Exploring the Elegant and Earthy Red Wines Made with Pinot Noir GrapesThe Sonoma Coast is making excellent examples; try La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017…

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: The 2018 Root & Rubble Pinot Noir is sourced from the Barbieri Vineyard in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Typically used for blending, clone 828 was selected for its thicker skins and strong tannin presence, allowing the wine to stand on its own without leaning on oak for support as this wine is 100% fermented and aged in concrete. The result is a soft and elegant, red-fruited Pinot Noir with hints of candied rose, white pepper, and a subtle earthiness. The palate offers intense raspberry and spice, finishing with a trace of silky tannins.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: 2017 was a cooler year in McLaren Vale. The carryover from the 2016 rains into a perfect spring and then a cooler ripening season led to good fruit character for Shiraz and Grenache expressing in an elegant and lively style. The 2017 Shiraz has an elegant and balanced form, with round blackberry and black pepper notes on a lithe and supple frame.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: Legendary small yields for the 2017 vintage produced intense, concentrated, and powerful wines with vibrant acidity, despite such a warm year. The aromas are dominated by ripe raspberry fruit and candied apples, followed by floral notes and nutmeg. The powerful nose gives way to an elegant balance of expressive fruit. The palate follows with tart cherry pie, red licorice, and sweet tobacco. A long finish shows hints of cedar and cypress. It will be extraordinary to experience this wine’s evolution in the cellar and it is expected to age gracefully.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: The 2018 Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel is showing aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry which are highlighted with hints of white pepper and allspice. Blueberry, red raspberry, nutmeg and mocha flavors lead into a long, bright finish with supple tannins.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: The key to this Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is the diversity of its sources. This sounds odd, given that the wine comes entirely from within the Russian River Valley AVA, but this region is large and possesses a myriad of soils, exposures, and unique terroirs that together produce a superb representation of the whole of the Russian River Valley. This 2018 offering showcases this area in all its complexity while also making for a wine that is eminently drinkable upon release.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: Latro takes its name from the Latin word for “hunter,” a reference to Knights Valley’s history as a private hunting reserve before the development of vineyards in the area. Hard, inhospitable mountain soils restrict root development, which creates smaller berries and lower yields that bring distinctively mineral notes to this 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The darkly handsome result is a charismatic and versatile wine with instant, irresistible appeal.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: The 2016 La Jota Merlot encompasses all that is Mountain Merlot with a structure to relish. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and toast follow ripe blackberry, minerality, and weight on the palate.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: Aromas of black plum, fresh raspberries, and forest floor are complemented by flavors of bing cherry and sassafras with hints of baking spice. On the palate, the 2017 vintage exudes rich concentration and integrated acidity.

The 65 Best Grilling Wines for End of SummerThere’s still plenty of time to keep your grilling game going, and we’ve compiled a list of the 65 best red wines to accompany any alfresco cooking experience.Any of the 65 wines are awesome, and you can read more about each of them – in the words of their respective winemaker.Winemaker’s Notes: A blend of fruit from the WillaKenzie and Jory Hills vineyards, this wine is a classic expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. This effortless yet weighty wine glides across the palate with notes of red and black fruit.

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio?Same, totally different, or shades of grey?Some quality pinot gris winesOregonWillaKenzie Estate Pinot Gris 2017 (Willamette Valley)

Bargain labels to close out the summerAnthony Gismondi offers up a selection of wines under $25ChardonnayBack in the day, we split Chardonnay into oaked and unoaked categories, but as they converge in style, there is only good and bad Chardonnay. Our favourites are balanced, energized, textural and almost always better with food. Our two picks to look for are Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve 2018, California...

A Wine Lover's Guide to Chianti Classico, the Most Iconic Italian RedHow to Pair Chianti ClassicoThe classic wine and food pairing mantra "what grows together, goes together" is so very true with Chianti Classico and typical Tuscan dishes. Chianti Classico pairs naturally with anything featuring tomatoes—the acidity in the fruit and the wine's structure sing together...We recommend Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico 2017 with Parmigiano-Reggiano Crisps.

Each have class and breed along with deep color and depth of chocolate-covered cherries (Bosché) and left bank black currant flavors (Sycamore). And, each are in the very top tier of Napa Cabernets at $150 each.

Each have class and breed along with deep color and depth of chocolate-covered cherries (Bosché) and left bank black currant flavors (Sycamore). And, each are in the very top tier of Napa Cabernets at $150 each.

Sourced from all over the valley–blackberries, dark chocolate and sweet tobacco.

Right bank plums, delicious.

Apples, good acidity, well-structured.

Delicious with restrained hints of apple/orange. Pretty finish.

Gorgeous tropical fruit flavors.

Over 100 year-old field blend including Petite Sirah.

Red fruits, jammy, good acidity.