Wine & Spirits - June 2018 - 41

W&S 2018 All-Stars
BARBECUE READY

Canoe Ridge
It's said that members of the Lewis & Clark expedition named Canoe
Ridge, in what is now the Horse Heaven Hills, as they passed it along
the Colombia River. The site, with its warm climate tempered by river
breezes, anchors the lineup for this Washington State brand, ripening
Bordeaux varieties with good structure and robust tannins, ideal for
grilled beef.

Concha y Toro
As the largest winery in Chile, Concha y Toro produces some of Chile's
most collectible wines as well as some of its best values. Take a look at
the Serie Riberas line especially, focused on plots growing in cool river
valleys, like the energetic Palo Santo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
from Marchigüe, on the coastal side of Colchagua, and the succulent,
herb-tinged Peumo Vineyard Carmenère. (Excelsior Wine & Spirits, Old
Brookville, NY)

Waterbrook
Waterbrook put down roots in Walla Walla in 1984. Today, it carries on a
tradition of well-structured, high-acid, barbecue- friendly reds at a cost
that reflects land prices from thirty-plus years ago. Reds are its strong
suit, merlot especially: vinous, surprisingly complex, ready to accompany a red-meat feast.

Fowles Wine
If the butcher diagram on the label of the Farm to Table Cabernet and
the animals on Are You Game? don't already say it clearly enough,
these Aussie reds are made for meat. Based in the cool hills of Victoria's
Strathbogie Ranges, Fowles grows fragrant pinot and foresty cabernet
for lamb. Or try the Are You Game? Shiraz with a thick burger topped
with grilled mushrooms. (Fowles Wine, Calistoga, CA)

Gérard Bertrand
A former star rugby player, Bertrand works with vineyards across the
south of France to make wines as strapping as his 6'3" frame. Look especially for the reds from the Côtes de Roussillon, both Les Aspres and
Grand Terroir Tautauvel. His syrah-mourvèdre blend from St-Chinian
is light in comparison, but no less steak-ready. (USA Wine West, Sausalito, CA)

Recanati
Recanati combines Israel's abundant Mediterranean sun with the cool
temperatures of the Upper Galilee to turn out balanced pours. The brisk
cabernet is a standout, its herbal notes highlighting black-currant fruit
and fine tannins. Or check out the fuchsia-hued rosé, a fresh blend of
merlot and barbera to match a plate of grilled vegetables. (Palm Bay
Int'l, Boca Raton, FL)

Hogue
Hogue is best known for the sort of wines you want to have on hand for
burgers, barbecues and pizza: lush, broad reds with velvet textures and
the body to go up against a bit of char. Its whites were also impressive
this year, especially a halbtrocken riesling that's wildly satisfying at $8.

Ravenswood
Ravenswood has been amassing old-vine sources for more than 40
years-long enough for those old vines to get even older. You can taste
their fruit concentration and intensity in Ravenswood's reds, especially
the burly Vintners Blend Petite Sirah and the Old Vine zinfandels, both
the meaty Lodi bottling and the spicy, fragrant Napa Valley selection. ■

WINE & SPIRITS

JUNE 2018

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