2013 YoungInglewood Right Bank Blend – A Birthday Treat!
Photo from YoungInglewood Website
The Winery
This small winery is best-known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and “Bordeaux blends”, as they are situated on historic vineyard land in St. Helena, California. However, they’ve got a passion for several white wines like Chardonnay, Vin Clair and a rare Aligoté that is oak aged. One of the most enjoyable aspects of visiting YoungInglewood Winery is not just the tasting of exquisite wines, but partaking in intelligent, purposed and thoughtful discussion of wine.
To begin with, the owners Jim and Jacky Young met while in college and shared a passion/drive with wine. Jim and Jacky bought a historic piece of land in southern St Helena and have today all five Bordeaux varietals planted. It is truly a family winery with Jim handling the operations and Jacky and son Scott, being the co-winemakers on property. Their daughter, Mary helps in the operations as well as providing an occasional flute recital.
Their time spent in Europe cultivated a real sense of old-world wines and that is exactly how they construct both their red and white wines. They like to describe themselves as presenting “old world non-interventionist” winemaking techniques. It surely shows in their incredible wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I seldom talk about wine labels but theirs is the exception. This label is one of the simplest yet says so much about their wine with the balancing of the tightrope walker. This is a paradigm for balance in the fruit, tannins, acidity and color. A little too much of any one item, and a misstep happens. Even deeper is their aspiring sense of balance in life, starting in the vineyards with organic and sustainable practices.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
You can read previous stories:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/16/younginglewood/
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/04/06/younginglewood-2014-malbec-and-portuguese-sausage/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this bottle out of the cellar the other night to enjoy watching a movie on my birthday. While the movie was entertaining (Made in Italy on Amazon), the wine shined from the ten years wait! The wine is from their estate fruit. Barreling was 100% French oak with 40% being new barrels and aged 21 months. The blend used 86% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and only 136 cases produced. It came in at 14.5% alcohol level. Each year the percentage mix and grapes are varied based on the winemaker and what nature provides.
On the eyes an alluring and dark concoction with red and purple highlights with medium to medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromatics of raspberries and dark fruits. On the palate, this is one of the quintessential Cabernet Franc’s with hints of blackberries, strawberries and only a faint trace of pyrazines. The finish provided silky and rounded tannins, a soft earthiness. Truly a remarkable and elegant Cabernet Franc. The current vintage is 2022 and it retails for $130/bottle.
No food and wine pairing as we were still recovering from a large lunch compliments of my sister!
This wine will make my list for Best Wines Tasted in 2026 for sure. Treat yourself to a visit to YoungInglewood Winery as each wine is purposed and handcrafted. It was indeed a beautiful birthday treat!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2017 Vivác Winery Cabernet Franc – Concentrated Goodness at 5,600 ft Elevation!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Photo from Vivác Winery Facebook page
Vivác winery sits at roughly 6,000 feet elevation in a valley in New Mexico. Similar to high altitude Malbec wines from the upper Calchaquí Valley (up to 10,000 feet elevations), the intensity of the flavors were equally matched. In fact the winery name Vivác (pronounced vee-vok) is a mountaineering term meaning high altitude refuge, related to an ancient Spanish word bivouac.
High elevation vineyards tend to receive more direct and concentrated sunlight. For example, for every 1,000 feet gain in elevation, the level of UV rays increase by 10-12%. This forces the fruit to develop thicker skin, leading to greater color concentration and sharp and edgy tannins.
The Winery
Photo from Vivác Winery Facebook page
The Vivác Winery is truly a family affair. Today it consists of Chris Padberg (co-winemaker, Jesse Padberg (co-winemaker), Liliana Padberg (co-business management team) and Michele Padberg (co-business management team). The truly unique fact of this winery is not only they are co-owners, but each has their Sommelier certifications from various institutions. They know quality wine! The winery is 45 miles north of Santa Fe and roughly 25 miles south of Taos.
Just a few of their many awards are:
*2023 Los Angeles International Wine Competition for their Tempranillo
*2023 at the Texas International Wine Competition won Platinum for their Sangiovese
*2022 they won Gold at the Mondial des Vins Extremes for their Merlot and Syrah
*2021 they won Gold at Berliner Wein Trophy Competition for their Montepulciano
*And many more awards for Chardonnay and various Rosé wines from France, Germany and Italy.
Today they are producing various red wines including Sangiovese, Syrah, Barbera, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Refosco, Nebbiolo, Arandel and a red blend. For the whites, they produce Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling and a white blend. Additionally they also offer several blush wines and even a port.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
It was with great anticipation that I opened this Cabernet Franc from New Mexico and with altitude. The Abbott Vineyard is a short distance from the winery and sits at 5,800 feet elevation. The vineyard is approximately 40 years old. The collective terroir is experienced in each sip of this wine.
First on the eyes this wine is cavernously dark in color and medium heavy viscosity. Once poured into the glass, the aromas unmistakably showed it’s “cab franc-ness” pedigree, shouting out to the olfactory senses enticing one to savor its pedigree. On the nose sweet red raspberry was dominate with intense violets. On the palate, “high altitude” intensity was evident on the first sip with gravely rocks and earthy dustiness. After letting it open up for a good 30-40 minutes, brought forth fruit of raspberry and red cherry. Secondary flavors of clove, cinnamon, oak. At the finish a combination of both silky and edgy tannins coated the mouth. Soft and inviting oak also concluded the experience. Definitely a “food wine” unless you want a chewy Cabernet Franc!
The winery current vintage is 2023 and sells for $32/bottle and is comprised of 75% Abbott Cabernet Franc, 10% Syrah,, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Sangiovese. It is aged 14 months in French oak and 98 cases were produced.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2023 Trimbach Pinot Blanc – Perfectly Matched Dinner With It’s Zesty Acidity
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
With temperatures hitting triple digits this week, white wine was high on the priority list. Grabbed a bottle of 2023 Trimbach Pinot Blanc to go with a cool non-cooked dinner (more below).
History of Pinot Blanc
What is Pinot Blanc? The history of this grape is a bit tangled with mystery and misunderstanding. This white wine grape is essentially a mutation but sharing mostly the same DNA with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc has wide ranging descriptors: high in acidity, low in acidity, mix of fresh fruits, aromas (apple, citrus), pear, a little buttery, a bit creamy, hint of spiciness, dry, floral characteristics, honey, sweet, possessing stone fruit aromas, heavier minerality, cabbage odor, etc.
Map from Wikimedia Commons
Alsace fronts the Rhine River in eastern France and borders the countries of Germany and Switzerland.
Where is it grown? The main areas for this variety are Alsace (northeast France), the Alto Adige region in Italy and neighboring areas of Alsace in Germany & Austria. Pinot Blanc is also taking hold in Canada’s Okanagan Valley as one of their signature wines. Other areas include Hungary, Croatia, Spain, Washington, California and Oregon. In France it is permissible to blend this varietal with other grapes in some quantities.
What other names does this grape go by? Warning: the list is a minefield for possible mispronunciations: Austria (Weissburgunder or Klevner), Hungary (Feher Burgundi); Spain & Italy (Pinot Bianco), Czech Republic (Rulandske Bile), Slovakia (Rulandske Biele) and Argentina. In the Champagne region, Pinot Blanc is often called Blanc Vrai. In the United States, besides Pinot Blanc, it is often referred to as a white ABC (anything but Chardonnay) or a stepchild to Chardonnay. The truth of this varietal is very different!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The number of acres planted of Pinot Blanc are estimated around 877 acres statewide in California. Upon previously tasting various Pinot Blanc’s, I was more than impressed with the aromas, flavors, textures and tastes of this varietal. What stood out was this wine was significantly different from France to California. Admittedly, I have not tasted this varietal in all the previous countries mentioned earlier. In France Pinot Blanc can add Auxerrois (from the town in Chablis region) but still labeled as Pinot Blanc. Auxerrois often has a “green vegetable quality” to it. When I first tasted it, I was so “un-impressed” by the taste. Turns out that it often has a cabbage tinge. What are the differences between California and French Pinot Blanc? Apart from “terroir”, as mentioned the French often blend in Auxerrois and it has a distinct “green vegetable” on the palate. The Trimbach Pinot Blanc did not have this “cabbage tinge” and was a delicious wine.
