Month: September 2026
Smith-Madrone Vineyards A Beautifully Dry Riesling
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The winery was founded in 1971 by Stuart Smith. Smith-Madrone Vineyards is located on 200 acres on top of Spring Mountain west of St. Helena with 38 acres planted in vineyards. The vineyard elevation ranges from 1,300 to 2,000 feet.
Left to Right: Charles, Stuart and François Photo ©Michael Kelly
The founder, managing partner and enologist is Stuart Smith, Charles Smith is the winemaker, and the associate winemaker is François Bugué All the wines are estate and dry-farmed on top of the mountain. Currently their production is approximately 6,000 cases a year. They produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and their iconic Cooks Flat (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc).
Very few wineries of the 1,000+ I have visited have exemplary wines across their offering; Smith-Madrone Vineyards is an exception with tremendous quality of each varietal. For reference click:
Cabernet Franc Story
Cabernet Sauvignon Story
Chardonnay Story
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A quick background on Riesling. It is the 20th most grown variety and in “terms of importance for quality wines, it is usually included in the top three white wine varieties together with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc planted worldwide” per Wikipedia. Riesling is adaptable to growing in both warm and cool climates with the flavors varying per temperature respectively of citrus and peach notes for warm, apple and tree fruit for cooler temperature regions.
In the California Dept of Food & Agriculture Grape Crush Final Report white wine harvest in 2025 was 1,324,464 tons. Riesling was only 27,857 tons, essentially down a small amount from 2024 of 29,348 tons. In 2025 the only two significant white wine increases were Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2019 Riesling is extremely aromatic with floral notes and green apples on the nose. A deeper golden yellow color than previous vintage with medium viscosity. On the palate, hints of lemon zest, mixed with stone fruits (white peach and apricots) tame the lime citrus. A modicum of beeswax makes it extremely mouth filling. On the finish, the minerality comes through strong and pure from either the volcanic soil, or sandstone, limestone or the general rocky soil found on the property. The minerality and acidity is jovial and enticing with a semi-sweet crescendo. Very low residual sugar (.7%) and coming in at 13.3% alcohol, Smith-Madrone Vineyards produced 1,087 cases. The current release is their 2021 and listed on their website for $40/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
Duck, Pork, Bacon, Chicken, Shrimp, and Crab are suggested foods for Riesling. Chose this wine to pair with one of my favorite dishes, Chicken Pad Thai. The Smith-Madrone 2019 Estate Riesling was pulled from cellar for last night’s meal due to spiciness of the dish Chicken Pad Thai or at least the way we prepare it! Last evening went with a much more flavorful and spicier recipe. The ingredients were fresh whole wheat noodles, virgin olive oil, minced garlic, cooked chicken, eggs, bean sprouts, sliced red bell pepper, green onions, peanuts and lime juice. The Pad Thai sauce included fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, Siracha and creamy peanut butter! The Riesling’s being dry with a tinge of semi-sweet finish was spot on for this meal.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Limes were plated to squeeze the juice over the top of the dish as well as ground peanuts and green onion slices. The meal was packed with a punch of flavor and warmth! The 2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling was a godsend. The wine was refreshing and quenched the palate.
The 2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling has made the Best Wines tasted in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and 2019 will also make my Best Wines tasted in 2026! We stock the Smith-Madrone Riesling specifically for this food pairing, plus a few others.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
A Wonderful Tasting at Vinum55 with Caiarossa and Château Giscours
Last evening a rare and appreciated treat at Vinum55 in Scottsdale with two wineries, one in Italy and one in France, owned by the same family being presented and tasted. While only five exquisite wines were served due to the rarity and price points, each were remarkable. Pricing for the wines ranged from $85 to $140/bottle. It was the only session I attended where all the wines were given my higher scores across the board.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
After a brief introduction by Shelly Fitzgerald of Vinum55 (on the right) , she turned the presentation and tasting over to Pauline Wlodarzyck from the winery.
Caiarossa was founded in 1998, and AJ Family Domaines acquired the estate in 2004. The land is biodynamic farmed with similar winemaking practices in place. The property is in Tuscany between Volterra and Ceche just outside Riparbella. The estate receives cool breezes off the sea, and the vineyards are located up on the hillsides. The land is worked by hand due to the steep sloped vineyards.
Now with the background information in hand, we commenced the tasting!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We started out the evening with 2022 Caiarossa, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Grenache. Both this one and next were smooth, lively and provided an airy freshness. In the glass, both wines were radiant and bright.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine was a 2017 Caiarossa that was a warm/hot year in Italy producing ripe fruits tasted of Plum and red fruits. A similar blend to the first with percentages varying and this substituting Alicante Bouschet instead of Grenache. This provided on the palate a more earthy with slightly more tannins and acidity than the 2022. A soft note of sweetness was noted on the finish.
Picture from http://www.TripAdvisor.comTripadvisor
We then moved on to three of Château Giscours with its tasting room and guest rooms building dating back to the 1790’s. This is located on the left bank of Bordeaux in the town of Labarde, in the Margaux appellation of the Médoc, Bordeaux, France. The refurbished winery was built using gravity fed principles for winemaking and even included feng shui concepts into the architecture. Their 2025 was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator. The estate is 400 acres with no irrigation.
Started off with the 2022 Château Giscours with lively fruit being noted in the glass. On the eyes this received a noted “Excellence” with the bright coloring.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next wine was the 2020 Château Giscours that on the eyes was crisp, semi-transparent made with 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot fermented in both stainless steel and concrete tanks. The wine was aged in 50% French Oak barrels for 12-15 months. This produced an elegant and voluptuous wine with energetic berries abounding on the palate. This wine received scores all in the mid 90’s by a host of critics. This received my highest rating during the tasting.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A very special treat of the 2008 Château Giscours was offered. This wine on the nose had both an earthy and barnyard character, with tastes of tobacco and layers of enjoyment. The finish provided smooth and silky tannins. I noticed just a hint of copper on the edges but beyond enjoyable to the last sip!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A great tasting by any standard and very much appreciated by those attending. A big hearty thanks to Pauline and Vinum55 for holding this event.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2016 Vatan Tinta de Toro – Christopher Columbus Ship Named La Pinta Brought Tinta de Toro to the New World in 1492!
Brief History of Tempranillo
photo credit of almost black Tempranillo grapes on the vine in Toro, Spain by Fabio Ingrosso
The name Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word temprano (meaning early), a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most other Spanish red grapes. That said most Tempranillo’s exhibit a big blackberry, leathery and a slight smoky aroma – an earthiness character.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wines from Toro, located in Northwest Spain and their noted Tempranillo wines, are especially known for coloration and boldness. The literal translation is “dark bull” – meaning this Tempranillo is not for the faint of heart! Tinta de Toro translates as “ink of Toro” or “bull’s ink” referring to its dark and brooding color. Toro is also an ancient wine-making town and region in Zamora, Spain.
Reproducción de la Carabela “La Pinta” en el Muelle de las Carabelas del Paraje de La Rábida, en Palos de la Frontera.
The Tinta de Toro Spanish grape dates to the 2nd century B.C. It was the drink chosen for Christopher Columbus’ trip to India when he discovered America. A fun fact is that so much wine was stored for the voyage in 1492, one of the ships was name “La Pinta” (pint) because the cellars of ship were full of this dark beautiful wine.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the 2016 Vatan Tinta de Toro, a large portion of the grapes come from a vineyard planted in 1943 with some coming from their renown 1910 vineyard. After fermentation the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 22 months. What comes out on the other side is a mouthful of wonderment! The 2016 vintage also came out at 15.5% alcohol adding to the robustness of this vintage. The 2016 vintage is hard to find and if found goes for around $50/bottle. The current vintage is 2023 and has scored 95 points.
Antonio Galloni stated it best in his review stating it is a “Dark purple. Fresh black and blue fruits, pipe tobacco and candied violet on the highly perfumed, smoke-accented nose. Fleshy, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering intense blueberry and cherry-vanilla flavors and an exotic touch of Indian spices. The spicy quality carries strongly through the finish, which clings with excellent tenacity and smooth, building tannins.”
