Narsai David: Bargain Red Wines From California's Central Valley
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Everyone loves a bargain and when it comes to red wine, California's Central Valley has some options you should try. The 2013 McManis Family Vineyards has a cabernet sauvignon with a fine, medium-deep red color. Its soft supple berry aroma is not at all ostentatious. This is a wine made for drinking and it's hard to believe that the price is only $11 a bottle retail. It feels balanced on the palate with plenty of fruit, backed up by just enough tannin. The McManis family is farming 2,700 acres from Lodi to River Junction in the Central Valley.
The 2013 McManis Family Vineyards Petine Syrah is another recommendation. This one has a deep-purple color. In fact petite Syrah is often used as a blending grape with Zinfandel. Again there's plenty of fruity aroma and plenty of tannin, as you'd expect, enough to serve with a rare steak or barbecue. The price is $11 a bottle once more. The Lodi area of the Central Valley has developed so beautifully and has been producing some complex wines these last few years.
