Gossamer Cellars
Two Gems From the Sierra Nevada Foothills – 2020 Mineral Wines Meritage & 2020 Gossamer Cellars Damo
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Had our oldest daughter and family over for a pre-4th of July BBQ. Broke out two wines from our previous residence in Calaveras County to have with a casual dinner. One of our grandsons is into minerals and rocks, so choose the 2020 Mineral Wines with a gold nugget on the label. The other is the 2020 Gossamer Cellars Dame a Graciano wine. Both were in Murphys originally, but recently Mineral Wines moved to Idaho.
The Wines – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Opened both up to compare and contrast as to which wine was better paired with dinner.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The first one poured was the Mineral Wines 2020 Meritage which was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. This is a great Bordeaux style blend. First on the eyes a robust and dark coloring with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromas of cedar and cherry were dominating. In the mouth rich dark black cherries and blackberries danced merrily on the palate. Beautiful balance and complexity top off each sip.
The wine is aged two years in oak and another two years in the bottle. The wine is priced between $32 to $35/bottle.
For more on the winery and winemaker, Brett Keller with his recent move to Idaho from Murphys, California, you can read at:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine was the 2020 Gossamer Cellars called “Damo”, a Graciano wine. Damo is named after Gary & Sue’s grandson. Those that follow me know I am a big fan of Gossamer Cellars as Gary is trying to make each of the wines on the DeLong Wine Chart, no small goal!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Graciano is a black skinned grape that provides a deep red wine as seen in the photo. Graciano is one of my favorite wines and is the third most popular grape behind Tempranillo and Granacha in Spain. Graciano typically has a very aromatic aroma and deep coloration. Often on the palate black peppery spice notes appear along with red fruits and noticeable herbaceous qualities. Another key trait is high acidity and strong tannins.
Graciano on the eyes has a very deep and rich coloring. Predominately soft violet aromas waft into the nose. On the palate, peppery spices appeared with delight and flavoring along with blueberry notes. A beautiful and long finish. This wine is listed at $32/bottle on their website.Bottom of Form
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
As a pre-4th of July dinner, BBQ burgers were deemed appropriate. Accompanied by backed beans with ground beef and French fries. Both wines paired wonderfully with the meal. Three of us voted on which tasted best and it was a draw (let that sink in) and rightly so as Brett and Gary are very good friends. Our son-in-law stayed with beer which was also great with the meal.
Both wines should be sought out as the three of us drinking the wines were equally impressed with the quality of each.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Gossamer Cellars in Murphys, California – A Recent Visit
Photo from Gossamer Cellar
If you have followed my writings and wine reviews, Gossamer Cellars 419 Main Street in Murphys in the lower foothills has been on my radar for almost ten years. Unique to Gossamer cellars is Gary and Sue Grant, owners with Gary being the winemaker and Sue as the welcoming host in the tasting room. One of the endearing qualities of Gossamer Cellars is Gary’s stride to create all the wines on DeLong’s Wine Grape Varietal Table that resides in the tasting room.
Photo from Gossamer Cellar
This obviously is a monumental task, and Gary continues to find new vineyards and produce new wine yearly. He does produce some stalwart wines year to year, but as a “creative and talented scientist/winemaker” he continues to dabble with many less common grape varieties.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I recently stopped by the tasting room and spoke with Sue in person and Gary via phone as he was at the winery in San Andreas. Got to taste a few of his new creations and was very impressed with two of them. The first being his 2024 Treixadura white wine from vineyards in the Sierra foothills. Primarily grown in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal and Rias Baixas region in Spain. This wine is noted for its body, citrus and floral notes with acidity that needs to be kept in check. Gary hits the mark on this light, airy and refreshing wine. It is destined to be a great and enjoyable wine with various fish dishes or simply by itself as a warm evening porch pounder.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine of notable quality was his 2021 “Reed” Charbono from Alta Mesa AVA in the Sacramento region. Charbono is originally from the alpine vineyards of Savoie in eastern France and name was initially known as Bonarda. Its key characteristics are black cherry, plum and spices often with blueberries with soft tannins. Sipping on a pour of this wine, it was love at first sip! Smooth elegance with spice and dry with a lingering finish. This wine again could be a standalone drinker or paired with a wide variety of foods. You might call this wine produced by Gossamer Cellars as a welcoming mat to red wines in their lineup!
Closing, I have often quoted a saying in their boutique tasting room that reads “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you”. Gary and Sue will never be bored with his quest for new and delicious wines.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly