Rediscovering Jalama and Winemaker Mark Cargasacchi

September 4, 2020 by evebushman

Oh what a treat! I forgot how entertaining winemaker Mark Cargasacchi was! And of course, what a great winemaker he is! It had been a few years since I visited the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, aka the Lompoc Wine Trail, and when I found a photo in my Facebook memories of me at the ghetto, at Jalama wines, I re-shared it. That’s when I knew that I was way overdue for a visit. So overdue in fact that I had to learn that Mark had moved their tasting room to Palm Springs, though currently closed due to Covid. Mark often comes to Lompoc, as that is still where the winery is, so I got my foot in the door during one of his visits.

Mark picking up the wines from the tasting room before our meeting outside.

The move to the desert proved to be quite profitable for Mark, he said he had his best sales there in 2019. He sold out of all of his library wines, from 2004 through 2015, as well as his current 2016 vintages of both his Syrah and El Capitan “signature blend” and most of his 2017s! He did find a few wines to share with us, so there should be a few for you too, even better if you are a wine club member.

We caught up on some local gossip during our tasting, always fun, and heard all about his new spot in the desert. We were very happy to hear how well he is doing there and can’t wait to visit when the weather, and Covid, cools off. And by the time that happens we can try his wines again. Note: All of Mark’s wines have had no new oak since 2015. So if you use the word “oaky” as a descriptor in talking about any of his wines from 2015 on he will snort, or giggle, as it’s simply not there.

Tasting

We started with a barrel sample of Mark’s Grenache/Roussanne Blanc. It had spent time in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels, with four to five more months to go before he bottles (what Mark refers to as “a second winter”) before he will release the wine. It is also unfiltered and unfined. We thought it was super fresh, good fruit.

Next up was his 2017 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills. We found it earthy as Mark had described, also with notes of dried black cherry and meaty plum. Then we sampled a 2016 Grenache with 13.5% alcohol, he had just released the wine six months before. We found it bright, smokey, rich and some of those earthy qualities again.

The 2016 Refugio blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah was very nice, with rich and spicy bold blue fruit. A “not so petite” 2016 Petite Sirah was a big wow for me, my favorite in the tasting. Wine Enthusiast awarded it as the Editor’s Choice and 91 points, I would give this wine with a bold 15% alcohol more. Plenty of big, dark and dry black fruit, peppery and balanced.

For a finisher Mark brought out his latest wines, 2018 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Both needed “another winter”, six to eight months or so, in bottle before he will release, but we could tell they would be worth the wait. The Merlot had outstanding blue to black fruit; rich, layered, spice, smokey and very aromatic. The Cab was bright now, but again, had that good fruit and earthy qualities we kept finding in the Jalama wines.

https://www.facebook.com/jalamawines

https://www.instagram.com/jalamawines/

https://www.jalamawines.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Vintage Eve Circa Nov 2017: Tasting the Double Gold San Francisco Competitions at République

September 1, 2020 by evebushman

At the end of October I had a chance to taste a selection of Double Gold winners from the 2016 and 2017 San Francisco International Wine Competition and the 2016 and 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The San Francisco Competitions 2017 Double Gold Tour gives wine and spirits professionals a unique opportunity to taste the Competitions’ top winners and to discover the next trending tastes, styles, and varietals we’ll be seeing in 2018.

At the LA stop on this year’s multi-city tour, the San Francisco Competitions are proud to also offer a seated seminar showcasing Double Gold winning wines and spirits. Join Executive Director Anthony Dias Blue as he gives you a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of the SF Competitions and walks you through the complexities of tasting wines and spirits like a competition judge.

Wine and Spirits…That I Took the Time to Taste and Loved (I did skip those I’ve already tasted too.)

Cakebread Cellars 2014 Chardonnay, Reserve Family Vineyards, Carneros, Napa Valley; Goodmills Family Winery 2013 Teroldego, Lodi; 1849 Wine Company 2014 Declaration Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; DeLille Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Four Flags Red Mountain; J. Lohr Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Signature and Premium Bordeaux Blend Cuvee St. E, both Paso Robles; Ordaz Family Wines 2014 Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard, Sonoma Valley; IPPIN Junmai Sake, Tamasakee, Shiga Japan and Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Yamada Nishiki, both from Hyogo, Japan.

Mission Vodka, Arizona; Frey Ranch Gin, Nevada; Belle of Dayton Gin, Dayton Ohio; New Holland Brewing Knickerbocker Gin, Michigan; Vanagandr London Dry Gin, A Coruna-Galicia, Spain; Conniption Navy Strength Gin, North Carolina; Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin, Vermont; Tattersall Distilling Barreled Gin, Minnesota; Springfield Manor Lavender Gin, Maryland; Mad March Hare Small Batch Poitin, Ireland; Hyde 10 Year Old Pure Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Ireland; Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey, Oregon; Whiskey Del Bar Classic Cask Strength Single Malt, Arizona; from Paul John: Bold Indian Single Malt, Edited Indian Single Malt and the Peated Select Cask Indian Single Malt all from Goa, India; Starward Single Malt Wine Cask Whisky, Melbourne, Australia; Kings County Distillery Peated Bourbon, New York; J Henry and Sons 5 Year old Bellefontaine and Cask Strength Patton Road, both reserve straight bourbons from Wisconsin; One Eight Distilling United Whiskey No. 6, Washington D.C.; two Whistle Pig: the Old World Cask Finish Rye Whiskey and the 15 Year Old Rye Whiskey, both from Vermont; Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey, Baltimore.

Behind the Scenes with Anthony Dias Blue

Granted, I have judged a couple of times, as I’m sure some of the students in Blue’s class have done, but it’s good to be reminded just how serious the judging is.

When the competition began they had a scant 300 entries, now they are up to 2,400.

There are 60 judges in the process, and they are made up of experts (reviewers, writers, restauranteurs, somms, etc.) allowing each group to have a good representation in which to judge merits.

There are 28 countries from the current competitions.

While they usually receive more wine to review, there are still 80 – 100 spirits.

Judging is done blind, the bottles are not seen, and they don’t know the price or the area they came from – only the varietal is known.

As price is sometime a factor to the general public, and more expensive is perceived as more valuable, the price points of the wine and spirits are not revealed.

After the Double Gold winners are awarded, then all of the judges get to taste all of the Double Golds to determine the sweepstake’s winner.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Discovering Montemar Again, and Probably Again and Again?

August 28, 2020 by evebushman

I remember tasting Montemar wines at past Wine in the Pines events, and that a few friends were in love with their wines, especially their Pinot Noirs. When my #LAWineWriters group planned a trip to Lompoc I looked around to see who else I would like to visit, and remembered that Montemar was there. Besides Pinot they are also known for Rhônes – GSM blends and Syrah – as well as Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Rose, Viognier, Grappa and more.

When I met up with owner Caryn Arrowood she gave me their wine list, and whew, there was a lot to choose from. (For a writer, who of course has to spit everything, I limited myself to varietals that I normally appreciate.) Caryn commented that they make “too many” of a lot of varietals. They do indeed, lucky us.

But before we got to tasting Caryn showed me their life-size chalkboard where visitors could write down their goals (sadly Caryn’s husband Steve had his life’s goals written there before he passed away due to cancer), organic garden (Caryn offered that we take anything we like home with us), their sandy beach (yes, you read that right), large paintings of popular musicians one of their club members had done and plenty of well-spaced seating areas. Now, I grew thirsty to taste.

Tasting

The first wine we tasted, Caryn’s favorite and mine now as well, was their 2018 Grenache Blanc with delightful notes of fresh pineapple and fruit cocktail. Next up, a 2014 Sangiovese from Stolpman Vineyard, proved once again how great the Stolpman Vineyards are, and how a great winemaker can do great things with it. It had a beautiful nose filled with light red fruit, spice and brambles. Another wine with great fruit and spice, as well as mushrooms and violets, was the 2014 Grenache, I was now three for three in finding favorites at Montemar.

A dark, earthy, spicy wine with great balance, their 2014 GSM was the ticket. This rendition had 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre. A 2013 Syrah, Thompson Vineyard, had me at a “hello blueberry” youthful taste for a 2013, that also had a bright mint and some red earth notes to it.

Next up was their 2012 Syrah EBA (Extended Barrel Aged) from the Watchhill Vineyard. This wine has 12 more months in barrel, for a total of 30 months, before bottling. Caryn commented that this was “a good vineyard” for them. I got lots of red jammy fruit, pepper, crushed leaves, with a long tannic finish. Another favorite that lingered in my mind for a long time after tasting. Our final wine was a 2015 Petite Verdot from Happy Canyon. It was dark, dusty, with lots of great fruit and the most perfumed bouquet.

Note: Though Steve had been the winemaker for all of the wines we tasted, we learned that their son Kyle Arrowood, who Caryn said had been “a garage winemaker since he was a kid”, had taken up the helm. I look forward to returning and tasting Kyle’s vintages. The Arrowoods have long-time contracts with many vineyards where they can “control the fruit”, and I expect that to continue for many years to come.

Montemar Wines

1501 E. Chestnut Ct., STE E. Lompoc.

805-735-5000

https://www.montemarwinery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Montemarwines/

https://www.montemarwinery.com/reopening.html

Virtually Explore the Stags Leap District This Fall

August 26, 2020 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – A highly anticipated release for more than 20 years, the Stags Leap District Appellation Collection showcases coveted Cabernet Sauvignon from 17 of the region’s wineries. This year’s one-of-a-kind offering highlights the 2017 vintage, and will be available for purchase from October 15th to December 15th, 2020, with wines arriving in time for holiday celebrations and gifting. Only 150 total sets are available.

New this year, Appellation Collection loyalists and buyers will also have the chance to meet the vintners and winemakers through a series of interactive virtual tastings, giving Cabernet Sauvignon enthusiasts the chance to learn more about the nuances of each prestigious wine. Reservations for the tastings, which will be hosted at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Friday afternoons in November and December, can be made at https://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/VirtualTastings or https://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/AppellationCollection.

“Each of these wines stands alone, but as a collective they tell a complete story of the Stags Leap District, and showcase the hallmark characteristics of this region – grace and power, lush texture and vibrant fruit,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “Our Virtual Tastings will deepen the experience, with the chance to hear directly from, and taste with, our vintners and winemakers about this memorable vintage.”

The limited-edition 2017 Appellation Collection includes a total of 17 distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons, from the following wineries: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Odette Estate Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

The 2017 Appellation Collection is priced at $1,999 for the 17-bottle set, packaged in two boxes complete with detailed winemaker tasting notes; ground shipping is included. The Appellation Collection is only available for purchase from October 15th to December 15th, 2020.

Availability:
October 15th to December 15th, 2020
150 Appellation Collection sets
Sold exclusively by the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association
Order:
http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/AppellationCollection
Or call 707.255.1720
Cost:
$1,999, which includes ground shipping for 17 bottles shipped in two boxes with winemaker tasting notes. Additional sales tax applies to purchases made in California and in various other states, to the extent required by law.
Shipping:
Included (where allowed by law).

Appellation Collection Virtual Tastings
A full schedule and registration details for the Virtual Tastings can be found at
http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/VirtualTastings. The tasting series includes:

Session #1 – Friday, November 13, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Clos du Val, Regusci, Silverado Vineyards and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Session #2 – Friday, November 20, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Baldacci Family Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery

Session #3 – Friday, December 4, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards, Odette Estate

Session #4 – Friday, December 11, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Ilsley Vineyards, Shafer Vineyards, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards

The 2017 Appellation Collection includes one bottle of each of the following Stags Leap District-designated wines:

Baldacci Family Vineyards, 2017 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Chimney Rock Winery, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ganymede Vineyard
Cliff Lede Vineyards, 2017 Dancing Heart Cabernet Sauvignon
Clos Du Val, 2017 Hirondelle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Ilsley Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Lindstrom Wines, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Malk Family Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Odette Estate Winery, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pine Ridge Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Quixote Winery, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Regusci Winery, 2017 ‘The Elders’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Shafer Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five
Silverado Vineyards, 2017 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, 2017 FAY Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags’ Leap Winery 2017 The Leap Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Steltzner Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Taylor Family Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

About Stags Leap District Winegrowers:
The Stags Leap District Winegrowers is a non-profit association of vintners and growers united by the mission of enhancing the reputation of the appellation and its wines and sharing its quality with the wine-loving world. The SLDWA is comprised of 17 wineries and 10 grower members. Wineries include: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Odette Estate Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards. To learn more about the Stags Leap District, please visit stagsleapdistrict.com or find the Association on Facebook.com/StagsLeapDistrict, Instagram.com/StagsLeapAVA Twitter @StagsLeapAVA.

South Coast Winery Wins Big at 2020 Toast of the Coast

August 5, 2020 by evebushman

TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, proudly accepted multiple awards at the 2020 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition produced by the San Diego County Fair. The winery won Best Pinot Grigio in the competition as well as a Double Gold medal for its South Coast Winery 2019 Pinot Grigio, along with four Gold Medals and two Silver. Additionally, sister property and member of the Carter Hospitality family, Carter Estate Winery won a Gold Medal in the event.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition, which recognizes and promotes wineries producing the finest quality wines, took place February 29 to March 1 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. A total of 633 wines were judged by 15 prominent wine industry professionals – a group that included winemakers, sommeliers, wine journalists and wine business managers.

“We are honored to continue adding prestigious recognition and top awards to our over 3,000 wine accolades accumulated since our inception in 2003,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. “The Toast of the Coast citings reinforce our mission to use expert knowledge and craft to produce the very best wines, always retaining a sense of each varietal’s personality and terroir of origin.”

South Coast Winery’s results for this competition: 2019 Pinot Grigio won Double Gold and “Best Pinot Grigio” award; 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir won Gold; 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon awarded a Gold designation; Gold for 2018 Chardonnay Sans Chêne and NV Berenda Road Zinfandel; and 2015 Merlot and 2018 Sauvignon Blanc were Silver winners.

In addition, Carter Estate Winery 2015 Blanc de Noir won a Gold medal.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition traditionally culminates with showcasing winning wines at the Toast of the Coast Wine Festival at the annual San Diego County Fair. The festival, originally scheduled for June 13, 2020, has been postponed until June 12, 2021, due to COVID-19.

A list of all winners and additional information is available at thetoastofthecoast.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, the resort offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

HALL Family Wines Appoints Alison Frichtl Hollister Senior Winemaker

August 3, 2020 by evebushman

ST. HELENA, CA – Luxury wine producer, HALL Family Wines, has announced that Alison Frichtl Hollister has been promoted to the position of Senior Winemaker for the HALL, WALT and BACA brands, working with Director of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson.

“We are delighted to announce the promotion of Alison to the position of Senior Winemaker for HALL Family Wines,” says Vintner and HALL Family Wines owner, Kathryn Hall. “Alison’s detail-oriented and artful approach to winemaking has made her a critical and central part of our winemaking effort for the past 12 years, first as enologist and most recently as the lead winemaker for BACA wines. In her new position, Alison’s role will expand to winemaking responsibilities for all our brands, with particular emphasis on WALT Wines.”

Hollister joined HALL Family Wines in 2008. She has grown with the luxury brand during her tenure, serving in many roles, including Enologist and Assistant Winemaker. In 2016, Alison was tapped to lead the new BACA brand, creating premium Zinfandels from some of the top vineyards and appellations throughout California. During her time at the winery, Hollister has developed extensive experience crafting Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rose wines.

“I thrive in a creative environment – one that encourages intuition, innovation, and new ideas,” says HALL Family Wines Senior Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister. “Having spent over twelve years with HALL and WALT and now crafting BACA wines, I’m looking at this as a great opportunity to use the approach I’ve honed to express the nuance and elegance of each varietal. The winemaking responsibilities of the coming vintage are a challenge that I’m excited to accept.”

Hollister was introduced to American winemaking after living in the Willamette Valley in Oregon as a teenager. She then earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. After graduation, Hollister planted her roots in Napa Valley and accepted her first role in the wine industry at Etude Wines in 2006.

Having been surrounded by many forms of artistry throughout her personal and professional career, Hollister is also known to craft high quality kombucha and kimchi and is an avid artist. Hollister resides in the Howell Mountain region of Napa Valley with her husband Bruce, a landscape designer and artist.

For more information on HALL, WALT or BACA Wines, please visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, and www.bacawines.com.

About Hall Family Wines

Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Director of Winemaking Megan Gunderson, sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast including eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, Beller, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high–tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 600 ratings of 90 points or above from the industry’s top critics, including five 100-point scores. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

How About An Invitation to Gambero Rosso’s 1st Virtual Master Class?

July 31, 2020 by evebushman

Gambero Rosso is a huge name in Italian wines. They usually have walk around tastings for press, sommeliers, distributors and consumers. With Covid-19 ending all of that I had the remarkable luck to have been offered bottles from 12 wineries to review at home along with a live Master Class on Zoom.

The Invitation

I’m writing with a special invitation to you on behalf of Gambero Rosso, the global authority on Italian wines and publisher of the annual Vini d’Italia (Italian Wines) guide. We would like to invite you to join a small group of U.S. wine writers and key wine trade for Gambero Rosso’s first-ever virtual Master Class, hosted by Marco Sabellico, the guide’s editor-in-chief.

…12 wines will be tasted and discussed, meaning you will receive 12 full bottles of wine…You would be one of just 25 hand-selected participants from the entire U.S. This will be an interactive experience, with opportunities for you to ask questions throughout the tasting…

Wine List and Notes (some are from the winery representatives/technical sheets, the tasting notes are mine and those marked with a plus sign + were my favorites. My husband Eddie joined me for the class.)

PANIZZI

+Vernaccia di S. Gimignano 2019

The name Gimignano on the label is the town in Tuscany where the Vernaccia grapes are grown. It’s not a very well-known wine grape but of top quality. This is their 30^th vintage but back in the medieval times of the 12^th century this wine was the most exported wine. The wines sees no time in oak, it’s all stainless steel. This vintage was described as “not very aromatic” though I found it quite lively with stone fruit and pineapple notes.

BOCCADIGABBIA

Colli Maceratesi Ribona Le Grane 2018

The Ribona grapes, also known as Maceratino, are indigenous and grown in the Maceratesi area. They are 25 kilometers from the sea with both sandy and clay soils. The vineyards are 20 years old. According to the technical notes “whole grape berries, picked slightly over-ripe are added to the wine” following the first fermentation. I noted the salinity in the wine, due to the proximity to the sea air, fresh fruit, as well as an earthy quality.

ZORZETTIG

FCO Pinot Bianco Myò 2018

This winery is in Fruili, and the Spessa vineyard is designated as historical and dates back to the 1950s. The grapes are harvested by hand within the first week of September. I found spice and bruised yellow Delicious apple notes. The tech sheets mentioned having this wine with light appetizers, fish, canapes, Adriatic crab with Arugula. The crab pairing sounded just perfect to me.

CASALFARNETO

+Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Cl. Crisio Ris. 2016

This was a reserve Verdicchio, grown close to the mountains, dating back to 1995. The wine had a rich mouthfeel with lots of citrus and apple notes. It normally spends some time in oak and a minimum one year in stainless steel. This 2016 has just been released. As it’s a reserve they are aged 18 months. Had it again, two days later, still fresh, vibrant, with tons of fruit.

VELENOSI

++Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Prope 2016

This was my favorite wine in the tasting. I got notes of sweet ripe plums, crushed black cherry, black berry – and a developed maturity for being so young and not decanted. (We left it open and enjoyed it even more with dinner later.) It is 100% Montepulciano grapes, hand-picked mid-October, vineyards are in Controguerra, gravelly soil. The maceration period can extend four weeks according to the technical notes.

CONTE LEOPARDI DITTAJUTI

+Conero Pigmento Ris. 2016

This 100% Montepulciano wine was harvested mid-November from a vineyard in Sirolo in the Conero area. That grapes are picked late harvest – early October to the end of November, barrique aging. Many of the experts in the class had decanted this Riserva Montepulciano wine, some up to 24 hours before, so we swirled like mad and really liked what we found: ripe fruit, forest floor, dusty and tannic.

CONTE EMO CAPODILISTA – LA MONTECCHIA

Colli Euganei Cabernet Sauvignon Ireneo 2016

Another to decant, the wine is a blend of dried wine grapes including 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 4% Carmenere, vineyards are 200 meters above sea level and in barrique barrels for 12 months. Because the grapes are dried, like an Amarone, there is more sugar and a higher alcohol content, 15.5%. They also freeze their yeast for fermentation for all of their wines. The wine was filled with dried fruit, olive, mint, balsamic and tannins. After more time in my glass it was earthier.

DE STEFANI

+Colli di Conegliano Rosso Stefen 1624 2015

This wine is from the Marzemino grape, which is grown in the hillside 50 kilometers north of Venice. (One of the somms remarked that the Marzemino grape is related to the Lagrein grape.) The owner Alessandro De Stefani spoke to us about his wines, and is the fourth generation to run the family-owned winery. The wine was dry, dark, sweet with both honey and Port wine notes as it developed in the glass.

TENUTA MONTETI

+Caburnio 2015

This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Alicante Bouschet and 25% Merlot, the percentages change with each vintage, 14% alcohol, no fining, no filtering and expected to age over 15 years according to the technical notes. The vineyards are in “the tail of Tuscany, at the coast.” It tasted older than five years to me as it was very balanced, dark fruit, earthy with a lovely nose. Would benefit from decanting too.

COPPI

Gioia del Colle Primitivo Senatore 2015

This wine is from Puglia, chalk and clay soils, 100% Primitivo, handpicked the first 10 days of September, 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels, 13.5% alcohol. We noted that it was aromatic and tart, with raspberry and mint leaves. Most of the somms loved the wine. Fred Swan commented Primitivo has “the same DNA as Zinfandel. (They are) twins that grew up in different neighborhoods.”

CÒLPETRONE

Montefalco Sagrantino 2012

Made with the Sagrantino grape in Umbria, this eight year old wine has the highest percentage of polyphenols in the world according to winery representative Giacomo Alari. Pungent, tart, mushroom and tannic – the wine could probably go a few days in an opened bottle for added depth.

TENUTA SANT’ANTONIO

+Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli 2015

Sant’Antonio is known as the father and protector of the poor. Gigli is the name of a flower from the region in Verona. The vines are 40 years old, three months of raisining, three years in new casks. Another favorite in the tasting, and our last. The dried grapes that made up this Amarone offered huge aromatics and flavors, including a nice black cherry.

Facebook links:

Boccadigabbia
CasalFarneto
Còlpetrone
Az. Agr. Conte Emo Capodilista
Vini Coppi
De Stefani
Panizzi
Tenuta Monteti
Tenuta Sant’Antonio
Velenosi Vini
Zorzettig Vini

Goldschmidt Vineyards Launches New Tasting Room

July 30, 2020 by evebushman

HEALDSBURG, CA., June 2020 – Goldschmidt Vineyards [goldschmidtvineyards.com] opened its first-ever tasting room on June 13, 2020 at The Pour House, a collective of three family-run wineries, located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, CA. The tasting space, formerly known as Family Wineries of Dry Creek Valley, has refreshed its interior décor and lineup of wines to now include Goldschmidt Vineyards and its domestic portfolio of labels including: Singing Tree Chardonnay, Fog’s Edge Chardonnay, Gracepoint Zinfandel, The Conspirator Red Blend, Chelsea Goldschmidt Merlot and Katherine Goldschmidt Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The collective is open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm for consumer tastings, with Goldschmidt Vineyards Goldmark Wine Club members welcomed for complimentary tastings. Wholesale/trade tastings are hosted by-appointment.

The idyllic location overlooking Dry Creek Valley is the destination for an exceptional wine education experience hosted by The Pour House collective team, with future winemaker tasting seminars to be led by Nick Goldschmidt. Reservations are requested in order to safely monitor and accommodate each guest. Tastings are $10.00 per person for four (4) wines; tasting fee is refundable with a bottle purchase. Visit www.goldschmidtvineyards.com to receive more information on new releases, upcoming tastings and vineyard events.

“Since our first release of Forefathers back in 1988, we’ve never had the opportunity to present our wines to the public. We finally decided to showcase not only the wines you have come to know us for, but also the very small parcel lots in the 100-200 case range. With the purchase of more land, we now have the ability to offer bottlings which are super hard to make from these very specific micro terroirs. We would love to welcome you at The Pour House in Dry Creek to sample them.” —Nick Goldschmidt, Winemaker/Owner, Goldschmidt Vineyards

Visitors to the property can rest assured their tasting experience at Goldschmidt Vineyards is in accordance with Sonoma County Department of Health Services regulations and guidelines. Hand sanitizer is available and all common spaces are disinfected after each use. Tastings are conducted outside in the courtyard or inside at (very limited) tables socially distanced at six-feet apart from other tasters. The winery team wears masks and gloves, and each wine is delivered in pre-poured glasses. No standing tasting at the wine bar at this time. Touchless checkout is available and credit card information can be collected ahead of the visit for a seamless no-contact transaction.

About Goldschmidt Vineyards
Nick and Yolyn Goldschmidt are the owners/vintners of Goldschmidt Vineyards with industry veteran Nick at the helm of their domestic and international winemaking across California, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South America. The prestigious Goldschmidt Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon label showcases single-vineyard bottlings from Alexander Valley and the Oakville district in Napa Valley, and the Forefathers label focuses on southern hemisphere-style Sauvignon Blanc and rich Cabernets. Each wine highlights the distinct character derived from site-specific harvests to achieve exceptional richness, quality and balance. Along with annual wine shipments across two tiers, the Goldmark Wine Club includes member-only releases and special wine offerings throughout the year. For wine club information contact Wine Club Manager Karen Clarke [karen@goldschmidvineyards.com, (707) 473-9262]. The winery office is located in Healdsburg, CA in Sonoma County. Follow Goldschmidt Vineyards on Instagram via @goldschmidt_vineyards, Facebook via @goldschmidt-vineyards, Twitter via @goldschmidtwine.

About The Pour House
As the first and only cooperative tasting room in Dry Creek Valley, The Pour House is located at 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 and features the local, family-owned wines of Optima Winery, Lago di Merlo and Goldschmidt Vineyards. Hosted by a fun and knowledgeable tasting room team, visitors will discover a wide range of exceptional award-winning, limited production and single-vineyard varietal wines from each producer. The Pour House is open seven days a week and features charming picnic grounds just footsteps from vineyards, a bocce court and beautiful wine country scenery. A curated selection of giftware and branded apparel is available for purchase. Join the Club House Wine Club featuring wines from all three producers to enjoy complimentary tastings and club discounts. Contact: Tasting Room Manager Carol Carone [carol@thepourhouse707.com, (707) 433-0100].

Vintage Eve 11/2017, “From Portugal to Australia: A Trio of Ports and Five from Wakefield Wines”

July 28, 2020 by evebushman

Lots of wines, eight in all, to taste through this week. We are starting with the ports, though we would normally recommend finishing with a port. There is nothing at all wrong with starting a meal with a little taste of something sweet, and revisiting the same wines after your meal as well, give it a try. (A note on the Ports: they arrived the day before Halloween and came with suggested candy pairings.)

From Portugal we will be traveling to “The Promised Land” so to speak with wines from South Australia, starting with an unoaked Chardonnay and finishing up with a Shiraz.

Edited “Suggested Pairings” or tech sheets follow my tasting notes.

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port with DOTS: A unique bottling in clear glass and a slightly smaller size, I was interested in trying this tawny out. The color had a clear red center and brown edge, almost indicative of an aged Rose. On the nose we got aromas of chocolate covered cherries, liquor-filled chocolate, and Luxardo liqueur or a Luxardo cherry in a Manhattan. On the mouth there were more caramel and vanilla notes, as well as that same dark cherry, plums and a bit of sherry-reminiscent. 90 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – A bright nose full of fresh nuts alongside a delicate palate of dried fruit make Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port (SRP $26) the perfect complement to the mixed fruit flavors of DOTS.

Dow’s 2011 Late Bottled Vintage Port with KIT KAT®: The color of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon and very opaque. The aromas ranged from dry, dusty earth to dark cherry, dark chocolate, mushroom…with a lower alcohol and sweetness feeling compared to the tawny. When we tasted this one we got a very richly layered feeling, with good tannin structure, lots off depth, heat, big fruit, and a little smoke/cigarette ash on a very lengthy finish, 91 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – Dow’s trademark drier style comes through, making this wine the perfect pairing with the candy’s crispy wafer and smooth milk chocolate. Unlike other Port houses, Dow’s only produces Late Bottled Vintage Port from the best of years.

Cockburn’s Special Reserve with Butterfinger®‎: A dark garnet in color, the special reserve had dense notes of red to black cherry, black plums and a dusty quality. Then came a mouth-coating viscosity on the taste with balanced flavors of fig, red cherry ad brown sugar. 90 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – A luscious style of Port, bursting with bright red cherry fruit, and Cockburn’s signature mellow cask-finished tones enhancing its smoothness, make for a devilishly delicious pairing as the creamy milk chocolate base gives way to a peanut buttery palate.

Wakefield Wines of South Australia http://www.wakefieldwines.com/

2016 Promised Land Unoaked Chardonnay Lemon-lime, sweet butter, green Granny Smith apple, orange blossom on the nose with flavors reminiscent of crisp lemon, orange and lime wedges, sweet pineapple, green apple again and a mild acidity allowing for a lengthy finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: Fresh, lifted aromas of yellow peach, along with some subtle tropical fruit characters and a touch of lemony citrus. Palate: A medium weight palate with fleshy yellow peach, subtle pineapple and citrus flavours. There is a refreshing, tight acidity and a lovely clean finish.

2016 Wakefield Merlot, Clare Valley Bold crushed blackberry, stewed plums, both dark and milk chocolate as well as mint and cinnamon rose up in the aromas. On the mouth there was blue to black fruit, very dry and tannic, and some welcoming spice held in for a medium to long finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: …raspberry, cherry and violets with enticing vanilla bean, spice and cinnamon from quality oak maturation. Palate: …ripe, dark fruit alongside rich fruit cake characters…flavours of vanilla, mocha and subtle spice…

2015 Promised Land Cabernet Merlot Crushed boysenberry, blueberry, jam, chocolate candy, tobacco and ash on the nose followed by the same fruit but less jammy and drier, also some blackberry and black currant, tannins help the flavors to linger. 88 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: …plum, red berries and liquorice along with a hint of spice, cedar and vanilla… Palate: …ripe plum, red berries along with subtle liquorice and chocolate…

2015 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet Aromas of pungent black fruit, cigarette, wet rock, very dark chocolate/cocoa and a hint of…paprika. On the mouth it was a bit tight due to its young age so we let it sit a bit and came back to revisit. Then we got nuances of blackberry, white pepper, green peppercorn, some smoke on the finish and firm tannins. 88 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: aromas…plum, cassis and licorice. Palate: …red berries, plum, cassis, chocolate and spice…

2016 Promised Land Shiraz Blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, dusty, milk chocolate, cream, vanilla bean all on the nose; while on the mouth I got that same black fruit but with lots of spice, tobacco, tannins and a medium finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: …red currant, plum and a touch of spice. Palate: …berry fruits, fine gentle tannins and a soft silky finish.

2016 Wakefield Shiraz, Clare Valley Hints of blueberry, blackberry, jam on toast and only a bit of pepper all on the nose while the mouth held notes of that same blue to black fruit, not a lot of spice or pepper, but good tannins and a tingling quality. 87 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: …plum, blackcurrant and dark cherry fruits along with a bouquet of subtle mocha and a touch of oak derived spice. Palate: …plum and blackberry…Mocha coffee and subtle spice…

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

TOR Napa Valley Announces Four New Private Tasting Experiences for Summer and Harvest

July 27, 2020 by evebushman

ST. HELENA, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — TOR Napa Valley looks forward to welcoming guests back to the Napa Valley with a variety of new private experiences and tastings for summer and harvest. All tastings and experiences will be exclusively private and by-appointment-only, allowing guests the chance to visit some of Napa’s Grand Cru vineyards, walk amongst the vines and experience TOR’s famed wines—following the CDC’s extensive health and safe precautions and measures.

WHAT’S NEW FOR SUMMER AND HARVEST 2020

The Pritchard Hill Hike & Flight ($200 per person)

Greg Melanson’s Pritchard Hill vineyard is prime real estate for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Perched approximately 1500 feet above the valley floor. The vineyard shares august neighbors: across from Colgin and adjacent to Continuum and OVID.

After either a heart pumping vineyard walk or leisurely stroll, enjoy a tasting of TOR’s Grand Dames Chardonnays, followed by three vintages of TOR’s spectacular Melanson Cabernets paired with small bites.

The Black Magic Experience ($750 per person)

Only a select few can ever experience Napa Valley like this. The TOR Black Magic Experience is available on a very limited basis by-appointment-only.

Limited to a tiny handful of guests, this is a true behind the curtains peek into the life of a vintner at the top of their game, and what goes into making 100-point wines at TOR.

David Grega, TOR’s Associate Winemaker, will be the host for an exclusive tour of the haloed soils of the legendary Beckstoffer Dr. Crane. Beckstoffer To Kalon and Vine Hill Ranch.

Guests will then then have the rare opportunity to taste barrel samples considered for TOR’s next Black and Pure Magic wines, prior to relaxing over a delicious three-course lunch nestled in gardens beneath Vine Hill Ranch. With lunch, enjoy a selection of highly rated TOR wines.

Al Fresco Wines Experience ($125 per person)

Wheeler Farms’ 12-acre historic estate on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena plays host to this al fresco tasting.

Guests will enjoy a stroll through Wheeler Farms’ gardens and state-of-the-art winemaking facility. Tastings feature five wines from a selection of Napa Valley’s First Growth vineyards, and the wines are paired with a cheese and charcuterie platter prepared by Chef Sarah Heller.

ABOUT TOR NAPA VALLEY
TOR Napa Valley produces single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Napa Valley. Tor Kenward has spent more than 40 years in the wine business and established TOR Wines in 2001 to produce wines from only the best blocks in great vineyard sites he knew and revered. In October 2016, Robert M. Parker Jr. said of TOR: “Tor Kenward is using his vast experience in the wine industry and impressive palate to find exceptional terroirs and produce fascinating wines that merit serious attention.”