prospect-772-wine-company
Christmas Cheer Dinner Party and a Few Selected Wines!
photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Held our annual Christmas party with neighborhood friends joining. We provided appetizers and main dish with each couple bringing a wide range and assortment of delicious foods. Each couple also brought a bottle of wine, and I had pulled a few in advance to enjoy.
Château de Bligny Grand Reserve Brut Champagne
photo ©Michael Kelly
Château de Bligny is a historic estate in the Aube region of Champagne, France, famous as the only grower-producer château in the Champagne appellation, producing its own unique Champagnes from its vineyards. Established in the 15th century with later additions, it boasts a rich winemaking heritage, including still wines and sparkling varieties (Blanc de Blancs, Rosé) from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, known for their freshness, fruitiness, and minerality. In a recent lecture on Champagne, the speaker mentioned it is much more difficult to produce a non-vintage Champagne as opposed to a vintage one. This Brut Grand Reserve has been our go to Champagne for years now! The price is very reasonably set at around $40-48/bottle. This wine routinely makes my annual list of Best Wines Tasted in the year for the under $50/bottle category. Here is a link to previous story on the wine: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/04/25/chateau-de-bligny-grand-reserve-brut-champagne/
2009 Viader (Proprietary Blend)
photo ©Michael Kelly
Made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc (my idea of a solid blend), it makes the apex of a Napa Valley Bordeaux. Smooth, dry and complex in tannins, and as stated in their notes “balancing acidity and an incredible array of flavors, including blackberry, black currant, cherry, chocolate, dried herb, smoky oak and spice amounting to an important and hard to define quality of sophistication.
The current vintage is the 2021 with ratings ranging from 95 to 98 points. It is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Cabernet Franc and goes for $195/bottle at the winery. Any year I open a bottle of this wine, it makes my list of Best Wines Tasted in the over $51/bottle. Here is link to a previous story written on Viader: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2018/09/24/viader-vineyards-winery-walk-in-my-steps-but-leave-your-own-footprint/
2008 O’Shaughnessy Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
photo ©Michael Kelly
Having had a bottle of this wine in November of 2025, I decided to bring another bottle out this evening. First on the eyes striking combination of inky purple and dark crimson coloring. Viscosity was medium-heavy. Once the cork was popped it took a while for the flavors to “open up” and express their pedigree after so many years of hibernation. Once opened, fresh blackberries and smooth blueberries filled the olfactory senses. On the palate, the dark fruits combined to make a robust compote of pure fruit. Full bodied possessing strong enjoyable tannins without any pointiness. The finish concluded being opulent and richly rewarding.
Parker also mentioned it will age 25+ years! Rated 98 points by Robert Parker and has been aging in the cellar for 14 years! Searching on the internet average price today appears to be $149/bottle. Today’s current vintage at the winery is their 2021 and is allocated at $160/bottle. This wine will make my annual Best Wines Tasted Listing for 2025 (list comes out December for each year).
Here is link to the O’Shaughnessy story recently written: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/11/24/2008-oshaughnessy-estate-winery-mount-veeder-cabernet-sauvignon-a-special-wine/
Notice the corks on both the Viader and O’Shaughnessy wines! They are pristine and sealed snuggly and sealed for years, due to being stored correctly. BTW, those two wines were open seven hours before the meal, filtered twice and decanted twice before serving.
photo ©Michael Kelly
We enjoy many other wines this evening from locations beyond France and Napa Valley such as Livermore Valley, Lodi, Paso Robles and Calaveras County.
Sláinte and Merry Christmas,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://champagnechateaudebligny.com/en/homepage
https://oshaughnessywinery.com/
https://woodfamilyvineyards.com
https://www.younginglewood.com
2016 Prospect 772 Wine Company Black Tie Charlie – A Big, Bold and Jammy Blend
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled our last bottle of a 2016 Black Tie Charlie the other night. It was time as you could see the wicking of the wine on the cork. Caught it just before cresting at top! The Black Tie Charlie is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. The wine was perfectly preserved and represented a beautiful blend of these two strong grapes. First, on the eyes a deep cavernous black coloring, a foreboding of what is to spring forth of dark fruit. On the nose floral notes of violets and soft black licorice waft gently with aromatic nuances. On the palate, it is where these two varietals comingling produce layers upon layers of enjoyment. A synchronized orchestra of blackberries, blueberries, dark cherry and plum swirl about the mouth. Secondary muted notes of black pepper, vanilla and an earthiness ricochet from side to side. The finish is long with flavors of herbs, soft pipe tobacco, counterbalanced with a big, bold and jammy conclusion. This has been one of my favorite blends for 10 years now!
Today’s vintage is 2021 and sells for $33/bottle which is a bargain for such a bold and expressive wine.
The Winery
While only open to the public Thursday to Sunday, this is one winery worthy of visiting in Calaveras County. Founders Ron Pieretti and Wendy Sanda recently sold the winery to Francis & Kristina Johnson, and they are continuing to produce some exceptional Rhone varietals.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the tasting room has a “down home comfortability” and welcoming factor. To find Prospect 772, it is just off Highway 4 a few miles before reaching Angels Camp. Signs show where to turn and approximately one mile down this private road leads to 25 acres which comprises both the vineyards and tasting room.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Prospect 772 has stayed true to their mission of producing exciting Rhone varietals. Each of their wines has a descriptive name so I will provide that and then the varietals used in the production. Currently the wine line up is:
Tatum’s Grace – 50% Roussanne, 50% Viogner
Sparkling GSM Brut Rose – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
Baby Doll – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
The Stray – 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Syrah
The Truant – 71% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre
The Shadow – 41% Petite Sirah, 28% Grenache, 19% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre
The Brat – 84% Grenache and 16% Syrah
The Brawler – 94% Syrah and 6% Viognier
The Instigator – 100% Syrah
Big Nose Pete – 100% Petite Sirah
Black Tie Charlie – 50% Syrah and 50% Petite Sirah
Slainte,
Michael