Month: April 2021
2018 Lavender Ridge Roussanne – Great with Maguro Sushi & Thai Chicken
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyards tasting room is located in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. The Roussanne is powerful with floral aromatics, with hints of peaches, pears and with a rich and silky smooth mouthful texture, almost creamy. Roussanne on the eyes is a light golden straw color with medium to medium heavy viscosity. On the nose floral aromatics, hints of pear, apricots waft into the senses. On the palate, you are treated to a silky smooth mouthful texture. The finish provides a soft nutty almond, compounded with a hint of honey and distinct minerality.
This is a perfect wine for fish and shell fish. Lavender Ridge Vineyards Roussanne has made my Best Wines of the Year since 2019. This wine retails for $28.
To read more about Lavender Ridge, see a previous article:
Lunch yesterday was a wonderful treat with Maguro sushi and a glass of 2018 Lavender Ridge Roussanne.
Dinner last night was a Thai chicken dish with sweet and spicy chili sauce. Accompanied was long and wild grain rice mixed with Quinoa. A fresh green salad with toasted almonds was also provided.
Lavender Ridge Vineyards 2018 Roussanne is always displayed in the wine cellar as an exceptional wine. This wine is one of the least expensive wine on the display row in the cellar but is still one of my all-time favorites!
If you have never tasted Roussanne, you are missing a delightful experience in wine.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://lavenderridgevineyard.com/
Wine Bottles: What is the Punt?
That small indentation on the bottom of the wine bottle is called the punt. So why is it there? Prior to the Industrial Revolution, all wine bottles were handmade by glassblowers. It served two purposes, first being, it is believe the “extra weight” of the glass on the bottle, ensured that the bottle could stand upright. The second was that when the seam was pushed up, no sharp point of the glass remained on the bottom to keep it flat and not toppling.
Today, most bottles are made by machines and having a flat surface on the bottom is very simple to produce. Tradition is hard to change as the punt continues to be on many of the bottles.
Some other reasons the punt has been suggested are:
*People thought it added to the bottles structural function
*Some folks believe it collects the sediment as a wine ages
*For sparkling wines under pressure, it does allow for more equal distribution of pressure.
In this picture, the punts ranged in size from ¼ of an inch to almost 2 inches. The size of the punt doesn’t have any correspondence to the quality or the quantity of wine inside. In fact if you were comparing two 750ml wines bottles on the local shelf, one being flat and the other having a two inch punt, you might consider the larger bottle thinking you were getting more wine. The fact is 750ml is 750ml! That is just some slick marketing to entice you into picking that bottle! Typically with a deeper punt, wineries will use a heavier bottle. This again is just consumer marketing and actually has a couple of negative effects. One is in handling and shipping costs and the other from an environmental perspective.
One of the classical ways you might have seen the punt being used is by Sommeliers, using a one hand pour a place to hold the wine bottle. The staff can hold the wine bottle by securing the thumb in the punt and with strong fingers extended down the bottle, shows an “opulent style” when pouring Champagne or wine. When doing so be careful if the bottom of the punt is wet and does not possess etching or embossed marks it can surely slip from your grip.
Sláinte,
Michael
2019 Acre Wines Sauvignon Blanc – Refreshingly Crisp and Clean
The Winery
“One Acre, One Guy, One Wine” slogan is the quintessential meaning behind their wines and success. It started in 2002 with Dave Becker, who founded the One Acre label with just one acre of Cabernet Sauvignon planted at his family home in the Oak Knoll region of the Napa Valley. The success of One Acre led to the launch of Acre Wines, a portfolio of classic wines from sustainably farmed, family-owned estate vineyards in Napa Valley.
Industry veterans, Mike and Talley Henry purchased the winery in 2017. Together, with well-known consulting winemaker Richard Bruno, they continue to carry on the One Acre and Acre Wines legacy that Dave created nearly two decades ago. Today, the One Acre portfolio includes an Oak Knoll Cabernet sourced from Dave’s original one acre vineyard, and a Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on one acre with identical clones, varietal, spacing and row orientation as the Oak Knoll Cabernet to be able to understand and appreciate the differences of “terroir”. The highly acclaimed Acre portfolio includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc sourced from family-owned vineyards within the stellar AVA’s of Oakville, Yountville, Calistoga, and Stags Leap.
The Wine
On the eyes a unique pale yellow with a green hue (unfortunately hard to see in the photo). On the nose, soft aromas of apricot and citrus. On the palate, very little citrus flavors, and apple and minerality come shining through. The finish is clean and extremely crisp with a hint of grapefruit counterbalanced with mild pear and honeydew melon. The winery sells it for a surprisingly $23!
The Food and Wine Pairing
Paired with fried panko chicken breasts with Pico di Gallo salsa and topped off with cheddar cheese. Roasted Brussel sprouts with a homemade balsamic reduction glaze as a side, along with Spanish rice with diced tomatoes and chopped Jalapeno peppers. Not a “hot and spicy” dish, just a flavorful dinner. Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Riesling were all possible wine suggestions. Went with Sauvignon Blanc and was very pleased with the pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael
2020 Wood Family Vineyards Albariño – From Livermore, California
Background
The Wood Family Vineyards is introducing their second white wine — an Albariño! Rhonda Wood received a call from the Las Positas College in Livermore, which besides being a local junior college, has a program for winemaking and viticulturists. They had grown some Albariño grapes on their property and asked Rhonda if she would be interested in purchasing them. Rhonda agreed and went one step further in donating 10% of all Albariño sales back to the Viticulture and Winery Technology program at Las Positas College. A wonderful cooperative venture for both parties.
The Albariño Grape
Albariño is a well-known Spanish grape grown in Galicia in northwest Spain along the coast. It is also known as Alvarinho in Portugal. It was thought to have been introduced by the Romans in the 12th century. Key is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean or water ways reaching the ocean.
Typical Albariño grapes from the region have aromas of nectarine, lime with traces of honeysuckle and beeswax. The taste profile is mouth filling which is a heavier than an expected in a white wine. It is known as a seafood lovers wine to enhance any meal with fish.
Wood Family Vineyards Albariño
The first thing one notices is that this label is different than their traditional label. With the cooperative nature with Las Positas College, they used the college mascot, the Hawk, embossed on the label. The second think you thing about with this Albariño, it is not grown on the coast nor near any river leading to the coast as previously mentioned by its heritage in Spain. Livermore Valley (with its west to east geography) is located just over a gap in the East Bay Hills from the San Francisco Bay. The Bay gets the cool ocean breezes almost daily. So while not directly on the coast, the ocean and bay bodies have tremendous impact. Albariño is also grown in California on the San Luis Obispo coast and Lodi (climate from the north SF Bay and delta) both of which are similar with geography and climate of Albariño’s homeland.
Here is where this wine is both unique and has many amazing characteristics. First on the eyes this is a light yellow to golden straw coloring. In the glass possess the medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, a truly powerful aromatic freshness of flowers apricot, peach and honeysuckle. Stone fruit, salinity and minerality lurk in the background. On the palate, honeydew melon, extremely soft citrus of lemon and lime round out the profile. The finish is refined and clean beckoning yet another sip. They produced only 90 cases and it will be released on Tuesday, April 27th for $32 per bottle.
Food and Wine Pairing
Our Friday night informal “Wine & Dine” group visited Vine18 at Copper Valley for dinner. This wine was first paired with a tuna poke appetizer with diced tuna, avocado, ginger, radish, togarashi, chili oil, furikake, seaweed salad, ponzu and wasabi aioli and served with wonton crisps. This was an exceptional pairing with this Albariño.
The second appetizer paired with the wine was a shrimp tempura with sweet chili and ponzu dipping sauce. The shrimp without the dipping sauces paired exquisitely. With the dipping sauces it overpowered this fragrant and refined wine.
