red wines for lamb
Loring’s Central Coast Pinot Noir is fresh and direct, round and smooth. And you want to take sip after sip. An extraordinary wine for the price, and if you’re a Pinot Noir lover, run, don’t walk to grab a bottle before it’s gone. The Pinots from Santa Rita Hills or Santa Lucia Highlands from this label are around, too, in the $30 to $35 price range. From $20 to $25. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
For awhile it seemed the days of the $12 Chianti Classico were long gone, but here’s one in that price range that could easily cost more. From Castelnuovo Berardenga in the southern reaches of the Chianti Classico region, the 2010 Borgo Scopeto tastes of dark cherries and spice with a touch of pepper and anise. A very pretty wine and an amazing value for a Chianti Classico. From $12 to $15. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
A great example of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Oregon in an outstanding vintage. The grapes come from the famous Shea Vineyard in Yamhill county. The result is a Pinot with lovely dark-toned fruit, a pretty nose of rose petals and cherries and a smooth silky texture. And you don’t need to know a thing about wine or Pinot Noir to appreciate its beauty. From $33 to $50. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
A big brawny red from Spain, Alto Moncayo’s Campo di Borja Garnacha is deep ruby in color with aromas or raspberries and ripe fruit. It’s a bright, juicy mouthful of Grenache. Give the wine time to breathe: You might want to open the bottle an hour or so before you plan on drinking it. From $37 to $40. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Always on the lookout for a juicy California Pinot, one with some character and grit, I think I’ve found it in this collaboration between Ed Kurtzman and growers Howard Graham and Gary Franscioni. It tastes of black cherry, plums and earth. Keep an eye out for their Pinot from Rosella’s Vineyard as well. About $32. (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)
Still run by the Geoffray family that purchased the estate at the end of the 19th century, Chateau Thivin has vineyards planted with mostly 50 year old Gamay vines, one reason these wines have such character. Pop the cork on the 2011 and guaranteed the bottle will be finished in a flash. There are still a few bottles of the 2011 around, but mostly now it’s the 2012 vintage. With its bright fruit luscious texture and all around geniality, Thivin’s Cote de Brouilly goes down very easy. Keep a few bottles on hand ready for any occasion. About $23. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
For the price, you can’t do better than this Grand Cru Saint Emilion from Chateau Teyssier. Come again? I thought I was mishearing the price --$30. A great basic that’s much more than an entry level Bordeaux. This is the real deal from an estate that goes back to the 18th century. Winemaker Jonathan Maltus, the genie behind Le Dome, works with the estate’s Merlot and Cabernet Franc to produce a fresh take on classic Saint Emilion. Spicy and rich, with all the right notes, the 2010 Chateau Teyssier is a great buy -- and it’s widely available. About $30. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Hirsch Vineyards makes seductive, high-toned Pinot Noir from the cool-climate Sonoma Coast. The 2011 “San Andreas Fault” is a fascinating tangle of Santa Rosa plum, sweet cherries, herbs and earthy notes. And that’s just to start. Spend an evening with a bottle and you’ll discover even more flavor passages. About $55. (S. Irene Virbila / Los Angeles Times)
