SOLD OUT! The Paring Red is one of the best value Cab-based blends coming out of California today. Crafted by the fine folks from Jonata, Screaming Eagle’s “sister winery” in the Central Coast, this is a “serious” wine at an incredible price.
I honestly can’t think of another Bordeaux-styled blend that delivers so much delicious flavor and complexity for the money. Rated 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast, I managed to snag all 7 of the cases my distributor had in stock.
2015 The Paring Red
92 points Jeb Dunnuck, 92 points Wine Enthusiast
This vintage is sold out. Stop by the store or click here to order the new vintage in our online store.
This “side hustle wine” from the team at Jonata uses younger vines from their estate vineyards scattered throughout Santa Barbara County. The 2015 comes in as a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in high quality French oak, I love the resulting wine for its class, elegance, and sophistication.
The Paring Red offers up a wonderful combination of ripe fruit, savory spice and herb, and nicely integrated oak. I literally could not stop smelling this wine. Thrilling notes of blackcurrant, cigar tobacco, eucalyptus, and cocoa suggest a wine more in the $50 price range. And the thrill ride continues on the palate. There’s ripe tannin and deep concentration to the flavors of dark fruits, complex spices, mocha, and roasted herb. Drinking wonderfully now, this will continue to deliver the goods for another 5+ years.
Jeb Dunnuck loved the 2015 Paring Red. “Its deep, inky purple color is followed by a rich, powerful wine that’s loaded with notions of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, graphite, and crushed rocks.” Wine Enthusiast loved it too. “Candied blackberry aromas meet with cola spice, licorice and wet earth on the nose of this red blend from the same team behind the Jonata and The Hilt wineries.”
This is compelling wine from one of the top “wine teams” in the world. A great “cocktail red,” it would also be awesome with pretty much anything off the grill. Or as we move into fall, try it with your favorite slow-braised stew. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
This vintage is sold out. Stop by the store or click here to order the new vintage in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville