This fine Rhone blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Petite Sirah is rustic and nicely balanced. Part of the Ortman family’s new “O2” series, it represents a new generation of wines founded on four decades of winemaking. It offers freshly picked wild boysenberry and blackberry flavors nicely woven with notes of plum, blueberry, raspberry liqueur, and spice. Way too drinkable alone, it’s a great choice for a meal of equally bold dishes: grilled steaks and chops or sausage and mushroom pizza. It’s $20 retail at Scolari’s SLO and Ortman’s Paso Robles tasting room.
This article appears in Oct 14-21, 2010.