sonoma wineries
2022 VJB Cellars Aglianico (Sonoma) and 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) With A Delicious Meal
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here is a previous review of the 2021 VJB Cellars Aglianico: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/09/11/eureka-2017-vjb-cellars-estate-aglianico/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This entire meal was enjoyed with a 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon along with the Aglianico. For a review of this exquisite wine made by Philip Melka that unfortunately is no longer made, can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/01/03/2009-entre-nous-cabernet-sauvignon-what-a-great-wine/
We started out with various cheeses, crackers and roasted almonds. Additionally, a combination of gourmet potato chips from WINE CHIPS were enjoyed. The WINE CHIPS served were a combination of chips called Blue Cheese, Dry Aged Ribeye and Billionaire’s Bacon. Sorry, no pictures as they were gobbled up quickly!
Photo from Flatiron Pepper Company
We had an enjoyable dinner this weekend catching up with friends. Dinner, we had an all-day marinated tri-tip steak with Chaka sauce and seasoned with applewood smoke salt with Flatiron BBQ Rub was pounded in the steak on both sides. This rub contains chipotle, ancho, habanero, thyme, toasted onion, smoke ghost peppers, roasted garlic and paprika.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Then seared at 1500 degrees on the BBQ with the center being medium-rare and the ends more medium. Various side dishes were prepared with this dinner. Included were seasoned and baked potato wedges, fresh green beans that were sautéed with garlic, a French Baggett was sliced and dipped in garlic and kosher salt and then toasted and then finished off with a delicious 7-layer salad that was both artistic and scrumptious.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here is the entire meal plated minus the salad that was in a separate salad bowl.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The meal was enjoyed with a 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon along with the VJB Cellars Aglianico that was a very fine pairing.
The dinner was so enjoyable and the company even better!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2021 Balverne Wines Cabernet Sauvignon from Chalk Hill Appellation
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2021 vintage is comprised of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot making it a classic Bordeaux blend. It came in at 14.3% alcohol with only 415 cases being produced. It was barrel aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Having only had this wine once before; I did not remember its taste profile. First on the eyes, a radiant, yet dense enticing purple coloring greets one out of the bottle with medium-heavy viscosity. Then on the nose, lively dark cherry fruit and floral aromas wafted from the glass. Once on the palate, a chewy and powerful black cherry was the dominant taste, followed by mocha flavoring in the background. On the finish, a paradoxical experience of beautiful velvety tannins on the roof of mouth along with strong and gripping tannins, confirmed this was an exceptionally solid wine. It was counterbalanced by fruit. It will be released soon and assuming a similar price point as the last, is a very impressive bottle for the price delivering a solid performance.
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 had reviewed their 2019 vintage with a burger and did not do it justice. This evening paired with a filet mignon seared and barbequed to be served medium rare with a dollop of Roquefort, butter and chives. Accompanied by sauteed Brussel sprouts with mushrooms & bacon and a Yukon potato with chives. The wine was paired wonderfully having lively cherry flavors and stoic tannins with the meat.
The Winery and Background
Bob and Renee Stein purchased the 710-acre Russian River Valley estate that included a working vineyard in 1992. The Steins vision was to create a sustainable property, and they called it Notre Vue Estate. They developed the property keeping 350 acres in a protected Forever Wild open space. This acreage weaved with the vineyards combined rugged wildland and wildlife with the manicured vineyards.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The resulting effort is 250 acres of rolling vineyards and the “Forever Wild” protected space. This includes 17 miles of hiking and biking trails with picnic areas throughout. Horseback riding trails also exist. Their label shows a red shoulder Hawk which roams the area. Thus, their motto is the reason they consider Forever Wild to be the heart of the Notre Vue Estate.
Their goal with their winemaker is focused on making wine in a European style with finesse and low intervention. Their current offerings with the Balverne label include Zinfandel, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, a few different Chardonnay’s, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under their Notre Vue label, they have various Rosé, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a few red blends.
Photo Balverne website
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2021 Gracianna Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley
Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
It seemed only appropriated to start off Memorial weekend thinking of those who sacrificed so much for all of us. Gracianna meaning giving thanks and being grateful.
The Winery
Photo from Gracianna website
The name Gracianna is for Trini Amador III’s (owner) great grandmother (Gracianna) and they wanted to incorporate all they had to be grateful for and show their gratitude. Even on the back of the bottle, it reads “Gracianna is for those who have something to be grateful for”. The winery is set next to the Russian River on the well know “Miracle Mile” home of some of the best Pinots just outside of Healdsburg. The “Miracle Mile” is the confluence of a tectonic age, alluvial soils left by a wandering river, water flowing off the Sonoma Mountain range which carried with it eroded volcanic material–all of these factors created soil with large amounts of clay in the central portion of the Russian River Valley appellation.
Photo from Gracianna website
Gracianna produces several thousand cases per year of which 70% is for various Pinot’s. The balance of production is for Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Brut Rosé – Blush Cuvée. All their Pinot’s are produced in the Burgundian style with French barrels. They use clones 667 and 777 for their Pinot’s in the vineyard and then blend the two. The wine making is a “family affair” with all giving “gratitude” for the fruit of the vineyard.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Those familiar with Napa Valley are no stranger to Stagecoach Vineyards which ranges from 1,100 to 1,750 feet elevation. At this elevation the fog is typically lower providing the fruit a longer ripening season. More time on the vine results in bold, ripe fruit providing a robust experience.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with aging in 100% French oak barrels. Only 95 cases were produced and 15.2% alcohol. Priced at $128/bottle and currently as of this writing is on sale (check their website). This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2024 SF Chronicle Competition, a Gold Medal at the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards, Silver Medal at the Press Democrat North Coast Challenge and a Silver Medal at the 2024 Los Angeles Invitational Wine Challenge.
First on the eyes and deep dark hue of red, almost black hints of the lushness to follow. On the nose blackberries and blueberries waft gently into the senses. Once on the palate the bright and “bursting flavors” of the dark fruits of black cherries, blackberries and blueberries are dominant. Secondary flavors and mid-palate provide hints of dark roasted coffee and vanilla. On the finish, the tannins start off strong and bold but are tamed down with soft vanilla residual notes, making this a complex and delightful wine concluding each sip with finesse and grace.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I am thankful that this wine is now on my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2025! Only 2-3% of the approximate 1800 wines tasted yearly make this list that is published at years end.
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 seared filet mignon at 1500 degrees this evening and served medium rare. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and sauteed asparagus. Also served for an unusual dessert was a salad of halved cherry tomatoes with fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, sea salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Mixed in were a few semi-dried tomatoes from Italy that were mixed in sunflower oil, salt, sugar, parsley leaves, powered garlic and oregano leaves. This made for a perfect conclusion to the meal.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
An excellent food and wine pairing this evening leaving the dinner table completely full and appreciating fine food and wine.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Balverne Pinot Noir – Light and Refreshing
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The Wine – 2022 Balverne Pinot Noir
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
This wine on the eyes was a semi-translucent light and bright crimson in the glass. On the nose, aromas of strawberry were dominating. On the palate, the ripe strawberries burst vividly in the mouth with secondary flavors of cranberry and cherries. The finish was a bit abrupt, but sufficient to enjoy each inviting sip. The finish was on the smoother side of tartness with rounded and caressing tannins. Only 350 cases were produced from their Russian River Valley property. It was aged in 25% new French barrels for nine months with a light toasting of the barrels. Alcohol level is 13.8% and primarily used clones 667 and 459 with a smaller percentage of 114 and 115 picked from their vineyards. No price is shown on their website but the previous vintage, 2021 was $45/bottle.
This lighter and more refreshing Pinot Noir provides more complementary food pairings.
The Food and Wine Pairing
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
Paired this evening with a Greek themed dinner. The main dish was a Greek chicken recipe that included lemons, shallot, garlic cloves, olive oil, dried oregano, kosher salt, paprika, black pepper and fresh parsley with the sliced chicken breast. Prepared in a skillet on the stove. Accompanied by Greek roasted potatoes with ingredients of chicken stock, virgin olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, pepper, fresh oregano and fresh parsley. Also a fresh garden salad with cherry tomatoes, halved Kalamata olives and minced purple onion.
Selected this wine as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc for the meal this evening. The Pinot Noir was light and airy believing this would be a good match for the meal. It was a good match but do think Sauvignon Blanc would have been a better choice. As the anonymous saying goes, “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you”, so worth a little risk this evening.
The meal was very tasty, and the wine was a perfect fine to drink. The thought would be for this wine to be a summertime “patio pounder” with warmer weather and could easily be a standalone wine.
The Winery
(Photo Balverne website)
Bob and Renee Stein purchased the 710-acre Russian River Valley estate that included a working vineyard in 1992. The Steins vision was to create a sustainable property which they developed by keeping 350 acres in a protected Forever Wild open space. This acreage weaved with the vineyards combines rugged wildland and wildlife with the manicured vineyards.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
They accomplished their ideal view and called it Notre Vue (our view). Who would not enjoy viewing this idyllic setting every day? Can you imagine yourself sitting here?
(Photo Balverne website)
The resulting effort is 250 acres of rolling vineyards and the “Forever Wild” protected space. This includes 17 miles of hiking and biking trails with picnic areas throughout. Horseback riding trails also exist. Their label shows a red shoulder Hawk which roams the area. Their motto is the reason they consider Forever Wild to be the heart of the Notre Vue Estate.
Their goal with their winemaker Alex Hoffman is focused on making wine in a European style with finesse and low intervention. Their current offerings with the Balverne label include Zinfandel, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, a few different Chardonnay’s, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under their Notre Vue label, they have various Rosés, Chardonnay’s, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a few red blends.
Sláinte,
Michael
2022 Balverne Chardonnay – With Protected Land Being “Forever Wild”
The Winery
(Photo Balverne website)
Bob and Renee Stein purchased the 710-acre Russian River Valley estate that included a working vineyard in 1992. The Steins vision was to create a sustainable property which they developed by keeping 350 acres in a protected Forever Wild open space. This acreage weaved with the vineyards combines rugged wildland and wildlife with the manicured vineyards.
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
They accomplished their ideal view and called it Notre Vue (our view). Who would not enjoy viewing this idyllic setting every day? Can you imagine yourself sitting here?
(Photo Balverne website)
The resulting effort is 250 acres of rolling vineyards and the “Forever Wild” protected space. This includes 17 miles of hiking and biking trails with picnic areas throughout. Horseback riding trails also exist. Their label shows a red shoulder Hawk which roams the area. Their motto is the reason they consider Forever Wild to be the heart of the Notre Vue Estate.
Their goal with their winemaker Alex Hoffman is focused on making wine in a European style with finesse and low intervention. Their current offerings with the Balverne label include Zinfandel, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, a few different Chardonnay’s, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under their Notre Vue label, they have various Rosés, Chardonnay’s, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a few red blends.
The Wine – 2022 Balverne Chardonnay
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
The wine is a lighter straw golden color with medium viscosity on the eyes. On the nose fuji apple and light butterscotch aromas welcome the imbiber. On the palate, soft lemon custard and a unique marshmallow cream swirl about in the mouth. Secondary flavors of honeydew melon are also present. On the finish, an abrupt short finish but with a tinge of aforementioned lemon custard citrus leaving one with complete enjoyment.
The wine is 100% Russian River Valley and aged 8 months in 100% French oak, with 20% being new barrels and having 14.2% alcohol. Only 245 cases were produced and is scheduled is being released right now!
Their current release is listed at $35/bottle and is the 2021 vintage. 252 cases of the 2021 were produced and won Double Gold at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
The Food and Wine Pairing
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
Paired this evening with a stir-fried chicken with Udon noodles with some fresh vegetables. The seasoning included soy sauce, onion, tomato powder, black pepper and rosemary. Vegetables included purple onions, broccoli and snap peas. This was a complete dish by itself. The complementary flavors of the Chardonnay harmonized with the savory Udon noodles, vegetables and spices. A very nice food and wine pairing this evening.
Sláinte,
Michael