Two BBQ Wines

'Tis the Season for BBQ...

Though a nice, chilled Rose is excellent in the summer sun, you sometimes need a heartier wine to pair with your BBQ foods. I went to a good friend's house yesterday for a BBQ (though there was not much sun) and brought a couple of wines I felt would go well. Also brought a large jug of home-made Sangria which was a big hit.

The first wine was the 2002 Bogle Vineyards Phantom ($20). This wine is a blend of 56% Petite Sirah, 41% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 3% Old Vine Mourvedre. This is a very bold and powerful wine. It is inky dark with very lush dark fruits and lots of spice. It is very full bodied and fills your mouth with its silky flavors which linger and linger. You definitely need some hearty food to accompany this wine and BBQ ribs certainly filled that slot. This wine was well received by my friends and I heartily recommend it as a Drink & Buy.

The second wine was the 2005 Mollydooker "The Boxer" Shiraz ($25). This wine is made by the famed Sarah & Sparky Marquis who also contributed to the making of Marquis Philips wines (some of my favorites Australian Shiraz). The Boxer has received some incredible press. Robert Parker gave it 95 points and the Wine Spectator placed it on their list of the Top Wines of 2006. But does it live up to the hype?

I bought the wine originally because of the winemakers connection to Marquis Philips. I knew how much I loved those wines. So, at yesterday's BBQ, I opened a bottle. Like the Phantom, this was another very dark wine. It was also full bodied, silky smooth with an abudance of dark fruits and spices. It is a very well balanced wine that definitely pleases the palate. It has much character and is the epitome of what a good Shiraz should be. With cheeseburgers it paired well. Probably any type of beef would go well with it. It is a bold wine though so you need bolder foods for it. Another hearty Drink & Buy.