Happy Father’s Day!

As a newly minted member of the dad club, it behoves me to recommend a wine to gift those dads out there. You can break the bank, if desired. But if you want him to actually open it on the day without spiraling into guilt-ville: think solid but not over-extravagant, drinkable now, keep it under $100, and if grilling is in this weekend’s plans, think red.

Heck, think this:

Croad Vineyards, perched high in Paso Robles’ cooler West Side, has an amazing view:

Gorgeous!

The mission style complex made for a killer family member’s wedding a few years back:

The winery make many solid quality wines for reasonable prices. But I would suggest dad would love this:

Croad Vineyards, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles CA 2012 $42

APPEARANCE: A clear, medium intense ruby purple core with a shimmering ruby edge, and tinted red tears.

AROMAS: First, a heady black cherry liquor wafts over all aromas, candied orange peel folding into duskier notes of dried rose petals, dried mint leaf, and dried madagascar vanilla .

The PALATE leads off with round ripe fruit, but do not be fooled, this is a dry red, with medium acidity, medium round tannins, cozy sweater alcohol, a plump body, and a viscous lightly dusted texture.

FLAVORS recall black cherry but as syrup, with a light drizzle of molasses, candied orange, finishing with sea salt and that dried mint and floral component.

CONCLUSIONS: Croad’s 2012 Petite Sirah is ready to drink now, but has another five years in it.  It is very good quality (4 of 5) but since single variety Petite Sirah is rare, Croad’s is a treat.  It drinks big but easily without food.  However, it has stuffing to hold up to a range of grilled meats.  Yet the tannins are soft and ripe enough even for the spicy veggie stir fry I threw together.

So, this Dad’s Day, do something different.