california
2022 Frog’s Tooth Winery Alicante Bouschet – The Prediction Coming True!
The Winery
Wrote a story this last summer (2024) that Frog’s Tooth was making significant strategic moves in revamping the winery. For a full recap of a 4+ hour discussion with the owner/managing partner Larry Aderman discussing the winery, the wines, their new winemaker Tana Cole and how they are elevating their game plan for the winery you can click the following link for specifics:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/06/14/frogs-tooth-winery-making-strategic-moves/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I am happy to announce one of their first wines making a qualitative impact will be their 2022 Alicante Bouschet. This wine was produced by Tana at her previous winery with Frog’s Tooth purchasing the wine from barrels. They aged the wine additionally for several months in neutral French oak. In the future, they will be offering wine produced from the Frog’s Tooth vineyard.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
What is Alicante Bouschet as many wine drinkers are not familiar with this varietal. It is a black grape with red flesh. The grape was first cultivated in France in 1866 by Henri Bouschet and is a cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache. The result was a grape that has a deep color and higher quality than Teinturier du Cher. The grapes high yields and easy maintenance with its thick skin, encouraged its popularity to the French wine growers especially following the Phylloxera epidemic in Europe. It is now grown in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Chile, South Africa and even in Alentejo, Portugal. In the United States it is grown in Napa, Sonoma, Madera, Lodi and Calaveras Counties, as well as other Sierra foothill areas. In California per their agricultural wine crush report for 2023, Alicante Bouschet represented only .001% of the total red wines!
First on the eyes is an enticing dark inky, almost black wine, with alluring depth. It is a heavy weighted wine. On the nose, black fruit arises to meet the senses including a light smoky aroma. On the palate is where this wine possesses its uniqueness and standalone quality. While having a great presence of fruit forwardness with blackberries, blueberries and black cherries, it is also counter balanced with spices and smoky traits. Mild tannins and on the finish one particular flavor was present of dark chocolate or mocha. If your “jam” is for big hearty and bold wine, this is surely worth your tasting.
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
The meal this evening was a tri tip steak. It was marinated in Chaka sauce for 24 hours and seared on the BBQ at 1500 degrees. Served medium rare and accompanied by sauteed asparagus with mushrooms, a twice baked Russet potato with cheddar cheese, garlic French bread, and a Honeycrisp salad.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Honeycrisp salad included vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, apple cider, honey, lemon juice, salt, ground pepper, purple onion, Honeycrisp apples, Romain and iceberg lettuce, candied pecan halves, dried cherries and crumbled blue cheese. For dessert a homemade cheesecake was prepared but unfortunately it was consumed so quickly, no picture!
The food and wine pairing were very good and will try the wine again soon. I have a strong feeling this will make my Best Wines Tasted in 2025.
Sláinte,
Michael
2018 Lavender Ridge Vineyard Roussanne and Patagonian Toothfish
The Winery
Picture from Lavender Ridge Vineyard Facebook
2018 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.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
To read more about Lavender Ridge, see three previous articles:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Roussanne on the eyes is a light radiant golden straw color with medium heavy viscosity. On the nose floral aromatics, hints of pear, apricots waft into the senses. On the palate, you are treated to a silky-smooth mouthful texture. The finish provides a soft nutty almond, compounded with a hint of honey and distinct minerality. 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. Rich Gilpin, owner & winemaker, produces Roussanne as a standard varietal and a nice change up from Chardonnay! Today’s vintage is 2023 and it goes for $30/bottle. This wine has made my Annual Best Wines Tasted list for 4 years in a row. It will also make the list for 2025!
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
Picture from Wikipedia
Pulled this bottle from the cellar to enjoy with Chilean seabass. The actual name is the Patagonian toothfish. The name Chilean seabass was invented by a fish wholesaler named Lee Lantz in 1977. The “pre-historic” fish with its protruding mouth and teeth was not attractive to the American market. In 1994 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted “Chilean seabass” as an alternative market name for Patagonian toothfish. This fish comes from the continental shelves around the subantarctic islands. Today it is served at most fine dining establishments and considered a delicacy. The taste is clean, sweet and hints of umami. The texture is firm and flaky and the color is a bright white fish meat.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Cooked in a skillet with the following ingredients: soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, Mae Ploy Sweet Chili sauce, Sriracha sauce, smoked paprika, Himalayan sea salt, pepper, and white wine. Served with sliced green onions and white sesame seeds. Accompanied by brown rice and special Holiday Honeycrisp Salad. The salad included vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, apple cider, honey, purple onion, lemon juice, salt, ground pepper, Honeycrisp apples, Romain and iceberg lettuce, candied pecan halves, dried cherries and crumbled blue cheese.