The Winery
Photo from Trimbach Facebook page
Trimbach history goes back 13 generations to 1626 which is amazing. Besides their Pinot Blanc, they also produce Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner and Muscat. They have a wide variety of offerings in each category in their portfolio consisting of Classic, Reserve, Reserve Personnelle, Grand Crus, Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains. So much history is explained on their website as it cannot be condensed in a paragraph or two.
In 2025 Maison Trimbach was selected “Brand of the Year” by the French magazine “La Revue du Vin de France”. A very prestigious honor for the winery.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine was a delightful surprise from the prestigious winery Trimbach since 1626. First on the eyes, a light golden color with aromas of green apple with a skosh of soft citrus. On the palate while “light in color” it packed a remarkably crisp, zesty and refreshing punch. Typically, this wine with its high acidity is perfectly matched with shellfish, fried calamari and also buttery sauces (see below on food pairing). A great alternative from your everyday Chardonnay. This wine had no “cabbage” or green vegetable influence just caressing floral notes and aromas.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a Bay Shrimp salad with homemade Louie dressing. The dressing consisted of mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped chives, chopped Italian parsley, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, capers, horseradish, sweet pickle relish, black pepper and Tabasco sauce. Accompanied with sliced hard-boiled eggs, a few large prawns and halved grape tomatoes.
Having the Alsatian style Pinot Blanc provided a bright, neutral and clean taste that cleansed the palate with every bite, especially with the rich dressing. An excellent food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2014 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Always a Brouhaha
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Those familiar with Detert Family Vineyards know that Detert is an established winery. W.F. Detert came to the US in 1866. He operated a gold mine in Jackson, sold it and in 1912 he owned 22,000 acres in Guenoc Ranch in Lake County as well as other ranches/gold mines in Amador Placer and El Dorado Counties. W.F. died in 1929 and it was managed by his son Richard Detert who died in 1951. Tom Garrett, one of the current owners, great-grandmother, Hedwig Detert, sold the Guenoc Ranch and purchased 50 acres of the To Kalon Vineyard from Martin Stelling estate in Oakville in 1954. That is when the Detert Vineyard was named. Today it is known as one of the most prestigious vineyards in all of Napa Valley. In 1966 Detert Vineyards started selling their grapes to Robert Mondavi. For many years Robert used Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc for blending. Today the owners of Detert are all great grandsons of Hedwig Detert: Tom Garrett, John Garrett and Bill Cover. Their first commercial wines were Cabernet Franc (2000) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2002).
The Winemaker
Tom Garrett is the winemaker for the Detert Family Vineyards. Tom started in 1999 at Turley Wine Cellars and then over the next 15 years worked at various wineries. The list shows some exceptional wineries such as Joseph Phelps, Robert Mondavi and Revana Family Vineyards. Tom focused his time with Detert and his other winery Dakota Shy. Tom is well known and perhaps one of the most congenial and pleasant people in Napa Valley. Over the fifteen years I have known Tom he is always flexible and available to assist, even dropping off wine at another winery for me on more than one occasion to pick up!
The Wine
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Enjoyed this wine from the cellar last week being their 2014 Cabernet Franc. The extremely dark and lush color and medium-heavy viscosity entice one to sip and taste. On the nose black cherries engulfed the olfactory senses. On the palate, soft vanilla pipe tobacco, black pepper contrast with chocolate flavors. The finish was long and extremely enjoyable. This is a quality Cabernet Franc and something special to participate in drinking. Even being 12 years old, (8 years in the cellar), it was bright with fruit, well-structured with tannins and layers of enjoyment. The current allocated release of their 300 cases is the 2023 Cabernet Franc which sells for $125.
The 2014 Cabernet Franc will make my “Best Wines of The Year List” being tasted for 2026. I know this trend will continue.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Two Excellent Wines Enjoyed in June From Dracaena Wines and Absolution Cellars
Background
Having enjoyed various wines in June, I did not have enough time to fully present a story on many wines. However, these two wines stood out as worthy of attention. While not doing a lengthy review, I have previously noted the high quality of wines produced by Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles.
Dracaena Wines
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Each year this Bordeaux style blend changes with the mix percentages. For the 2021 Cinnabari, it is comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. All three combine dark and luscious fruit with a complex structure and finish. The tannins, which are present, are kept in check with the softening touch of Merlot. One of my favorite Bordeaux style wines. Their convenient and friendly tasting room is located at 1244 Pine Street in downtown Paso Robles. Their current vintage, 2023 goes for $48/bottle.
Absolution Cellars
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Dirk Neumann, owner and winemaker, makes this wine and the 2021 provides the softer side of Cabernet Franc, with just a hint of pyrazines flavor. Dark cherry is abundant on the first sip and enjoyable with or without food. Absolution cellars prides itself on limited artisan wine with over 20 varieties in production. The tasting room is at the Waterside Tasting Lounge on the embarcadero in Morro Bay. The current vintage is 2023 and goes for $65/bottle.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2024 Starfield Vineyards “Hope Rising” a White Wine Blend Alternative to Chardonnay
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background on Marsanne & Roussanne Grapes
This has long been one of my favorite white wine blends. When given a chance to review this wine, I was excited to taste it. Marsanne originated in the northern Rhône Valley of France, likely named after the village of Marsanne. Thomas Jefferson called it “the first wine in the world” when blended with Roussanne.
Roussanne came also from the Rhône Valley of France, likely between Lyon and Valence, and was first documented in 1781. Roussanne besides being blended with Marsanne, is one of the six white grapes allowed to be used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Roussanne was reintroduced to California in the 1980’s after many early plantings were lost to phylloxera and Prohibition period.
In the final 2025 Grape Crush Report for California by the USDA, it shows 37% of the white wine grapes crushed being Chardonnay. Roussanne represented only .0004% of the total tonnage crushed and Marsanne being at .0002%. The actual tonnage for Roussanne and Marsanne were 587 and 315 tons respectively. This was a dramatic shift for Marsanne being reduced from 2024 to 1234 tons down to 315 or 75% decrease. Whereas Roussanne decreased about 6% on par with overall white wine grapes being reduced by 5% year to year by tonnage.
One other note while sharing this wine with two others (daughter & a good friend from Colorado), was that neither recognized Marsanne and Roussanne as grape varietals which prompted a story on alternative white wines for summer. They both enjoyed this wine and its distinct aromatics and taste.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine being a blend highlighted the key characteristics of both wines. The classic blend has a complex flavor with stone fruit (peach & apricot), floral hints and a spicy nutty quality. They are generally dry and have a full-bodied texture, often referred to as having a waxy trait. The blend is 45% Marsanne, 45% Roussanne and with 10% being Viognier. Viognier in small doses is added to enhance the aromatics (floral characteristics) and provides a richer, silkier texture and full body to the blend.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine presented on the eyes a light straw coloring which was just one of two surprises this evening for this wine. Visually seeing this pale coloring and then being “blow away” with the perfume or aromatics of honeysuckle was a nice surprise. The second surprise was on the viscosity of the wine being medium whereas many wines of similar blends were more on the medium-heavy side. Once on the palate the stone fruits specifically peach, tangerine and honeydew provided a large mouth filling and heavier weighted sipping experience. The finish was bright, soft and embracing with smoothness and gentle with a faint hint of the “waxy characteristic”. The other note on the finish was the “Sierra Spice” which Starfield Vineyards describes as being its sense of place amongst the trees on the property of “Ponderosa Pine, Cedar, Douglas Fir and combined with the mountain air of resin, bark and needles” from the trees. They had sent me a test tube to inhale the aromatics which are remarkable.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Hope Rising is named after a gold mine near the Starfield Vineyards. This is their new label capturing the Sierra Spice with the trees and the beauty of the night sky from the vineyard. The wine is $36/bottle and comes in at 13.4% alcohol with only 181 cases being produced.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with chicken & spinach skillet pasta with lemon and Parmesan. A nice summer meal consisting of whole wheat pasta, olive oil, salt, ground pepper, minced garlic, white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, unsalted butter, grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh spinach.
The wine worked wonderfully with its bright and savory flavors and the light meal. The meal only enhanced the flavory nuances of the wine.
A very good food and wine pairing.
The Winery
Photo from Starfield Vineyards
The winery was founded in 2012 by Tom and Rob Sinton with plantings of 31 acres on the hillsides east of Placerville, California in El Dorado County. They are located at 2759 Jacquier Road.
Map courtesy of https://uscountymaps.com/el-dorado-county-map-california/
The names of the wines, especially their new labels starting with the 2023 vintages, highlight the history of the region from the Gold Rush with wine names as Miner’s Inch and Rising Hope. These two are for a nearby mine.
The winery produces 17 varieties of wines comprising of mostly Rhone varieties (66%) and Italian (30%) and a few Spanish varieties. The vineyards have been farmed using sustainable and fish-friendly farming since their inception.
Photo from Starfield Vineyards
The wineries name Starfield refers to “Star Fields”, sites where in their words “fruit develops the optimal balance of aroma, flavor and texture”. They also consider what they refer to as Sierra Spice, the aroma and taste characteristics that come from the western facing forests surrounding the vineyards. The local trees are Ponderosa Pines, Cedars and Douglas Firs and their oils provide earthy and woodsy forest aromatics from their oils.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Summertime Alternative White Wines (with food pairings) – Step Out and Explore
pictue from Acquiesce Winery
One of my favorite anonymous quotes is “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you”.
With summer in full swing, many are reaching for cool and refreshing white wines. Besides the standard three most common white wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, many other interesting white wines are available. While those three white wines are the “workhorse” for light white wines, many others exist with unique and flavorful profiles.
Here are just twelve varieties you may want to check out for summer. Please let me know how many you have enjoyed and your favorite winery for each. Listed below are the varietal name, the winery and a link to one of my previous articles.
Albariño – Cellar13 Winery – Livermore Valley
Assyrtiko – New Clairvaux Vineyard, Vina (northern California)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/04/05/2022-new-clairvaux-vineyard-assyrtiko-unique-winery-with-a-historic-background/ with tuna crudo
Blanc de Franc – LXV Wines, Paso Robles
Bourboulenc – Acquiesce Winery, Acampo (north of Lodi)
Grüner-Veltliner – Austria
Picpoul Blanc – Acquiesce Winery, Acampo (north of Lodi)
Pinot Blanc – Alsace in eastern France
Pinot Blanc – Girasole Vineyards in Mendocino County
Riesling (dry) – Smith-Madrone, Napa Valley (Spring Mtn)
Roussanne – Lavender Ridge, Murphys (Sierra foothills)
Roussanne/Marsanne Blend – Starfield Vineyards, Placerville in Sierra Foothills
Sauvignon Blanc (Barrel Aged) – Wood Family Vineyards, Livermore Valley
White Blend – Stolpman – Los Olivos, California (inland and north of Santa Barbara)
If you don’t feel that adventuresome, here are a few favorite standard white wines with suggested dishes:
Chardonnay – Wood Family (Livermore), Iron Hub (Amador), Peter Michael (Alexander Valley)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/06/24/a-wonderful-birthday-dinner/
Sauvignon Blanc – Cuda Ridge Wines (Livermore Valley), Hindsight (Calistoga) & Trident Winery (Yountville)
Viognier – Sobon, Amador
Enjoy your summer adventure with some new wines!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Mountain Terraces Vineyard – 2010 Lex’s Cabernet Sauvignon – A Crowning Achievement
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background Info
Photo from Sonoma County Tourism
The wine comes from one of the smaller districts in Sonoma County AVA, Moon Mountain. Here is a map showing the area which has elevations from 200 feet to 2200 feet. From this vineyard you can see San Francisco some 50 miles away! The name intrigued me from my first introduction and here is Steve Ledson’s explanation “The inspiration for this wine is deeply rooted in love and friendship. Named after my father’s best friend, Lex, this Cabernet honors a bond that lasted a lifetime. Their friendship blossomed in high school and deepened during World War II when they served together in England. Lex, a tail gunner on B-29s, and my father, the lead mechanic, shared a connection that transcended the perils of war”. This wine is named and noted for an enduring friendship.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I had the privilege of being invited in March 2015 to visit this private working estate. Today the hillsides are flourishing with vineyards. The views from this facility are as unique as the terroir.
Photo Ledson Winery
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes this is a deep cavernous dark coloring with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, dark fruits waft into the senses. Once in the mouth, dark cherry and bright red cherries burst forth in greeting the imbiber. Secondly, blueberries and vanilla provide an easy and smooth drinking wine. Finally, minerality is noted along with soft rounded refined tannins at the conclusion.
The current vintage is 2021 which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 130 cases were produced, and alcohol level is 15.5%. The wine spent 30 months in 50% new French oak and retails for $120/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine was chosen for tonight’s meal of seasoned and prime BBQ’ed filet mignon steak. The meat was seasoned with mesquite seasoning, Kinder’s wood fired garlic powder, black pepper and Flatiron BBQ Rub. The Rub contains the following ingredients: chipotle, ancho, smoked ghost and habanero peppers along with thyme, toasted onion, roasted garlic and paprika. Served medium rare with a butter, French Blue cheese and chive compote, sauteed seasoned gnocchi topped with Parmesan cheese and a fresh garden salad with Roquefort dressing.
An excellent wine and food pairing with both benefiting immensely in a symbiotic dynamic.
The Winery
Photo from Ledson Winery Website
The Ledson story begins in England in 1896 and is detailed on the website https://ledson.com/discover-ledson/history/ . It is a tale of hard work, family ties and a desire to do more for the community. Steve Ledson’s history is both unique and common—unique with background and successful venture and common with family ties. His demeanor and casual manner speak volumes.
The Castle is the official tasting room of Ledson Winery, and the architecture and construction alone are worth the visit! Ledson Winery offers the largest premium wine portfolio of any family-owned winery in the United States. Today they offer more than 70 wines annually! More information on Ledson Winery can be found at:
Steve Ledson refers to his Mountain Terraces project as “Elevated Vineyards, Transcendent Wines”. This vineyard located on the mountain top is on rocky and volcanic soils, producing low-yielding Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. The property is at 2,000 feet elevation on the western slopes of the Mayacamas.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
FYI, The 2021 Ledson Cabernet Franc, Moon Mountain District, won the 2025 International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition Best of Category ($86- $105) by the People’s Choice Judges and Double Gold medals. They also won Double Gold Medals from the Professional Judges. A rare feat! He continues to win awards every year with his current vintages from his Moon Mountain Estate.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2024 Wood Family Vineyards “Para Mas Amigas” Chardonnay
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is simply no simple explanation on how Rhonda Wood makes consistently great Chardonnay wine except that she is a perfectionist! She has for seven to eight years made Chardonnay wines that have been one of my favorites and annually makes the yearly listing of Best Wines Tasted in the year. It is once again for her 2024 vintage for the Best Wines Tasted in 2026.
This wine comes from two different vineyards in Livermore, one on the valley floor and the other in the hills. The wine is barrel fermented in 100% French oak barrels with 35% new for 10 months. The stirring of the lees was every two weeks.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First in the glass a slightly darker golden color that shimmers in daylight with brightness. A heavier than usual Chardonnay. On the nose a cornucopia of fruits rise to meet the imbiber with green apples and pears being dominant. Once on the palate the fruits of green apple and ripe pear swirl about merrily in the mouth. Additionally stone fruits of apricot and peach provide a secondary flavor and slightly shy quality, but welcoming. On the finish a brioche quality of “heaviness” provides a beautiful conclusion to each sip. Less sweet than the previous vintage with more fruits allowed to come into play.
This release for 2024 Chardonnay is targeted for mid-August. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol and list price is $36/bottle.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a silver salmon caught in Alaska on the Kenai River. It was vacuum sealed and frozen and transported to Phoenix. I was given a beautiful filet by Mike & Jenn Cole. This was one of the most delicious pieces of salmon I have eaten.
Photo from Wikipedia of Kenai River
Prepared on the stove top in a blackened rub consisting of coriander, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and cayenne pepper. It was cooked in olive oil, white wine and lemon juice. Served with diced mangos and pineapple. Accompanied by small red potatoes baked with herbs and a fresh garden salad with French Blue cheese and bacon.
The wine with its fruit and smoothness paired calmed down the spicy blackened salmon was a winning combination! A great food and wine pairing.
The Winery
Photo from Wood Family website
Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more on Rhonda’s background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2
Recently at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (largest in North America), Wood Family Vineyards won the following awards, and not all are listed:
2019 Cabernet Franc – Double Gold
2021 Malbec – Double Gold
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Clone 30” – Double Gold
2021 El Loco Rojo Red Blend – Double Gold
2021 The Captain Red Blend – Double Gold
The list of awards is extensive featuring all their wines on their website.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon – Keep Your Eye on This One!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Opened this bottle last evening to enjoy a delightful meal. Was expecting a top-notch wine as I had previously tasted their 2021 vintage. What transpired was a wine that exceeded my already high expectations. 2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon was fragrant, fruit forward and soft going into the palate, yet once there, burst forth with intense dark fruit flavors and brute strength with perfectly enjoyable tannins – a joyous surprise.
The Winery
Photo from vineyards looking east with Napa Valley below and Howell Mtn across the valley. Photo ©Michael Kelly
Smith-Madrone Vineyards is located on 200 acres on top of Spring Mountain west of St. Helena with 38 acres planted in vineyards. The vineyard elevation ranges from 1,300 to 2,000 feet.
Stuart on the left and Charles on the right Photo ©Michael Kelly
The founder, managing partner and enologist is Stuart Smith, Charles Smith is the winemaker, and the associate winemaker is François Bugué. Truly a family affair! All the wines are estate and dry-farmed on top of the mountain. Currently their production is approximately 6,000 cases a year. They produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and their iconic Cooks Flat (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc).
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For detailed information on the winery and unique trellis system, you can read the story from a previous visit at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/08/14/smith-madrone-vineyards-paradise-found/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is their second Cabernet Sauvignon vintage since the Glass Fire in 2020 during which they produced no Cabernet Sauvignon. A story truly reminiscent of The Phoenix!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a deep penetrating purple and crimson coloring. In the glass, medium heavy viscosity. Then on the nose fresh red cherries burst in the olfactory senses with a violet scent. Once on the palate, luscious and impactful red and black berries filled the mouth with a bold and brawny yet caressing flavor with a secondary note of blueberries and light vanilla pipe tobacco. At the finish a strong bold tannin showed the pedigree of this vineyard with their angularness and robustness. The minerality was also noted. This is why I believe this youthful wine will appreciate and improve with aging over the next 12-15 years. The complexity of this wine is astonishing with flavor and character.
The wine consists of 81.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18.5% of their award-winning Cabernet Franc. The wine is grown on their hillside estate being non-tilled and sustainably farmed. The wine was aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. The wine came in at 14.2% alcohol with only 1518 cases being produced and priced at $70/bottle, a remarkable bargain for this quality.
This wine just made my annual list Best Wines Tasted for 2026. Only 2-3% of the 1800 wines tasted during the year make the list which comes out in December each year. My suggestion is to garner 4 or more bottles and have one now and every 2-3 years open another, if you can wait that long!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a specially ordered, over a pound filet mignon steak, that was split with my wife. It was BBQ’ed and then seared at 1500 degrees and served medium rare. Served with a French Blu Cheese, butter and chive compote. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and large artichoke. A delicious meal and the wine could have easily gone with a marbled ribeye steak also.
Here is where the Smith-Madrone shined with its fruit forwardness making it a wonderful flavor to the BBQ steak with strength and boldness enough with tannins to “cut through” the meat to making it a delightful meal.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly