Month: December 2024
2021 Wood Family Vineyards Clone 30 Cabernet Sauvignon
Background
Rhonda Wood makes several Cabernet Sauvignon wines either as 100% varietal or in a “Bordeaux style” blend. The “Clone 30” has been considered her esteemed and special Cabernet Sauvignon harvested from her estate vineyard. It will now be moved to their new CULMINATION offering starting with the release in December 2024.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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
On the eyes a unique dark purple and red combination of coloring and medium heavy viscosity. This illuminating and full body wine immediately catches your attention. On the nose fragrant dark fruit rises to greet the senses. Once on the palate, blackberries dominate, and secondary flavor of crab apple and a modicum of rhubarb is also present. On the finish, a multi-layered textual feel and the tannins are present to provide an ample “teeth clinging” sensation with edgy tannins, but still smooth and enjoyable.
photo ©Michael Kelly
Only 95 cases produced, and it will be released December 11th with a price of $80/bottle. Her 2019 “Clone 30” Cabernet Sauvignon won Double Gold at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition. This 2021 has 14.8% alcohol.
It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyards. It was aged 17 months in 50% new French oak barrels and the balance being once used French oak barrels. Then combined and aged another 12 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Splitting the barrel fermentation provides, in Rhonda’s words, “a velvety finish with structure”.
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 paired with a seared (1500 degrees) and BBQ’ed ribeye steak this evening and served medium rare. Accompanied by cheesy potato casserole. Also, a fresh spinach salad with slices of purple onions, bacon, green onion, dried cranberries and candied pecans with a Northern Italian dressing.
This wine was specifically chosen to cut through a fattier cut of steak, and it did an excellent job. One of the better wines chosen to go with this delicious meal.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Hindsight Monterey County Chardonnay – Finding Gold
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The title finding gold refers to the shining color of the wine and the value. The winery is in Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley. The owners of the winery are Seth Gersh, Managing Director, Alisa Gean MD, Sommelier and William S. Boykin, National Sales Manager. Seth’s background has been as an executive of various leading financial companies as well as being involved in philanthropic endeavors. Alisa is Professor Emeritus of Neuroradiology and Adjunct Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of California in San Francisco. Alisa received her Sommelier certification from Napa Valley College and the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is currently a WSET 4 Diploma candidate. Her resume on the medical and wine industry would be an article by itself! The third member of the ownership team, William has 46 years’ experience in the Wine and Spirits industry, starting back in 1977 with Inglenook Vineyards, then Seagram and importing Italian wines. Bill is involved in setting up and supporting their distribution channel. Bill along with Seth & Alisa have been involved in the San Francisco 49’er Football Foundation for over a decade. These three professionals are very synchronized in business planning and bringing forth superb wines to the market. Seth believes that the driving force of Hindsight’s business is to offer wines that over-deliver on quality.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
Michael Weiss is their winemaker steeped in years of making award winning wines. Michael spent 26 years helping build Groth Vineyards and Winery in Napa Valley. Prior to that he held winemaker positions at both Robert Mondavi Winery and Vichon Winery. Today they are producing various designated vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah.
The wines can be tasted at The Vault in downtown Calistoga. Here Hindsight Wines, along with others, are offered in an environment of warmth and hospitality. Their wines can also be purchased online through the Hindsight website.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While having enjoyed past vintages of Hindsight Wines Chardonnay, this is the first review of their Chardonnay from Monterey County. As you can see on the eyes a glistening golden color with brightness and medium viscosity. On the nose are the aromatic of green apple and peach. On the palate, a fresh and mild citrus of lemon, passion fruit coupled with a mellow butterscotch flavor. On the finish minerality and brioche flavors complete this beautiful experience. The wine is 14.3% alcohol.
The wine is listed at $31.99/bottle and is perhaps one of the best values in the market today! This wine made my annual Best Wines tasted in 2024 for quality, taste and value for under $51/bottle. It now will be one of top five everyday Chardonnay wines in the cellar along with others from Suisun Valley, Livermore Valley, Sonoma Valley and Amador County.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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 meal this evening was a lemon chicken pan seared in oil and lemon juice. The sauce consisted of lemon juice, white wine, lemon zest and butter. Accompanied by cheesy potatoes. An excellent and enjoyable food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael
2020 Optio Grenache Revisited One Year Later – Still An Absolute Winner!
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Opened this wine again this weekend. Originally met with winery owners Troy and Michelle LaMar one year ago on their 14-acre vineyard with nine acres currently under vine. The vineyard is located at the tail end of the Templeton district within the Geneseo District appellation. Their production is around 500 cases a year with the balance of the fruit being sold off. Their goal is to increase production steadily with club membership and getting the word out on their quality wines. They already have won many awards including for their 2022 Chardonnay, Las Vegas Global Platinum Medal with 96 points and their 2021 Estate Tempranillo, Las Vegas Global Platinum Medal also with 96 points! This is the little winery that not only could but has!!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Troy is a general surgeon in Los Angeles and met his wife Michelle as she was a floor nurse at the same hospital. She is now in nursing education. Today with their son LT, they spend as much time as possible on the estate. Their winemaker is Aaron Jackson from Tin City with 23 years making gorgeous wines. Aaron’s background includes Four Vines, ONX and Saxum wineries. He earned his Wine & Viticulture degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and spent a year in Australia where he earned a master’s degree in Oenology.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The winery today produces Chardonnay, Inmesceo (meaning blend together of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Petite Sirah), Grenache, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. Had the opportunity to taste each one (a few with different vintages) and uniquely different was that each one was a solid and exceptional wine. Not a so-so or average wine in their offering. Rare and very much appreciated by their customers.
The name Optio comes from the Latin word meaning “choice” which has paid off for the LaMar family. Troy while in medical school his first day heard a professor quote William Jennings Bryan “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.” Literally and physically, the little vineyard on top of the hill has climbed up it to achieve many excellent wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
More information on their wines and vineyards can be found in a previous story at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/12/07/optio-vineyards-the-little-winery-that-can/
The Wine 2020 Optio Vineyards Grenache – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This style of Grenache has old world structure with layers of rich flavors and juicy, rustic tannins. On the eyes, a very dark, blood red coloring with medium-full viscosity. On the nose aromas of plum, blueberries, new leather, and clove waft into the senses. On the palate you are awakened to a lively and enjoyable juicy cherry followed by a complex finish of fig, licorice, molasses, and black cherry with hints of spices and dried herbs. The finish shows the earthy minerality and earthiness of these grapes. They use 100% neutral oak barrels, and the wine is aged 17 months. Only 75 cases were produced. This is one of the best Grenache wines I have experienced! The current vintage is their 2022 and the price is $62/bottle. I can’t wait to try the 2022!
The wine made my annual list of Best Wines Tasted in 2023 and will again in 2024! I left the winery purchasing four bottles and wished I had purchased a few more!
Sláinte,
Michael
- ← Previous
- 1
- 2