2022 Cuda Ridge Wines Petit Verdot – Robust and Bold
The Winery
Photo from Cuda Ridge Wines website
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California. The key point is that they produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge winery and 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 owner & winemaker will produce non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Each of varietals 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.
To view the list of their awards by varietal click this link: https://cudaridgewines.com/awards_notes/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2022 Cuda Ridge Wines Petit Verdot
First, what is Petit Verdot? The literal translation is “little green one”. This is because it is a late ripening grape from the Bordeaux region in France. It is a commonly used grape in blending, usually in small amounts to add color, tannin, structure and herbaceous notes of violet and sage. Today it is common to see 2% to no more than 10% in many Cabernet Sauvignon’s and other wines. The number of producers that make a 100% Petit Verdot are fairly limited as this is a hearty, earthy and brawny wine. It is a concentrate grape with abundant color and structure. Petit Verdot typically has extremely strong tannins, higher acids, extremely dry and black fruits. Think of Petit Verdot at a party as the guy with the loud voice and dancing wildly.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2022 Petit Verdot will be available the weekend of June 29th first to his wine club members. It is 100% Petit Verdot dark as a cave and could be used in redacting any proprietary military or legal document!! It possesses a medium heavy viscosity when swirling in the glass. On the nose, the first scent awakens one that something special is about to happen. Black fruits along with lilac and violets slap you upside the head with a bouquet of wonder and enticing charm. Present also are aromas of vanilla, spice and cedar. Once on the palate, plum, blackberry and blueberry dance wildly in your mouth. The fruit is counterbalanced by dried herbs, mostly violets. The finish is dry and full bodied with strong tannins. It was aged 18 months in 100% American oak barrels with 30% new and 70% once used. The wine will be selling at $44/bottle. Only 180 cases were produced of the 2022. Also this wine comes in at 14.1% alcohol.
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
Pulled this wine out to pair for this dinner. The flank steak was marinated in a Chaka sauce for 24 hours. It was seared and BBQ’ed and served medium to medium rare. Additionally served with freshly bought farm stand green beans and an artichoke. The tri-tip and wine pairing was stunning and simply simpatico with each other. The flavorful meat paired with the embracing wine tannins was a solid food and wine pairing.
This is always one of our go to summer food pairings! The wine will definitely make my “Best Wines Tasted This Year” again (comes out each December). This Petit Verdot with its tannins and robust flavors surrounded the spicy meat letting both show off true colors! It was absolutely a wonderful pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael