Full Review

Monte De Oro

Monte De Oro
2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
90 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$35

Monte De Oro
2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
Dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of berry scented candle, dried fruits and coconut flakes, pistachio nougat, and oiled leather with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a seamless, medium-length finish imparting notes of berry tart, chocolate nuts, and clove with light oak flavor. A rich, chewy red blend for elevated sipping that will also stand up to any meat dish.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, New World & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: berry scented candle, dried fruits and coconut flakes, pistachio nougat, and oiled leather
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of berry tart, chocolate nuts, and clove
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Peking Duck, Lamb Tagine, Souvlaki
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A rich, chewy red blend for elevated sipping that will also stand up to any meat dish.

The Producer

Monte De Oro Winery

The Producer
35820 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA 92591
USA
1 951-491-6551

Their Portfolio

87 Monte De Oro 2018 Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.4% (USA) $46.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Temecula Valley 14.4% (USA) $45.00.
89 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $38.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 13.9% (USA) $45.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Vista Del Monte Vineyard Vigna Vicini Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $42.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Bolle De Oro Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley 11.2% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc, Temecula Valley 13.2% (USA) $20.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2021 Nostimo, Temecula Valley 13.6% (USA) $24.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Galway Vineyard, Viognier, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $23.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Canelli, White Muscat, Temecula Valley 11.7% (USA) $24.00.
90 Monte De Oro 2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $35.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $70.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2017 Unique Elements Estate Grown Red Blend, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $32.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 DePortola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Synergy 65 Rosé, Temecula Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Chardonnay, Temecula Valley 14% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.1% (USA) $42.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2018 Deportola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Simplexity, Red Meritage, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $43.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Malbec, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $90.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Synergy 65 Owners’ Red Blend , Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $44.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2018 Vineyard Estate Grown, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $44.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $90.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $90.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2017 Vigna Vicini Vista Del Monte Vineyard Reserve Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15% (USA) $48.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2019 Congruity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $40.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 12.9% (USA) $35.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Synergy 65 Owners Blend Red, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $44.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.6% (USA) $90.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2018 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 13.9% (USA) $90.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Monte De Oro 2023 Pinot Gris, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2023 Riesling, Temecula Valley 12.4% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2023 Nostimo White Blend, Temecula Valley 13.1% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2023 Dulce De Verano Sweet Rosé, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2023 Dulce De Verano Sweet Rosé, Temecula Valley 13.7% (USA) $25.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $43.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Merlot, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $39.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Temecula Valley 13.8% (USA) $45.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $45.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Simplexity Red Meritage, Temecula Valley 13.3% (USA) $43.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2023 Bolle De Oro Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley 12.5% (USA) $35.00. - Bronze Medal

Rhone Red Varietal Blend

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
A Rhone varietal blend can be made up from any number of varieties found in France's Rhone Valley. This can be either white or red (some red Rhone blends even contain a small percentage of white grapes) and can be a true Rhone wine or one made in another country, such as the US or Australia.

While most red Rhone blends contain four or five varieties, such as Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache, one famous Rhone blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape can contain as many as thirteen different varieties! White Rhone blends contain varieties such as Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne.

Producers in several regions of California, such as Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and Sonoma Counties produce excellent Rhone blends (especially white blends in Santa Barbara), while New York State, Washington State and Virginia are also home to vintners that make Rhone blends.

Pair red Rhone blends with spicy, hearty foods such as game and roasts, while the white tend to work best with sushi/sashimi and fusion cuisine.

Top Rated for
Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Skyhook 2018 Red Blend, Sonoma County
92 POINTS
Skyhook 2018 Red Blend, Sonoma County
14.2% $45.00.
USA
Monte De Oro 2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley
90 POINTS
Monte De Oro 2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley
14.8% $35.00.
USA
Oso Libre Winery 2018 Carnal Red Blend, Paso Robles
89 POINTS
Oso Libre Winery 2018 Carnal Red Blend, Paso Robles
14.9% $44.00.
USA
Barons Creek Vineyards 2021 Campeon Red Blend, Spain
88 POINTS
Barons Creek Vineyards 2021 Campeon Red Blend, Spain
14.5% $40.00.
Spain
Barons Creek Vineyards 2020 Campeon Red Blend, Spain
87 POINTS
Barons Creek Vineyards 2020 Campeon Red Blend, Spain
14.5% $40.00.
Spain
Theopolis Vineyards 2021 Theo-Patra
86 POINTS
Theopolis Vineyards 2021 Theo-Patra's Cuvée Cerise Red Blend, California
13.9% $36.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Red

Maison Riche 2021 Haut-Médoc
95 POINTS
Maison Riche 2021 Haut-Médoc
12.5% $17.00.
France
Kirkland Signature 2019 Suscol Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Kirkland Signature 2019 Suscol Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Mt. Monster 2022 Single Vineyard, Shiraz, Limestone Coast
94 POINTS
Mt. Monster 2022 Single Vineyard, Shiraz, Limestone Coast
14.5% $13.00.
Australia
Kirkland Signature 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
94 POINTS
Kirkland Signature 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
14% $9.00.
USA
Sidewood 2022 Estate, Shiraz, Adelaide Hills
94 POINTS
Sidewood 2022 Estate, Shiraz, Adelaide Hills
14% $17.00.
Australia
Candoni 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Terre Siciliane IGP
94 POINTS
Candoni 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Terre Siciliane IGP
14% $14.00.
Italy
Maison Riche 2022 Pays D
94 POINTS
Maison Riche 2022 Pays D'Oc IGP, Cabernet Franc
13% $11.00.
France
Mt. Monster 2021 Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limestone Coast
94 POINTS
Mt. Monster 2021 Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limestone Coast
14.5% $13.00.
Australia
Via Castello 2020 Red Blend, Castelli Romani DOC
94 POINTS
Via Castello 2020 Red Blend, Castelli Romani DOC
13.5% $15.00.
Italy
Villa Puccini 2019 Chianti Riserva DOCG
94 POINTS
Villa Puccini 2019 Chianti Riserva DOCG
12.5% $16.00.
Italy
La Croix de Beauliac 2021 Création, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge
94 POINTS
La Croix de Beauliac 2021 Création, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge
14% $20.00.
France
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Bodegas Piqueras 2020 Castillo De Almansa Roble, Almansa
94 POINTS
Bodegas Piqueras 2020 Castillo De Almansa Roble, Almansa
14.5% $12.00.
Spain