Month: June 2022
2016 Domus Aurea Cabernet Sauvignon – A Treasured Find
One of my “non-California wine” stories for the month. However, this was too delicious a wine not to write about! Domus Aurea (“House of Gold”) is a single-vineyard wine made from old vines in the renowned Clos Quebrada de Macul Vineyard. It overlooks Chile’s oldest wine-producing region. Not dissimilar from Napa Valley or Russian River in California allowing the cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean to come up the river or San Francisco Bay. The area is known for their full bodied red wines with strong flavors of black cherry and bold tannins.
The Wine: 2016 Viña Quebrada de Macul “Domus Aurea” Cabernet Sauvignon
This was a new wine for me, but from a very well-known region of Chile that I have enjoyed over time. 2016 Domus Aurea, one of the most classical among the Cabernets from Maipo, contains 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. For production 53% new French oak barrels and aged for 16 to 18 months.
First on the eyes a radiant purple in the glass and medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, a blast of dark cherries, combined with oak and tannins awakes you instantaneously! But once opened and swirled for a while, you get the “real character” of this wine. Fresh cherries and hidden chocolate present themselves with freshness and balance. Something else was on the nose and a mystery until the second glass – a soft eucalyptus note that was truly enticing. On the palate, the purple and black fruits danced in merriment and were only calmed down with the earthiness of the region. The finish was like having a heavy Cabernet Sauvignon aged in oak from Napa. This was a “he-man Cabernet Sauvignon” and not for the faint-hearted red wine drinker. Right up my alley. It is unfiltered and the tannins were very present with just the right amount of angular enjoyment. Wine maker Jean-Pascal Lacaze produced one of the better wines coming out of this region. Robert Parker even rated it 97 points! Pricing is a bit scattered ranging from $55 to $87 from the well-known wine merchants.
Perhaps the best drinking Cabernet Sauvignon wines I have experienced from Chile.
Sláinte,
Michael
2018 Kautz & Kramer – A Love Affair Story
Background Story
This is a “newer label”, begun two years ago by Joan Kautz to honor her mother and father, Gail and John for their 60th wedding anniversary. They presented the wine and label as a surprise on their anniversary. Gail Kramer and John Kautz were married in 1958 and started farming grapes in Lodi. Eventually deciding to produce their own wines. They hired Steve Miller in 1989 as their winemaker. They built Ironstone in Murphys and today are ranked in the top 10 family grape growers with over 7,000 acres of vineyards. Besides their renowned Ironstone label, they also have Leaping Horse, Drifting Wines, Obsession Wines, Devil’s Fog (Pinot Noir) and a few others. Ironstone while getting many of their grapes from Lodi, has a magnificent winery in Murphys, California in Calaveras County. A complete story of the area, geography, climate and history can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2019/02/14/both-liquid-and-actual-gold-in-the-sierra-nevada-foothills-calaveras-county/ .
Ironstone Vineyards, besides their award winning wines with wine tasting, is a venue for weddings, concerts, corporate events, wine caves, jewelry shop, restaurant, museum and much more! They also have a beautifully working restored pipe organ from the Alhambra Theatre in Sacramento. Additionally, Ironstone offers custom crushing and juice for sale. Picture below is the largest gold nugget on display at Ironstone Vineyards weighing in at 44 pounds!
Kautz & Kramer Wines
This new label came during the Covid-19 pandemic. Joan and the business have not had sufficient time to “really introduce” and develop the market for this label. That said, it was not their original intent but to honor Gail & John and make wines to showcase their commitment for excellent wines. Today they have two other varietals besides their Cabernet Franc, a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon both of which are produced from single vineyard locations. The Chardonnay is called Sentimental Journey which was the song being played at Joan and John’s first dance. Today they make about 1,000 cases of these artisan and boutique wines, hand picking the grapes from single vineyards and Steve Miller handcrafting these varietals to an ultimate level of quality. Since starting this label, here are just some of their awards in the very short time the label has been in existence, a remarkable feat.
2017 Lodi Block 50 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sunset International Wine Competition, Jun 2021 DOUBLE GOLD, 96 Points
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Mar. 2021 GOLD
Critics Challenge, Aug. 2021 Silver
2015 Lodi Block 50 Cabernet Sauvignon
Restaurant Wine, Dec. 2020, **** Stars
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Jan. 2020 GOLD
2018 Lodi Sheldon Ranch, Block 72 Cabernet Franc
Annual Cabernet Franc Competition, Apr. 2022 Best of Class, Peoples Choice
Critics Challenge, Aug. 2021 Silver
Decanter Wine Awards, Jul 2021 Silver 90 Points
Sunset International Wine Competition, Jun 2021 Silver
2015 Lodi Sheldon Ranch, Block 72 Cabernet Franc
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Jan. 2020 GOLD
California State Fair, 2019 DOUBLE GOLD (99 Points), Best of Class of Appellation, Best of California
2018 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc
In April 2022, at the 3rd Annual Cabernet Franc Wine Competition and Celebration held in Copperopolis, Kautz & Kramer submitted their 2018 wine. The wine won Silver Medals from both the People’s Choice and Professional Judge’s panels. Additionally the People’s Choice Judges awarded them the Best of Class in Category 1, Cabernet less than $30. This was their first time competing and this wine is destined to continue to win awards. The wine uses grapes from Sheldon Ranch Block 72 exclusively. The wine is aged 15 months in 30% new French barrels. The wine on the eyes is a dark luscious deep crimson color and medium viscosity. The nose is amazing bold with black cherries beckoning one to sip. On the palate, besides delicious black cherries, blackberries, nutmeg and fig burst into the mouth. Secondary flavors of sweet pipe tobacco and vanilla beckon in the far reaches of the mouth. The finish provides sufficient and rounded tannins to enjoy alone or with a meal. Only 260 cases were produced and sells for $28/bottle.
The Food and Wine Pairing
Paired last evening with a seared BBQ ribeye steak served medium rare, this wine was strong enough to hold up and compliment the ribeye. Served with a baked cheese and potato casserole and a fresh garden salad. They paired wonderfully like a handshake between good friends.
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc has definitely captured John and Gail’s love in a bottle. Can hardly wait to try their Kautz & Kramer Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon based on the high marks the Cabernet Franc received.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
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