Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.
That slow sizzle, the smell in the air as meat meets fire … there's nothing quite like grilling on an open flame in the summertime. A steak or chop, and even some lighter meats, demand hearty, zesty reds. That's where this week's selection of new-release wines comes in handy.
These Rhône-style reds—made mostly from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre—are a natural fit for the big flavors found at a barbecue. If you're grilling beef or lamb, look for a full-bodied red like the Foxen Syrah or Novy's GSM, which have the structure and weight to manage those savory cuts.
For pork, sauce-laden barbecued chicken, and even hamburgers or hot dogs, try wines that are more fruit-forward and have softer tannins. The Unti Grenache fits the bill, as do the Tablas Creek and Zinke bottlings.
ALTA COLINA
GSM Adelaida District 2016
Score: 92 | $50
WS review: Plush and supple up front, this slowly builds tension and tannins, opening to black raspberry, licorice and smoky peppered beef flavors. Finishes with refined tannins. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2026. 204 cases made.—T.F.
FOXEN
Syrah Los Olivos District Williamson-Doré Vineyard 2016
Score: 92 | $48
WS review: Combines elegance and brooding power, offering layered blueberry, spiced cinnamon and smoked meat accents that dance on a long finish, ending with refined tannins. Drink now through 2026. 400 cases made.—T.F.
EPIPHANY
GSM Thompson Vineyard Santa Barbara County 2016
Score: 91 | $40
WS review: Polished and elegantly layered, with expressive black raspberry, sassafras and smoky pepper flavors that linger on a rich finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2024. 377 cases made.—T.F.
QUIVET CELLARS
Syrah Carneros Las Madres Vineyard Hulda Block 2016
Score: 91 | $45
WS review: Graceful and sleek, with elegantly layered and vibrant raspberry, smoked pepper and sweet anise flavors that glide on the long finish. Drink now through 2025. 225 cases made.—T.F.
UNTI
Grenache Dry Creek Valley 2015
Score: 91 | $30
WS review: Silky and plump, with polished fruit, offering zesty cherry, cinnamon and smoky anise flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2025. 488 cases made.—T.F.
NOVY
GSM Central Coast 2016
Score: 90 | $45
WS review: Refined and well-built, with expressive blueberry, licorice and smoky meat accents that lead to fine-grained tannins on the finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2020 through 2026. 293 cases made.—T.F.
QUIVET CELLARS
Syrah Napa Valley Kenefick Ranch 2016
Score: 90 | $45
WS review: Plump, loaded with appealing fruit, this offers boysenberry, licorice and smoky pepper flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2026. 250 cases made.—T.F.
TABLAS CREEK
Côtes de Tablas Adelaida District 2017
Score: 90 | $39
WS review: Refined and harmonious, with delicately complex raspberry and cherry flavors, laced with cured meat and cracked pepper notes. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Drink now through 2024. 2,135 cases made.—T.F.
ZINKE
Syrah Central Coast 2016
Score: 90 | $25
WS review: Zesty and vibrant, with lively boysenberry, bitter chocolate and smoked pepper flavors that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2023. 350 cases made.—T.F.