If you have never experienced tasting Albariño, this one is surely a great treat!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2017 Hawk and Horse Vineyards Petit Verdot – A Gem in Red Hills AVA, Lake County
The Winery
(Picture from San Francisco Chronicle)
The winery is located in the Red Hills sub-AVA of Clear Lake AVA. This is about an hour drive north of Calistoga, California. The vineyard sits at 2,200 feet in rocky red volcanic soil. To be both DEMETER Biodynamic and CCOF Organic is no small feat, but Hawk and Horse Vineyards has done both! The subject of both these accomplishments is a story unto itself and to be told at a later time. The winery is set on the historic El Roble Grande Ranch, a horse breeding facility, which was let go until it was acquired and worked by the new owners. Those new owners Mitch & Tracey Hawkins along with David Boies and Christopher Boies began carving out a portion of the 900 acre ranch to form an 18 acre vineyard. The vines were planted in 1999 and 2004 was their first vintage. With the red volcanic soil of the ranch, it won an International Gold Medal out of the chute! Today the tasting room was the former tack room where saddles and memorabilia from the past still grace the walls. Dr. Dick Peterson is consulting winemaker with Tracey Hawkins. Dr. Peterson has a long and distinguished career after receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry from the University of California. His background and career include E & J Gallo, Beaulieu Vineyard, The Monterey Vineyard, Screaming Eagle and Atlas Peak.
The Wine, 2017 Petit Verdot
This grape is anything but “petit” so do not be fooled by its name. Originally, coming from France, the thick skinned grape which ripens to purple when behaving, can be troublesome. Thus the name “Petit Verdot” meaning “little green”. Typical Petit Verdot grapes have traditionally been blended into Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenere. Specifically today, it has come into its own as a 100% varietal. Most Petit Verdot’s are a deep purple color in the glass, with dark fruits prominent.
The 2017 Hawk and Horse Petit Verdot from Lake County held some similar and unique characteristics. First on eyes, this is a deep royal purple color with a medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, liquid ripe plums and black cherries abound. On the palate, a rich fruit flavor of plums, dark cherries swirl about in the mouth. Secondary tastes of leather and mocha are sneaking about as “peek-a-boo” enhanced flavors. The finish is lively, bright and long lasting. The balance of tannins and acidity are in perfect harmony. The wine was aged in 100% French oak with 40% being new and only 90 cases were produced. The winery sells this for $65.
The Food and Wine Pairing
The wine was paired with sautéed smoked pork sausage prepared with orange, yellow and red bell peppers. Purple onions and spices were thrown in to make this a very tasty and a “little spicy” dish. Spanish rice with tomatoes accompanied the meal. It was a delightful meal and the wine very complimentary. An excellent wine with various foods or even drinking by itself.
Sláinte,
Michael
2013 Steven Kent Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Home Ranch
Steven Kent Mirassou set out to showcase Livermore Valley’s wonderful wines from the beginning of opening his winery, Steven Kent Winery. Steven has felt that the west to east orientation of the valley allows for even more natural fog layer to come into the valley especially during the hot summer months. Additionally there are so many different soil types present within the Livermore Valley and many other attributes.
To that end, one of his favorite Cabernet Sauvignon’s is the Home Ranch. The Home Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard is a 2.8 acre site planted on Tesla Road. It sits at 610 elevation and is planted on gravel riverbed measuring some 600 feet in depth. Originally planted in 1996, it has provided some of his best wines. Home Ranch wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pulled this wine last evening from the cellar. On the eyes, you notice the deep lush coloration with medium viscosity. On the nose, aromas of dark fruit, raspberries and earthiness arise to great you. Upon the first sip the wine provided hints of cocoa, expresso, blueberries, plum, dark meaty cherries with tinge of oak and soft vanilla pipe tobacco. The finish is classical Steven Kent with an elegance of velvety tannins and structure with no sharp edges providing a wonderful balance and long lasting presence. Just one of his fabulous wines along with his Premier, Single Vineyard Series, BDX Collection and Lineage Wines, all of which proudly reside in the cellar. He also has recently announced his L’Autre Côte Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc and you can read about it at:
It should be noted that Steven Mirassou has had the goal of making exquisite wines in Livermore for 20+ years. He believes Livermore wines can compete on the world stage of opulent wines. Last summer it culminated with his first 100 point wine awarded for his 2017 Lineage Bordeaux style blend by wine critic Steve Heimoff. Those that have known Steven Mirassou for decades could not have been happier for him and the winery. The good news is that he is looking for even more 100 point scores! (Read the full story at https://www.lineagewine.com/) . Also a previous story on Lineage can be found at:
Sláinte,
Michael
2018 Acre Merlot – A Heavy Weight Contender!
The Winery
“One Acre, One Guy, One Wine” slogan is the quintessential meaning behind their wines and success. It started in 2002 with Dave Becker, who founded the One Acre label with just one acre of Cabernet Sauvignon planted at his family home in the Oak Knoll region of the Napa Valley. The success of One Acre led to the launch of Acre Wines, a portfolio of classic wines from sustainably farmed, family-owned estate vineyards in Napa Valley.
Industry veterans, Mike and Talley Henry purchased the winery in 2017. Together, with well-known consulting winemaker Richard Bruno, they continue to carry on the One Acre and Acre Wines legacy that Dave created nearly two decades ago. Today, the One Acre portfolio includes an Oak Knoll Cabernet sourced from Dave’s original one acre vineyard, and a Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on one acre with identical clones, varietal, spacing and row orientation as the Oak Knoll Cabernet to be able to understand and appreciate the differences of “terroir”. The highly acclaimed Acre portfolio includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc sourced from family-owned vineyards within the stellar AVA’s of Oakville, Yountville, Calistoga, and Stags Leap.
The Wine
The 2018 Acre Merlot, Napa Valley, is one fierce wine and not a weak or wimpy Merlot. The color in the glass is your first clue this is a different Merlot. The color is dark purple and intriguing with a medium heavy viscosity on the eyes. On the nose, chocolate covered berries, strawberries and vanilla waft into the senses. On the palate, this is not your warm and cuddling drink that is relaxing and comforting to sip. You are awoken with the first sip to an explosive mouthful of Bing cherries, plums, rough and tough tannins with subtle earthy tones of bramble and minerality. No soft and warm Merlot. This is a Merlot for Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers! The finish has a textual feel and a complex layered structure continues to enhance the consumer. The words chewy and masculine come to mind in describing this beautiful wine. While having so much brawny characteristics, it still presents on the finish as elegant and charming. This is a Merlot to absolutely enjoy today or even lay down for a few years! 510 cases were produced and aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 16 months. The wine uses 100% Merlot grapes and comes from Stags Leap AVA. Current price is $38.
If you want a big bear hug of a Merlot this is your wine!!!
