31 May Please The Palate Wine of the Week: The Paring 2018 Red Blend, California

When my friend invited me to join her for a movie in the park, I, of course, offered to bring the wine. For events like this, I love to find a delicious-tasting wine that does not cost a lot of money. And I found the perfect wine for our outing, The Paring 2018 Red Blend, the Please The Palate wine of the week.

ABOUT THE PARING

Matt Dees is the winemaker for The Hilt and JONATA wines in Santa Barbara County. When Matt and his team find vineyard blocks that are either too young or that might not fit into the vintage style of The Hilt and JONATA wines, the grapes are blended and aged together for The Paring wines. These are wines that blend grapes from some of the most renowned vineyards in Santa Ynez, Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills, including The Hilt and JONATA’s own estate vineyards Radian, Bentrock, and JONATA. The Paring was born in 2006 and are wines meant for pleasure. They are wines that will over-deliver!

TASTING NOTES

The Pairing 2018 Red Blend is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged in French oak, 55% new and 45% neutral, for 22 months. JONATA wines are known for their power and intensity and The Paring Red Blend is a simpler version. Unlike a JONATA wine that you might want to lay down for a few years and then when you open it, you want it to spend a some time in the glass. But The Paring 2018 Red Blend is a wine you can “pop and pour” with its soft, dusty tannins, bright acidity, and aromas of dark red fruits, bittersweet chocolate, and an herbal lift. There is a lovely elegance to this super drinkable wine.

FOOD PAIRING

The Paring name pays homage to the paring knife in the kitchen. Plus The Pairing wines pair with food! Enjoy it with a burger or grilled steak or enjoy it with a picnic. I enjoyed this wine with a selection of cheeses as we enjoyed an outdoor movie with Street Food Cinema.

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Paring 2018 Red Blend is only $25. In fact all of the wines under The Paring label (Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rose) are $25. The Paring wines can be purchased from The Paring website.

MEET THE WINEMAKER

Listen to the interview I did with Matt Dees on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.