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.
Red blends are all the rage, and winemakers in California make both traditional and creative "kitchen-sink" blends. Today's selection showcases bold, zesty wines at a variety of price points.
Leading the pack are two Zinfandel-based blends. Jeff Cohn specializes in Zinfandel and Rhône-style wines at his namesake winery in Sonoma. He blended these together for The Imposter, making a structured red loaded with personality. Ridge's Lytton Springs is rustic and spicy; the four grapes that make up the blend—Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mourvèdre—were picked from separate parcels but fermented together.
Some of the blends here are more traditional, like Clos Pepe's Axis Mundial, a classic match-up of Grenache and Syrah, inspired by the wines of France's Southern Rhône. This is Clos Pepe's final vintage: Founders Stephen and Cathy Pepe leased their vineyard to Walt, the Pinot-centric sibling brand of Hall, in 2015.
For value, consider Kirkland Signature's Bordeaux-style blend, or The Federalist, a kitchen-sink blend that's widely available.
JEFF COHN The Imposter California 2015
A blend that's loaded with personality, offering well-structured and zesty peppercorn, blackberry and smoky sweet anise flavors. Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2023. 440 cases made.
RIDGE Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2016
Recalls the tasty red field blends of yore, showing briary cherry, grilled anise and cracked pepper flavors that finish with slightly rustic tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2025. 11,000 cases made.
FESS PARKER The Big Easy Santa Barbara County 2016
Bold and plump with fruit, offering expressive blackberry, orange zest and smoked pepper flavors. Syrah, Petite Sirah and Grenache. Drink now through 2023. 5,582 cases made.
ANABA Turbine Red Sonoma Valley 2015
Zesty and easygoing, with delicate cherry and spiced cinnamon flavors. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2024. 617 cases made.
THE FEDERALIST Honest Red Blend Mendocino County 2016
The dried cherry and plum tart flavors are matched to savory notes of wild herbs and spice. Hot stone details emerge on the finish. Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now. 30,000 cases made.
CLOS PEPE Axis Mundi Windmill Vineyard Ballard Canyon 2014
Zesty and appealingly rustic, with low-key raspberry, white pepper and mineral accents. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2023. 330 cases made.
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE Red Blend Napa Valley 2015
Dried savory herb notes accent the dried berry and red fruit flavors. Shows tannic grip on the firm finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 28,000 cases made.
JOSH CELLARS Family Reserve Lodi 2015
Direct, with plum and cherry compote notes backed by a dash of warm vanilla and a flicker of savory detail. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.