Six reds you should be drinking now
These recommended reds, each evaluated by a member of the Chronicle’s tasting panel, represent very distinct terroirs, although three of them were made from Napa Valley grapes. The French and Italian wines offer exceptional value. 2015 Vermeil XXXIV Frediani Vineyard Red Wine Blend
19.2 (9.2 for quality, 10 for value)
The wine: The vintage was the first for Thomas Brown, already a Napa Valley rock star, as Dick Vermeil’s consulting winemaker, working alongside the in-house winemaker, Andy Jones. For the XXXIV — that was the Super Bowl Vermeil won coaching the St. Louis Rams — they went with a four-grape blend: cabernet sauvignon (35 percent), cabernet franc (28), zinfandel (23) and petite sirah (14).
Taster’s take: “Bright blueberry notes. Fresh, clean and light.”
Critical acclaim: The Wine Enthusiast awarded it a score of 93.
$27.97 at Spec’s
2019 Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhone
19.1 (9.1 for quality, 10 for value)
The wine: From a stellar vintage, arguably the best since 2010, it’s a blend of syrah grapes from the Gard on the right bank of the Rhône and Vinsobres on the left, where the vineyards are at about 1,200 feet.
Taster’s take: “Rich and vibrant with cooked cherry notes. Begs for a barbecue pairing.”
Critical acclaim: Three awarded it scores of at least 9, including a 91 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
$15.49 at Spec’s
2018 Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta Valmorena Barbera d’Asti
19 (9 for quality, 10 for value)
The wine: The hand-harvested barbera grapes were vinified in stainless-steel tanks, with malolactic fermentation occurring naturally, before resting for several additional months in the bottle.
Taster’s take: “Bright acidity with red fruit. Spicy, peppery.”
Critical acclaim: It earned three scores of at least 90, including a 91 from Wilfred Wong of wine.com.
$15.19 at Spec’s
2018 Acumen Mountainside Red Wine Napa Valley 18.7 (9.2 for quality, 9.5 for value)
The wine: From what’s considered a dream vintage with above-average yields, it’s about two-thirds cabernet with merlot, petit Verdot and zinfandel making up the rest. Winemaker Henrik Poulsen barrel-aged the wine for 18 months in French oak. Taster’s take: “Bright red and dark fruit flavors. Spicy. Chewy.”
Critical acclaim: It earned a 92 from wine.com’s Wilfred Wong.
The winery: Entrepreneur
Eric Yuan, the Chinese American founder of Zoom Video Communications, launched his Acumen and Peak wines in 2012. All the grapes are grown either organically or sustainably.
$45 at acumenwine.com 2016 Mt. Brave Mt. Veeder Merlot
17.8 (9.3 for quality, 8.5 for value)
The wine: In 2007, winemaker Chris Carpenter launched the Mt. Brave project, using fruit from what was once the Chateau Potelle
Vineyard, located between 1,400 and 1,800 feet in elevation on the hillside, where the gravelly loam soils, lacking minerals and nutrients, produce tiny berries with concentrated, complex flavor profiles. Taster’s take: “Blackberry and cherry flavors with a hint of chocolate.” Critical acclaim: The Wine Enthusiast awarded it a score of 94, deeming it a Cellar Selection: “Best from 2026 through 2031.” $94.99 at wine.com 2017 J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
17.8 (9.3 for quality, 8.5 for value)
The wine: Created to celebrate founder Jerry Lohr’s 80th birthday, the blend includes small amounts of cabernet franc, malbec and a rare Bordeaux varietal called Saint-Macaire. Aging took place in new French oak for 18 months.
Taster’s take: “Checks all the big cab boxes, brings density and a savory character. Malbec add structure, color and a component of bright fruit.” Critical acclaim: Jeb Dunnuck awarded it a score of 93: “A beautiful wine … I’d give bottles two-three years to shed a touch of baby fat and develop more nuances, and it should keep for over a decade.”
$100 at jlohr.com