Full Review

Instigator

Instigator
2018 Red Wine, Lodi

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork

Category: Other Red

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
85 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$11

Instigator
2018 Red Wine, Lodi

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork

Category: Other Red

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
Dark garnet color. Aromas and flavors of raisin rye toast, chocolate cherries, and dusty cocoa with a silky, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a polished, short finish that shows notes of nuts with light oak flavor. A pleasant Zin sipper.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: raisin rye toast, chocolate cherries, and dusty cocoa
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of nuts
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own
Recipes Pairing: Ribs, Beef Teriyaki, Steak Fajitas
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A pleasant zin sipper.

The Producer

O'Neill Beverages Co., LLC (dba O'Neill Vintners & Distillers)

The Producer
8418 S Lac Jac Ave
Parlier, CA 93648
USA
1 559-638-3544

Their Portfolio

86 Agitator 2017 Bourbon Barrel Aged, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 15.9% (USA) $19.00.
87 Agitator 2019 Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine, California 15.9% (USA) $19.99.
BR Allegro 2019 Moscato, Muscat, California 8% (USA) $10.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Buttercup 2018 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $.00.
BR Curran Creek 2018 Pinot Grigio, California 12.5% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Geneseo 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
92 Hall Ranch 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $20.00.
85 Hall Ranch 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $18.00.
90 Hall Ranch 2018 Estate, Zinfandel, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $20.00.
87 Hall Ranch 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $15.99.
86 Hall Ranch 2019 Zinfandel, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $15.99.
86 Hall Ranch 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $15.99.
88 Instigator 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $11.00.
85 Instigator 2018 Red Wine, Lodi 15% (USA) $11.00.
88 Instigator 2019 Chardonnay, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Instigator 2019 Red Blend, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $12.99.
87 Instigator 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Line 39 2018 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $.00.
BR Line 39 2018 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 2018 Pinot Grigio, California 13% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Spyglass 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
87 Spyglass 2019 Pinot Noir, Monterey 14.5% (USA) $19.99.
BR Spyglass 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.99. - Bronze Medal

Other Red

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Other red is a large category that covers many red wines from around the globe that are made from lesser-known varieties. These include Albarossa and Ruché from Piedmont in Italy, Touriga from Virginia and numerous blended reds from California, Washington and other states in the US as well as Argentina, Chile and Spain.

Many of these reds are robust and somewhat spicy; while they can age for several years in some cases, most are meant for consumption upon release. Pair them with a variety of foods, from tapas and empanadas to barbecued beef and young sheep's cheeses.