2018 Gossamer Cellars Nebbiolo – Transports You to Italy!
History of Nebbiolo
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Like a great Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Gossamer Cellars in Murphys, California has an excellent Nebbiolo. This is 100% Nebbiolo grapes and won Double Gold at the Sierra Foothills Wine Competition in 2023. A quick recap of world class Nebbiolo grapes. They are found in areas in Piedmont, Italy where a small portion of “other grapes” can be added but that is not within the scope of this story. Nebbiolo has been around since the 1200’s, with some controversy as to its origin in Italy. Some state Piedmont was the origin and other’s state further to the east in Italy. The first written comment about Nebbiolo is from 1268 and was from more easterly Italy. Nebbiolo comes from the word nebbia meaning “fog”. Fog forms in the valleys but the vineyards of Piedmont Nebbiolo are in the sunshine above the fog.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Characteristics of Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is a thick skinned, late harvesting grape. Key flavors and aromas are pronounced roses, cranberry, sour cherries, leather, and strong minerality along with red fruits. Most notable are the mouth puckering and lip smacking tannins. Most Nebbiolo wines are best served many years after their release date to allow the tannins to settle down. In the glass they can appear light colored and translucent around the edges, but do not be fooled that you are about to be greeted by a “light weight wine” as it carries a big punch! The acidity and tannins are almost unmatched in red wines.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The etymology of the word gossamer originated in Middle English as “goose summer” or “gos mer”, late summer warmth, when the geese where in prime condition to be eaten! Over time it has morphed into an adjective “gossamer” meaning “light, delicate or tenuous” like butterfly wings. Thus on the bottle of Gossamer Cellars a delicate butterfly or fairy is depicted with butterfly wings. To this end, it is appropriately named as Gary Grant “flitters from varietal to varietal” making unique, high quality and lesser known wines for those open to experience the vast world of wine!
Gossamer Cellars located in Murphys, California is one of the gems of the Sierra Foothills. Their “motto” written in chalk in a very tiny tasting room sums up their goal and lifestyle “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you” (Anonymous). See the complete story at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2019/01/18/gossamer-cellars-a-unique-find/ .
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I often think of Nebbiolo as a sneak attack wine! It is easy to understand with its light and almost translucent coloring in the glass. On the nose, this lighter colored with delicate rose and violet petal aromas has you falling under its spell. Now lured into a thinking a “Pinot Noir” lays there awaiting a soft sip. Instead this wine punches you in the face with its tight tannins and robust acidity. On the palate, fresh cherry, plum and a hint of strawberry provides a mouth puckering experience. But with the right type of food (almost any with tomatoes), the acidity and tannins are “calmed down”. Herbs with a tinge of anise and leather make the finish complete and decidedly beckoning another sip. Having had many of Gary’s wines, this is one of his two best he has produced to date. I know many more are coming!
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
With my wife down with an injury, our friends Bill & Cheryl McCready’s dropped off noodles and a homemade pasta sauce including fresh ground Parmesan cheese. The recipe is from his mother and includes sausage, ground beef, pork, tomatoes, onions and dozens of spices. One of the most delicious red sauces tasted west of Italy. With the fresh fettucine noodles and cheese, what a delicious meal. The wine with its acidity and tannins were perfectly matched for this dish. This meal and wine transported us right back to Piedmont, Italy.
Definitely a wine to make my annual Best Wines of Year tasted for 2024! I don’t publish a list for sauces, but if I did, McCready’s would be there also.
Sláinte,
Michael
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Roussanne with Blackened Swordfish
The Winery
Picture from Lavender Ridge Vineyard Facebook
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is located 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:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Last night’s dinner with the Friday Night Wine & Dine group at Verona18 brought the 2018 Lavender Ridge Roussanne, which was “perfect” for the food and enjoyed by our friends! This Roussanne is powerful with floral aromatics, with hints of peaches, pears and provided a rich and silky smooth mouthful texture. The fullness of body, almost a creamy sense, is the key contributor making this a unique wine! Roussanne brings more acidity, elegance and aromatic complexities to the wine. Lavender Ridge 2016 Roussanne won Double Gold at the 2018 Sierra Foothills Wine Competition. The 2018 release is now a standard fixture in the wine cellar and a nice change up from Chardonnay! Today they are sold out of the 2018, but the new release, 2022 will be released the later this year.
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
Ordered the Blackened Swordfish special with pineapple-jalapeño chutney and fresh vegetables. The fish was cooked to perfection. The all-encompassing and mouth filling Roussanne, coated and enveloped the blackened spices and chutney with its beautiful flavors. A wonderfully delightful dish and presentation. Dinner came on the heels of the annual Wine Club renewal party held in the Grandview Room with almost sixty wines being presented and offered to be purchased.
We also enjoyed various other wines this evening.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://lavenderridgevineyard.com
https://www.coppervalleygolf.com/homepage/current-operations
2021 Acquiesce Roussanne – When Great Things Happen to Good People!
The Winery
Picture from Acquiesce Facebook
Acquiesce Winery continues to impress with their white wine portfolio on French varietals. There is so much to state about Susan Tipton, owner and winemaker of Acquiesce Winery. The key takeaway is that she established her winery in Acampo (just north of Lodi) with the expressed purpose of bringing French white wine varieties to market. Lodi had been primarily known for red wines, but she turned heads with some of her unique wines such as Picpoul, Clairette Blanche, Ingénue (blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc & Picpoul Blanc), Roussanne and more. Here are some reviews of her wines and her impact:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/09/20/2018-acquiesce-vineyards-picpoul-blanc
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/08/30/2018-acquiesce-ingenue-french-and-more-french
Her awards are too numerous to list!! Her appetizer and wine tastings are known throughout the region as being “over the top” with creativity and a delicious treat!
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Her 2020 Roussanne and earlier vintages have made my Best Wines of the Year list. The 2021 Roussanne on the eye is a light-medium golden straw color and medium viscosity. On the nose, it possessed an elegant finesse with extreme floral aromatics, hints of pear, apricots and with a rich and silky smooth mouthful texture almost creamy. The finish had a soft nutty texture of almond and a hint of honey with a distinct minerality with a medium long finish. Roussanne brings more acidity, elegance and floral aromatic complexities to the wine which makes it perfect for chicken, turkey or fish. The current release is the 2022 and winery price is $40.50/bottle. I need to taste the 2022 but hard to believe anything can top the 2021! The 2021 wine will make my Best Wines Tasted in 2024 (published in December 2024) for three years in a row!!
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 Norwegian Cod which I had never tasted nor cooked but was highly recommended at Ohana Seafood. It was in for a wonderful surprise on how good this fish tasted tender, moist and flavorful. Definitely a new favorite fish! A little background on Norwegian Cod: Norwegian Atlantic cod is a white fish in the cod-family. This cod thrives in colder waters compared to the other cod-species, like the pacific cod. Cod is perhaps the healthiest and leanest protein you can eat. It is rich in protein, vitamins A, D and B12, selenium, antioxidants and Omega-3s. A portion of cod for dinner covers your daily requirement of Omega-3. More can be found on the Eight benefits of Norwegian Cod at: https://norwegianseafoodcouncil.com/wildfish/cod/eight-reasons-to-buy-norwegian-cod/ .
Pan fried in butter, lemon and virgin oil for 6-7 minutes. The fish was also cooked in a sauce of Sriracha, honey, garlic and ginger. Served with additional sauce drizzled over the top of the cooked fish. Accompanied by yellow sweet corn. One of the best food and wine pairings of the year with the mouth-filling Acquiesce Roussanne with its flavor profile enveloping the “spirited and spicy” fish with calmness and a counter punch of flavor.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2021 Vermilion Valley Vineyards – A Great Pinot from Ohio!! Who knew?
The Winery
From Vermilion Valley Vineyards
Vermilion Valley Vineyards is an estate winery located in the rural landscape of the Vermilion River Watershed in North Central Ohio. They are located at 11005 Gore Orphanage Road, Wakeman, Ohio. Their goal is to produce world-class wines to showcase both the sustainable terrior and skilled wine making.
Co-owner and winemaker Joe Jupiter and I have had many text exchanges on his participation in the Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition. His main concern was the judging of wine based on the regional terroir. Assuring him that we divide up the regions for judging, for example, East Coast (NY, VI); Central USA (MI & Ohio); Northwest (Oregon, Washington), etc. he decided to enter the event this year. Upon his submission he graciously sent a few other wines which I will be reviewing.
