Cuda Ridge Wines 2023 Carménère Release and Luncheon Celebration
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Last weekend Cuda Ridge Wines celebrated their Carmenere release with three new wines for 2023. The wines come from three different vineyards in Pleasanton and Livermore. More on the specifics of each vineyard and wines can be found at a previous story: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/09/17/cuda-ridge-wines-2023-casa-de-vinas-carmenere-and-tri-tip-with-argentina-chimichurri-sauce/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The event was a pre-paid tasting of his three 2023 Carménère wines and two of 2022 vintages with a Fusion Asian Taco luncheon.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
To start the luncheon off, Larry Dino the owner and winemaker, gave a brief history on Carménère grape from France to Chile and its plight and now resurgence. (note: I took several pictures but somehow always caught Larry with his hands moving and his eyes closed!)
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The tacos were prepared by Anthony Scott catering and were served at the same time along with a side of Kimchi fried rice. The idea was to taste each wine with all three tacos. Starting at the top left of the picture was called the “Somewhat” traditional tri-tip street taco prepared with tender tri-tip seasoned with an espresso and dark chocolate rub, accented with fresh onion and cilantro.
The second one on the top right was the Fusion Asian Beef taco with shredded beef, wild mushrooms infused with ginger and soy, finished with toasted sesame seeds.
And the third being the bottom right in the picture was the Korean BBQ Pork taco with marinated pork in a traditional Korean barbecue style, topped with a vibrant Asian slaw.
The wines were poured just before the guests arrived, waiting for each attendee to taste and enjoy the experience.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
At the conclusion of the luncheon Larry asked for a show of hands for which wine and taco was their favorite. While all had favorites the winning tacos were evenly split between the Fusion Asian Beef and Korean BBQ Pork.
The consensus was that the spicier 2023 Carménère wine from Casa de Viñas was excellent with a blander taco (the tri-tip) and the 2023 Little Dog Vineyard being softer and smoother was a great companion to the spicier taco’s specifically the Fusion Asian Beef taco.
We left the tasting room buying a couple of 2023 Carménère wines from Casa de Viñas. All three of the released 2023 wines are priced at $50/bottle. Historically his Carménère wines are rated 90 to 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and have received both Gold and Silver medals from SF Chronicle Wine Competitions. His 2023 have yet to be submitted for ratings or competitions.
The 2023 Carménère wines are a great compliment to his extraordinary line up of mostly Bordeaux varieties.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly