Cuda Ridge Wines
Livermore Valley CabFranc Fest
On Saturday and Sunday July 12th and 13th, the members of the Cab Franc Guild in Livermore held the CabFranc Fest. The wineries that participated were:
Cuda Ridge Wines
Darcie Kent
Fenestra Winery
Las Positas Vineyards
McGrail Vineyards and Winery
Mitchell Katz Winery
Rodrigue Molyneaux
Wood Family Vineyards
And Vasco Row Wineries:
Occasio, Rosa Fierro Cellars, and The Steven Kent Winery
Each winery featured their Cabernet Franc wines and several others. For Cabernet Franc Fest, some held special events comparing and contrasting various vintages or fermentation techniques, barrel/stainless steel or concrete egg treatment, etc. Some of the wineries provided music and had food trucks available for delicious pairings with the Cabernet Franc wines.
The first stop was at Cuda Ridge Wines with Larry & Margie Dino hosting and pouring not only their award winning Cabernet Franc wines but another four or five special wines. Below are the 2022 and 2023 vintages with pizza pairings.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Larry also provided a taste of his 2022 Merlot which recently was cited by Wine Enthusiast as being one of the 13 most highly rated Merlot wines in the world! The article listed Merlot wines from Bordeaux, Tuscany, California and Washington.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
After an hour’s visit we were off to the next winery on the list.
First up was Rosa Fierro Cellars where Rosie was pouring both her 2020 and 2021 “Big Daddy” Cabernet Franc wines from White Cat Vineyard. Both wines were delicious and yet different. The 2020 provided more red fruit (raspberries) and the 2021 was extremely smooth with blackberries. Same vineyard and different years!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
With the Acoustic Frequency band playing in the background this was a perfectly “chill wine” to taste even on a warm day. Also who wouldn’t want to taste a winning wine produced by the talented and smiling Rosie?
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then walked over to Steven Kent Winery, basically in the same courtyard with the music, and tasted their award winning Cabernet Franc. Picked up the food pairing two different kinds of tacos by Carnitas Aguirre to enjoy with the Cabernet Franc wines by Steven Kent Winery. Steven and Beth Mirassou were happily pouring and discussing their wines, one being a Blanc and a red Cabernet Franc wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then walked back to Wood Family Vineyards where they were showcasing their Cabernet Franc wines and many more. The wines being offered included the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, 2023 “Para Mas Amigas” Chardonnay, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Culmination Cabernet Franc, 2022 “The Captain” a red blend and 2022 “El Loco Rojo” red blend. Charcuterie boards were also available. Their 2022 Culmination is a wine to be sought after for spectacular aromas and flavor.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While at the Wood Family tasting room, in the back barrel room, their recently added Sensory and Aroma Class was about to begin. It is held for a small intimate group of customers who wish to expand their awareness and knowledge, led by the engaging and fun couple of Rob and Julie Diestler. Some 40+ fruits, vegetables, oils, fragrances, herbs, etc., are sealed in a glass container and each participant gets to smell the aroma. Then the Wood Family wines are poured and they ferret out the aromas that each wine presents. If you have not experienced something like this, it is worth signing up for as you will discover some unique ways in which to describe what you are tasting. They keep the groups small to foster communications amongst themselves and with the instructors.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Truly an excellent opportunity to taste exquisite Cabernet Franc wines, taste a few tidbits and talk with the winemakers. Put it on your calendar for next year!!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.rosafierrocellars.com
2023 Cuda Ridge Wines Sauvignon Blanc with Sashimi and Nigiri
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California with Larry Dino as the winemaker and his wife Margie as chief wine taster. They produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following Bordeaux varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère. Always experimenting, Larry Dino also has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from 100 – 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is where one should not judge a book by its cover! While on the eyes a pale almost clear coloring thinking this is nothing more than “glorified water” or light Sauvignon Blanc. The truth is just the opposite. Bright and crisp aromas of peach and white grapefruit greet the olfactory senses. Then when on the palate, this wine becomes larger than life with grapefruit being the pronounced flavor. Secondary flavors lime and lemon grass let their presence be known. The finish was extremely and enjoyably long, especially for Sauvignon Blanc.
This wine made my Best Wines tasted during the year 2024 (comes out each December) and will again in 2025. It is a great summertime wine on the patio and being only 12% alcohol is great for social occasions. It is listed for $30/bottle and the surprising punch of power and flavors was astonishing. This wine has won awards at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Alameda County Fair.
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 sashimi and a couple of Nigiri rolls from Shiro Ninja restaurant in Angels Camp, California. Our eldest grandson was visiting for the evening, who like his grandfather, loves fresh sushi and sashimi. Brought it home and plated the sashimi of Sake (salmon), Hamachi (yellowtail) and Maguro (ahi tuna) along with a Nigiri of Sake and Unagi (eel).
With a modicum of both wasabi and ginger, the wine was excellent with the meal with its acidity, liveliness and flavors.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2023 Cuda Ridge Wines Sauvignon Blanc – Bright and Crisp Refreshment
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Originally purchased a few bottles of this wine as I felt it was a great representation of Sauvignon Blanc from Livermore Valley. It has been almost one year since my last tasting of this wine and review and it has only improved!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a soft golden touch of color with a light viscosity. On the nose when cold, grapefruit is the dominant aroma that enters the olfactory senses. On the palate, this is where the wine shows it “classiness” with a peach flavoring with the white grapefruit. Bright and rich with fresh acidity this wine is to be appreciated. Secondary flavors of lime and lemon provide a lip-smacking entrance with their flavors. On the finish, any tartness is caressed by its very full mouth feel quality, peach influence and minerality.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
When the wine warmed up a bit the grapefruit dominance subsided and the lemon and lime influence increased.
This wine had made my Best Wines tasted during the year for 2024 (comes out each December) and will again for 2025. It will be a summertime winner on the patio and being only 12% alcohol is great for social occasions. Aged in stainless steel and is listed for $30/bottle with a surprising punch of power and flavors that was astonishing. This wine has won awards at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Alameda County Fair.
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 an assortment of sashimi from Shiro Ninja restaurant in Angels Camp. A combination of Maguro (tuna), Hamachi (yellowfin) and Sake (salmon). Served with wasabi and ginger. This is only the second time enjoying the fish from Shiro Ninja and very happy with the freshness of their offering.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The food and wine pairing was excellent with the richness, delicate flavors and texture of the fish, complimented by the acidity and brightness in the wine.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California with Larry Dino as the winemaker and his wife Margie as chief wine taster. They produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère.
Photo from a recent event of Margie and Larry Dino ©Michael Kelly
Always experimenting, Larry Dino also has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from 100 – 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
Sláinte,
Michael
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