Three Special Treats Today: 2022 Hindsight Chardonnay, Fresh Dungeness Crab and Petrale Sole.
Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the two annual events growing up as a child (and still today) was to take notice of where I heard the first Christmas songs being played (Chicago, Tokyo, Taiwan, San Francisco, etc.). The second was waiting for California Dungeness Crab season to open and get some freshly cooked crabs or crab meat. Whether at the local fish market or at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. When I stopped by my favorite fish market, Ohana Seafood in Modesto today, there in the display case was cracked fresh crab! It is like my heart skipped a beat as crab season was postponed this year in California due to the whale migration. Having stopped for some fresh seafood I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take some crab home also. Hindsight Wines Chardonnay went with lunch and dinner today!
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While having enjoyed past vintages of Hindsight Wines Chardonnay, this is the second 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 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. With its heaviness, this provides a great mouth filling and savoring drink.
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.
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
Dungeness crab is expensive primarily due to its limited supply, constrained by a short window for production, size regulations, quotas, harvesting during difficult weather, market demand and fluctuations, etc. Dungeness crab has a sweet and delicate flavor and is known for their tender meat. Truly a gastronomical delight.
Global Seafood https://globalseafoods.com
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The meal this evening was two pieces of fresh Petrale Sole. Petrale sole is nutrient-rich, low in calories, mild and sweet taste, flaky texture, loaded with lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It is also considered a sustainable choice when caught wild in the USA.
It was pan sauteed with white wine, garlic, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, butter, olive oil, fresh thyme, minced chives, sprigs of Rosemary, minced parsley and Italian seasoning. Plated with fresh slices of Meyer lemon and Rosemary. Accompanied by sautéed snap peas. The food and wine pairing were nothing short of spectacular due to the delicate fish, light seasoning flavors and the tasty wine!
The Winery
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 in 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.
Left to right, Michael Weiss, William Boykin, Alisa Gean and Seth Gersh – Photo from Hindsight Wines
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.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com