Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot 91 is the latest in a series of non-vintage wines from Fess Parker's respected Santa Barbara County winery. Their website lists the wine at $12, but it sells at some places for $10, and I got a bottle from Los Angeles Wine Company for $8.
The wine is a blend of six Rhone varietals, and it really drinks like an actual Rhone Valley wine rather than a California facsimile. The nose features blackberry and spices in a very dark setting. An herbal quality seems to come through a layer of smoke. On the palate, Frontier Red has a dark edge as well, with plenty of smoky fruit and a licorice component adding to the dark flavors. I picked up a bit of graphite, too. Frontier Red drank better each of the three nights it was open.
It's got a medium-mouthfeel, which is rather surprising considering the grapes involved. I thought of it at first as "thin," but later I felt that might be a bit harsh, since the taste is so good. I do prefer a bigger feel on my palate, though. I would recommend giving it some time to settle down, either sitting in the glass or by decanting.
My wife used some of it in a spaghetti sauce she made, and the result was fabulous. Naturally, the wine paired extremely well with that sauce.
It's got a medium-mouthfeel, which is rather surprising considering the grapes involved. I thought of it at first as "thin," but later I felt that might be a bit harsh, since the taste is so good. I do prefer a bigger feel on my palate, though. I would recommend giving it some time to settle down, either sitting in the glass or by decanting.
My wife used some of it in a spaghetti sauce she made, and the result was fabulous. Naturally, the wine paired extremely well with that sauce.
Winemaker: Fess Parker
Varietal: 56% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 13% Carignane, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Cinsault & 1% Mourvedre
Appelation: California > Santa Barbara County
Vineyard: Camp Four Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley); Starlane Vineyard (Santa Barbara County); Rodney's Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley)
Vintage: NV
Alcohol Level: 15.5%
Price: $8 (list $12)
Acquisition disclaimer: I paid for this wine, on sale.
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