2021 Wood Family Vineyards “Especial” Cabernet Sauvignon

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Photo ©Michael Kelly

The Winery

Photo from Wood Family Vineyards Website

I have written many stories on Wood Family Vineyards and will direct you to click on the links to find out more about this prominent winemaker. Located in eastern Livermore Valley, Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades at Wood Family Vineyards. 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

https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/11/24/2020-wood-family-vineyards-the-captain-a-red-wine-blend

Here is just a “partial listing” of her current winning wines:

  • 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Clone 30” – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2021 Cabernet Franc – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Double Gold 5th International Cabernet Franc Competition 2024
  • 2021 Malbec – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2021 “El Loco Rojo” Bordeaux Red Blend – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2022 “Para Mas Amigas” Chardonnay – Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2021 “The Captain” Bordeaux Red Blend – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2023 “Pink Pearl” Rosé – Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2022 “Pink Pearl” Rose – Best of Class – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
  • 2021 Albariño – Best of Class – SF Chronicle Wine Competition

The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Photo ©Michael Kelly

First on the eyes a lush purple with the edges leaning toward maroon. A bit “bashful” when first opening the bottle on the nose, but after a bit, violets and cherry burst forth as dominant aromas. Showing medium to full body swirling in the glass. On the palate ripe sweet cherries swelled up in the mouth like a tsunami, coating all the taste buds. Secondary flavors of black pepper and cherry compote rounded out the experience. On the finish refined and soft tannins completed the tasting. More below but this wine is suitable for both a standalone drinking and food pairing.

Using only 100% Cabernet Sauvignon one gets to appreciate the grape in its “nakedness”. Many of Wood Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and “Bordeaux style blends” augment the flavor profile with small percentages of other varietals to bring forth aspects of Cabernet Sauvignon. Here Rhonda uses 80% of Cabernet Sauvignon from Thompson Ranch (clone 337) and 20% from One Oak Vineyard (clone 80), both from Livermore, California.

This wine is 13.7% alcohol and only 140 cases were produced. Aged for 30 months in oak barrels. When released (April 28th, 2024) it will sell for $60/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 seared and BBQ’ed filet mignon at 1450 degrees. Charred on the outside and served medium rare with two dollops of Roquefort/chive/butter. Accompanied by a twice baked Russet potato with cheese and topped off with chives. Also some fresh steamed broccoli completed the meal. The “Especial” while soft tannins, provided enough boldness to engulf the steak. What was especially great with this pairing was that the strong cherry flavor enveloped the seared and charred outside of the steak providing a delightful tasting.

Sláinte,

Michael

https://californiawinesandwineries.com

https://woodfamilyvineyards.com

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