Ever since the first vintage of The Pairing found its way to my cellar I’ve been hooked. Dollar for dollar this is one of the very best value reds from anywhere, but especially California.
The Pairing is an offshoot of Jonata and Screaming Eagle. The rumor is that some leftover grapes from Screaming Eagle make their way into the “all California” blended red. If it isn’t true, it doesn’t matter as the 2013 again demonstrated.
A nice plum and cherry core, with some cedar notes that blend nicely with the creme de cocoa, chocolate and light tobacco flavors, the 2013 The Pairing is the seventh vintage I’ve enjoyed, with 2007 and 2009 really winning people over. So did the ’13.
The wine has style, structure and balance, and for a low $20’s price point it sure punches way above its weight.
Made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, the Bordeaux varietal blend is a real California wine.
The rich Cabernet and Merlot stands out, but based on the way the 13 tasted the Cab Franc is also putting its mark in the glass by adding some structure and restraint to the fruit forward nature of the Cabernet Sauvigon and Merlot.
That’s why the 2013 The Pairing is today’s WineSiders Wine of The Day!!!
