Narsai David Wine Review: Gnarly Head Wine
Narsai David is the KCBS Food and Wine Editor. He has been a successful restaurateur, chef, TV host, and columnist in the Bay Area spanning four decades. You can hear him Saturdays at 10:53am, 12:53pm and 4:53pm, and at 2:53am Sunday on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
LODI (KCBS) - The 2010 Gnarly Head Authentic Red is a perfect barbecue wine that could also be served with a rich, spicy pasta or a pizza.
It has a deep, rich crimson color and starts with lush, ripe aromas of blackberries and raspberries that lead to big mouthful of fruit forward flavors. There's some spicy cherry jam that comes to mind in this blend of zinfandel, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
KCBS Food And Wine Editor Narsai David:
The zinfandel grapes that forms its base comes from vines that have been growing in the Mokelumni River area around Lodi for 80 years, some of the oldest in California. The $11.99 price makes it a nice value for an everyday wine, or a coiffing wine.
The Merry Edwards 2009 Russian River Valley pinot noir should be drunk on a very special occasion.
The color is a rich garnet red. Luscious ripe berry aromas lead to a big mouthful of wine that fills the mouth with fruit on the front of the palate, but with enough tannin for a perfect balance on the back note.
I'd love to age this for two or three years, and watch it develop some complexity. It's so finely tuned with fruit, acid and tannin that it could evolve into a classic French Burgundy style wine. And it's nicely priced at $42.
Gnarly Head Wine
Lodi, Calif.
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