2021 Selin Cellars Alicante Bouchet, Puccioni Ranch from Dry Creek, Sonoma, California
The Background
What is Alicante Bouschet? First this grape has both a red skin and red flesh, known as teinturier. Henri Bouschet, a French botanist, created it when he crossed Grenache with Petit Bouschet in 1866. Alicante Bouschet was planted heavily during prohibition in California and exported to the east coast. The dark and intense skins made it resistant to rot while being transported.
The grape is the 12th most planted red grape in France and found mostly in Languedoc, Provence and Cognac regions. In California the grape was and still is popular among home winemakers and grown in Napa, Sonoma, Madera and Calaveras counties. Other areas growing this varietal are Algeria, Israel and central Italy. In Spain, Alicante Bouschet is called Garnacha Tintorera and is intensely black with one of the heaviest viscosity I have experienced. FYI- Alaya Tierra is one of my favorite producers in Spain of this wine.
The Winery
Pete Selin, owner and winemaker of Selin Cellars, had spent many years appreciating and tasting wines from various regions. After retiring from high tech in Silicon Valley he moved to Sonoma Valley. He felt right at home in Sonoma with the boutique, hands-on style of the wines. A solid friendship developed with Chris Taddei of Taddei Family Wines and today they consider themselves “brothers”. Chris and Pete work together in making wines for both wineries and share a tasting room at 7726 Bell Road in Windsor, California. It is here that Pete and Chris also produce their wines. Selin Cellars was established in 2019. Today Selin Cellars produces about 400 cases annually, Pete will cap out his production at no more than 1,000 cases in the future.
Pete sources his grapes from the following hand selected vineyards:
Cabernet Franc – Burnett Vineyards, Barrie Vineyard, Chalk Hill
Puccioni Ranch – Alicante Bouschet, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel
Jenks Vineyard – Chardonnay (along the Russian River)
Photo from Selin Cellars of Alicante Bouschet at Puccioni Ranch
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo from Selin Cellars
Alicante Bouschet normally comes in around 13-15.5% alcohol and this 2021 came in at 12.2% alcohol, so a touch on the lower side. Yet the intensity of the wine still came through. First on the eyes a deep purple/black color with heavy viscosity. On the nose black fruit aromas wafted into the senses. On the palate this dark elixir burst with jammy blackberry and blueberry. Secondary flavors of spicy pepper and dark chocolate swirl about. On the finish, rustic and earthy notes along with velvety tannins were present. This is not for novice wine drinkers as the structure and its natural heaviness are ever present.
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
Picked out especially for this dinner of prime New York BBQ’d steak served medium rare. Brought this to a friend’s house to pair with the steak. Accompanied by a delicious twice baked potato and sautéed vegetables of asparagus, mushrooms and string beans. The smoky BBQ steak and the heavier and intense Alicante Bouschet make a wonderful pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael