New Hampshire Wine-man: Halloween Wine and Décor featuring Once Upon A Vine Red Wine, Wicked Bold 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, and Chronic Cellars Paso Robles Purple Paradse 2013 Red Wine

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Halloween Wine and Décor featuring Once Upon A Vine Red Wine, Wicked Bold 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, and Chronic Cellars Paso Robles Purple Paradse 2013 Red Wine

Halloween Wine and Décor is an interesting host's dilemma: While I'm hosting dinner on an 'evil' night of pranksters, should I serve wine that is apropos to the event of knockings at the door, door bells, howls of "Trick or Treat", or growls of "Candy please!"? I don't know why, but there are and have been lots of wines that fit the occasion; here are a few I have reviewed that have slipped-knotted into my bog's bag of tricks or treats;-)

The following reviews were the product of a blind wine tasting.

Once Upon A Vine California 2012 Red Wine,

$9.99-$11.99, 86 points, appeared ruby colored with a clear rim.

The aroma was dominated by black currant.

Medium-bodied with fair acidity and mild tannin carried okay flavors of black currant, black licorice, and coffee notes.

Finished long on the trailing palate, plum, spice, and a well integrated 13.5% alcohol.

Zagarrón Wines Wicked Bold Cab-ah-nay // (Cabernet Sauvignon), $8.10-$9.00, 84 points, appeared deep ruby colored with just a tinge of sunburst orange at the clear rim.
Black currant with tobacco notes were just okay for me.
The medium-plus body carried fair acidity with a strident, yet manageable tannin.
The flavors were accompanied by astringency, but black currant managed to be quite noticeable with black pepper and black licorice notes.
Finished okay on spice, plum, that black currant, tobacco, and a well integrated 13% alcohol.
I bought this wine at the Londonderry, NH Hannaford's Supermarket.
Varietal was of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chronic Cellars Paso Robles Purple Paradise 2013 Red Wine,
$11.99, $17.99, points, 90 points, appeared a bright cranberry red color with a broad clear rim at the leggy glass wall.

Lovely aromas of red raspberry, sea breezes, clove, and cinnamon impressed.

The light-plus body carried excellent acidity and tight transient tannins.

Red fruit flavors were light and delicious, having a bit of bourbon with a bright spiciness that accelerated into the long finish, and gathering a hint of the well integrated 14.5% alcohol; all of which were balanced and satisfying.

Varietals were, 70% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah, 11% Pitite Sirah, and 5% Grenache.

This is my choice for a red wine on the Halloween dinner table.