Posts Tagged ‘pepper finish’
Varietal: Zinfandel
Region: California – USA
Cost: $10
Deep purple in color with an abundance of fruit on the nose. Subtle flavors with plum being the most prominent and a hint of pepper and alcohol on the finish. Pairs with BBQ, pizza, and pasta.
Recommendations: I had seen Gnarly Head on various store shelve and never picked it up, but my wife and I decided on this as we thought a Zinfandel sounded good, and the price was too good to pass on. Aromas of fresh fruit were prevalent on the nose, but not on the palate, where the flavors were subtle, with hints of plum.
A pepper finish had just a slight bit of alcohol, a very small bite considering the wine is 14.5% by volume. Paired with a pizza, this was a perfect wine. If you’re looking for something with a bit more pepper you might want to pass on this, but for a nice middle of the road Zinfandel to pair with a simple dinner, you really can’t miss with the Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel – especially for the price.
Find Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel Here
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $22
100% Cabernet Franc fermented in small lots and aged in French oak. Bright flavors of cherry and blackberry with the typical spicy pepper finish. Pair with grilled foods such as pork as well as pasta and tomato sauce.
Recommendations: Living in Virginia, we’re lucky enough to get a lot of quality Cabernet Franc, and this one from Gray Ghost is no exception. I was very pleasantly surprised by how light this particular Cabernet Franc was, as it paired very well with the grilled boneless pork chops and roasted red potatoes that my wife and I paired it with.
The usual pepper finish was there, but much more subtle than many other Cabernet Francs, and there was much more bright fruit flavors on the palate than I was accustomed to. Neither of these things is a bad thing. I like this Cabernet Franc because I find that those that are heavy on the pepper finish are great to pair with food, but can be a bit rough to drink by themselves. That’s not the case with this Cabernet from Gray Ghost. This is definitely a wine that can be enjoyed well after the food is gone, or without any to begin with.
The only real complaint I have about this wine is that they’ve only produced 40 cases this year. Certainly one worth trying whether you’re already a fan of Cabernet Franc or just starting to get into it.
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (2007)
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $22.99
Light coloring with a fruit flavors and a finish of dark cherry, spice, violet, and black currant on a medium to full-bodied wine. Will pair well with red meat, pasta, or by itself.
Recommendations: Potomac Point is another of my favorite winerys here in Virginia, and while they’re relatively new, they’re already producing some great wine. Their Cabernet Franc is everything that you would want in Virginia’s signature grape, with nice spice and pepper on the finish and not too much fruit in the beginning.
I paired this red wine with a steak, and the pairing of Cabernet Franc and red meat continues to be one of my favorites. While the only way to currently get this wine is to visit the vineyard or find it in a Virginia ABC store, it’s well worth it if you’re in the area to stop in and pay them a visit. Their tasting room and patio are a great way to spend a day trying this and other great wine. Give this one a shot.
Vino Curioso 954
Varietal: Assemblage (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $20
Dark coloring leads into a fairly mellow wine with a peppery finish similar to a Cabernet Franc. Great for pairing with well seasoned white meat or lightly seasoned red meats.
Recommendation: I’m a big fan of Vino Curioso’s Cabernet Franc (Franc the Tank) and their Cabernet Sauvignon (Snake’s Den). With that in mind, I was hoping that the 954 Assemblage would deliver. Thankfully, it does. If you’ve been looking for something that’s bolder than a Cabernet Sauvignon, but not as peppery as the Cabernet Franc, the 954 Assemblage from Vino Curioso is it. The great blending of the Cab Sauv and Cab Franc are mellowed out by the addition of the Merlot, which makes this lighter on the palate, and cuts some of the pepper finish from the wine. What’s nice is that this wine will pair well with just about anything, though I would recommend something with spice to compliment the pepper finish. If you don’t like a pepper finish to your wine, this probably won’t be the wine for you, but if you’re looking for something with less pepper than a Cab Franc, this is going to be right up your alley. Definitely worth a try if you see it at the store.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $20
Hints of blackberry make this light to medium-bodied wine easy on the palate. A solid finish is marked by hints of pepper that are more reminiscent of Cabernet Franc than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Recommendation: When I first came across Vino Curioso last year, this quickly became one of my favorite wines. Their Snake’s Den Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to the Cabernet Franc grape that is the staple of Virginia wineries, shying away from the fruit-forward stylings of the Cabernets of the West Coast. A very lightly colored red, there is a surprising amount of flavor. Smooth blackberry flavors are complimented by the surprising hint of pepper at the finish, making this wine perfect for enjoying with food or by itself. If you’re a fan of California Cabernet Sauvignon, the Snake’s Den probably isn’t going to be a good fit for you, but if you’re a bit fan of Cabernet Franc, but are in the market for something with less pepper on the finish, this could be the perfect wine for you.
