Month: October 2023
2019 Acquiesce Clairette Blanche – A Rare and Delicious Wine
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Acquiesce Winery continues to impress with their white wine portfolio on French wines. There is so much to state about Susan Tipton, owner and winemaker of Acquiesce Winery. The key takeaway is that she established her winery in Acampo (just north of Lodi) with the expressed purpose of bringing French white wine varieties to market. Lodi had been primarily known for red wines, but she turned heads with some of her unique wines such as Picpoul, Clairette Blanche, Ingénue (blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc & Picpoul), Roussanne and more. Here are some reviews of her wines and her impact:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/09/20/2018-acquiesce-vineyards-picpoul-blanc/
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Clairette Blanche is a widely planted white grape in the south of France. “Clairette” which means light one in French is due to its grape skin color. Only 2% of worldwide production is done in the USA. Acquiesce Clairette Blanche holds a tremendous complexity of floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine. The flavor profile is one of both sweet and lightly roasted almonds. Residing in the background is pineapple, lime and lemongrass. A perfect wine targeted for fish and shell fish. The wine won a Double Gold Medal at the 2020 American Wine Society Wine Competition, Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a Gold Medal at the 2021 Orange County Wine Society Competition. The current release is the 2022 and shows on the website selling for $34/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
This wine was chosen to go with this evening’s meal of Petrale Sole Dore at Verona18. The Friday Night Wine & Dine group attended and heard a great band called Gravity Zero perform while enjoying dinner. The meal consisted of the fish in a lemon caper sauce with fresh garlic slices on a bed of leek-mushroom risotto and fresh sautéed vegetables. The wine provided just enjoy flavoring to go with this light fish meal. The lemon and garlic flavors on the fish were counterbalanced by the honeysuckle and jasmine aromas of the wine. The lemongrass flavor in the wine was perfectly matched with the lemon and caper sauce.
Always a favorite wine and food pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://acquiescevineyards.com
https://www.coppervalleygolf.com/homepage/current-operations
2021 William Hill Estate Winery – North Coast Chardonnay
Photo from William Hill Estate Winery website
The Winery
I have never been to their property from their website stating they have a 200 acre estate they have a lot going on! They were founded in 1976 by William Hill and sit at the foot of Atlas Peak. Today Mark Williams is the head winemaker with world class experience. As he states he likes both the fruit of a designated vineyard and that of blending to “fit his vision of rich and expressive wines”.
They have four product line offerings having several wines in each category. Here are the offerings:
California Collection: North Coast Chardonnay, N.C. Cab Sauvignon, N.C. Sauvignon Blanc, two Central Coast wines – Pinot Noir and Merlot
Benchland Series: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Benchmark: More exclusive wines as Chardonnay, Red Blends and Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Collection: Red Blend, Cab Franc, Chardonnay (both Carneros & Mountain fruit), Petit Verdot and Malbec
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Picked up a few bottles of this incredible value packed wine. First on the eyes it is “bright and lively” and middle viscosity with a glistening golden sheen. On the nose citrus and hints of tropical fruits with honeysuckle aroma waft into the senses. On the palate, refreshing and well balanced with creamy full mouthfeel. No “big butter flavor” to hide the pureness of this Chardonnay with apple overtones. Vanilla and minerality provide a long lasting finish of refreshment. Very moderately priced for such a good bottle of Chardonnay. I believe it is listed for $17/bottle but on their website is hard to find the exact price.
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 baked chicken breast stuffed with Swiss cheese. Covered in panko and served with fresh steamed broccoli and a half Yukon Gold potato. The chicken and wine were a good match especially with the Swiss cheese.
This wine will easily make my annual Best Wines Taste for this year in the “Up to $50 Category”. I am now eager to try some of their “higher end wines”.
Sláinte,
Michael
2018 Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery and Background
This is not your typical winery or vineyard estate. It is a very large scale operation inclusive of three distinct tasting sites, a restaurant, farm, event venue, etc. In a quick recap the three tasting rooms feature all their wines, but each is distinguished by their key local products grown. Their Mountain Estate in the Mayacamas above Rutherford, features their Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rutherford location in mineral rich Napa Valley floor features Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The third location, which I will be writing about, is their Anderson Valley Estate where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are the dominant wines. This is in Mendocino County AVA.
