livermore-valley-wines
2018 L’Autre Côte Cabernet Franc – Matured to Perfection!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We enjoyed this wine at our Friday Night Wine & Dine dinner the other night with a few friends.
Background on L’Autre Côte and Steven Kent Mirassou
It is not often that one sets out to turn the world upside down, but that is exactly what Steven Kent Mirassou is attempting with his newest label called L’Autre Côte meaning the “other coast”. The L’Autre Côte brand falls under The Lineage Collection. The goal is to make world acclaimed Cabernet Franc wines from two of Livermore’s well-known vineyards. He accomplished that in 2017 with his two versions of Cabernet Franc, one from Ghielmetti Vineyard and one from Sachau Vineyard. He made 50 cases. Both sold out almost immediately. Since that article was written ( https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/09/11/2018-lautre-cote-cabernet-franc-one-of-the-best-cabernet-francs-available/ ) he has received 96 points for his Ghielmetti Vineyard and 94 points for his Sachau Vineyard Cabernet Franc wine. Remember this was his inaugural release. He was just awarded 95 points from Wine Enthusiast for his 2018. His Lineage “Bordeaux Style” wine and his Cabernet Sauvignon were both rated 100 points and the only Livermore Valley wine to be rated so highly.
The 2018 L’Autre Côte continued with using two designated vineyard Cabernet Franc wines, but this year he combined the two together as it produced a higher quality Cabernet Franc. In Steven’s words “the wine is truly magical because their irreducible wholeness comes about as a function of their purity of fruit, balance of acidity and overt sexiness”.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Ghielmetti and Sachau Vineyards have been a long-time source for Steven’s wine be it Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. The one block at Ghielmetti of Cabernet Franc Clone 332 is 3.7 acres in size. Sachau vineyard is six acres in size with a loamy soil. The 50/50 combination of the two (each aged separately) then, with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon added provided the best of both vineyards. On the eyes, a bright and dark reddish/purple coloring, with medium viscosity. On the nose a very fruit forward aroma of raspberry and blackberry fruits. On the palate, besides the fruit bursting with excitement, you are rewarded with chocolate, jasmine tea and minerality. The finish provides rounded and defined tannins without overt edges, giving one a silky landing. The finish is mid-lasting with a tinge of fruit sweetness, yet with subtle pyrazines in play. Using once used French barrels, this wine does not have a dominance of oak but rather allows the fruit to be showcased. The current vintage is 2022 and is listed at $125/bottle.
What is unique about this award-winning wine is its maturity over seven years to being elegant with complex levels of structure and yet silky smooth.
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
Had beautifully prepared Bruschetta as an appetizer with sliced toasted garlic bread, tomato, basil, garlic and drizzled with olive oil. The wine was paired beautifully with this appetizer.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was a light entrée of four Italian braised meatballs with tomato, white wine, basil and fresh parmesan shavings. The wine and food pairing was once again spot on wonderful with this dish.
The group enjoyed sharing various other wines brought to dinner this evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While this 2018 has absolutely matured to perfection, Steven and Beth Mirassou will be having some new and even more exciting Cabernet Franc wines coming out shortly! Read a previously published article: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/07/22/a-tasting-experience-and-conversation-with-steven-mirassou-at-steven-kent-winery/
Stay tuned……
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Cheese, Wine, More Cheese and More Wines – A Fabulous Event
| Never was the saying by Andre Simon more evident than at a 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”. I attended the Wood Family Vineyards wine & cheese pairings yesterday in Livermore. They featured four cheeses and six wines during the event. At the door each participant was greeted with a glass of Pink Pearl, a Rosé of Grenache. Then off to the winery where various stations of cheese and the featured wines were being offered. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| All the pairings were very good with some unique cheeses, but the first one was spectacular and my favorite, being the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc paired with Cottonwood River Cheese. A two-year-old raw cow milk Cheddar from Jason Weibe in Kansas. A Fun nutty and sharp Cheddar boasting notes of browned pineapple with a long finish with a crunchy quality! |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| Next up was the 2023 Grenache paired with Smoking Goat cheese. This was a pasteurized goat’s milk cheese from Spain that is softly smoked. Pure cream with a nice salt line and a smooth smokey note that compliments and does not overpower. We also had a long and delightful chat with the owner and winemaker, Rhonda Wood while sipping on the wine. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| This was followed by the 2022 Merlot paired with Ewenique cheese. This is a pasteurized sheep’s milk Gouda style cheese made by Central Coast Creamery in Paso Robles, Ca. Texture that turns to a soft brown buttered cream, with touches of crystals and fun. |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| The last paring was the 2022 “Woody’s” Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Brabander cheese. This is a pasteurized goats milk Gouda from L’Amuse in Holland. Thick Cream on the pallet, with a fudgy consistency. Notes of Citrus and salt that accent the cream of the cheese the soft goats milk pops, but extremely approachable and smooth. Additionally, one of their Zinfandel’s was also tasted. A fun afternoon tasting some cheeses not normally available locally but are from the Cheese Parlor in Livermore. For each of the in-depth wine descriptions you can read at the following links: 2024 Wood Family Sauvignon Blanc https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/02/07/2024-wood-family-vineyards-sauvignon-blanc-stainless-steel-lively-zesty-and-bright/ 2023 Wood Family Grenache https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/31/2023-wood-family-vineyards-grenache-a-spicy-wine-with-pizza/ 2022 Wood Family Merlot https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/26/2022-wood-family-vineyards-one-oak-vineyard-merlot/ 2022 Wood Family “Woody’s” Cabernet Sauvignon https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/12/27/2022-wood-family-vineyards-woodys-cabernet-sauvignon-and-chateaubriand-steak/ Wood Family Vineyards has the tag line “It’s all good at the Wood’s” I think it could easily be “If it has required driving miles, you will leave with smiles”! From the hospitality folks to all the people attending smiles galore! |
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
| 250 folks attended the four-hour event and not a single unhappy face was spotted!! A testament to the food, wines and staff. |
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2024 Wood Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Stainless Steel – Lively, Zesty and Bright!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wood Family Vineyards does makes two different Sauvignon Blanc wines. One is finished in wood barrels and the other is their stainless-steel version. This stainless-steel fermented version is like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit, lemon grass, etc. However, this is just a bit “tamer and more subdued”, yet zesty, bright and lively. It is like a roller coaster ride with a sudden dip or turn! On the eyes there is a tantalizing light golden coloring and medium viscosity. On the nose aromas of lemon grass and tropical floral rise to meet the imbiber. On the palate, the strong flavors of grapefruit and lemon grass swirl about like a party in the mouth inviting one to partake in the activity. Layers of discerning flavors unfold to the imbiber. Mostly tart with a faint hint of pineapple and passion fruit to soften the enjoyment. On the finish, a puckering and enjoyable lemon zest is present. This year the lees were stirred daily for the 6-7 weeks which helped in producing a more mouth filling feel. Only 259 cases were produced, and the wine will be released in mid-February 2025 and will be priced at $34/bottle with 13.6% alcohol.
This wine made my annual Best Wines tasted in 2024 and will again in 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
I normally pair Sauvignon Blanc with fresh fish and seafood dishes. However, this evening a very thick cut pork chop was the designated meal. A very thick cut was ordered at the market (almost 2”) and brined with water, salt, brown sugar, thyme, garlic and peppercorns for eight hours. The brining keeps the pork chop extremely moist and tender.
Accompanied by mashed potatoes infused with blue cheese, fresh chives and butter. Also a fresh garden salad with pepitas provided for a scrumptious meal. The food pairing was spot on with the crisp, tart and citrusy flavors complementing the richness of the meat. The acidity also cut through the fat on the pork chop.
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
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Wood Family Vineyards “One Oak Vineyard” Merlot
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paul Giamatti, the actor in the iconic movie “Sideways” playing the role as Miles and his disdain of Merlot almost killed this wondrous grape varietal in California. Even after two decades with Paul’s comments, Merlot is slowing recovering from his disparaging comments on the varietal. His classic comments range from “No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving” to “I am NOT drinking any ####### Merlot!” only begins to frame the movie. A great book that just came out is called “Sideways Uncorked” by Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt recaps the Merlot saga as well as the rise of Pinot Noir. Many did not understand the significance of the end of the movie with Miles saving a bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that he was saving for a special occasion! He ended the movie confirming his love of Merlot!!
This 2022 Merlot is one fierce wine and not a weak or wimpy Merlot. The color in the glass is your first clue this is a different Merlot. The color is dark purple/maroon and intriguing with a medium heavy viscosity on the eyes. On the nose, chocolate covered berries, ripe plum and vanilla waft into the senses. On the palate, it is a bit of a paradox as this is both your warm and cuddly drink that is relaxing and comforting to sip. Yet you are awakened with the first sip to an explosive mouthful of Bing cherries, plums, jagged and yet silky tannins with subtle earthy tones of bramble and minerality. The finish has a textual feel, and a complex layered structure continues to enhance the wine drinker. The words chewy and masculine almost come to mind in describing this beautiful wine. While having so many brawny characteristics, it still presents at the finish as elegant and charming. This is a Merlot to absolutely enjoy today, with or without food. Alcohol is 14.8 % with 8 barrels being produced. The wine is 100% Merlot and aged 18 months in French oak barrels. This wine will be released mid-February 2025. Price has not been released.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
It is not required to have this wine in the bathtub, but perhaps worth exploring? This wine will be tasted again soon as I believe it will make the Best Wines Tasted 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
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this wine to have with a new dish this evening called stuffed pepper casserole. A great wintertime comfort food consisting of chopped yellow onions, diced orange bell pepper, ground beef, tomato paste, kosher salt, ground cumin, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, minced garlic, chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, long-grain white rice and chopped parsley. The bell pepper and ground beef were first cooked in a skillet before other ingredients being added and then baked. Shredded combination of Colby and jack cheese were added and baked on top for a few minutes. Accompanied by sauteed zucchini, summer squash and mushrooms and garlic French bread.
The fruit and tannins from the Merlot wine wrapped each morsel of the beef and spices of the casserole (bell pepper) to make a tangy and delicious meal.
The Winery
Picture from Wood Family Vineyard, Rhonda and Harrison Wood
Over 20 years ago, I believe this was one of Rhonda Wood’s first wines produced and continues to be a crowd pleaser. Now her 2022 Wood Family Vineyards “One Oak Vineyard” Merlot will most definitely be an award-winning wine. Located in eastern Livermore Valley with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker. You can read more about her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2
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
2012 Lineage Wine and a Christmas Holiday Dinner With Friends
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Aristotle in his writings 2,372 years ago in his book on Metaphysics stated, “in the case of all things which have several parts and in which the totality is not, as it were, a mere heap, but the whole is something besides the parts”. Then Euclid with his mathematics approach from his book Elements, Common Notion, stated “The whole is greater than the part(s)”. So, it is the same with the 2012 Lineage Wine. I will explain in detail below.
The Wine Maker
Steven Kent Mirassou, as a 6th generation family winemaker has set high goals. He set as his pinnacle development to produce the best “Bordeaux style” wine California could produce. A lofty and perhaps extreme goal for one man in Livermore Valley. After many years as a successful winemaker at Steven Kent Winery, he decided to make 3 to 5 barrels a year of the absolute premier “Bordeaux style” wine. We just opened his 2012 vintage, which is the sixth of the Lineage releases. The blend which changes year to year based on flavor profiles, consisted of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clones 30 & 7); 14% Cabernet Franc; 10% Merlot; 4% Petit Verdot.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While blending is an “artistic” endeavor, Steven also is analytical in his pursuit of the perfect Bordeaux blend. Here is Steven’s write-up on why these varietals and clones were chosen. It is like an artist mixing paint colors for the right shading and expression of a painting.
“Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 30: Dark cherry and cassis flavors, fine-grained tannins and acidity. Less opulent but more age worthy than Clone 4.
Cabernet Franc: Not as “big” as CS but with more finesse and an aromatic palate of sandalwood and chocolate. Acidity is the watchword of this variety. Its acid-based red fruit flavors marry well with the darker more tannic Cabernet Sauvignon to enliven and length Lineage’s finish.
Petit Verdot: Contributes tannin, color, and grapey aromas and flavors of violet and black fruit. This variety helps to build density in the mid-palate of the wine.
Merlot: Noble variety of Bordeaux’s Right Bank; as counterpoint to CS’s austere structure, Merlot is fleshy and opulent; ripe red/dark cherry flavor, a touch of herbal complexity which adds to Lineage’s rich mid-palate.”
The key take way on blending is that it is extremely selective and requires rigorous decision making of not only varietals, but the correct Clones of the varietals to get the flavor profile. Add another step of both winemaking and personal craftsmanship and abracadabra you have a gorgeous and refined Bordeaux blend called Lineage. I am sure Steven wished it was that simple, but this is the shortened version.
Two of many other detailed undertakings are his hand selection of French oak barrels (Taransaud, Le Grand and Francois Freres) and his constant monitoring of the development of the wine in the barrel.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2012 was marked by nearly perfect weather throughout the growing season, and the temperate year produced perfectly ripe and balanced fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon contribution had a significantly larger role by percentage than it did in the previous releases and shows in Lineage and generous structure. Again, Cabernet Franc beautifully serves its role as the contributor of verve, style, and vitality. Merlot provides a great mid-palate roundness while Petit Verdot adds tannin and exotic fruit. The overall feel of Lineage is one of beauty and elegance with a fairly low alcohol level of 13.9%. The suggested maturity of this wine is recommended from 2018 to 2030. The wine was harvested from the Ghielmetti Estate and Home Ranch Vineyards in Livermore Valley. This library wine today from Lineage goes for $245. The current release is 2018 and available for $195. The 2018 was given 97 points immediately by Wine Enthusiast and the 2017 received 100 points from Steve Heimoff.
The flavor profile and experience of this wine is truly remarkable. First on the eye you see a medium to medium-dark red tint and medium viscosity wine. Very different than some of the bolder Cabernet Sauvignon’s coming out of Napa Valley. Your first impression is perhaps this may be a bit light. But hold on until you get your first whiff which reveals “black fruits, exotic woods and spice aromatics”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine was double filtered and decanted for two hours before tasting.
On the palate, you get all the above characteristics that Steven proposed in his selection of varietals and clones to produce a crescendo of semi-sweet mocha, dark cherry, dark roasted coffee, sweet tobacco, violets, black fruit, etc. You are a bit mesmerized in trying to dissect each essential trait in this wine drinking experience. But it is a wine to simply enjoy and savor the existential engagement and relationship of such a rare and eloquent treat.
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
Photos ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening dinner with a dry rubbed seasoned prime rib, mashed potato casserole with bacon, cheddar cheese and topped with parsley, meatballs, mesquite chicken breasts, roasted Brussel sprouts with reduced balsamic vinegar, a scrumptious holiday honey crisp salad with thinly sliced apples, Romaine lettuce, candied pecans, dried cranberries and blue cheese with a fresh apple cider vinaigrette dressing and for dessert a freshly baked carrot cake topped with crushed candied pecans.
An excellent food and wine pairing shared with friends this evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We also enjoyed a few other very good and fun wines with the meal.
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
2021 CULMINATION Proprietary Red Wine, A New Wine (Part II)
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
The word culmination is defined by the “end point or final stage of something you’ve been working toward or something that’s been building up”. Synonyms are apex, climax, peak, pinnacle, summit or zenith. Wood Family Vineyards, having made dozens upon dozens of award-winning wines, decided to launch a second label. The second label is the culmination of intense understanding of the vineyard management, grape harvesting, production techniques, barrel choices and wines their customers desired. Simply stated the culmination of decades of intense knowledge and experience was more than appropriate to call the new label CULMINATION!
So why this new label? Often a second label is the function of selecting grapes from a particular row in the vineyard, special barrels, pricing profiling or ageing considerations. From conversations with Harrison Wood VP and Rhonda Wood the winemaker, the second label is much more than augmenting their current production. The CULMINATION label is reserved for completely different selection and techniques producing some of the same varieties they produce at Wood Family Vineyards. Their intention is to introduce an elevated experience beyond their current offering and tasting room enjoyment. The CULMINATION wines will be targeted at wine connoisseurs and those wanting a more intimate experience with possible food pairings. Many new and exciting announcements will be forthcoming over the next few months including a CULMINATION EXPERIENCE.
The two CULMINATION wines being offered in December will be CULMINATION Cabernet Franc and CULMINATION Proprietary Red Blend. The Cabernet Franc wine review was published earlier and can be read at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/11/22/2022-culmination-cabernet-franc-a-new-wine/ .
This story is about their new label CULMINATION 2021 Proprietary Red Blend.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Only occasionally one comes across a “heavenly sent” wine, this is one of them! The Wood Family Vineyards has produced consistently very good Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but this is on a different stratosphere of quality. In tasting and reviewing this wine, this is the pinnacle of wine making with Livermore Valley grapes. This wine once reviewed, in my opinion, will rate between 97 and 100 points!
First on the eyes a deep almost purple/blackish coloring and with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose juicy black and red fruits fill up the olfactory senses immediately with an ethereal aroma. Again, leaving this wine open for a good hour allowed the fruit profile on the palate to fully mature with raspberries and blueberries. The experience of intense fruit flavors of both red and blue fruits conjoined made this wine “melt” in the mouth with robust taste. Clove and French oak were also noted. On the extremely long finish, oak and soft new leather rounded out the tasting experience with exquisite tannins. The tannins entered the palate with texture and some jaggedness, then once fully appreciated, became soft and embracing. It reminded me of the adage, Spring coming in as roaring lion and leaves like a docile lamb! This wine is for serious and discerning imbibers of Cabernet Sauvignon.
For the 2021 Culmination Red Wine only 54 cases were produced. It is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. It will be released in December 2024 at $100/bottle and at 15% alcohol. The barrel treatment was for the first 17 months was in 100% new French oak barrels for the Clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc for the first 17 months was in 35% new French oak barrels. Then both varietals were blended aged in 100% new French oak for another 13 months! This wine will sell for $100/bottle.
One of the unique characteristics of this wine will be its ability to be aged 15 years in my opinion with strong fruit and firm tannins. This wine will make my annual Best Wines tasted in 2024 without hesitation.
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 seared filet mignon steak. The filet was served medium rare and topped with crumbled blue cheese. Accompanied by a twice baked potato topped with cheddar cheese and sauteed snow peas and white mushroom slices.
The food and wine pairing were spot on with the filet mignon meeting the fruit forward characteristics of wine and tannins.
I look forward to tasting it again in December when it is released.
Sláinte,
Michael