Vermilion Valley Vineyards has 100 planted acres in four different locations. With micro climates, this allows all his wines to be 100% estate grown. What is interesting about Ohio is that some 370 wineries exist but only 900 acres of grapes are planted! Doing some simple math, removing the five largest vineyards in the state, you are left with each winery having a one acre parcel! Thus many wineries in Ohio rely on importing juice from various areas like the Central Valley of California and Washington. That is one of many unique characteristics of Vermilion Valley Vineyards their estate wines.
Currently they produce the following red wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemberger, Chambourcin, Dornfelder, Nebbiolo, Malbec, Pinotage and Merlot. Ditto for their white wines producing: Muscat Ottonel, Riesling. Gruner Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Traminette, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Valvin Muscat, Ribola Gialla, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Albariño, Pinot Blanc and Arneis. That is a wide variety of wines and all estate grown!
You can read their webpage about their high level of sustainability incorporating land use and their buildings. Link at the bottom of the page.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” 2021 Vermilion Valley Pinot Noir– Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
As a Californian very familiar with Pinot Noir production from Anderson Valley, Russian River, Central Coast regions (Santa Lucia Highlands), etc., I was curious but apprehensive while pulling this bottle to go with our dinner. What a delightful surprise upon the aroma and first sip! The 2021 Pinot Noir showed a nice red brick color in the glass and darker than expected (later found out due to their view on extraction) and a medium viscosity. On the nose, soft black cherry wafted into the senses along with mild nutmeg spice. On the palate, thinking still this was going to be “soft to many California Pinot Noir’s”, it exploded with flavors strawberry and cherry and a remarkable “chewiness” but not based solely on tannins. On the finish soft tannins and a light smokiness made it so desirable and begged for yet another sip. I don’t know the price but their 2020 went for $26/bottle so that may give you an indication of things to come. Personally, I have never found a $26/bottle of California Pinot Noir with so much happiness from sight, smell and taste. In fact hard to find that much in some California Pinot Noir wines reaching $60! Even adding in freight of approximately $3-4/bottle, this is a great bargain. Who knew Pinot Noir from Ohio could be so delicious!
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 was left up to me this evening and went with a chicken breast, butterflied and stuffed with minced jalapeños and a smoky salsa. A few spices and then topped off again with minced jalapeños and salsa. Accompanied by steamed broccoli. While the meal was great and perhaps a bit spicy for the Pinot Noir, it did “calm down” the meal.
This wine at whatever price it comes out will make my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2024 (out in December). It is not often you find or taste a Pinot Noir from Ohio, but should you find one, embrace it enthusiastically.
Sláinte,
Michael
Spectacular Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting at Columbia City Hotel
Attended a remarkable and eloquent tasting of 10 wines, all from 2014 vintage Saturday late afternoon. The event was held at the Columbia City Hotel. It is located in the Columbia Historic Park and the City Hotel was built in 1856.
Photo ©Hector Madrigai and City Hotel website
Tom Bender, on the Board of Directors of City Hotel, assembled 10 noteworthy wines to do a blind tasting for about 18 people. All but one of the wines was graciously provided from Rick Eason’s cellar. Tom was so excited to bring back this type of tasting experience which the City Hotel had done for years 35-40 years ago on a regular basis from 1980’s until 2005. City Hotel was known throughout the foothills for their extensive wine list. It was reopened last year after being closed for several years. It’s rebirth was funded by creating a cooperative corporation with almost 300 “single shareholders” wanting to bring back it charm and history.
All ten wines were poured just minutes in advance of the tasting. Everyone tasted and scored each wine to arrive at their top three wines. All participants rated the wines for key Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics and also voted for their “least favorite”. The wines ranged in price from $115 to $500 per bottle and two were magnums.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here were the “beauty contestants”:
Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente, Silver Oak (Alexander Valley), Black Sears, Silver Oak (Napa Valley), Continuum, Ridge Montebello, Caymus, O’Shaughnessy and La Jota. After one and a half hours of individually rating each wine, the group voted for their top three wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Those in rank order voted blind were the following numbers were:
#1 (letter I)
#2 (letter D and J)
#4 – (letter H)
Photo © Candy Strubbe
Then the big reveal with the unwrapping of the wine bottles
#1 (letter I) – O’Shaughnessy, Mt Veeder at $147
#2 (letter D and J) – A tie between La Jota at $500 and Black Sears at $150
#4 – (letter H) Caymus at $350
While all the wines were enjoyable and very good, the task was also to select the group’s less favorite. Being the “least favorite” in this lineup of pedigree wines is nothing to be upset about. It was a tie between Continuum at $300 and Nickel & Nickel “Tench Vineyard”.