Sláinte,
Michael
2017 Hawk and Horse Vineyards – Block Three Cabernet Sauvignon
The Winery
From San Francisco Chronicle
The winery is located in the Red Hills sub-AVA of Clear Lake AVA. This is about an hour drive north of Calistoga, California. The vineyard sits at 2,200 feet in rocky red volcanic soil. To be both DEMETER Biodynamic and CCOF Organic is no small feat, but Hawk and Horse Vineyards has done both! The subject of both these accomplishments is a story unto itself and to be told at a later time. The winery is set on the historic El Roble Grande Ranch, a horse breeding facility, which was let go until it was acquired and worked by the new owners. Those new owners Mitch & Tracey Hawkins along with David Boies and Christopher Boies began carving out a portion of the 900 acre ranch to form an 18 acre vineyard. The vines were planted in 1999 and 2004 was their first vintage. With the red volcanic soil of the ranch, it won an International Gold Medal out of the chute! Today the tasting room was the former tack room where saddles and memorabilia from the past still grace the walls. Dr. Dick Peterson is consulting winemaker with Tracey Hawkins. Dr. Peterson has a long and distinguished career after receiving his Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry from the University of California. His background and career include E & J Gallo, Beaulieu Vineyard, The Monterey Vineyard, Screaming Eagle and Atlas Peak.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills Block Three
The Block Three Cabernet Sauvignon is very different than their regular Cabernet Sauvignon. This one is an extremely BIG, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL wine! On the eyes was a deep purple and red brick in color with a heavy viscosity. On the nose aromas waft into the olfactory senses of toasted oak counterbalanced with raspberries, blackberries and floral aromatics. On the palate, it opens up to a juicy fruit assortment of black cherry and a hint of vanilla pipe tobacco. This is what I call a “chewy Cabernet” or as a friend calls it a “fork & knife Cabernet”, chewing each mouth filling sip. This is definitely a BBQ’ed ribeye or beef filet Cabernet companion. The finish is long lasting and the tannins are ever present with a refined edginess exposing layer upon layer of wonder. This wine tasted like a solid 10 year aged Napa Valley Cabernet but was really only bottled recently! It is a new favorite for sure and may make my list of Best Wines of The Year (comes out in December). The wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels for 22 months and only 150 cases were produced. It is a limited special wine and you need to contact the winery.
The Food and Wine Pairing
A month or so ago, I reviewed their 2017 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a “tamer” Cabernet Sauvignon, I mistakenly assumed this would be similar. Had a meat ravioli dish with a homemade Bolognese sauce topped with Parmesan and Romano shredded cheeses. Figured this would be a perfect pairing. The Block Three with its beautiful aromas and flavors, this wine out shined the dish completely. I am purchasing a couple of bottles to have with a BBQ’ed steak immediately!
Sláinte,
Michael
L’Autre Côte Cabernet Franc a Tale of Two Vineyards –Ghielmetti and Sachau Vineyards
It is not often that one sets out to turn the world upside down, but that is exactly what Steven Kent Mirassou is attempting with his newest label call L’Autre Côte meaning the “other coast”. The goal is to make world acclaimed Cabernet Franc wines from two of Livermore’s well known vineyards.
So Why Livermore?
Livermore has always had a rich and historical influence for wine making in California. Today, Steven believes, with the climate changes, that Napa and Sonoma will become less suitable for the production of several of the Bordeaux varieties. Key for the weather is the wind that comes off the ocean thru the bay and over the low Hayward hills being pulled in from the rising heat of the Central Valley. This occurs almost daily. The wind continues to build up earlier each subsequent year. This climatic change will allow Livermore to “own” the Cabernet Franc market as other others will continue to become too warm to sustain and produce a higher quality grape.
L’Autre Côte Wines
Thus L’Autre Côte was born! Steven is introducing his inaugural release of L’Autre Côte. Anyone who has followed Steven Kent Winery or Lineage Wines, has heard Steven sing the praises of Cabernet Franc for years. With this new label, Steven in his own words is now able to highlight “the virtuosity of Cabernet Franc, and its wide range of complexity and deliciousness across a few carefully-chosen vineyards”.
The first release is actual a two bottle set: one from Ghielmetti Vineyard and one from Sachau Vineyard. Both are exceptional and showcase the “terroir” differently from each other.
The Wines
Ghielmetti Vineyard has been a mainstay in Steven Kent’s arsenal since harvesting fruit for Cabernet Franc in 2005. There is a lone block of 3.7 acres planted to Cabernet Franc Bordeaux Clone 332. The wine has a bit brighter reddish/purple than Sachau Vineyard with more fruit forward flavors. It possess smooth clean round tannins with raspberry and blackberry fruits. The pyrazines are subdued which allows a light, “tinge of sweetness”. Chocolate, jasmine tea and minerality are lingering in the shadows of this wine in each sip. The finish is mid lasting and provides a silky landing.
