calaveras-winegrape-alliance
2022 Jazz Cellars Syrah “Airola Road Vineyard” Just Won Best of Show for Red Wine at Folsom Wine Fest!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
At the Folsom Wine Fest Wine Competition, Sept 13th and 14th with 480 wines being judged, the winner of the Best of Show of Red Wines was the 2022 Jazz Cellars Syrah “Airola Road Vineyard”. This was an excellent achievement considering the number of entries and all the red wine varieties represented. See https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/09/18/a-very-successful-5th-annual-folsom-wine-fest-competition/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine comes from Calaveras County just above New Melones Lake and the wine tasting room is in Murphys at 380 Main Street Suite #3.
On the eyes this wine is bright and lively in the glass with a medium viscosity. On the nose a symphony of aromas rise to greet the imbiber of violets and lavender. This is the initial sense one is going to have a unique experience with this wine. On the palate Is where this wine becomes spectacular with a taste profile initially of dark fruits of blackberry, black cherry and blueberry. Secondary spicy flavors of black pepper, clove and cinnamon combine to make a complete tasting Syrah. On the finish tertiary flavors of earthiness and wet forest floor counterbalance the initial fruits. The tannins at the finish were surprisingly evident yet silky smooth.
The wine goes for $40/bottle at the tasting room and is 100% Syrah from this vineyard. It also came in at 14.5% alcohol level.
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 very warm evening with a mesquite chicken taco salad. Small pieces of chicken marinated and cooked in a mesquite sauce with shredded lettuce, minced purple onions, cut tomatoes and shredded mixed cheeses. Plated with fresh guacamole with tomatoes and Tabasco sauce.
The wine with its fruit forwardness opposes the “warm taste” of spices in the meat and provides an great “Yin-Yang” polarized opposites for a great food and wine pairing!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While I was judging at the Folsom Wine Fest with all wines being blind, our table of three judges gave it Double Gold and was then put into the final tasting with all the judges. It was voted by all judges to be the Best of Show for Red Wines! It now made my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2025 also!
The Winery
Photo Jazz website
Joe Lazzara and Bob Smith founded the winery in 2005. Their inspiration came from New Orleans jazz music where they describe it as like jazz music being “a harmonious blend of art and science, much like a jazz composition”. They made their wine in San Francisco and in 2019 moved their wine making to Murphys. They have won over 150 medals and awards. Most recently at the Calaveras County Fair, they won Double Gold for their 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and Gold for their 2022 Viognier.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On a personal note, I have known Bob and Joe for almost ten years and am genuinely happy with their recent accomplishments and wins. This is a small boutique winery worthy of your visit.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2022 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Grenache – An Elegant Wine in a Bottle
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I purchased this wine in April 2024 when visiting Murphys for the day. This wine stood out as one of the better wines enjoyed with wonderful cheese pairings.
First on the eyes an almost translucent light red coloring and medium viscosity. It had a similar look to a light Pinot Noir. That is where the similarity ended. On the nose, a bountiful bouquet of floral aromas wafted into the senses. On the palate, a rich combination of flavorful strawberry and raspberry notes greeted the imbiber. Secondary flavors of light cranberry and clove with other exotic spices came through while sipping and on the elongated finish. The acidity was kept in check also on the finish and excellent as a drink without food wine.
The wine sold for $28/bottle and comes in at 14.4% alcohol.
The Winery
Photo from Lavender Ridge Wines Facebook posting
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard tasting room is in the town of Murphys in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. The tasting room is located at 425 A Main Street and 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