Full Review

Bonterra

Bonterra
2017 Equinox Red, California

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$16

Bonterra
2017 Equinox Red, California

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Deep purple color. Aromas of raspberry crumble bar, bay leaf, dark chocolate with candied orange peel, and peony with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length honey-roasted pine nuts finish with light oak flavor. A lip-smacking red for Zinfandel lovers.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth & Rich & Full
Aroma Aroma: raspberry crumble bar, bay leaf, dark chocolate with candied orange peel, and peony
Taste Flavor: honey-roasted pine nuts
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Peking Duck, Lamb Tagine, Souvlaki
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A lip-smacking red for Zinfandel lovers.

The Producer

Fetzer Vineyards

The Producer
12901 Old River Road
Hopland, CA 95449
USA
1 707-744-1250

Their Portfolio

89 1000 Stories 2017 Bourbon Barrel-Aged, Zinfandel, California 15.7% (USA) $19.00.
BR Bonterra 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.8% (USA) $16.00. - Bronze Medal
92 Bonterra 2017 Merlot, Mendocino County 14.1% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.3% (USA) $14.00.
88 Bonterra 2018 Rosé, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
88 Bonterra 2017 Equinox Red, California 14.5% (USA) $16.00.
89 Bonterra 2017 Zinfandel, Mendocino County 14.8% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Blue Heron Vineyard Dry Muscat, Muscat, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Young Red, Mendocino County 13.4% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra NV Red Blend, California 14.5% (USA) $23.00.
86 Bonterra NV Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.2% (USA) $23.00.
91 Bonterra 2018 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
89 Bonterra 2019 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
88 Casillero del Diablo 2018 Reserva Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
89 Casillero del Diablo 2019 Reserva, Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
88 Cono Sur 2020 Bicicleta Reserva, Chardonnay, Chile 13% (Chile) $8.00.
86 Frontera 2019 After Dark Red Blend, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
85 Frontera 2019 After Dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
BR Frontera 2019 After Dark, Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley 12.5% (Chile) $6.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Trivento 2018 Amado Sur Red Blend, Malbec, Mendoza 14% (Argentina) $18.00.

Rhone Red Varietal Blend

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
A Rhone varietal blend can be made up from any number of varieties found in France's Rhone Valley. This can be either white or red (some red Rhone blends even contain a small percentage of white grapes) and can be a true Rhone wine or one made in another country, such as the US or Australia.

While most red Rhone blends contain four or five varieties, such as Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache, one famous Rhone blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape can contain as many as thirteen different varieties! White Rhone blends contain varieties such as Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne.

Producers in several regions of California, such as Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and Sonoma Counties produce excellent Rhone blends (especially white blends in Santa Barbara), while New York State, Washington State and Virginia are also home to vintners that make Rhone blends.

Pair red Rhone blends with spicy, hearty foods such as game and roasts, while the white tend to work best with sushi/sashimi and fusion cuisine.