Sachau Vineyard is a six acre site and is planted in UCD clone 5 as opposed to Ghielmetti Vineyard which is planted in clone 332. This vineyard is located about 600 foot elevation and is on well-draining loamy soils. A much darker wine than the Ghielmetti version. This wine initially out of the bottle seems “hot” (high in alcohol percentage and not integrated) and with sharp edges of tannins. However once left open to breathe, a whole new characterization took place. Everything seemed to gel with the tannins settling into place with definition but without angular barbs, but smooth and delicious. Raspberry was the overall predominant aroma and taste with this wine with black fruits following. Many of us felt this was better suited to go with food. A suggestion with this wine in particular is let it decant 1 hour before tasting. The pyrazines were savory but not heavy handed. A very rich and desirable Cabernet Franc to be enjoyed. Turned out this was the “crowd pleaser” over the Ghielmetti Vineyard version by a “nose”.
The tale of two vineyards was tasted with two other couples, all of whom belong to the local Wine Society and one is a Professional Judge (and winemaker). These two wines, albeit not an everyday Cabernet Franc, are surely worthy of your cellar and enjoyment.
Sláinte,
Michael
2017 Darcie Kent Vineyards Cabernet Franc – Silver and Bronze Medal Winner
At the National Cabernet Franc Wine Competition held December 2nd, 2020, Darcie Kent Vineyards earned a Silver Medal Award by the Professional Judges and the People’s Choice Judges awarded a Bronze Medal for the2017 Cabernet Franc. This was Darcie Kent Vineyards second year entering the wine competition. You can read more about the event at:
The Winery
The history of Darcie Kent Vineyards, starts with her great-great-Grandfather who emigrated from Switzerland in 1875. His son, Christian Ruegsegger, her great-Grandfather started the Alpine Winery in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1883. Christian hand painted his labels for the wines. It closed down in 1945. Darcie Kent is now the fifth generation vintner and artist whose creative artwork adorns every bottle. In 2013 Darcie Kent acquired the property known formerly as Cedar Mountain Winery at 7000 Tesla Road in Livermore California. They have worked the 40 acre property and continue to renovate and improve the winery.
Julian Halasz is the experienced winemaker who makes artisan and handcrafted wines. The winery is also part of the Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Association (CSWA) promoting sustainable wine growing practices for the vineyards.
Their wines include Gold Medal Winner from the 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition the 2019 Pistachio Lane Chardonnay and the Double Gold 2018 Fire Pit Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition they produce Grüner Vetliner, Rose, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Port and various other Cabernet Sauvignon’s and Chardonnay’s. Today they are authorized to ship to half the states. Darcie’s artwork adorns each bottle and they are breathe taking. Some of the original pictures are available for sale.
The Wine
The 2017 Cabernet Franc, besides the stunning label, recently took Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. On the eyes this is a deep purple color with red highlights and medium viscosity. On the nose, blackberry, raspberry waft beckoning one to partake in a sip. Once on the palate, briarwood, vanilla pipe tobacco mix with fruits of cherry and black fruits. The finish is smooth and soft with the tannins kept in check and just a hint of pyrazine flavor. This Cabernet Franc is an enjoyable wine by itself or with food. It is 100% Cabernet Franc grapes using 75% new French oak tight grain barrels. Julian mentioned this as having a “low impact” on the wine and is aged 21 months. 90 cases of Cabernet Franc were produced from their 1 ½ acres vineyard of these grapes. The wine sells for $50.
The Food and Wine Pairing
A seared ribeye BBQ’ed steak served medium rare, with Yukon Gold potatoes and a fresh garden salad prepared with toasted almonds and chunky blue cheese dressing made an excellent combination. The wine and steak were simpatico and extremely enjoyable.
The experience with Darcie Kent Vineyards has encouraged me to check out her Pistachio Chardonnay and Rava Blackjack Pinot Noir as soon as I can get back to Livermore!
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 