some of their single-vineyard offerings. ABV: 14.5 percent. BW: 560 grams (Average).
Distributed locally by Salveto Imports.
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. Have wine questions for Dave McIntyre? Send them to Food@washpost.com.
<strong id="strong-a699bcfcbb4b2deb587547384f7e9b4c">Legend</strong>
One star: Good: The wine delivers what it promises at a fair price. If it says chardonnay, it tastes like chardonnay.
Two stars: Excellent: A wine with character and added interest. May elevate your eyebrows at the first sip.
Three stars: Extraordinary: An exciting wine that stands out from others in its class. Fist-pumping, table-thumping good.
Four stars: Sublime: Otherworldly. May have you thinking, “So this is what they were talking about.”