Map from https://thedeliciouslife.com/
Anderson Valley is a Northwest to Southeast valley about 15 miles long and is between 3-5 miles wide. It is bordered on the eastern edge by the Navarro River and on the west edge by the Pacific Ocean. The warm summer days along with the cooling winds and/or fog from the Pacific Ocean make this an ideal location for the three varietals mentioned.
Ted Hall is the CEO and President of the various operations forming Long Meadow Ranch and various other businesses. Ted, with his wife Laddie, are still active in the business. When reading Ted’s extensive biography one is simply exhausted. While having never met him, his energy level is remarkable! You can read about him at:
https://www.longmeadowranch.com/ted-hall-bio/
His son Chris is now very much involved in the family business. Their motto for all aspects of the business is “Excellence through responsible farming”. They are involved in many, many initiatives to exemplify their commitment.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A bright and refreshing Pinot Noir. On the eyes a purple and violet hue and medium viscosity. On the nose, violet flowers waft into the senses. Once on the palate, a range of typical Pinot flavors of cranberry and red cherries. Secondary flavors of spice and vanilla were found. On the finish, bright acidity and a sweetness not of sugar but berries was dominant. Soft and delicate layers beckoned one to continue to sip this nicely structured wine to completion.
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
The wine was specifically selected for tonight’s dinner with a marinated and dry rubbed BBQ’d pork tenderloin. The dry rub included chili powder, brown sugar, dried oregano, paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, fine sea salt and a little extra virgin olive oil. The slices of pork tenderloin each provided ample flavors to assimilate the refreshing wine. The meal was accompanied by sautéed asparagus and roasted and quartered potatoes. Steward and Jasper Cherry Pepper sauce topped the pork slices and provided a cooling of the spicy dry rub on the meat. A very good food and wine pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2020 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Anniversaire Blanc – A Wonderful White Blend
The Winery
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is located in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Lavender Ridge specializes in Rhone varietal wines. They included Cotes du Calaveras Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Grenache, Cotes du Calaveras, Mourvedre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Vin Doux and Anniversaire Blanc. They also feature an artisan cheese selection that is unique and has something for just about everyone. To read more about Lavender Ridge, see two previous articles:
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is a unique blend of Viognier (40%), Roussanne (20%), Marsanne (20%) and Grenache Blanc (20%). Their Roussanne is exquisite and with the addition of their other varietals, this turned into a master piece! When you have Viognier as the “base” you get the spiciness, honeydew melon and peach. Add to this the Marsanne with its toasted nut flavors and honey, a beautiful flavor appears on the palate. Now add two more ingredients to the mix: Roussanne with its mouth filling texture with roundness and Grenache Blanc with apricot, all the flavors swirl in the mouth. Preferred this wine much colder than most white wines to get the appreciation of the final blend. As it warms you can decipher the individual components more readily. Priced at $36/bottle and aged in 100% new French oak for about 1 year.
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 evening’s meal was a favorite baked Swiss cheese chicken topped with croutons. Accompanied by a twice backed potato with cheese and garnished with onions. Baked zucchini slices sprinkled with panko along with a fresh garden salad completed the meal. The wine with its mouth filling fullness paired perfectly with the meal. An excellent wine and a great food pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Cuda Ridge Sauvignon Blanc – Paired Beautifully with Shrimp and Scallops!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California with Larry Dino as the winemaker and his wife Margie as chief wine taster. They produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following Bordeaux varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère. Always experimenting, Larry Dino also has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from 100 – 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of the varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I was treated to a taste of this wine last Saturday when purchasing some of Larry Dino’s (owner/winemaker) delicious Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon. On the eyes a soft and pale golden coloring with a light viscosity. But don’t be fooled that this is some wimpy watered down Chardonnay with a little citrus quality!! On the nose a rush of grapefruit citrus startles your senses, yes it is that strong. When smelling this wine, you almost think it is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but no it is a Livermore Valley Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, the wine provides the follow up of the grapefruit punch followed by secondary flavors of lemon grass and peach. The finish continues with its boldness and long lasting citrus notes. The wine is extremely crisp and clean with the acidity kept in check. This can be a refreshing summer wine on the patio deck or paired with selected foods to highlight it even further. Only 150 cases were produced and it goes for $29/bottle with a typical alcohol level of 12.9%.
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
The first seafood of the evening was some beautiful large wild shrimp (8/12 RFD) from Asia . Large and tasty were the key words to describe the fish. The citrus flavors of the wine counter balanced the succulent flavors of the shrimp even with a little cocktail sauce highlighted with horseradish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second dish of the evening was large scallop’s (U10’s) from Japan sautéed in hot oil, with a little butter, garlic and salt/pepper. The contrast with the rich scallops and the crisp Cuda Ridge Sauvignon Blanc was a desirable Yin/Yang contrast with equal powers. Accompanied by some toasted sourdough garlic and butter bread.
Besides the wine being excellent, the seafood from Ohana Seafood in Modesto was outstanding!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
Cuda Ridge Wines Carmenere – Unique and Intriguing
History of Carménère
The history of the Carménère varietal is as fascinating as it is happenstance! It was once one of the grapes in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. It served a similar purpose as Petit Verdot does today – producing a deep red ink on wines. It was one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux. Carménère originates from the French word for crimson (carmin) which refers to the crimson color of the autumn foliage.
When the Phylloxera plague hit in 1867 destroying most of the vineyards in Europe, many thought the Carménère grape was extinct. It wasn’t until 150 years later that it was discovered that Chile had preserved the Carménère grape thinking it was Merlot (from clippings planted from France). DNA confirmed that it was the missing 6th varietal of Bordeaux.
Carménère Today
Carménère grows mainly in Chile, specifically the Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley and in the Maipo Province. It is also grown in the Veneto region of Italy, and recently several wineries in Mendocino, Livermore, Lodi, Napa and Calaveras are producing it, albeit in small quantities. Walla Walla also has some root stock growing in Carménère.
Uniqueness of Carménère
As a varietal, it has the deep ruby coloring and aromas of red fruits. Tannins are softer and milder than Cabernet Sauvignon, thus its use in blending to soften a strong Cabernet. The use is similar to the use of Merlot in formulating an enjoyable blend. Chile produces a 100% Carménère which has a cherry and fruity flavor but has traces of smoke and earthy notes with the inky coloration
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California with Larry Dino as the winemaker and his wife Margie as chief wine taster. They produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following Bordeaux varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère. Always experimenting, Larry Dino also has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from 100 – 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of the varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
The Wine – 2019 Cuda Ridge Carménère – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the solid and simple marketing ideas that Larry devised is his coloring scheme: White label for his Reserve wines, Black label for his non-Bordeaux wines and Purple label for his Bordeaux varietals. Obviously the Carménère falls in his Purple label.
This wine lived up to and exceeded some of the key characteristics of Carménère. On the eyes, a medium-heavy viscosity wine with a unique inviting deep purple coloration. On the nose, ripe Bing cherries greeted the senses. The palate is where this wine excelled. First the bright cherry taste was intense and concentrated. Plums and dark fruits then came forth with a hint of soft dry and wet earthen tones (minerality and forest floor) with black tea in the background. The earthen notes are generally found in Chilean Carménère but not found too often in California. The finish was long lasting with mocha and pepper finishing off the enjoyment. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (100%) for 18 months. This wine immediately after tasting made my “Best Wines” tasted in 2021 (full list published in December). It was still a bit “tight” but will last 5-10 years in the cellar.
Larry Dino owner and winemaker for Cuda Ridge Wines now has all six modern Bordeaux varietals available at the tasting room. The Carménère is the first locally produced wine varietal in the Livermore AVA. This second release is larger than the first year but will be flying out the door. Inquire at the winery for availability.
His Carménère wines will surely garner many awards in the upcoming wine competitions. The wine lists for $50. Truly a good price point given the uniqueness and scarcity of Carménère plantings in California and the only current Livermore grown Carménère being offered. Today Larry offers three 2021 Carménère wines: Casa de Vinas (Livermore), Insel Family Vineyard (Pleasanton) and Little Dog Vineyard (Livermore). Each wine has its own barrel treatment. You can read a comparison at:
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
Not a typical Tuesday night dinner, but having a wonderful meal with an out of town relative and a couple of friends. Foods enjoyed with this wine (and a few others) included an appetizer of smoked salmon with onions, capers and cream cheese. Also some chips and a smoky salsa dip.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The main course to pair with this delicious wine was a marinated and seared tri-tip steak at 1200 degrees on the BBQ.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Also prepared was a marinated chicken in a mesquite sauce and pan seared.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by several dishes including a creative salad consisting of stir fried zucchini, red bell pepper, purple onions, spinach and udon noodles. Two other dishes were prepared, a sautéed asparagus/mushroom dish and a fresh garden salad with bacon.
Photos ©Michael Kelly
Dessert was fresh raspberries and blackberries served over angel cake slices.
This was a great food and wine pairing and one not to be forgotten for some time! We did enjoy some other very savory wines with the appetizer and meal.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael
Which Varietal or Geographic Region Would You Like to See Reviewed?
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A quick review of the last 90 days stories published on https://californiawinesandwineries.com and Facebook Blog. The goal is to review different wines from a variety of regions in California and a few in other locations (states and countries). So here is the score card by varietal and geographical representation just in the last 90 days from 35 wineries.
Varietal Stories
Alicante Bouschet – 2
“Bordeaux blend” – 2
Barbera – 1
Cabernet Franc – 10
Cabernet Sauvignon – 10
Carménère – 3
Chardonnay – 4
Grenache – 1
Malbec – 1
Merlot – 2
Montepulciano – 1
Petit Verdot – 2
Petite Sirah – 2
Picpoul Blanc – 1
Pinot Noir – 5
Primitivo – 1
Riesling – 1
Roussanne – 2
Saint Macaire – 2
Sauvignon Blanc – 3
Syrah/Petite Sirah Blend – 1
Sparkling – 2
Zinfandel – 2
Geography Stories
Napa Valley – 12
Livermore Valley – 10
Sonoma County – 7
Lodi – 4
Amdador County – 3
Paso Robles – 3
Anderson Valley – 3
Spain – 2
Calaveras County – 2
Lake County -1
Arroyo Seco – 1
Mendocino – 1
Washington – 1
Oregon – 1
Texas – 1
New York – 1
Is there a varietal or geographic area that you, the readers would like to be reviewed? Please leave a comment.
Sláinte,
Michael
2021 Wood Family Vineyards Malbec and Winter Comfort Food!
The Winery
Photo from Wood Family Vineyards
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 her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2/
and
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article. Check out their website at the bottom of this article.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine on the eyes is medium viscosity with a deep royal purple coloration, yet around the rim it is almost translucent. On the nose blackberries and dark red plums are the leaders rushing in to claim dominance in the olfactory senses. Also present were violets and roses. On the palate almost overpowering black and dark red fruits (blackberries and plums) come to the forefront with tobacco, French oak, chocolate, black licorice and fresh leather. The finish is velvety smooth with medium acidity and rounded embracing tannins with no sharpness. Also on the finish the presence of ground stone minerality provide a juicy and mouth filling finish. Alcohol was 14.2 % and listed at the winery at $36/bottle with only 93 cases were produced from their estate vineyard. This Malbec has been on my list of Best Wines Tasted yearly for the last three years and continues to be in 2023. That list comes out mid-December annually.
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
With the first “rain” (actually more like sprinkles), winter is just beginning in California. So nothing better than comfort food. This evening was a new recipe called Jalapeño meatloaf. Ingredients included ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced jalapeño peppers, minced garlic, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and tomato sauce. The topping was a combination of tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, honey and chill powder. Accompanied by a half of a Yukon Gold potato and fresh garden salad, this hit the spot! The Wood Family Vineyards Malbec with its fruit surrounded this spicy but not hot meatloaf to perfection. An excellent food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael
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