The retail price of these 2014 wines from Vivino totaled $3,200 and ratings were from 4.4 to 4.6 points.
Two bonus wines were also added at the end of 2004 vintage. First being Far Niente and second being Silver Oak (Alexander Valley). Silver Oak won this competition and yet the 2014 showed rather poorly.
It was a fun and lively discussion throughout the tasting and an experience that will not be forgotten!
Sláinte,
Michael
2019 Hindsight Wines Chardonnay
The Winery
Picture from Hindsight website
Previously I have written about the Hindsight Winery in Calistoga and their excellent red wines, especially their Cabernet Sauvignon. About two years ago their long time winemaker, Jack Cole retired. Now some excellent news—they hired Michael Weis, who was the head winemaker at Groth. He is well known for making spectacular wines and I believe he received 100 points from Wine Spectator for one of his Sauvignon Blanc vintages. Additional reading about the winery and ownership can be found at:
Picture from Hindsight website
Their ownership is comprised of talented wine purests. Seth Gersh is the owner and managing Director, Alisa Gean is a Sommelier and William Boking is owner and National Sales Manager. Their resumes are too long to detail, but all have extensive and creative background in business and wine.
Besides their Cabernet Sauvignon’s which are excellent, they offer a Chardonnay, both from Napa and Monterey and Petite Sirah.
Recently they have made arrangements for their wines to be tasted at 1124 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga at the Vault in Calistoga. Their phone number is 707-341-3321.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled a 2019 Hindsight Chardonnay from Napa Valley from the cellar to enjoy with dinner. Second time I have tasted the 2019 Chardonnay so was very excited to see how it was holding up to the first review. The wine not only equaled the first experience but surpassed it. First on the eyes a light straw color and medium viscosity. On the nose it was very aromatic with very soft floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate is where some strong flavors of pear and green apple prevailed with a hint of vanilla. On the finish, minerality and a very embracing soft acidity were evident. The words that come to mind while enjoying this lovely Chardonnay are crisp, refreshing, clean, defined and stately opulence. This Chardonnay is sourced from both Carneros and Oak Knoll AVA’s. It is fermented in stainless steel, then aged 3 months on the lees in neutral French oak. It does not have that “buttery finish” and seemed more “old world” in its flavor profile of great European Chardonnays. The wine is listed on their website at $32/a bottle and check out their website for amazing sales!
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 2019 Chardonnay to specifically have with a beautiful fresh Ahi tuna steak last evening from Ohana Seafood in Modesto. It was cooked in ginger, wasabi, Mandarin oranges (and juice), lemon juice and pepper corns. Accompanied by vegetable spring rolls. The wine pairing was extremely wonderful with both the Ahi and vegetable spring rolls.
It was the last bottle 2019 Hindsight Chardonnay in the cellar will be calling to secure a few more bottles and including the Monterey Chardonnay which I have not tasted.
Hindsight Cabernet Sauvignon’s have made my annual Best Wines tasted the year and now will be adding at least the Napa Valley Chardonnay!!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2015 Tate Wine Merlot, Spring Street – A Hearty and Robust Merlot
The Winery
Photo from Tate Wine website
David Tate and his wife, Suzanne Tate are partners in TATE Wines. First a little history on how TATE Wines came to existence. Suzanne’s brief history while going to college in Austin, Texas (where she was raised), she very much enjoyed a wine appreciation course. She then went to study culinary arts at CCA in San Francisco. She went to work in Houston at a fine wine distributor for five years. It was at a wine dinner that she met David Tate. In 2010, she moved to Napa Valley.
David Tate’s credentials as a winemaker span close to 25 years with a very strong background: Ridge Vineyards, as an assistant winemaker; worked in Barossa Valley, Australia; Provence, France; Canterbury, New Zealand. He also has travelled to just about every fine wine region in the world. David graduated from Brock University in Enology and Viticulture with honors. David is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia. David currently is the General Manager and winemaker at Barnett Vineyards, winning many outstanding awards for their wine.
Photo from Tate Wine website
In 2011 David and Suzanne formed TATE Wines. So here again is a perfect blending of the two, David as the artisan winemaker, Suzanne as the marketing and sales arm, one from Canada and one from Texas. Yet combined they make a synergistic and complementary team of two, ready to take on the world with their wines. They offer Cabernet Sauvignon’s from various vineyards: Howell Mtn, St Helena and Mt Veeder all of which are excellent and worthy of cellaring. They have a 2019 Merlot from Reason Vineyard, but running extremely low and that is for now the end of their Merlot production. They do have both an excellent Chardonnay which has been a “go-to” in the cellar for years. They have more recently added a Rose and Sauvignon Blanc that I have yet to taste! In over ten years knowing David and Suzanne, every wine has been great and enjoyable and always made at a high level.
For more background on Tate Wines read this earlier post: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/08/tate-wines
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
An extremely robust Merlot. Dark ruby on the eyes with a medium to medium heavy viscosity. On the nose a dark fruit compote leads to a beautiful sweet & sour cherry and plum fruit with red licorice. The finish provides a hint of oak and cedar with soft tannins but with some edginess not often found in a “smooth or average” Merlot which makes this an enjoyable treat! Also on the finish pomegranate with medium acidity.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is not a soft and comforting Merlot but more like a bone embracing bone breaking solid bear hug with a big squeeze! A remarkable Merlot made for Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers.
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 specifically for this evening meal of beef Teriyaki with sugar snap peas and green onions. Using tenderized flank steak cut into strips combined with teriyaki sauce, sugar snap peas, ginger, chardonnay wine, Asian red chili peppers, stir-fry oil, sliced mushrooms, sliced garlic cloves and green onions halved and cut length wise. This was a delicious and tasty meal. Accompanied by cauliflower rice sautéed in soy sauce with salt and pepper. Also some garlic French bread. This Merlot with its fruity flavors played extremely well with the soy sauce.
I consider this one of Best Wines tasted this year and it will be published in my annual report in December.
Sláinte,
Michael
2014 Peter Michael “La Carrière” Chardonnay
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
From their website: ‘La Carrière’, French for “The Quarry”, reflects the vineyard’s spoon shape and tremendously rocky soils. Situated between 1,200 and 1,700 feet (366 and 518 meters) above sea level on steep mountain slopes exceeding 40 percent in grade, the vineyard has ideal southern and southeastern exposures. The shallow, rocky soils provide excellent drainage with restricted fertility, resulting in lower fruit yields with profound richness and character. ‘La Carrière’ provides a signature complexity and liquid minerality from its mountainous origin
The winery produces other top rated wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon blends, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
The history of Sir Michael David is a great read on their website.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2014 Peter Michael La Carrière Chardonnay is a wine that can be aged similar to many top shelf French Chardonnays. The deep and rich golden color was striking along with its minerality (La Carrière translated mean the quarry), almond, jasmine, lemon and pear notes. The intense creaminess was the hallmark of this wine coupled with a heavy viscosity. The finish provided jasmine and pear with a touch of butter scotch. Robert Parker gave this wine 96 points. Currently on line it is running around $130/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 sun dried tomato, spinach & cheese stuffed chicken breast. A new and delightful dish consisting of a homemade Italian dressing of Dijon mustard, lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, Italian seasonings with salt & pepper. This was “basted” inside and outside of the cut pocket with the dressing. Then stuffed with gorgonzola cheese, crumbled bacon, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Accompanied by rice and a fresh salad of butter lettuce with purple onion, blue cheese, crumbled bacon served with Champagne salad dressing.
A beautiful and delicious food and wine pairing for the evening. It tasted like somewhere between Italy and France. Peter Michael always makes my Best Wines tasted during every year.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Wood Family Vineyards Chardonnay and a New Dinner Treat
The Winery
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
Recently at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (largest in North America), Wood Family Vineyards won the following awards and not all are listed:
2019 Cabernet Franc – Double Gold
2021 Malbec – Double Gold
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Clone 30” – Double Gold
2021 El Loco Rojo Red Blend – Double Gold
2021 The Captain Red Blend – Double Gold
2022 Chardonnay – Gold
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First off, my apologies to Robert Louis Stevenson:
“In the glass, the juice glistens of golden perfection,
A sculptured artwork displaying the winemakers’ vineyard reflection
Of quality, detailed preciseness and caressing hands.
Aromas abound from the origins of the vineyard of dreams
Conjoined with the bountiful fruits of the vine, apple & pear flavors
With an undercurrent of almonds, light citrus and encased in a brioche wafer.
The finish of exquisiteness frames the sip and beckons again to the taster.
But enough, as it is time to partake and enjoy this invigorating elixir”.
-ode to Rhonda Wood’s Chardonnay by Michael Kelly
It is a great wine with pears and brioche with a medium heavy viscosity. Coming in at 14.1% alcohol and is priced at $34/bottle on their website.
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 new dish this evening of baked stuffed chicken breast with cream cheese, chopped bacon and minced jalapeños. Ingredients also included pepper jack cheese, chopped scallions. Encrusted with Italian whole wheat breadcrumbs and with lime juice. Simple and yet extremely tasteful without being “too spicy”. Accompanied by long and short grain rice, snow peas and a fresh garden salad. The wine perfectly enveloped the dish with its density and flavors. A great food and wine pairing.
Again this 2022 Wood Family Vineyards Chardonnay will make my annual list of Best Wines Tasted in the year. List comes out each December.
Sláinte,
Michael
2020 Peterson Vineyard V3 White Wine Blend – Simple Name but a Complex Wine
The Winery
Photo from Peterson website
The winery was founded by Fred Peterson and has been producing wine in the Dry Creek Valley for 30 years. Fred’s approach to winemaking was and is still a philosophy called Zero Manipulation. The goal is simply to use “low tech” and a “high touch” to produce wines with a “sense of place and soul”. In so enacting this approach it allows them to capture the essence of the vineyard, the character of the grapes and bring forth the soul of the vineyard. Having the estate winery at 1,000 feet elevation Fred states it “adds aromatics and texture to the wine… and provides a peppery quality”. At the higher elevation, means more sunlight hours and darker richer fruit.
Here is a link with much more details from a recent story:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is from Bradford Mountain Vineyard and in the title I mentioned it being a complex white wine blend. The blend is of almost equal parts of Vermentino, Vernaccia and Verdelho. Not a common wine blend, but very aromatic and delicious wine. The complexity comes from combining some very unique grapes. A quick recap of Vermentino notably from Sardinia and Tuscany, Vermentino has tastes of citrus fruit such as lemons and oranges. There can be other notes similar to grapefruit skin, apricots or almonds. Vermentino is a rare wine that pairs with artichokes, which can be problematic due to a compound call cynarin (hydroxycinnamic acid derivative) that makes dry wines sweet. Vermentino doesn’t succumb and stands up to the artichokes and garlic oils.
Vernaccia is not often found outside of Tuscany, specifically the village of San Gimignano. It is in this walled community that Vernaccia di San Gimignano can be found and if you get a chance to experience it, by all means do so! It is the only DOCG white and is restricted to the village. I can remember staring at its slightly “green coloring” in amazement while sipping in the village. It is a very crisp and sharp wine, yet having a beautiful texture on the palate. It welcomes hard cheese, vegetable, poultry and fish.
Lastly, Verdelho characteristics are again aromatic and crispness and spciy accents. Lemon, pear and phenolic texture makes it a great choice for various “light dishes”. Often apricot and stonefruit aromas occur.
I am puzzled by what possessed the Peterson’s to pick these three grapes, but very happy they did. They co-fermented the juice in the tank and barrel early on to provide a coherent and smooth wine with complex and appealing aromas which transcend to the palate and finish.
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
This wine is meant to be enjoyed with a variety of foods which is why I waited until the Super Bowl with a variety of appetizers. Several folks brought over these delicious appetizers and more were prepared. With three entirely unique and different wines, we did have many appetizers that paired well with this wine. The first being fresh smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers and slivers of purple onion. Two different green olives were also offered with pimentos and garlic.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second dish was charcuterie board with salty meats, hard cheeses, dried fruit and nuts.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The third food pairing was homemade flatbread pizzas being prepared to be put into the oven. Chicken, Pesto, garlic and artichokes were perfectly aligned for the wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One last appetizer was a fresh vegetables plate with hummus.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While some ten or twelve other appetizers were prepared these stood out as a wonderful food partner for this unique wine.
Sláinte,
Michael