PERLIS PICKS: Angeleno Wine Company dinner at Crossings

July 14, 2018 by Michael Perlis

In 2016, reporting on the Los Angeles edition of the Garagiste Festival, I singled out Rhythm Wines as a “winery to watch”, especially enjoying the 2015 Tannat from the local Alonso Family Vineyard.

Then, I lost track of them.

Then, in early 2017 by my recollection, the manager of the short-lived and greatly missed Maré Restaurant in Silver Lake tasted us on a Rosé made by a local winemaker who was focusing on Los Angeles County grapes. But I didn’t make the connection, until…

Eve received an invitation to attend a winemaker dinner at Crossings restaurant in South Pasadena featuring the wines of Angeleno Wine Company. Eve was busy partying – um, I mean researching – in New Orleans, so her loss was our gain.

Karen and I were delighted to take her place but I was unfamiliar with the winery. A quick internet search followed and I was soon looking at the faces of Jasper Dickson and Amy Luftig Viste from that 2016 Garagiste Festival. With the focus now primarily on the Alonso Vineyard, they are working on opening their winery and tasting room in Downtown Los Angeles.

My plan is to devote a full article to Angeleno in the near future. In the meantime, back to the dinner…

Established in 2013, Crossings occupies the historic [built in 1908] Edwards and Faw building in South Pasadena. With dining rooms on two floors and the wine loft in between them as well as a patio, Crossing is visually stunning. The only question was: would the food match?

We were about to find out.

Hosted by Crossings’ Proprietor Patrick Kirchen, Chef Kevin Malone and Wine Ambassador Chris Sweeney along with Angeleno’s Winemaker Jasper Dickson, the challenge to create perfect pairings was not only met but exceeded. With Angeleno’s focus on LA County’s wine history, Chef Kevin developed a Latin-inspired menu that not only paid homage to the heritage of Los Angeles but also to Juan Alonso’s and his vineyard’s Spanish roots.

The first course, a ceviche with compressed melon and roe, also had habanero powder sprinkled on it. The heat from the habanero was cut by the balanced acidity of the Angeleno 2017 White Field Blend of mostly Spanish varietals from Alonso Family Vineyard.

Next came the monk fish with passion fruit and dwarf banana. This was paired with the 2017 “The Meadow” Rosé. This was the only wine not from LA County grapes, instead it was a blend of Graciano and Garnacha from a vineyard farmed by Markus Bokisch in Lodi. This dish and wine pairing had everybody asking for more. As Winemaker Jasper said: “Rosé all day – in LA!”

Next up, quail with mole, yolk and herb salad. This dish was not only delicious but ingenious as well, with the quail and quail egg in the same dish [raising the chicken and egg question in its own way]. The richness of the mole went perfectly with the 2016 Grenache from the Alonso Family Vineyard.

The final course [before dessert] was pork belly [yum!] with tamarind, jicama and hibiscus. Pork belly, of course, is very rich. The jicama cut through that perfectly. This was naturally paired with the heaviest wine of the evening, an excellent Tempranillo and Garnacha blend called “Bike Path”, also a 2016 from the Alonso Vineyard.

Dessert was a churro with queso Oaxaca, guanabana and honey. Pairing the cheese with the sweet dessert provided great contrast and the dish was all brought together with the 2016 “Superbloom” blend of Albarino, Riesling and Chenin Blanc, for the perfect ending to a fabulous meal.

Crossings does special events frequently. But you don’t have to wait for an event to check out Chef Kevin’s food or the killer wine list that Chris has put together. Check out the Crossings website for details.

And stay tuned for more information on Angeleno Wine Company.

Crossings 1010 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Angeleno Wine Company Los Angeles, CA

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Vintage Eve Circa Nov 2014: Tasting 2012 Vina Robles

March 6, 2018 by evebushman

I’m a fan of Vina Robles and winemaker Kevin Willenborg. We’ve met over wine more than once between the Cab Collective and at the winery in Paso Robles. They sent me their latest wines to review…and I was very pleased with:

Eve’s Tasting Notes

2012 RED4

Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre

16 months in 30% new oak barrels

13.9% alcohol

Aroma

Blackberry, bark, chocolate, black pepper and a hint o’mint.

Taste

Dark fruit jam, pepper again and layers of oak.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat

20 months in oak barrels

13.7% alcohol

Aroma

Blueberry, raspberry, menthol, wet rose garden, grape jelly, fine suede, bark.

Taste

Dark fruit, smoke, dark chocolate coffee. Would expect to have to lay this one down, which is certainly an option, but I would drink now.

From Vina Robles http://www.vinarobles.com/our_wines/current_releases

2012 RED4 – $17

Description

The Power of 4 – this Paso blend is more delicious than the sum of its parts. It combines grape varieties mainly from our prestigious Huerhuero Vineyard, located in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. Here, warm afternoons and cool evening breezes influence the grapes to perfect ripeness. The grapes were picked at cooler morning temperatures and cold soaked for two days prior to fermentation. Variable pump-over techniques were implemented during progressive stages of fermentation to enhance fruit extraction and balance out the tannin structure. The wine was then aged in both small and large format French, European and American oak barrels for 16 months in order to add complexity while enhancing a soft, velvety finish. Vina Robles’ RED4 blend showcases the spice and cherry qualities of Syrah, the structure of Petite Sirah, the forward fruit of Grenache, and the rustic character of Mourvèdre. This intriguing, youthful wine is your perfect dinner companion.

Enjoy now through 2018.

Tasting Notes

Color: Ruby garnet
Aroma: Dark fruit and pomegranate with savory spice
Taste: Medium-bodied with rich cherry fruit, sweet chalky tannins and hints of cocoa on the finish

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate – $24

Description

The fruit for our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from three of our estate vineyards in Paso Robles. It was handpicked and sorted in the early morning to ensure quality and uniformity of ripeness. Afterwards, the fruit was destemmed and gently crushed into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Pump-overs took place regularly to enhance color and help extract tannins from the skin. After pressing, the wine was racked into barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. While the majority of wine was aged in French oak, we also used some American and Hungarian oak barrels for added nuances and complexity. After 8 months of aging and extensive blending trials, some Petit Verdot was added to enhance the wine’s structure and Tannat to add fleshiness. The final blend was then aged for an additional 12 months in barrels to fully integrate before bottling.

Enjoy now through 2022.

Tasting Notes

Color: Garnet
Aroma: Dark currants with hints of fine tobacco and sandalwood
Taste: Medium-bodied; rich dark fruit; complex with a structured, creamy finish

Perlis Picks – Stillman Wines

September 2, 2017 by Michael Perlis

I don’t know about you, but most of the time it seems that vintage doesn’t matter with California wines. Yes, there are slight variations but the overall high quality grapes and good winemaking tend to result in great wine every year.

The deal goes down with Stillman in the La Quinta parking lot — photo by Mike Ortiz

2011 has seemed to be an exception. As I work my way through the wines we have from this vintage, I’ve found fewer wines than usual to get excited about. Not that they aren’t there, but it was the kind of year that separated the good from the great and resulted in my canceling some club memberships that I was borderline about.

That being said, there are still some wonderful wines from 2011. The 2011 J Dusi Zinfandel, which I originally had concerns over, has turned into a wonderful wine. And the wines from faves like Bedrock, Carlisle and Turley definitely met my expectations.

But the wine of the vintage for me was the 2011 Colossus Syrah from Stillman Wines. Fortunately, I happened to buy several bottles of this wine, and it continues to amaze everyone I share it with. No one believes the 16.5% alcohol on the bottle or that it comes from Paso Robles. The wine is just gulp-ably delicious. Sadly, I think we finally finished our last bottle of this wine.

I’m not sure what I can write about Stillman Brown [or Swilly Idle as he is sometimes known]. He makes great wines, most of them for other people. Those relationships, while not huge secrets, are also really not widely publicized and I will respect that.

So, when Karen and I met with Stillman at [REDACTED] winery and tasted through some barrel samples, I’ll tell you they were excellent but that’s about all I can tell you.

You’re in luck though. The wines Stillman makes for others he also makes for his own label [and others too], with a stylistic tweak here and there. The best way to get your hands [lips] on those is to sign up for his email list. You’ll get some entertaining emails and an opportunity to buy some delicious well-priced wines.

Here are some excerpts from some of his emails…

“Friends, family, fans and stalkers, this ZEPPELIN ATTACK WARNING is not from the Royal Flying Corps – which rather sounds like Elvis after he popped too many pills – but is instead notification of the imminent launch of one of the most unique, intense, and succulent wines we’ve made. (Succulent is not usually applied to the dominant variety here, but Tannat’s reputation for biting tannins is largely a product of the idiosyncratic fermentation regimes of its homeland in southwestern France and its often slavish mimicry in the New World, as well the similarity of the words themselves.)…”

Here’s another…

“Behold the multitasking mystery here: the title of the painting [referencing the wine label with the title The Effect Of Wine On The Human Spirit] is also the name of the wine, and the multivintage declaration doubles as the alcohol approximation. As complex as an intoxicated argument between Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein: lightly roasted ripe Nantucket cranberry and Cohabitation Canyon (Fruita, UT) cherry and mulberry, and spicy pink peppercorn and spearmint…”

And just one more…

“Ladies, gentlemen and fruit flies, I know that releasing a white wine in the icy dead of winter may seem odd, but it is not: by the time warmer weather comes there might not be any left to ship; it’s popular around here. The 2016 Red Zeppelin Vermentino sports an awesome new label, but there are no other changes excepting the addition of 9% Viognier from the same block; it’s much more like the ’15 than the ’14. The acidity is relatively high, the alcohol a mere 13.4%, but it’s not a ‘light’ wine: it has all the characteristic spice of the variety, but far more flavor and mouthfeel due to the low yields at the Hill of Graceland.”

Some wines are the Stillman Wines label, others are Zeppelin Wines. Regardless, Stillman’s wines are worth seeking out.

Send him an email at stillmanb@aol.com.

Stillman is much more than a pretty face in a gold suit and perfect pedicure. He’s been my go-to for technical questions, parking lot purchases and visits to wineries-under-construction. I want to find out more of his bio but he’s already told me if I reveal too much he’d have to ki….

Perlis Picks – Paso Robles Wine Country Grand Tasting Tour: Part Two

August 12, 2017 by Michael Perlis

Last week, I shared with you about the seminar provided for trade and media to kick off the Paso Robles Wine Country Grand Tasting Tour held at the Newport Beach Marriott.

This week, I’ll tell you our favorites of the wines we tasted at the Grant Tasting…

Alta Colina Vineyard

2016 Grenache Blanc [95% Grenache Blanc, 5% Roussanne]

2013 Old 900 Syrah [97% Syrah, 3% Viognier]

Ancient Peaks Winery

2015 Renegade [55% Syrah, 27% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot]

2013 Oyster Ridge [75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 5% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah]

Barr Estate Winery

2014 Albarino

2013 Dane Head [51% Malbec, 18% Petite Sirah, 18% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon]

Calcareous Vineyard

2013 Tres Violet [37% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre]

2013 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon [91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc]

Caliza Winery

2016 Pink [Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah]

2013 Sympatico [76% Tempranillo, 24% Grenache]

Cass Winery

2015 Viognier

2015 Mourvedre

2014 Vintage Ted [70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Mourvedre, 3% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot]

Daou Vineyards

2015 Pessimist [37% Syrah, 31% Petite Sirah, 27% Zinfandel, 5% Tannat]

2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon [75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot]

Gray Wolf Cellars & Barton Family Wines

2015 Jackal [100% Zinfandel]

2015 Big Bad [90% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah]

MCV Wines

2016 Pink [Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Tannat]

2014 1105 [60% Petite Sirah, 21% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Tannat, 1% Viognier]

Niner Wine Estates

2014 Malbec [91% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc]

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon [85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 3% Merlot, 2% Carmenere]

ONX Wines

2016 Indie [Rose of Tempranillo]

2016 Indie Noir [Red Blend]

2014 Level 22 [45% Petite Sirah, 33% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache]

A few comments…

We didn’t taste at every table. These were are our favorites of the ones we tasted.

We didn’t taste everything at MCV or ONX. We probably would have more of their wines on this list if we had. But, we just reported on our visit to MCV and our article on ONX is coming up soon.

Minor rant…really minor…

We started going to Paso Robles about 20 years ago. At that time, Zinfandel was king. Don’t get me wrong, we love the Rhones coming out of Paso, and Cab is definitely making a name for itself. Wineries like Turley, Tobin James, J Dusi and others still carry on the Zin tradition, but sometimes I think it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

So, for this reason and also because the wines were totally kick-ass, my wines of the day were the two Gray Wolf & Barton Family Wines Zinfandels – Jackal and Big Bad.

From the Gray Wolf & Barton Family Wines website:

Joe and Shirlene Barton established Grey Wolf Cellars in August 1994. Since then, the Bartons have made their winery a family-run business. Joe Senior had a vision and a dream to create great wine and do so with his family. He put on his wine labels, “A family is a circle of caring, strong and eternal.” He succeeded because he always put 100% into everything he did. Joe Senior left our pack in the Winter of 1998, but his dream and passion lives on through his family and the spirit of Grey Wolf.

I actually met Joe Junior soon after his father had passed, when the tasting room was still on Paso’s east side, at what is now Penman Springs. Joe has done amazing things with the winery and you should definitely pay them a visit.

Paso Robles has certainly made its mark on the world wine stage. I can’t help but feel that the best is yet to come.

Perlis Picks: Double Trouble Wine Room

July 29, 2017 by Michael Perlis

Downtown Newhall is fast becoming an all-in-one destination for the Santa Clarita Valley.

With a state of the art public library standing guard at the north end of Main Street and Newhall Refinery restaurant and Pulchella Winery tasting room near the southern end, along with everything else going on nearby and in-between, it is easy to see why this area’s popularity is only going to increase.

Recently, Karen and I had the opportunity to visit the Double Trouble Wine Room on Main Street, a joint project of Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery. Both wineries make their wines locally at SCV Custom Crush Services, sourcing grapes primarily from vineyards on California’s Central Coast.

PAGTER BROTHERS WINERY

For some years, I’ve enjoyed the wines made by Scott Pagter of Pagter Brothers Winery. I can’t remember all the details of when he shared the wine [under his previous wine label] with me at the much missed All Corked Up wine bar, but I do remember it being a pretty killer Grenache. [I also have very fond memories of Scott’s band Stupid Pony from those days. Fronted by excellent lead singer Sidney Iverson, I always looked forward to this band’s rare appearances.]

Scott and his brother Gib formed Pagter Brothers Winery in 2013 specializing in “big, bold reds.” That being said, the first wine we tried was the 2014 Chardonnay which was excellent, a fairly light wine but with a touch of oak on the finish to give it some body.

After that, though, we did move on to those big bold reds, tasting through a selection of wines from the 2014 vintage, mostly Rhone varietals with Syrah sourced from the White Hawk Vineyard in Santa Ynez and the Grenache from the Hoyt Vineyard in Paso Robles…

Notorious – blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, named after Gib’s day job as an attorney.

Melodious – a reverse of the Notorious, 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache, a tribute to Scott’s music/entertainment background.

Syrah – 100% from the White Hawk Vineyard. This was delicious, but we also got a sneak peek of the 2015 vintage which if anything was even better.

In addition, Pagter Brothers makes a Tempranillo. I think Tempranillo does very well in Paso and this 2014 was no exception.

Finally, another sneak peek – the 2015 Tannat. From Paso’s Adelaida district, this wine belied Tannat’s reputation as being monolithic and unapproachable. Definitely the opposite of that, drinking very well right after bottling and will only get better. My fave of the Pagter Brothers tasting.

Scott told me that their motto is to “make wine they like to drink…so if no one buys it they can drink it.” With these wines, they’re not going to be able to keep much for themselves.

HOI POLLOI WINERY

My relationship with Doug Minnick, one of the three owner/winemakers of Hoi Polloi Winery, goes back several years as well. Doug is also one of the co-founders of the Garagiste Festivals and he and I first met when I interviewed him for our Eve’s Wine 101 website about the inaugural event that was coming up.

So, it was a natural progression to want to make wine. The special focus is on Syrah and Doug says they will soon be able to do side-by-side single vineyard Syrah tastings from all four of their Syrah sources – Sebastiano Vineyard [Sta. Rita Hills], Alta Colina Vineyard [Paso Robles], Hoppe Kelly Vineyard [Russian River Valley] as well as the iconic Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon. If you know Syrah, you know that Doug et al have connected with some pretty outstanding vineyards. I feel that Syrah is one of the best varieties for showing off differences in terroir, so this is pretty exciting stuff.

But they do make other wines besides Syrah. We started our tasting with the newly released 2016 Grenache Rosé from Colburn Vineyards in Paso Robles – one of the best Rosés that I’ve had.

We then moved to the reds by first tasting the 2015 “Illicit” Pinot Noir from Santa Maria and the 2014 “Touch of Evil” Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cass Vineyard in Paso Robles. Both solid wines.

Now, time for the red Rhones!

We eased into them, starting with the 2015 Syrah / Grenache Blend called Tryst, so called because while the 34% Grenache is entirely from Paso Robles, the 66% Syrah is a combination of Paso and cool-climate Sonoma. Makes for a very tasty wine.

Not messing around now, we tasted the Sebastiano Vineyard Sta. from Rita Hills and the Alta Colina Vineyard from Paso Robles, both from the 2014 vintage. I had already tasted these wines from last year’s Garagiste Festival in LA and knew what to expect. I was not disappointed. [Not tasted this time but tasted at that same festival was the 2014 “Double Exposure” blend from both of these vineyards, which was actually one of my favorites that day.]

We got a sneak peek here as well – the 2015 Petite Sirah from the Loma Seca Vineyard in Paso Robles. Delicious now, this wine is going to be fun to watch develop.

The Double Trouble Wine Room is definitely worth your time. Gorgeous facility, now with a patio, along with great wines poured by nice people. I expect this is a place you may want to become a “regular” at before it becomes too popular.

DOUBLE TROUBLE WINE ROOM

24338 Main St.
Newhall, CA 91321

Color Up Your Summer with Brazilian Wines

July 19, 2017 by evebushman

New York, NY – Attention, wine lovers: the Wines of Brazil have made their way to the U.S. and are ready to take the country by storm. Internationally celebrated for its soccer players and its Rio Carnival, Brazil is also home to a variety of flavorful wines that will delight American consumers in search of young and fresh wines, at great value for money.

Photo: The Drinks Wholesaler magazine

In a region known for its at times excessively powerful wines, Brazil stands out for its production of lighter, friendly and easy-drinking wines. Brazilian wines offer a surprising and high-quality alternative to your usual wines choices, being generally pressed from the varietals you love: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, both still or sparkling. Embodying the soul of the country, Brazilian wines are lively, aromatic and colorful, and will be the life of the party!

Brazilian Sparkling wines – the taste of celebrations

Shake up your habits and pop a Brazilian sparkling wine for your next festivities. Characterized by an exceptional acidity and freshness, they are ultimate crowd-pleasures. Many of the producers follow the méthode traditionnelle – the same as Champagne – Brazilian sparkling wines are mainly produced from Chardonnay, Italic Riesling, Pinot Noir and Muscat. Aromatic and vivacious, they can be enjoyed on their own as an aperitif, or with all kinds of every day food such as sushi and light salads.

Brazilian Red wines – the flavor of passion

Brazilian reds will delight every red wine lover: from fruity to earthier reds, the region is home to a palette of vibrant reds pressed mostly from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which produce elegant and structured wines. With lower alcohol contents than similar New World wines (around 11-12.5%), they can be sipped during the day, without fears of headiness. The wines’ aromatic flavors combined with mild tannins make them a perfect addition to the dinner table: fresh and young, they will not overwhelm your meal’s flavors. Sip them with a BBQ-grilled meat to feel like a proper Brazilian enjoying a churrasco, the country’s iconic ember-grilled steak.

A look inside Brazil

There are six wine regions in Brazil, covering an almost 2,500-mile distance along the country’s eastern border. 90% of the wineries are in Rio Grande do Sul, the state located in the southernmost part of Brazil, bordering Uruguay. The state is also on the same latitude as Argentina and South Africa:

Serra Gaúcha – the leading region in terms of production, representing 85% of all wines produced in Brazil, it is recognized for its fruity reds and fine sparkling wines. The basaltic soil, humid climate and mild nights produce wines with a distinctive personality.
Campos de Cima da Serra – known for its aromatic whites, and elegant and sophisticated reds, the region enjoys moderate temperatures and consistent winds, which guarantee healthy vines.
Serra do Sudeste – celebrated for its low-yield vines and delicate wines with great minerality, this mountainous region is recognized as one of the most promising wine areas in Brazil.
Campanha – located in the south, bordering Uruguay and Argentina, the region is devoted to vinifera grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but also Tannat and Tempranillo, and is recognized for its flavorful reds.
Planalto Catarinense – known for its high-altitude vineyards, Planalto Catarinense is celebrated for its fresh still and sparkling whites. The region is also developing an interesting organic and biodynamic wine production.
Vale Do São Francisco – the most northern vineyard in Brazil, its grapes have higher sugar levels, creating bold and fruity wines. The region is also known for its full-bodied reds, high-quality Moscato sparkling wines and exceptional yields with two harvests a year.

About Wines of Brasil

Wines of Brasil, is an organization that represents 34 wineries that produce wines in six appellations: Serra Gaúcha, Campos de Cima da Serra, Serra do Sudeste, Campanha, Planalto Catarinense, Vale Do São Francisco.

The main mission of the Wines of Brasil project is to promote the quality of Brazilian wines in the international market. To achieve this goal, its work starts within the wineries, providing producers with guidance on how to export, which results in promotional campaigns in different parts of the world, including the participation in wine fairs and direct contact with trade agents and opinion makers.

The Brazilian wineries produced for the export market over 2.2 million liters and commercialized to 36 countries from January to December 2016. The exports to the USA market have increased 34.64 % in 2016.

Visit www.winesofbrasil.com for more information, or follow Wines of Brasil on Instagram (@brazilianwines), Faceebok (Wines of Brasil) and Twitter (@WinesofBrasil)

Perlis Picks – MCV Wines

July 15, 2017 by Michael Perlis

When Karen and I plan trips to Paso Robles Wine Country, I tend to wax nostalgic. Having been visiting wineries there for almost 20 years, I often look at the past through rose colored glasses [or is that rosé?].

Admittedly, I do kind of miss the days when Paso was our little secret to introduce to our friends. Trying to recreate the feel of those experiences is as much [or maybe even more] about the people that we know there as it is about the wine.

So, when we went back up to Paso Robles earlier this year, it may come as a surprise that we didn’t even start out tasting in Paso or the surrounding hills. Instead, we skipped the fairly short although borrrrring drive up the 5 and across the 46 and opted for the 101 to 1 route, with our destination to visit Matt Villard, owner/winemaker of MCV Wines.

The only other time we had visited Matt was in 2014. At that time, he was somewhat of a new kid on the block on Limestone Way in Paso Robles. Since then, he has moved his winery tasting room to the Morro Bay Embarcadero where he joins a few other wineries and wine bars in providing great wines to serious wine drinkers as well as the crowds that frequent Morro Bay at any given time.

Matt has great people working with him in the MCV tasting room. But the real treat is when Matt is there himself. He’s a lot of fun to hang out with and, should you be so inclined, is more than happy to “geek out” with you on the technical aspects of winemaking. And he knows his stuff, being justifiably proud of the abundance of 90+ scores he has received for his wines and for the other wineries for whom he is consulting winemaker.

Also, Matt old me that “we’re starting to do private tastings in the Paso Robles area for smaller groups. If anyone is interested they should call our tasting room.”

Some of the highlights of our tasting…

2015 ALV Sauvignon Blanc from the ONX vineyard, made in a “New Zealand” style and meant to be consumed very cold.

2013 Syrah – from the Glenrose Vineyard, this wine kind of blindsided me. At first, it just tasted like a really good Syrah. But as I continued to taste, the wine seemed to have a visceral effect on me. I don’t know if it triggered some memory that I couldn’t identify, but there was something about this wine that I really really liked, a lot.

2014 Red – an insane bargain at $21, delicious blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Tannat.

Matt started MCV to focus on Petite Sirah, so we finished the tasting with two of those – the 2014 Petite Sirah and the 2014 Rosewynn Vineyard Petite Sirah. Matt explained that the latter was treated more like a Cabernet Sauvignon in the winemaking process while the former was more traditional. Both tasted excellent to me.

Matt also said that the 2016 vintage should be a benchmark vintage for Paso Robles. I am really looking forward to seeing what Matt and others do with the 2016 wines when they are released.

MCV Wines
845 Embarcadero Ste. H
Morro Bay, CA 93442

Perlis Picks: GREAT WINES OF THE ANDES

October 22, 2016 by evebushman

Even though I’ve only been writing for Eve Wine 101 since 2009, I’ve been a wine lover for a lot longer than that – well over 30 years. Not being much of a traveler, I’ve always focused mainly on California wines. For me, the wine experience isn’t just about the wine but about the land, the winemaker, and the people on the other side of the tasting table. California provides us with such a great opportunity to do that and my palate is definitely a home-grown one. At the same time, our bounty here has limited my experience in wines from other parts of the world.

James Suckling does not have that problem. First with Wine Spectator and since 2010 with his own JamesSuckling.com, he is known worldwide as one of the foremost wine experts, traveling around the world and reporting back to his faithful readers, as well as hosting marvelous tasting events.

On September 30, Mr. Suckling brought his “Great Wines of the Andes” event to Mr. C’s in Beverly Hills, showcasing some of the wines he tasted on his last trip to Chile and Argentina earlier in the year. He tasted a lot of wines [about 1,300!] and put together an event that was guaranteed to the satisfy the attendee – wineries were limited to pouring two wines that had to have been rated 90+ points by James Suckling.

Based on that, my wife Karen and I were glad to go check it out. Knowing that Argentina has a reputation for Malbec and Chile for Carmenere, we expected to sample tasty wines of those varietals as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and some Bordeaux-style blends, which we did. But we also got a few surprises along the way. Here were some of our favorites. [Note that in some cases I have only noted the winery and wine name; any comments I do have are in italics – absolute favorite wines of the day are in bold. I take full responsibility for spelling and punctuation errors.]

Abremundos

2012 Malbec Valle de Uco 8^th Octava Bassa

2012 Valle de Uco 8^th Octava Alta Blend [Malbec and Cabernet Franc]

Marcelo Pelleriti Wines

2013 Malbec Valle de Uco Reserve

2012 Valle de Uco Pelleriti Selection Grand Reserve Blend of Terroir [Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc]

Felipe Staiti

2012 Valle de Uco Vertigo [Malbec and Syrah]

Juanchi Baleiron & Marcelo Pelleriti

2014 Malbec Valle de Uco Malbecaster 2014

[All of the above {Abremundos, Marcelo Pelleriti Wines, Felipe Staiti, and Juanchi Baleiron & Marcelo Pelleriti} are under the MarceloPelleriti Wines label. I especially liked the Malbec/Syrah blend, which was one of my favorites of the day and a real surprise to me. Very silky.]

Bodega Piedra Negra

2015 Malbec Valle de Uco Reserve

2016 Pinot Gris Valle de Uco Alta Coleccion

[Karen especially enjoyed the clean, fresh taste of the Pinot Gris.]

Puro Uno

2009 Malbec Mendoza Limitado

2011 Malbec Mendoza Mega

Ritual Winery

2014 Pinot Noir Valle de Casablanca Monster

[Admittedly, Pinot Noir isn’t usually my “thing.” In this case it was.]

2015 Chardonnay Valle de Cacablanca Supertuga Block

Grandes Vinos de San Pedro

2014 Valle de Cachapoal Andes Sideral [Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc]

2013 Valle de Cachapoal Andes Cabo del Hornos [Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah]

[Two outstanding blends. I really like the addition of Rhone varietals into the mix.]

Susana Balbo Wines

2011 Valle de Uco Nosotros Single Vineyard

2015 Torrontes Valle de Uco Barrel Fermented Signature

[The Torrontes, a white varietal, was clean and refreshing. The Valle de Uco Nosotros Malbec had amazing richness and depth of flavor.]

Valdivieso

2010 Carignan Valle de Maule Eclat Vigno

[Old vine Carignan and Monastrell. Wow! Opened my eyes to what Rhones can do here. ]

2013 Apalta Caballo Loco Grand Cru

Valsecchi Wines

2007 Valle Calchaquies Cafayate Desano [Malbec and Tannat]

2008 Valle Calchaquies Cafayate Altoandion [Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat]

[Yes, these are the current releases. Winemaker Diego Valsecchi believes in holding back his wines until they are at their peak. Outstanding wines that are drinking great right now. I think this was Karen’s favorite table, although Diego’s charm may have had something to with that too.]

The above is just a sample of what was being poured at 46 tables. Overall, I was impressed with the quality, at all price points. At the lower end, you’d be hard pressed to get comparable quality in domestic wines. And the higher end wines were equal to great wines from anywhere. I got a lot of what I expected, plus some nice surprises. I was especially excited about the Rhone varietals, and James Suckling told me we can expect to see more of these. All of these wines are worth seeking out – Chile and Argentina are not just for bargain hunters any more. Sign up on JamesSuckling.com so you don’t miss future events.

Perlis Picks: Urban Exposure 3 – Part Two

July 30, 2016 by evebushman

Last week I gave you information about the seminar at the latest Garagiste Festival as well as the list of wineries pouring. I couldn’t taste everything, but of the wines I tasted, these were the standouts for me:

Alta Colina Vineyards – Rhones from this Paso producer continue to impress. Especially liked the 2012 Grenache and the 2013 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah.

Artisan Uprising – Brothers William and David Vondrasek source some great fruit, primarily from Paso’s east side. Enjoyed everything they were pouring, especially the Malbec.

Ascension Cellars – already three from Paso Robles, and I’m only in the “A”s. The 2015 Silver Blanc blend was my favorite, although I did not get back to try everything on the table.

Bellissimo Cellars – winemaker Lora Marie Taylor gets some great grapes from Santa Barbara. The 2014 Pinot Noir from the La Encantada Vineyard was delicious.

Brian Benson Cellars – I promised not to use rock and roll references, but I have to make an exception here. Brian Benson is truly a rockstar winemaker and was pouring an amazing array of primarily Rhone influenced wines. All were tasty, but the big standout to me was the 2013 Syrah/Mourvedre from the James Berry Vineyard. [Note that this vineyard is owned by Justin Smith of Saxum, so the pedigree is pretty awesome.]

Caldera Cuvee – winemaker Samuel Papert is one of the few to gain access to juice from Paso Robles icon Carmody McKnight. The 2010 is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The Central Coast Group Project – winemaker Scott Sampler named his winery to honor all those involved in wine growing, making and consuming. It was fun to taste his 3-bottle 2012 Variations on a Clone, three different clones of Syrah from three separate blocks of the White Hawk Vineyard.

Hoi Polloi Wines – Garagiste Festival co-founder Doug Minnick is one of the owner/winemakers Hoi Polloi, showing off its first vintage, so I just had to try these wines. The single vineyard 2014 Syrahs from Sebastiano in Sta. Rita Hills and Alta Colima in Paso Robles were tasty, but the star for me was the blend of the two, the 2014 Double Exposure. [Watch for a tasting room in the Santa Clarita Valley, with co-tenant Pagter Brothers Winery.]

JP3 Wines – or is it JPIII Wines? I dunno for sure, but either way JP French, formerly of Stanger, is making great wines under his own new label. Loved both the 2014 Tempranillo and the 2014 Mingle [blend of Cab/Syrah/Tempranillo and Tannat].

Larner Winery – there are certain vineyards that I find to be iconic with the wines from them being pure expressions of their fruit. The Larner Vineyard is one of those. The wines Michael Larner poured were all excellent, but the 2011 Estate Reserve Syrah was my wine of the day with such an amazing finish.

MCV Wines – I’ve been a fan of Matt Villard’s wines since I tasted them a few years back, and nothing has changed except the wines are even better. The 2013 1105 Blend and the 2013 Black Petite Sirah Blend were my faves at his table this day. Go visit him at his Morro Bay tasting room if you want to escape the heat of Paso Robles.

Pagter Brothers Winery – I’ve known winemaker Scott Page Pagter for some time now and have seen a steady progression of quality. I’ve always been a fan of his Grenache; this time the Tempranillo made the biggest impression on me.

Pulchella Winery – what can I say about Santa Claritans Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley that hasn’t already been said? Very good wines, great people. The 2013 Tannat did it for me today.

Rhythm Wines – I think this was my most exciting find of the day. This urban winery sourcing grapes from Lodi, Santa Cruz and other locales really seems to embody the true Garagiste spirit. I really liked the 2015 Tannat from the Alonso Family Vineyard; SCV locals will recognize the name as the vineyard owned by Le Chene’s Juan Alonso. Also enjoyed the 2015 Enz Vineyard Mourvedre. Definitely a winery to watch.

Tlo Wines – I didn’t get a chance to taste here, but Karen said the 2015 Grenache Rose was her favorite of the day.

Two Shepherds – last on my list but never least, winemaker William Allen is passionate about his Rhones, focusing on lower alcohol, higher acidity, well balanced wines showcasing the vineyard and the grape. I had recently tasted much of his lineup at Hospice du Rhone, but I was glad for a chance to taste his 2014 Cinsault from the legendary Bechthold Vineyard in Lodi.

Kudos to the organizers for putting together another great Garagiste Festival. If you missed this one, I urge you to attend the original Paso Robles festival on November 12^th. Sign up for their mailing list here: http://californiagaragistes.com/sign-up/

Eve Co-Teaches Wine Tasting and Lesson: Fundraiser for the Unitarian Universalists of SCV Held at Santa Clarita Valley Winery Crush Pad

June 10, 2016 by evebushman

The SCV Custom Crush Services, where grapes from Paso Robles are turned into wine for Pulchella Winery, and now with three 90+ award-winning wines from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, will play wine tasting host and wine educator for a fundraiser on Sunday, July 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A large portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the work of the Unitarian Universalists of Santa Clarita. Just like in the UUofSCV church, all are welcome to attend.

Pulchella glasses in winery, photo credit Rick Lott

For a $25 fee guests will be able to tour Valencia’s first licensed and bonded winemaking facility, learn about winemaking and taste through all of the wines currently available for purchase, and some still in the oak barrels, from our local Pulchella Winery. Small bites such as cheese and crackers, prepared by church members, will also be included in the ticket price.

Winemakers Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley will lead the event. Lemley said, “This year, on the heels of gaining awards from Wine Enthusiast Magazine for our 2013 Mercenary Reserve Zinfandel (94 points, and the highest rated Zinfandel in the entire California Central Coast), 2013 Red, White and Blue Zinfandel Field Blend (91 points, and featured in an article in the November issue) and 2013 Henchman Tannat (91 points, and the highest rated Tannat in the Adelaida sub district), we are very excited to share our latest wines with the church.” Assisting the winemakers will be local wine writer and wine educator Eve Bushman.

Reserve your tickets by visiting http://www.uuofscv.org/eventspage, which will route you to our PayPal link. A maximum of 70 guests can attend, so reserve your spot quickly. For more information on SCV Custom Crush Services see: http://www.scvwinery.com/