The food and wine pairing were exquisite and a real treat this week. The wine surrounded each morsel of the flaky fish with its texture and flavors.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2010 Larkmead Vineyards Solari for Our Belated New Years Dinner
Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We celebrated New Years a few days after as we were tied up babysitting. Our usual course of activity on New Years is to have one of our longer stored wines and a nice meal either at home or out. There was a break in the weather, so we were able to BBQ last evening.
The Winery
Photo from Larkmead Vineyards website
Larkmead Vineyards is a long-established winery in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, incorporated 115-acre estate under the stewardship of the Solari-Baker family. Dan Petroski, winemaker for Larkmead Vineyards for this vintage, has consistently produced exquisite and age worthy wines for years. We were wine club members for many years. This rested comfortably for 11-12 years in the cellar and was truly worth “stashing away”. It received 96 points and could have easily received 98 (IMHO). It is 100% estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Today winemaker Avery Heelan oversees bringing their wines to market but have not tasted her recent vintages.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine was opened about 2 ½ hours before the meal to be decanted and filtered. I have been using this Royal Selangor funnel with a stainless-steel mesh for almost 20 years. At the bottom of the funnel are five “ports/channels” which the wine is jettisoned to the sides of the decanter and continues down the decanter’s walls in a gentle fashion. This allows for the wine to be completely aerated.
I first saw this in 2003 at a restaurant in Toronto at dinner. As it turned out this was a winner in 2002 of the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization’s Good Design Award, German Red Dot Design Award: Product Design, and a Bronze in the USA’s IDEA Industrial Design Excellence Awards. A truly simple and effective device.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes, an extremely dark purple color and medium heavy viscosity. One smell of the wine, your expectations were focused and expectations set! It is a fruit driven vintage, with aromas of raspberries, blueberries and vanilla. On the palate, it burst open with an extravaganza of flavors like the conclusion at a major fireworks display. The earthiness counterbalanced with floral notes, soft vanilla tobacco, black cherry and black licorice provide explosion after explosion in the mouth. The finish was one of the longest lasting wines this year. The tannins were still omnipresent with structure and the acidity was truncated due to the expressive fruits. This is a wine that beckoned one to sip and savor each droplet in the glass. This will make my Best Wines List tasted for 2025! The current release is 2021 and the winery sells it for $200/bottle. I have not tried the 2021 but have had this wine year after year since 2009.
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 with a rib eye steak seared on the BBQ at 1500 degrees! Dry rubbed with my wife’s special spices and served medium rare. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and a fresh garden salad with Champagne dressing. A great food and wine pairing this evening toasting in the new year.
Slainte,
Michael
2023 Hindsight Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County – Mysterious & Intriguing
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the first things I noticed is this wine is unique and mysterious in its taste. It is comprised of 91% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Semillon grapes. While generally not a “big fan” of Semillon, with this modicum of grapes, it provided a beautiful balance with mellow citrus, honey, nuts and vanilla influences. Combined with the Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc with a blend of European traits blended with zesty New Zealand characteristics to provide an intriguing and mouth filling Sauvignon without the “puckering quality”. An enjoyable wine offering the best of many facets of Sauvignon Blanc.
On the eyes a soft light straw coloring and medium viscosity. On the nose grapefruit counterbalanced by guava and mango fruits swirl to entice you to take the first sip. On the palate the depth of the experience takes on layers of enjoyment bouncing from mellow citrus flavors lime and lemon to tropical fruits of guava and passion fruit. Secondary flavors again awaken one of these blends with honeydew and vanilla. The finish provides complete fullness with a brioche touch, for a beautiful conclusion. The balance of pure Sauvignon Blanc and a small amount of Semillon was in my experience, flat out perfect!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine made my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2025 (mid-Dec 2024 to mid-Dec 2025) both for the quality of taste and price point! The current price for 2021 & 2023 is $29.99 which is about sold out and then the 2023 is about to be released. Currently they have the 2023 on sale at $17.99/bottle per case (12) until January 3rd, 2025.
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 tuna steak this evening. In between rain was able to fire up the grill and sear this tuna at 550 degrees for a couple of minutes on each side. Added spices included minced garlic, minced scallion, chopped parsley, soy sauce, sliced green onions, sea salt and pepper. Accompanied by sugar snap peas and brown rice. An excellent food and wine pairing with contrasting flavors of the fish and wine providing a great yin/yang tasting experience.
The Winery
Left to right, Michael Weiss, William Boykin, Alisa Gean and Seth Gersh – Photo from Hindsight Wines
The winery is in Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley. 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 Boykin 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.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
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 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah from various designated vineyards.
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.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
With 100% confidence, this wine absolutely over-delivers!
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Wood Family Vineyards Woody’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chateaubriand Steak
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
“Woody’s Cabernet” was originally named “Woody’s Red”. Originally named for Michael Wood’s father which was a fun blend of various red varieties of grapes. Wood Family Vineyards started to produce more Cabernet Sauvignon and needed another Cabernet wine tasting room and one for the retail space. Locally in and around the Livermore & Pleasanton areas this wine can be found at Total Wine, Safeway, Luckys and even Costco.
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/
and
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and comes from three different vineyards: 62% from their estate vineyard, 19% from Smith Ranch and 19% from Dale Vineyard using clone 4 grapes. Only 390 cases were produced and aged in 100% French oak barrels for 18 months.
While ringing in the new year with lots going on, here is a wine worth putting on your list for 2025. An intensive, big & bold wine like some other regions and yet is a smooth and enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon. First on the eyes a very dark and royal purple coloring with a medium viscosity. On the nose, dark black cherry aromas waft into the senses. On the palate you find caressing black & red cherries and secondary flavor of raspberry. It is a medium dry red wine. On the finish, tannins catapult to the roof of the mouth, with acknowledgement of its pedigree without sharp edges yet grippy and an appropriate amount of oak. Relatively lower in alcohol at 13.8% but still packs a hearty wallop. The wine goes for $36/bottle and the 2022 will be released in January 2025. This will make my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2025 (starts 12/15/24 to 12/15/2025) as it is hard to find a Cabernet Sauvignon at this price point with such robustness.
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
The food pairing this evening was rather unique. Knowing the quality of this wine, a special meal was prepared. It consisted of a Chateaubriand steak cut into small pieces to use in a Tuscan slow cooked braised beef in wine. Substituting the called for Chuck roast with Chateaubriand (less fat) was absolutely the right call to enhance the dining experience. Ingredients included flour, salt, black pepper, olive oil, yellow onion chopped, chopped carrot, sliced fresh garlic cloves, chopped Italian parsley, dry red wine, beef broth and tomato sauce. The cut meat, having first been browned on the stove, was then placed in the slow cooker on low heat for 10 hours. Will add noodles next time and serve on top of them. Accompanied by roasted and sliced Yukon Gold potatoes and a fresh garden salad with northern Italian dressing.
A solid food and wine paring this evening with both the food and wine complimenting each other.
Sláinte,
Michael
Annual List of Best Wines Tasted In 2024
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2024 continued to be a busy year tasting, judging and evaluating wines. Typically, most years I taste or enjoy between 1400 to 1800 wines. This list roughly represents just less than 10% of those wines. I have broken it out by price point, those $50 and under and those $51 and up—-something for everyone! They are listed by winery name with the varietal and year. The picks come from almost all the California AVA’s and sub-AVA’s, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, Virginia and a few other states and various countries. 2024 was a year in which many wines in the cellar hit their maturity so you will notice a higher percentage of older wines. I believe whole heartily and stand by these picks. There were many other very good and solid wines, but these “stood out” in the crowd with my highest ratings. Most of these wines have been written up and you can do a search for the story on the right-hand side on a PC or laptop on my website.
