Full Review

Skyhook

Skyhook
2018 Red Blend, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.2%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$45

Skyhook
2018 Red Blend, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of black plum, baking spices and cocoa nibs, leather and peppered roasted meat, and violets with a velvety, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, medium-length finish manifesting elements of blackberry and black plum, vanilla and peppered meat, leather and dark chocolate, and vanilla and black cherry with medium, firm, coating tannins and moderate oak flavor. Dense, rich, lush fruit and earthy tannins create a well balanced red wine that has the acidity to work well with food or alone.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: black plum, baking spices and cocoa nibs, leather and peppered roasted meat, and violets
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with elements of blackberry and black plum, vanilla and peppered meat, leather and dark chocolate, and vanilla and black cherry
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years with food and on its own
Recipes Pairing: Peking Duck, Lamb Tagine, Souvlaki
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Dense, rich, lush fruit and earthy tannins create a well balanced red wine that has the acidity to work well with food or alone.

The Producer

JDB Wines

The Producer

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.