Most California and other Tempranillo wines do not come close to this intensity. If you are looking for a “different big red wine” without the stark tannins, pick up a bottle of Tinta de Toro for a big, bold, exotic yet integrated wine.
Vatan Tinta de Toro has been a fixture for years in the cellar and has made my annual Best Wines Tasted list for many years. This 2016 will be on the 2026 list coming out in December.
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
Picked this wine tonight to enjoy with a creative Stuffed Pepper Casserole my wife created. The casserole ingredients included EVOO, chopped white onion, chopped jalapeño pepper, chopped garlic cloves, ground sausage and beef, black beans, roasted tomatoes, corn kernels, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, brown rice and different colored bell peppers. All this was combined with the meat and rice. She first browned the meat and then added the ingredients with a layer of meat/rice then shredded Cheddar cheese, then another layer of meat/rice and topped with cheddar cheese in a casserole dish to be baked.
The wine was chosen with its balanced structure and moderate tannins that harmonized with the savory meat and rice.
An excellent food and wine pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2022 Iron Hub Winery Chardonnay – One of the Best Chardonnay Wines Under $50
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Chardonnay typically does not do well in the warmer climate of Amador County and when first offered it I was taken back. It was explained that the vineyard for this wine is in Amador County but located at a much higher elevation called Spanish Creek vineyard in the Sierras at an elevation of 2700 feet. The cooler climate is ideal for producing exquisite Chardonnay grapes.
The small lot 2022 Chardonnay on the eyes is a glistening golden color with medium viscosity. The first aromas on the nose were like a shot heard around the world. Fruits of green and Golden Delicious apple and pear shouted out their presence in the glass. Secondary flavors of dry apricots were also present. From the first sip a creamy textural wine with previously mentioned fruits came together like a well-orchestrated symphony. Added to the mix was vanilla which was just slightly present on nose and became infused in the glass with gentle oak overtones. The finish was long, poised and glamorous like a family portrait with a hint of brioche. At $34 per bottle, this wine offers exceptional quality at a reasonable price, in my opinion. It comes in at 14.7% alcohol.
Aged in 34% new French oak barrels and the remainder being neutral French oak. Held in the barrels for 11 months and went through 100% malolactic fermentation.
Iron Hub Chardonnay has made my annual Best Wines Tasted each year for the last five years. It will also be included in the 2026 listing.
The current vintage is 2023 and is still listed at $34/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 new recipe called Baked Pistachio Crusted Chicken. A chicken breast is coated with mixture of grounded pistachios, garlic powder, onion powder, a dash of Cayenne, black pepper, salt and Dijon mustard. The flavors and texture of this chicken were excellent. Accompanied by Mediterranean couscous with herbs and baby asparagus. A tasty meal with the Iron Hub Chardonnay providing both a mouthful of texture and creaminess. A very intriguing and solid food and wine pairing.
The Winery
Photo from Iron Hub website
The winery was founded by Tom Jones from Lava Cap Winery fame in the Apple Hill area near Placerville. Tom completed his master’s degree in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis, and for almost 30 years developed award-winning wines. Tom and his wife Beth’s new endeavor began in 2014 with the purchase of the 33-acre property that had been known as Amador Foothill Winery. Having control of the grapes from vineyard to bottle was key in his quest for quality control with 17 acres planted in vines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The name of the winery came from Tom’s mountain sojourns in the area. On an adventure he discovered an antique, hand-forged wagon wheel hub in a remote area. This small winery on Steiner Road drew a parallel with his goal of making small lot artisan wines like the craftsmanship of the “iron hub” he found on a walk. The beautiful new tasting room was opened in December 2017.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Spencer, their son, following in his father’s footsteps by also graduating from UC Davis with a master’s degree from the Department of Viticulture and Enology, is the winery’s winemaker. Today, they established a dynamic father-son winemaking team. Spencer enjoys the demand of a hands-on approach to every aspect of the winemaking process, from tending the grapes in the estate vineyards to carefully crafting both red and white wines. They recently added 10 acres managing the Spanish Creek site they are leasing. Having now 27 acres of “estate property” to manage is keeping them very busy.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2016 Cuda Ridge Wines Reserve Malbec – An Abundant Wine By Any Standard
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Malbec has always been one of my favorite varietals. While having had Cuda Ridge Wines regular Malbec which is excellent, more recently tasted a Cuda Ridge Wines Reserve Malbec. Purchased a few bottles of 2016 and my reaction was one of portentous joy how solid this exalted quality of this wine tasted!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine, when poured into the glass, possessed a dark royal purple coloring that was radiant. With a medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, aromas of black fruits and earthiness wafted into the senses begging to be tasted. Once on the palate, this sublime wine bursts forth with blackberries, plum as the main fruits. Followed with exotic spices of anise, cloves and a touch of cinnamon. Finally, the finish provided with black pepper, hints of dark roasted coffee, smokiness and dry earthiness provide a long-lasting and enjoyable conclusion. A flashback to being smokey and rugged, yet this wine vacillating with a pedigree of silkiness and cragginess with its lovely tannins. A full and well-developed wine.
This is 100% Malbec coming from the White Cat Vineyard in Livermore. The wine is aged in Pennsylvanian American oak, with 50% being new and 50% neutral. The wine comes in at 14.7% alcohol and was sold at $60/bottle. It was aged in barrel for 30 months.
The current release is 2022 and sells for $60/bottle.
This wine most definitely will make my annual list of Best Wines tasted in 2026.
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
Dinner with this wine was a 24-hour marinated flank steak. The flank steak was tenderized and marinated 24 hours with the following only: Chaka sauce and Flatiron Barbeque Rub. It then was placed on the infrared ceramic burner at 1500 degrees for about 3 minutes a side. The steak was so tender, turning it over on the searing element, it started to fall apart! Accompanying the meal was a exquisite fresh salad with crumbled Blue cheese, bacon, green onions, halved cherry tomatoes and topped with Blue cheese dressing.
The Malbec with its fruit surrounded each bite of meat. A delicious and matched food /wine pairing.
The Winery
Photo from Cuda Ridge
In July, Cuda Ridge Wines was acquired by the Lemmon Family Vineyard and since August 1st, 2026 now resides with their own tasting room at Concannon Vineyard and Winery location in Livermore at 4590 Tesla Road. Larry Dino continues to make the wine at Concannon. For a complete story on the acquisition and their new beginnings see a previously published story with details at:
This will only bring new opportunities and creativity to the Cuda Ridge Wines portfolio with the vision that Tom Lemmons has for the vineyard and winery. More information is available here:
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.CudaRidgeWines.com
A Simple Meal While Watching the 49’er Game with a Refreshing White Wine
Background
While wanting to watch the first football game of year, with our “home team” the San Francisco 49’ers, we had an early and simple dinner with a lovely and refreshing wine, 2023 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Côtes du Calaveras Blanc
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes, this wine is a light and enticing soft golden color with a medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromas of honeydew, strong floral notes and cantaloup waft gently in the senses. On the palate a symphony of each of the four varieties used in the wine are noted. First Lavender Ridge’s excellent Marsanne with its creaminess and brioche, Grenache Blanc providing minerality, wet stone and crispness, Roussanne bringing more rounded acidity, elegance and aromatic complexities to the blend with a mouth feel of fullness and 12% Viognier with oily, round and lovely fruit expression. These four are weaved together seamlessly. The finish is mouth filling, round and with so many nuances of flavor. An excellent wine representing Southern Rhone blend.
The wine currently sells for $26/bottle. It comes in at a high alcohol level of 14.3% yet seemingly tasted more like 12%. Made in 100% stainless steel tanks. The next release will feature a French oak version which will only add more body to the wine. Rumor has it that it will be out for holiday season.
A fine wine that will make my 2026 annual list of Best Wines tasted during the year. This list comes out each December.
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
A quick pan fried pounded seasoned chicken breast served with roasted Yukon Gold potato slices. Accompanied by a warm spinach salad with purple onion, sliced hard boiled eggs, bacon and a scrumptious dressing of red wine vinegar, bacon drippings, mustard and sugar.
The wine was perfect with chicken and potato slices. As with any “vinegar based” dressings, we had to wash out the taste of the great salad dressing before finishing the wine. We did enjoy the balance of the wine while watching the 49’ers trounce the Rams!
The Winery
Picture from Lavender Ridge Vineyard Facebook
Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Lavender Ridge specializes in Rhone varietal wines. They include Cotes du Calaveras Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Grenache, Cotes du Calaveras, Mourvedre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Vin Doux and Anniversaire Blanc. They also feature an artisan cheese selection that is unique and has something for just about everyone.
To read more about Lavender Ridge, see three previous articles:
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
SOMM SMACKDOWN 2026 Held Tuesday Night in Scottsdale at VINUM55
Firstly, what is SOMM SMACKDOWN? This is an event held annually between the three locations of VINUM55 being Phoenix, Scottsdale and Chandler facilities. Each location picks three wines to present to the members of each location and is partnered with a distributor. Last year Phoenix took home the SOMM SMACKDOWN title which is apparently an oversized medallion named Sommelier Supremacy that hangs in their tasting room. The teams go to each location pouring their wines. Tuesday night, September 8th, we attended the one being held in Scottsdale. Unfortunately, the valuable “medal” was not on display in the hall, most likely due to security concerns! I have seen the Superbowl trophy, the Claret Jug at the R &A, etc., and was hoping to see this coveted medal.
The event was held in the RED ROOM in Scottsdale and here is a picture from VINUM55 from a previous event.
Besides the three tasting stations representing each location, a greeting table was present to pour a welcoming pour to each guest. The wines at the welcoming table were:
Details by Sinegal Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (my notes: not citrusy but more like a liquid fruit salad and very refreshing)
Chateau de Pierreclos Macon 2023
Ridge Coast Range 2025
Having only one of the opening tastings to keep my palate alert and attentive, we moved on to the Chandler Team of Chris O. and Myron with Leslie of Copa Fina. Their three wines were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
NV Domain J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux (my notes: crisp and refreshing sparkling wine. Previously purchased at another VINUM55 event. No picture)
Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2024 (my notes: possessed a captivating nose, but fell off in the palate)
Chateau Castagnac Fronsac Merlot 2019 (my notes: a very light and simply not enough heft. A good representation for 100% Malbec from France.)
Up next was the Phoenix team of Chris G., Dakkota with Tony of STEM the distributor. Personally, I have never been to their facility, but now that I know the famed Sommelier Supremacy hangs proudly in their tasting room I will be planning a visit soon! Their three picks for the evening were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
NV Stephane Coquillette “Inflorescence” Brut – a sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes only (my notes: great bubbles in the glass, but missed the influence of Pinot Meunier grape found in Champagne contributing fruit and body to sparkling wines).
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023 – (my notes: This comes from a family vineyard that is 150 years old)
Amulet Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – An assemblage of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (my notes: received my third highest rating of the evening of wines tasted).
Last table was Scottsdale group comprised of Ron and Shelly with Lindsey of Maverick. Their three wines were:
Photos ©Michael Kelly
Gaia Monograph Assyrtiko 2025 (my notes: not from Santorini noted for their Assyrtiko but a nearby island. This allowed for a more affordable price point)
CHEV’ Russian River Pinot Noir 2022 (my notes: from famous winemaker Michael Brown, 100% Pinot Noir grapes, cherry and raspberry abound creating a head turning aromatics in the glass. This was my highest rated wine of the evening).
Peju Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – from Napa Valley (my notes: pleased to have tried their wine again as the last time was when they first opened. Was not generally fond of the wines, but this wine possess structure, with defined tannins that were enjoyable. They tied for the third best wine of the evening).
Wednesday evening is a tasting at the second location in Chandler and followed by a tasting at the Phoenix tasting room. Who will win the title? Each location putting forth their best selection of wines for members to taste and now the voting begins. Results should be known by Friday, but it will be challenging as all the wines were solid selections for all to taste.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Afterwards went to dinner at one of the scarce BYOB (bring your own bottle) restaurants in all of the Phoenix area called Ristorante Giuseppe. Ate with friends that also attended the VINUM55 SOMM SMACKDOWN and two couple’s brought Italian wines (Barolo & Barbaresco) and one shared a Malbec from Argentina. A great meal and conversation as always!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
One Holiday (Labor Day), Two Wines and a Simply Delicious Meal
Background
We decided to BBQ this weekend and invite those family members that were in town for dinner.
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
We started off with a 2023 Culmination Sauvignon Blanc. This is no ordinary Sauvignon from Livermore Valley as it is Barrel Aged. This is made by the Wood Family Vineyards and this label represents their higher end, boutique and artisan wines being produced.
The specific Acacia wood barrel and stirring of the lees makes the wine feel creamier and much broader on the palate. This is exactly the taste and texture Wood Family Vineyards targeted for this wine. Still the same basic flavors of the stainless steel but some slight nuances. The 2023 Barrel Aged Sauvignon Blanc picked up besides textural qualities, it also mellowed out or tempered the stronger notes of the grapefruit and citrus. The aging also provided a secondary aroma and herbaceous flavors not found in the stainless steel. Present was more lemon grass and a tinge of vanilla on the finish which was so refreshing and contrasting to the citrus qualities. The wine ends up being refreshing, high in acidity, complex and creamy. This is precisely the qualitative difference Rhonda Wood was striving to make showcasing the barrel aging offering. This came in at 13.6% alcohol with only 75 cases being produced.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Today they produced this barrel aged Sauvignon Blanc under their new designation called Culmination. The grapes come from the historic Louis Mel Ranch that was established in 1884. Mrs. Mel was friends with the Marquise of Chateau d’ Yquem and was able to secure cuttings from there. This is the second release of Rhonda Wood’s Sauvignon Blanc aged in barrel. The wine is fermented in three barrels with one being an Acacia barrel aged for 7 months. The other two barrels were aged in neutral French oak. They were kept separate until tanked for bottling and aged on the lees and stirred every two weeks. The 2024 Culmination is listed at $50/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Doing some research found out Sauvignon Blanc is a recommended wine with Guacamole! The reason for this is that the piercing acidity and herbal undertones mirror the lime juice and green onions. This was the truth and while enjoy Sauvignon Blanc by itself, this added a wonderful pairing dimension. The Guacamole dip besides avocadoes including green onions, cut cherry tomatoes, diced jalapeño peppers and tobacco sauce.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Another appetizer for the evening was a new salsa that was recommended. It is called Mateo’s Gourmet Salas Medium and provides a pleasant roasted tomato and pepper taste with a zesty and chewy finish.
We then moved on to dinner with two delicious homemade salads being prepared. The first was my wife’s potato salad that consisted of Russet potatoes, chopped onions, celery, hard boiled eggs, mayo, mustard and cider vinegar.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second salad was a refreshing fruit salad with pineapple, blueberries, bananas, pears, oranges, peaches and possibly many other fruits by my sister. I was eating so quickly, I unfortunately did not take the time to identify all the ingredients!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The main entrée for dinner was a simply BBQ’ed burger. The meat was from a newly found butcher shop where he makes Brisket burgers. We were shopping there last week and decided to give it a try as it was noted as a customer favorite by the clerk. While we all enjoyed the much heavier consistency of the beef, think we will go back to our regular ground chuck for BBQ-ing. We all discussed next time going with Bison burgers which they also sell. A few Italian pork sausages were picked up and grilled on the stove.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Plenty of food for everyone and this was paired with a 2021 Copia GSM called “The Cure” from Paso Robles. It is 45% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache and 27% Syrah. This was a perfectly matched wine for the flavorful burgers with the fruit from the Syrah enveloping each bite and the Mourvèdre and Grenache adding both flavors, freshness and subtle spices to the meal. A solid GSM and perfectly matched with the food.
From my previous review of the 2021 Copia Vineyards and Winery “The Cure” written in 2025:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes, this a dark and brooding ruby red and medium-heavy viscosity. Once placed under the nose to gain an insight to what was to come, aromas of mocha, dark French coffee and floral notes wafted into the senses. Then on the palate this wine exploded with dark chocolate, depth of the three varietals not commonly found in a GSM. Blackberries and blueberries bounced joyfully in the mouth beckoning yet another sip! At the finish, a plushness of black fruit, along with a smoky quality and spice notes provided ample time to savor each sip. Additionally, beautiful and elegant, yet surprisingly perfectly appropriate tannins were present. The chocolate finish provided a great counterbalance making the textual chewy finish that was elegant and memorable.
This wine received ratings of 95 points from The Somm Journal, 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and 94-96 points from Jeb Dunnuck. This is a pedigree of quality represented in this GSM.
We all left the table stuffed enjoying each morsel served this evening.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://arizonawinesandwineries.com
2015 O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon with filet mignon Skisk Kabob
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2015 O’Shaughnessy 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is from the west side of the Napa Valley, Mount Veeder. On the eyes, a dark ruby coloring with medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, a woody but sweet briar, with blackberry and black cherry fruits wafting into the nose. On the palate, full body with extremely concentrated fruits, licorice and black cherry exploded in the mouth with a background of sweet tobacco smoke and leather. Additionally, latent flavors of dark chocolate were noticed. The finish had some strong tannins, but without any “edginess” which provided for a long semi-velvety crescendo.
Rated at 95+ points by Wine Advocate and 96 points by International Wine Review. This wine could easily go another 7-10 years, yet more than pleased to be enjoyed now! Looking at various sites, this wine sells today for between $180 to $230/bottle.
This wine will make my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2026. O’Shaughnessy Winery has made this list for 15+ years annually for their exquisite wines. Only roughly 2% of 2,000 wines make this annual list published in December.
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 marinated Shish Kabob and then BBQ’ed. The marinade recipe calls for soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, crushed garlic, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The shish kabob in baskets consisted of yellow peppers, orange peppers, pineapple, red onion, mushrooms and topped with sprigs of fresh Rosemary. The meat suggested top sirloin, but we opted for a delicious Nebraska filet mignon cut into bite size portions. The shish kabob was emptied on a platter to be served.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by roasted halved and seasoned small white potatoes. Additionally, a halved fresh Wedge salad was served with Blue cheese crumbles, bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onion slices and topped off with Blue cheese dressing.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
An enjoyable and complete meal to be enjoyed with this fine wine. Nothing less than perfect food and wine pairing. The only note is that with this great cut of meat, we may not marinate next time.
The Winery
The winery is located on Howell Mountain; however, they do source some fruit from their other estate located on Mount Veeder. So, they offer both Mt Veeder and Howell Mountain vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, they produce Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. See a previous post at:
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2015 O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2015 O’Shaughnessy 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is from the west side of the Napa Valley, Mount Veeder. On the eyes, a dark ruby coloring with medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, a woody but sweet briar, with blackberry and black cherry fruits wafting into the nose. On the palate, full body with extremely concentrated fruits, licorice and black cherry exploded in the mouth with a background of sweet tobacco smoke and leather. Additionally, latent flavors of dark chocolate were noticed. The finish had some strong tannins, but without any “edginess” which provided for a long semi-velvety crescendo.
Rated at 95+ points by Wine Advocate and 96 points by International Wine Review. This wine could easily go another 7-10 years, yet more than pleased to be enjoyed now! Looking at various sites, this wine sells today for between $180 to $230/bottle.
This wine will make my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2026. O’Shaughnessy Winery has made this list for 15+ years annually for their exquisite wines. Only roughly 2% of 2,000 wines make this annual list published in December.
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 marinated Shish Kabob and then BBQ’ed. The marinade recipe calls for soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, crushed garlic, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The shish kabob in baskets consisted of yellow peppers, orange peppers, pineapple, red onion, mushrooms and topped with sprigs of fresh Rosemary. The meat suggested top sirloin, but we opted for a delicious Nebraska filet mignon cut into bite size portions. The shish kabob was emptied on a platter to be served.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by roasted halved and seasoned small white potatoes. Additionally, a halved fresh Wedge salad was served with Blue cheese crumbles, bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onion slices and topped off with Blue cheese dressing.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
An enjoyable and complete meal to be enjoyed with this fine wine. Nothing less than perfect food and wine pairing. The only note is that with this great cut of meat, we may not marinate next time.
The Winery
The winery is located on Howell Mountain; however, they do source some fruit from their other estate located on Mount Veeder. So, they offer both Mt Veeder and Howell Mountain vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, they produce Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. See a previous post at:
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly