Full Review

Oso Libre Winery

Oso Libre Winery
2018 Carnal Red Blend, Paso Robles

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
89 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$44

Oso Libre Winery
2018 Carnal Red Blend, Paso Robles

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
Brown brick red color. Aromas and flavors of cocoa nibs, coffee beans, dark roasted malt, red cherry, and dill with an oily, crisp, dry-yet-fruity full body and a warming, compelling, medium-long finish with notes of dark berry compote bordering on plum sauce, caraway, fruit leather, and pink pepper with well-integrated tannins. A juicy and warming red Rhone blend that is sipping nicely now.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Juicy & Smooth
Aroma Aroma: cocoa nibs, coffee beans, dark roasted malt, red cherry, and dill
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of dark berry compote bordering on plum sauce, caraway, fruit leather, and pink pepper
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years with food
Recipes Pairing: Peking Duck, Lamb Tagine, Souvlaki
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A juicy and warming red Rhone blend that is sipping nicely now.

The Producer

Oso Libre Winery

The Producer
7383 Vineyard Dr
Paso Robles, CA 93446
USA
1 805-238-3378

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.