| UP to $50 | ||
| Vintage | Winery | Varietal |
| 2020 | Acquiesce | Roussanne |
| 2020 | Ancient Peaks | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Aridus | Graciano |
| 2021 | Barra of Mendocino | Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve |
| 2022 | Barra of Mendocino | Pinot Noir |
| 2019 | Barra of Mendocino | Zinfandel |
| 2023 | Cellar 13 | Albariño |
| 2019 | Charbonnaire | Châteauneuf du Pape |
| 2019 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Carmenere |
| 2020 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Carmenere |
| 2022 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Carmenere |
| 2023 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Sauvignon Blanc |
| 2021 | Darcie Kent Winery | Cabernet Franc |
| 2021 | Daou Vineyards | “Pessimist” |
| 2023 | Girasole | Pinot Blanc |
| 2019 | Gossamer Cellars | Nebbiolo |
| 2018 | Hindsight Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon 20/20 |
| 2020 | Hindsight Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| 2023 | Hindsight Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| 2019 | Hindsight Wines | Chardonnay Napa Valley |
| 2022 | Hindsight Wines | Chardonnay Monterey County |
| 2018 | Hoopes Vineyard | Sauvignon Blanc |
| 2020 | Iron Hub | Chardonnay |
| 2020 | Iron Hub | Zinfandel “Old Vine” |
| 2019 | Iron Hub | Zinfandel Clockspring |
| 2015 | Jazz Cellars | Pinot Noir |
| 2019 | Kenefick Ranch | Cabernet Franc Caitlin’s Select |
| 2018 | Lavender Ridge Vineyard | Roussanne |
| 2017 | Narmada | Cabernet Franc Reserve |
| 2021 | Prospect 772 | Black Tie Charlie – Blend |
| 2019 | Quady North | Cabernet Franc Sprakling Blanc |
| 2016 | Shale Canyon | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Smith-Madrone | Riesling |
| 2019 | Spangler Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2020 | Spangler Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2020 | Spangler Vineyards | Carmenere “Griffin Creek” |
| 2021 | Stolpman Vineyards | White Blend “Uni” |
| 2020 | Vermilion Valley | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Vermilion Valley | Cabernet Sauvigon |
| 2019 | Villa Vallecito | “El Rey” red blend |
| 2021 | Vina Moda | Syrah |
| 2021 | Vivac | Cabernet Franc Abbott Vineyard |
| 2018 | VJB | Aglianico |
| 2019 | VJB | Aglianico |
| 2021 | Wellington | Merlot |
| 2021 | Wood Family Vineyards | Albarino – Sparkling |
| 2021 | Wood Family Vineyards | Bourbon Barrel Red Wine |
| 2021 | Wood Family Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2020 | Wood Family Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon “VIVA” |
| 2022 | Wood Family Vineyards | Chardonnay |
| 2021 | Wood Family Vineyards | Malbec |
| 2021 | Wood Family Vineyards | Merlot “One Oak” |
| 2022 | Wood Family Vineyards | Petit Verdot |
| 2023 | Wood Family Vineyards | Sauvignon Blanc |
| 2022 | Wood Family Vineyards | Syrah |
| 2022 | Wood Family Vineyards | Zinfandel “Big Wood” |
| ********************************** | ********************************** | ********************************** |
| $51 and UP | ||
| Vintage | Winery | Varietal |
| 2021 | Ancient Peaks | Cabernet Sauvignon “Pearl” |
| 2014 | Arkenstone | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2021 | Austin Hope | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2022 | Austin Hope | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2014 | Blackbird Vineyards | Paramount Cabernet Franc blend |
| 2020 | Brecon Estate | Cabernet Franc Reserve |
| 2019 | Brick Barn Estate | Cabernet Franc “Fatalist” |
| 2021 | Cellar 13 | Cabernet Franc |
| 2014 | Crocker & Starr Wines | Cabernet Franc |
| 2015 | Crocker & Starr Wines | Casali 8th red blend |
| 2013 | Crocker & Starr Wines | Casali Red blend |
| 2016 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Petit Verdot |
| 2019 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Petit Verdot |
| 2022 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Carmenere Insel |
| 2019 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Melange d’ Amis |
| 2018 | Cuda Ridge Wines | Petit Verdot |
| 2022 | CULMINATION | Cabernet Franc |
| 2021 | CULMINATION | Red Wine – Bordeaux style |
| 2021 | Daou Wines | Cabernet Franc |
| 2020 | Daou Wines | Cabernet Franc Patrimony |
| 2019 | Dunning Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Ehret Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon Bella’s |
| 2020 | Ehret Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select |
| 2019 | Ehret Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley |
| 2020 | Ehret Winery | Merlot |
| 2019 | Ehret Winery | Red Wine – Bordeaux style |
| 2022 | Ehret Winery | Zinfandel |
| 2010 | Hewitt | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2008 | Hewitt | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2015 | Hindsight Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn |
| 2018 | Hoopes Vineyard | Syrah |
| 2021 | J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines | Cabernet Franc |
| 2017 | Justin Vineyards & Winery | Isoceles blend |
| 2019 | Kenefick Ranch | Cabernet Franc |
| 2014 | La Jota | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2010 | Lail Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2014 | Lail Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint |
| 2013 | Lail Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint |
| 2008 | Larkmead Vineyards | LMV Red Blend |
| 2010 | Larkmead Vineyards | Solari |
| 2017 | Laura Michael Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga |
| 2019 | L’Autre Cote | Cabernet Franc |
| 2017 | L’Autre Cote | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Ledson Winery & Vineyards | Cabernet Franc “Moon Mtn” |
| 2014 | Ledson Winery & Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn |
| 2007 | Lineage Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2021 | LXV Wines | Cabernet Franc Reserve |
| 2021 | LXV Wines | The Tempo red blend? |
| 2022 | Nickel & Nickel | Chardonnay Truchard Vineyard |
| 2018 | Oakville East | Cabernet Franc – Franc n’ Stern |
| 2020 | Optio | Grenache |
| 2021 | Orfila Vineyards | Lagrein |
| 2014 | O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2009 | O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn |
| 2012 | O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder |
| 2013 | Outpost Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2011 | Outpost Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon “True Vineyards” |
| 2014 | Outpost Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon “True Vineyards” |
| 2011 | Outpost Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn |
| 2016 | Palazzo Wine | Cabernet Franc |
| 2013 | Long Shadows / Pedestal | Merlot |
| 2014 | Peter Michael Winery | Chardonnay La Carriere |
| 2013 | Peter Michael Winery | Chardonnay La Carriere |
| 2019 | pureCru Wines | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | pureCru Wines | CFM – blend |
| 2013 | Rapp Ranch | Cabernet Sauvignon Cutter’s Reserve |
| 2007 | Robert Mondavi | Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve |
| 2021 | Secret Door Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2021 | Selin Cellars | Cabernet Franc |
| 2022 | Selin Cellars | Cabernet Franc |
| 2019 | Shadybrook Estate | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2014 | Shadybrook Estate | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2004 | Silver Oak Cellars | Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| 2019 | Silver Trident Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2022 | Silver Trident Winery | Pinot Noir |
| 2019 | Smith-Madrone Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2021 | Smith-Madrone Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2014 | Tate Wines | Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder |
| 2015 | Tate Wines | Merlot Spring Street |
| 2021 | Terminim Wines | White Blend Cépages D’ Or |
| 2014 | The Grade Cellars | Cabernet Sauvignon “Winfield Vineyard” |
| 2021 | Titus Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2010 | Trespass Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2013 | Trespass Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2016 | Bodegas Vatan | Tinto de Toro |
| 2017 | Bodegas Vatan | Tinto de Toro |
| 2010 | Vineyard 29 | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2021 | Vinoce Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
| 2020 | Vivas Family | Jumillo Clio |
| 2013 | YoungInglewood Vineyards | Cabernet Franc |
Sláinte,
Michael
Inaugural Cabernet Franc Guild of Livermore Valley Tasting For International Cabernet Franc Day
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Cabernet Franc Guild of Livermore Valley, a group of winemakers, grape growers and hospitality professionals have come together to create an identity for Livermore as a premier AVA for producing Cabernet Franc. Their motto is that Livermore Valley provides a “perfect terroir” to bring to market some of the best Cabernet Franc wines available.
On December 4th, International Cabernet Franc Day, twelve wineries banded together to pour their wines in the lobby of the Bankhead Theater. The event sold out within days of the announcement of the event with 200 attendees! Each wine was delicious and all worthy to qualify for the Guild’s criteria to be accepted.
Below are the participants pouring stations and some with previous written stories on their excellent Cabernet Franc:
Cuda Ridges Wines
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wood Family Vineyards
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Rosa Fierro Cellars
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/01/25/rosa-fierro-cellars-2016-big-daddy-cabernet-franc/
Cellar 13 Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
McGrail Vineyards
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
L’ Autre Côte / Steven Kent Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Darcie Kent Estate Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Mitchell Katz at Shadow Hills
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Las Positas Vineyards
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Occasio Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Rodrigue Molyneaux Estate Winery & Vineyard
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Patty Powers from Livermore Wine Growers Association volunteered as hostess of the event with Larry Dino of Cuda Ridge Wines the Event Chairman.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A fun evening sipping incredible Cabernet Franc wines and can’t wait until the next event!
Sláinte,
Michael
International Cabernet Franc Day Celebration This Evening
Attending the inaugural Livermore Valley Cabernet Franc Guild’s tasting on December 4th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at the Bankhead Theater. A core set of Livermore Valley wineries that produce Cabernet Franc have formed the Livermore Valley Cab Franc Guild with the purpose to promote the quality of Cabernet Franc expressed by the terroir and world class winemaking of Livermore Valley. The Livermore Cab Franc Guild currently includes twelve wineries. Listed below are six which I have published stories on:
Cuda Ridge Wines
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Cellar 13 Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wood Family Vineyards
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Rosa Fierro Cellars
Photo ©Michael Kelly
L’ Autre Côte / Steven Kent Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The other six wineries participating this evening are Almost Famous Wine Company, Las Positas Vineyards, McGrail Vineyards, Mitchell Katz Winery, Occasio Winery and Rodrique Molyneaux Winery. A few have participated in the Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition with very solid scores and a few I have not tasted but looking forward to trying.
Looking forward to tasting the best Cabernet Franc wines offered by Livermore Valley Cabernet Franc Guild.
Michael
Sláinte,
2021 Wood Family Vineyards Clone 30 Cabernet Sauvignon
Background
Rhonda Wood makes several Cabernet Sauvignon wines either as 100% varietal or in a “Bordeaux style” blend. The “Clone 30” has been considered her esteemed and special Cabernet Sauvignon harvested from her estate vineyard. It will now be moved to their new CULMINATION offering starting with the release in December 2024.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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/
and
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article. Check out their website at the bottom of this article
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a unique dark purple and red combination of coloring and medium heavy viscosity. This illuminating and full body wine immediately catches your attention. On the nose fragrant dark fruit rises to greet the senses. Once on the palate, blackberries dominate, and secondary flavor of crab apple and a modicum of rhubarb is also present. On the finish, a multi-layered textual feel and the tannins are present to provide an ample “teeth clinging” sensation with edgy tannins, but still smooth and enjoyable.
photo ©Michael Kelly
Only 95 cases produced, and it will be released December 11th with a price of $80/bottle. Her 2019 “Clone 30” Cabernet Sauvignon won Double Gold at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition. This 2021 has 14.8% alcohol.
It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyards. It was aged 17 months in 50% new French oak barrels and the balance being once used French oak barrels. Then combined and aged another 12 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Splitting the barrel fermentation provides, in Rhonda’s words, “a velvety finish with structure”.
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
The wine was paired with a seared (1500 degrees) and BBQ’ed ribeye steak this evening and served medium rare. Accompanied by cheesy potato casserole. Also, a fresh spinach salad with slices of purple onions, bacon, green onion, dried cranberries and candied pecans with a Northern Italian dressing.
This wine was specifically chosen to cut through a fattier cut of steak, and it did an excellent job. One of the better wines chosen to go with this delicious meal.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Hindsight Monterey County Chardonnay – Finding Gold
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The title finding gold refers to the shining color of the wine and the value. The winery is in Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley. 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 on 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.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
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.
Photo from Hindsight Winery
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While having enjoyed past vintages of Hindsight Wines Chardonnay, this is the first 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 are 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.
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.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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
The meal this evening was a lemon chicken pan seared in oil and lemon juice. The sauce consisted of lemon juice, white wine, lemon zest and butter. Accompanied by cheesy potatoes. An excellent and enjoyable food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael