Paso: Le Cuvier Winery and Time With John Munch in His Cellar

December 7, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

In all of my 10 years writing about wine and spirits you would think that nothing surprises me anymore. Not the case when I met winemaker John Munch at Le Cuvier Winery. Not only did I learn a bit about some of his unique winemaking techniques, I also was treated to three hours in his cellar to taste library wines, and then time in the tasting room where every wine is paired with a creation by their chef. Going home with the latest releases my mind boggles, do I have now or do I cellar for a decade or more in true Munch Style and enjoy well into retirement. You read, you decide:

Le Cuvier’s John Munch explaining is style of winemaking.

Winemaking

Once you drive the windy hill road up to the property and park your car you will be able to take in a tremendous view. Munch greeted us in the parking lot, interrupting us from our gaze and we meandered over to the winery crush pad. I knew I’d be back out there soon enough and could snap photos to my heart’s content. We were about to see where the work that mattered takes place.

Munch had already explained that he was handing over the full time winemaking responsibility to Clay Selkirk, but we knew that Munch’s fingerprint was on everything. Munch had been making wine in Paso for years, beginning with Adelaida Vineyards and then for Estrella. The winery had originally been built by Munch as a spec house, started in 1978 and not completed until 2008. Le Cuvier Winery opened in 1983.

The vineyards are all dry farmed and head pruned, no inoculations or sulfites are used and no fining agents. They harvest premium grapes from limestone and calcareous sources. The current harvest ran from September 4 through the 24th.

Munch paraphrased Harold McGee, from his book On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, “Wine in the glass did not come from grapes, it’s all yeast and metabolism of the grape.” Munch added that by not using yeast and sulfites he hasn’t experienced a bad vintage. “It has little to do with winemaking so (just) let grapes do what they will.”

On barrels Munch believes that each barrel has the potential to take off in “its own personality.” He loses some to evaporation when in barrel for two years. NO NEW OAK is the mantra at Le Cuvier and has been for a long time, ever since Munch was visited by Jacques Perrin, of Chateau de Beaucastel, and was told to stop using new oak. In one year Munch switched new for old, and now you can “taste the vineyard and not the oak.” Some of the barrels date back to the 1980s and the new wine made in them “still tastes great.”

Munch explained that every bottle produced is sold at the winery, 90% to club members and 10% to walk in guests. They make 12 to 15 different wines per year, and they always hold back a few cases.

The Cellar

I knew that Munch had a cellar of library wines, that much is true, as in our email exchange in making our appointment he wrote, “We have a library containing 7000 plus bottles going back to my first vintage in 1981, so we could taste a few older wines in addition to touring & tasting our current release wines. Please let me know your specific wine interest, & also how much time you want to spend with us.”

I had written back an overly exuberant reply, pretty much stating I would spend as much time as he had and drink whatever he wanted to try. Still not wholly aware I entered his cellar only to find cases of wines lining both sides of a hall, then at the end a room lined with more cases, and a large banquet table set up with cheese, charcuterie, olives, crackers and of course several wine glasses and decanters. Being the gracious host Munch asked about our interests again, and being the appreciative writer I stuck to my answer, whatever he wanted to open…but we do sometimes prefer Bordeaux and Zins… Munch perused his clip board, flipped back and forth, and we began:

1992 Chardonnay

Either his notes or his memory served him as Munch said the wine was made from Westside vineyards, again with no sulfites, no fining and it had been fermented on the skins. (Without new oak I gathered that the skin contact would indeed contribute to color.)

The wine was honey-colored with a bouquet of bruised apple, incense, honeysuckle, with just a hint of mown grass and celery, with the same flavors on the mouth. Little to no acid made it very round to me, and the flavors lingered in my mouth, and then in memory. Munch thought there was a bit of cork taint, but I thought that blew off in a few minutes. It would be the wine he and I both returned to later in the tasting. Munch commented, “An old Cabernet and an old Chardonnay have more in common”, which made me think that I definitely want to lay down some Chard, preferably his, in my cellar.

1999 Zinfandel

With the color of dark burgundy to espresso, the bouquet included raspberry, pepper, deep, rich fruit and florals, layers of spice, forest floor and earthiness. The taste reminded me of a vintage port, very balanced and nicely spiced. Munch commented, “Picking out raisins is no what Zin is all about.” And I for one was glad those raisins stayed in the mix.

NV Pentimento

This red wine is made in the Solera method with several different vintages to create the whole. What we knew was that it was bottled in 2011, all wines were close to 15 – 16 years old (vintages ranged from 1998 to 2008) , varietals may have included old to newer Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. And as Munch said, it was a way to get rid of any excess by creating a blend.

A nice purple color with a huge bouquet that included dark, fresh berries and earthy. The flavors were very fresh, reminiscent of a fine cognac, dark fruit and chocolate.

2011 Signature Series

With 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet from a vineyard that had been dry farmed. The color was a dark purple, I noted aromas of all dark fruit and flavors that included that same dark fruit, balanced with pepper and a lovely long finish.

I was experiencing a bit of palate fatigue here as I hadn’t noticed the pour out bucket, nor was Munch using one so it was my excuse to drink to my pleasure, so my notes on this wine is lacking. I drank quite a bit of water and rested a bit before I went upstairs for the food paired tasting that was on the schedule next. Munch said he was going off for a nap…I was a little jealous, but not for too long…

Wine and Food Paired Tasting

Before leaving us in the tasting room Munch shared this reasoning for why they serve food with their wines, we “create a ‘shadow’ of what they could be” for when you take them home and pair yourself. Recipes for all of the chef’s pairings are also available online.

2014 Chrysos paired with winter squash soup with pepitas.

75% Viognier, 25% Roussanne, skin contact, honey in color and aroma along with rich and ripe fruit: Meyer lemon, peach and kiwi. The pairing mellowed the acid in the wine quite pleasantly.

2014 Grenache (Devil’s Gate Wine Works) paired with duck breast on endive with pomegranate seeds & reduction.

Four years in barrel, I found the wine very aromatic with flavors of tart red cherry as well as dark berry. Again the pairing lowered the acid and also brought out more layers in the wine.

2015 Littoral paired with cheddar, chive and black pepper gougere.

I was told that this wine is normally Cab Franc, however this vintage was 42% Petit Verdot, 30% Cab Franc and the remaining percentages were taken up by Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. When swirling the glass we were asked to note the “stained glass” appearance that was due to dry farming. The wine had spent three years in neutral oak for aging. The color was bright and charming, and the nose held red to black fruit and pepper – all in balance. The flavor proved to be fresh and dark too, again with a nice balance of red and black fruit, followed by a welcome heat. The food pairing softened the acid and opened up the fruit even more.

NV Pentimento paired with mushroom polenta with goat cheese and wine reduction.

The 2018 release of the Pentimento using the Solera style where some of the wines contributing over 21 years of aging. The breakdown is 61% from previous years, 20% of 2015 Petit Verdot and the remaining percentage is 2015 Cab Franc. The name Pentimento is based on Lillian Hellman’s biography of the same name, referencing the past influencing the present. Black cherry titillates your nose while the flavor is very rich and layered, made brighter by the pairing.

2015 Zinfandel paired with candied rosemary mixed nuts.

Again we have a dry farmed grape, that gave aromas of dark fruit, chocolate and a slight dark vegetation. On the mouth we got that same dark fruit and chocolate as well as a hint of a sweet finish.

Stay tuned to Le Cuvier Winery this upcoming February 2019 for a new release, the L’Enfant de Papel, aka The Pope’s child, a GSM blend that is sure to wow like all the others on its own and in a pairing.

Le Cuvier Winery

http://www.lcwine.com/

To see the photo grids from all of our Paso winery visits from this trip click this.

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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Perlis Picks: Jaxon Keys Winery

December 1, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Karen and I were planning to revisit Santa Rosa / Sonoma County just a little over a year removed from our last ill-fated visit.

While working on scheduling appointments, I started thinking that maybe last time turned out the way it did because we were somehow being punished for not visiting our good friend and extremely talented winemaker Antoine Favero. I jest, of course, but I wasn’t going to take any chances either. Besides, we hadn’t seen Antoine in a couple of years so meeting up with him seemed like a great idea regardless.

We’d visited with Antoine a couple of times at Mazzocco in the Dry Creek Valley where the focus is on Zinfandel – and incredible Zins they are. But knowing that Antoine makes the wine for some of the other wineries in the Wilson Artisan Wines family, we asked him where else we might meet. Antoine suggested either Jaxon Keys for Rhone varietals or Soda Rock for Bordeaux varietals.

As Rhone varietals are right up there with Zins as my favorite grapes, I naturally said: “Jaxon Keys, please.”

Jaxon Keys Winery is at the southern end of Mendocino County. Lest you think that is far, the drive took less than an hour from our home base for this trip in Santa Rosa. Driving north on Highway 101, we passed Healdsburg and the northern edge of Sonoma County and found ourselves in the foothills of Mendocino County, then passing a few other wineries before arriving at our destination.

We met with Antoine in the private tasting lounge in the winery itself, separate from the tasting room. The lounge also houses the distillery but more on this later.

As Antoine knew that we were interested in focusing on the Rhone varietals that he makes at Jaxon Keys he set up a great sampling of what he does there with those.

We started with the 2017 Viognier, which we felt was a delicious take on this varietal, free from the mistake [in my opinion] that winemakers often make with Viognier – residual sugar. None here and we got to experience a clean, dry wine with plenty of fruit.

Then we moved on to the red Rhones.

We started with the 2016 Grenache, a tasty lighter style of this grape and perfect way to segue to the…

2016 Syrah – Antoine said that it’s the best Syrah he’s every worked with and that sure showed in the glass. My note just says “wow”.

We finished with a very interesting wine: the 2016 GPS is a blend of Grenache, Primitivo and Syrah. I’ve never tasted this particular blend anywhere else and I doubt if you have either. It turns out they work really well together.

While we tasted, Karen and I had the opportunity to chat with Antoine about the winery. The Wilsons acquired the property in 2009. Before that it had a long history, most recently as Jepson Winery, which you may have heard of. The Wilsons renamed it Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery, after Ken Wilson’s grandfathers. Total acreage is about 1200, with about 100 acres planted. Production is entirely Estate at about 2500 cases. Antoine said that like many small wineries that own vineyards, much of the grape crop is sold to other wineries. Antoine took over winemaking and vineyard management duties at Jaxon Keys fairly recently and has found an ongoing challenge as the wines become popular to balance the needs of other wineries that purchase the grapes with making sure that there is enough wine for retail customers and club members.

Since we were sitting next to the historic still, it seemed proper to finish our tasting with some brandy. Renowned [and now primarily retired] distiller Hubert Germain-Robin consults on this side of the business and the brandy is made in a historic Alambic Pot still from Cognac, France using primarily the French Columbard grapes grown on the property. We tasted through three levels of brandy [5-7 years old, 7-10 years old, and 15 years and older]. I enjoy brandy but admittedly have little expertise in it. But this stuff was smooth and tasty. They also make some very high-end bottlings as well.

Our visit with Antoine was coming to a close; it was harvest and he needed to get back to his real work. He introduced us to Jessie in the tasting room because I really wanted to taste the Jaxon Keys Zinfandels. Admittedly, we had come for the Rhones but I am the Zinfan after all. Besides, I already knew that Antoine’s Zins are legendary regardless of the label on the bottle.

Of course, I wasn’t disappointed. Especially delicious were the 2016 Mae’s Block Zinfandel and the 2016 Brandy Barrel Aged Zinfandel. We bought some of each as well as that Viognier we had tasted earlier. We wanted to buy the other wines that we had tasted with Antoine, but he had apparently shared with us what were pretty much the last bottles available of these wines. That’s what happens with great small-production wines. We can’t wait to try the next vintage.

A comment about pricing, which I rarely discuss. I believe a wine should stand on its own, regardless of what it costs. I don’t feel it is up to me to opine on the business model of a winery. That being said, I need to say that these wines are remarkably underpriced for wines of this quality. When I expressed that opinion to Jessie in the tasting room, she said “Welcome to Mendocino County.” Indeed.

Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery
10400 South Hwy 101
Hopland, CA 95449

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.

Paso: Learning About and Tasting With Parrish Family Vineyards

November 23, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I could swear that I had been to Parrish Family Vineyards before for a dinner they hosted for the Cab Collective. However the property on Adelaida Road was new for me as it was for everyone else, only having been opened this past year. It nagged at me for about a nanosecond, then I was quickly caught up in everything this new discovery held for me. (One of which was seeing former SCVer Denise Criste living the dream, having moved to Paso and now working in the tasting room at Parrish!)

Took some photos of the calcareous stonework that contributed not only to a large wall but also to the terroir of the wines, and some of the bright red umbrellas – that could be seen from the road below – that sheltered many inviting groups of tables on the grounds overlooking vineyards.

The tasting room was welcoming. With many different cushiony seats to choose from, we learned that this would be a theme throughout. There were member’s only rooms, meeting rooms, dining rooms adorned with leather seating, balcony seating – the inside and outside seating options seemed endless. We learned that many people would move from one spot to another to enjoy their tasting, or to linger over a bottle for part of their day, some even circling back to Parrish for a second visit the same day as they are the only winery on Adelaida open until 6pm.

Membership options began with as little as a four bottle allotment and allowed for nearly monthly gatherings where you could reserve the exact spot you wanted to sit – I could definitely see a draw for a growing numbers of members.

We were shown a wall of photos and memorabilia that flanked both sides of the entrance to the tasting room that every guest will pass through. These items told a bit of a story of Earl Henderson, the grandfather of existing owner David Parrish, who had a love for golf (there is a small putting green for you to partake in the game if you so desire) and began cultivating grapes before prohibition.

David, before taking the mantle, was known for his work in trellising. At one point he had 24 patents for different trellis types for different fruits. He has seven active now. The winery made their first vintage in 2006. Coppola, L’Aventure, Clos Solene and others buy up their grapes. Learn more about Earl Henderson and David Parrish here.

Wines Tasting

While we toured and learned about Parrish we tasted through some of their wines. Bought a couple of bottles for home as well:

A crisp 2017 Sauvignon Blanc; 2016 Chardonnay with a lovely amount of oak; the nicely balanced 2014 Silken – named for how a member described as silky – Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that my husband bought; an extremely approachable 2014 Petite Sirah that I had to buy for home as we don’t often find one we love; 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Creston vineyard property; 2015 Petite Sirah I like almost as much as the 2014; 2015 Silken blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and a tiny bit of Syrah; 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2014 Zinfandel that was really mellow for a Zin but damn fine just the same.

Parrish Family Vineyards, 3590 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, (805) 286-4028 www.parrishfamilyvineyard.com Open from 11 to 6pm daily – the only winery open until 6pm on Adelaida Road.

To see the photo grids from all of our Paso winery visits from this trip click this.

Paso Robles Award Winning Estate Winery Holds Second Annual Harvest Dinner

November 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) – Paso Robles award winning estate winery, Allegretto Vineyards and Wines, held the second annual Harvest Dinner on October 19, 2018. This was an opportunity for the community to help the winery celebrate its harvest and meet the winemaker, Allen Kinne.

Photo: Allegretto Vineyards and Wines Facebook page

The evening began with hors d’euvres at sunset and concluded with live music under the stars on the Piazza Magica. Executive Chef Justin Picard prepared a culinary experience as the highlight of the evening. In celebration of the harvest, Allegretto poured their award-winning small lot, single vineyard and Allegretto estate wines.

The combined talents of winemaker Kinne and Chef Picard promised a magical evening of excellent wine, food, and good company.

Alan Kinne has been working with Allegretto Vineyards owner, Douglas Ayers, for the past six harvests, guiding the hand-picking harvest from all of the Allegretto vineyards and producing Allegretto’s award-winning Paso Robles estate wines. Kinne was the original winemaker at Horton Vineyards and helped launch Chrysalis Vineyards, both in Virginia, until leaving for Paso Robles in 1999. His winemaking career started in 1977 with Tabor Hill Winery in Michigan. Since then his career has taken him from Michigan to Virginia, to Paso Robles and Oregon and back to Paso Robles. Kinne is widely credited for introducing the Albariño grape to the Central Coast after planting the vines in Virginia in 1996.

Chef Justin Picard is the executive chef for Allegretto resort’s farm-to-table Mediterranean-inspired Cello Ristorante and Bar. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Picard has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in San Francisco and Aspen. His extensive career has led to opportunities overseas, two guest appearances at the James Beard House in New York, and participation in some of the nation’s most celebrated food and wine events.

The turnout for the evening was greater than expected and set the stage for future winemaker dinners and events. All of the wines poured during the evening are available from the Allegretto Vineyards tasting room.

The wine menu at the Allegretto Vineyard and Wines tasting room include flights presenting estate white and rosé wines, and estate Malbec, Tannat, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Four different flights of award-winning wine are available. A special tasting room food menu from Allegretto Resort’s Cello Ristorante & Bar can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine in the family-friendly courtyard.

Allegretto Vineyard & Wines
2700 Buena Vista Dr., #101
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 369-2526

Paso Robles: Getting Comfortable at Grapestake Cottage and Vineyards

November 16, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Oh dear me, what kind of karma do I have? Apparently the best. I’m sitting at a dining table, in a one bedroom cottage, set apart from a large estate, perusing an antique piano turned into a display case, a couch and two armchairs – that all recline – a beautiful modern kitchen area with everything you could possibly need for a welcome stay – from coffee maker to teapot, corkscrew to sweet and salty snacks and a large fireplace, television, another seating area…and that’s just in the front room. (Ed’s taking a nap in the bedroom so we may get there later.)

I am just starting this article and it’s slow going as I find my eyes drifting to one of many windows where the sun has begun to set behind the patio, garden and vineyards. If this isn’t my heaven then I don’t know what is.

The sun has now set, but before it grows too dark I see little bitty lights in the tree on our patio. I’m itching to go out and sit at the table and open a bottle of wine. But we’re in Paso Robles. And since Grapestake Cottage is so inviting, I forget for a minute that I have winery appointments. I made a quick evaluation of our calendar and decide that on at least one of our nights, Sunday, we will be bringing in a pizza, opening one of the many wines we’ve purchased to enjoy on the patio, watch that sunset again, and then retreat inside when it gets cold to flip on the fireplace, take our shoes off, don one of the provided terry robes, put some popcorn in the microwave, put our feet up and get cozy.

We also made sure to set some time to get to know Nancy and Owen Belletto, our hosts, a wee bit better. “It all started with a tractor” was the joke Owen made when we first met, and that tractor – and everything that came after – was the turning point that soon meant building a cottage, an incredible garden and…vineyards.

The name Grapestake has a meaning as well. I learned that Owen used 40-year-old wooden grapestakes – now grapestakes are all made of metal – to repurpose them as fencing for the cottage just as he had seen in some homes in Carmel. After meeting Owen, and seeing the amazing property, I could easily visualize him as he “spent countless hours cutting, sanding and measuring” just for the beauty it would provide for guests…

As we were told to “please feel free to wander the vineyard and grounds” we did. But as I didn’t want to run into any gophers, I waited until our set interview time with Owen and Nancy to learn more about the Bellettos and their home. I learned that when they chose the property that the estate home was already built, which had formerly been a B and B and required no more work, a stipulation Nancy required before moving in.

That requirement was really more of a model, as within a short time the gravel parking area become the base of the cottage, the grounds now included olive trees, and the same designer that had built the home was called upon to build Grapestake Cottage – however in the original plans the cottage was only built to house Owen’s tractor. But Owen needed a bathroom near the tractor…but why just have a bathroom without a bedroom…and Grapestake Cottage began to really take shape, literally.

All in all there are 8 acres on the property under vine, 7.5 of those acres are Syrah – they are estate growers for Justin, and were named the grower of the year in 2016 – and the remaining .5 acres are for Grenache and is reserved for Owen’s winemaking alone. Owen has a background in agriculture – the pair met while in studies at UC Davis – where they were starving students for a short time, enjoying wine tasting in nearby Napa valley back in the days when it was free to taste.

Fast forward to present day in Paso. They have met welcoming and charming people in the Paso wine industry. Any local winemakers, they feel, are very free with answering any wine question put to them without a nuance of elitism.

“Paso Robles is where Napa was 30 years ago,” Owen began. “insofar as how people are treated.” And a good way to explain why so many wine people may prefer tasting and touring in Paso over Napa. It’s not just the difference in the cost of wines, but also in how Paso treats its guests.

As far as how they treat their own guests, and circling back to how we felt our accommodations were far and above the standard, Nancy explained, “I’ve traveled with Owen on many trips and have often been irritated by asking to pay for items like water bottles and snacks. So we put a lot of thought into what a guest would like that we would also appreciate.”

Come check then out for yourself: https://www.grapestakecottage.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grapestakecottage/

To see the photo grids from all of our Paso winery visits from this trip click this.

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 15k 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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Visit Cambria for Food, Wine, & Fun!

November 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

CAMBRIA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Guests in Cambria love tasting the local wines while eating a fresh, tasty meal-after taking part in the many exciting activities available in the area, it’s easy to work up an appetite. Here are some recommendations for perfect wine and food pairings from local establishments, plus the most memorable local activities to match. Those who love food, wine, and fun should plan a getaway to Cambria to enjoy everything this coastal town has to offer!

Stolo Family Vineyards is one of two estate vineyards in Cambria. Their full-bodied Syrah goes well with any meat dish, but the classic pasta dish called Robin’s Chow, from Robin’s Restaurant, is the ultimate coupling. This sophisticated, romantic pair calls for a stroll through town on the Cambria Historical Walking Tour, admiring the architecture; Robin’s is even on the tour.

With a tasting room modeled after a 1920s speakeasy, Black Hand Cellars features a “Flapper” Pinot Noir that is fruity and aromatic. Visitors can bring a bottle to share with a friend, along with fresh seafood, at Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, and head across the street to take a stroll on the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk after their meal.

Cayucos Cellars‘ Vermentino is a crisp, clean white that will balance the flavorful chicken banh mi wrap from Soto’s True Earth Market. It will make the perfect lunch after a morning ride with Cambria Horseback Rides, featuring meandering trails and ocean views from the saddle.

Jody’s Special from JBJ’s Round Up Pizza features Italian sausage, pineapple, onions, jalapeño, and cilantro. The best way to balance the spicy, savory, and sweet flavors of the pizza is with a bottle of Moonstone Cellars‘ Gewürztraminer, a dry white with a citrus tang. This filling meal is sure to warm up adventurers after kayaking in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Just down the road in the tiny town of Harmony, Harmony Cellars serves their Rosato Vivo, which will accompany a delightful cone full of strawberry ice cream from the local Harmony Valley Creamery truck. Visitors will love to attend the glassblowing classes offered at Harmony Glassworks, as well.

Hearst Ranch is home to more than the historic Hearst Castle. After finishing their tour, guests can head down the hill to the Hearst Ranch Winery Tasting Room for a glass of Zinfandel paired with a juicy Hearst Ranch beef burger from Sebastian’s General Store, to be enjoyed while discussing the lavish luxuries of La Cuesta Encantada.

The slightly sweet, dry Riesling from Cutruzzola Vineyards, the other estate vineyard in Cambria, pairs perfectly with some spicy tacos from Boni’s Tacos, a local favorite eatery and food truck. Visitors can grab a blanket, a bottle, and a to-go box and head for a bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Fiscalini Ranch, where the waves and ocean breeze will make this an all-time favorite.

Dessert lovers can stop by Twin Coyotes Winery for a glass of Stowaway Captain’s Reserve Dessert Wine, paired with their original, house-made Stowaway brownie, because nothing is better than red wine and chocolate. Twin Coyotes is part of the Shops at the Garden Shed, so guests can explore the shops after they taste.

Vintage Eve circa 9/2015: Re-Discovering Joseph Phelps, Plumpjack and Silver Oak

November 13, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Let me start with a note on these wineries that were due a re-visit: I think what happened was that in writing about wine I was looking toward newer places and really let my older standbys…stand by. And I was glad, after this past weekend in Napa, that I took the opportunity to go back to some old favorites. (Only want to see photos? Look here.)

A view of the entrance up to Joseph Phelps Vineyards.

The last time we visited Joseph Phelps Vineyards was around my birthday, 10 years ago. The reason I remember the time of year is that I worked it out…to get a wine club membership as a gift. Eddie loved Insignia but it was rich for my blood, luckily the birthday turned out to be the gift that kept on giving, for about five years.

We recently cracked open a 2002 Insignia, a former Wine Spectator wine of the year, and thought why not return for a visit. (My tasting notes: Aromas of stewed plums, fig and sautéed mushrooms and rich decadent flavor of solid black fruit in a killer length.)

This time I set our tasting appointment for right after Ed got a new job…deserving of another gift. And we became members again due to this stellar tasting below, that ended with a sample of the 2016 release of Insignia. (All notes on aromas and flavors are separated by ; )

2013 Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena: Pineapple, pink grapefruit, lemon zest; crisp pear, apple with a medium acid. Very pleasant. 94 Eve pts.

2013 Viognier, St. Helena: Jasmine, lime, white pepper and white peach; a viscous melding of peach, pink lemonade, kiwi and banana. A real interesting wine. 95 Eve pts.

2012 Pinot Noir, Pastorale Vineyard: Spiced cherry, smoke and toasted oak; resonating dry cherry. 91 Eve pts.

2012 Pinot Noir, Quarter Moon Vineyard: Red to black cherry, eucalyptus; balanced tart and dark fruits, incredible depth. 93 Eve pts.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: Blackberry, dark chocolate, mint, blueberry and dust; blackberry, tannic, dry, dark and dusty, 94 Eve pts.

2012 Insignia (opened the day before): Black peppercorn, blue and black fruit, velvety, chocolate covered cherry; a perfect balance of dusty dark fruit and rich tannins, and lucky for the taster, a delectably long finish. 99 Eve pts.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Backus Vineyard: Smoke, blueberry, dark chocolate and toasted oak; a lot more fruit forward than Insignia, less spice, but a lovely balance. 93 Eve pts.

To Be Released September 2016, 2013 Insignia: Robust red fruit, boysenberry, toasted oak; dry red fruit, mild pepper, chewy on the palate, drying and another long finish. This will be good.

Plumpjack Winery was another spot we hadn’t visited in many years and were curious to re-visit.

We had a large selection offered to taste, but that didn’t stop me from visiting with other tasters when they commented on my Wine Dogs T-shirt. And when I spied the book I pointed out my essay in two of the books they had there. Soon I was signing a copy and asked to take a photo. This was a real treat for me! But now, back to our tasting. We soon learned that Plumpjack had two other labels: Cade and Odette:

2014 Cade Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, candy apple, steely; juicy, lemon, tart but with a low acid I appreciated. 89 Eve pts.

2014 Plumpjack Reserve Chardonnay: Beautiful fruit, juicy pear, lemon hard candy and honey; low acidity and the same fruit carried over to the taste. 89 Eve pts.

2013 Plumpjack Syrah: Gamey, smoke, fig, raisin; black chewy fruit, cigar, plum, toast. Dark, big and dusty. 89 Eve pts.

2012 Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Blackberry, blueberry, wet bark; big and bold at the start and then an even bigger finish. 89 Eve pts.

2013 Plumpjack Merlot: Pepper, smoke and milk chocolate, both red and black fruit, big and juicy. 88 Eve pts.

Odette Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate: Deep and resonating plum, spice, black cherry; Velvet, an easy drinker with a strong fruit profile. 93 Eve pts.

2012 Cade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Pungent plum, berry, black fruit; very balanced, less spice than some of the others, quite pleasant now. 90 Eve pts.

I think that it was the same time that we visited Joseph Phelps 10 years ago we also had visited Silver Oak Winery. (Of course back then I was writing about wine for The Signal newspaper and no one had corrected me in calling it Silver OakS.)

I was very happy to revisit the wines in this tasting:

2011 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, released August 1, 2015: Peppery, cherry pie, sourdough toast, earth; the same pepper, cherry liqueur, a beautiful mouthfeel and medium length. 91 Eve pts.

2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Raisinette candy, stewed plums, blackberry jam and wet leaves; dark spiced fruit, medium pepper, tannin, chewy and nicely balanced. 91 Eve pts.

2008* Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. (This year saw four years in bottle prior to release.) Spicy, red fruit, mushroom; bright fruit combined with spice and pepper. 95 Eve pts.

2006* Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Earth, cooked mushroom, stewed fruit; a lovely velvety balance of rich fruit with a port-like finish. 94 Eve pts.

*There is a nice quantity of older wines from the Silver Oak library for tasting and purchase. Besides the thrill of tasting a cellared wine to see how it’s done, Silver Oak has priced them all only $5 above their original retail price. We bought both a bottle of both the 08 and 06.

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

SWIRL IN THE HOLIDAYS! POPULAR WINE CLUB OFFERS UNBEATABLE PRICES ON POPULAR WINE SELECTIONS + GIFTS SETS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

November 10, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

ARCADIA, CALIF.—With the 2018 holiday season at our doorstep, wine lovers are turning to the Original Wine of the Month Club® for their holiday gift giving ideas—from high-quality wine assortment gift collections to gift-giving wine club memberships. Original Wine of the Month Club®’s unique, hand-picked selections of robust and flavorful wines create the ultimate holiday gift-giving experience. With convenient online ordering, free shipping and gift-giving ideas starting at $24.99, holiday shoppers are only a click or call away from the perfect gift for family members, friends and clients. To view our Top Holiday Wine Gifts Delivered, please visit www.wineclubgifts.com.

Paul Kalemkiarian talks wine with evewine101.com founder Eve Bushman.

For the gift that keeps giving throughout the year—wine lovers are discovering the added value and instant gratification they provide friends and relatives with Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Clubs, which start at $152 for a four-month membership and features two bottles per delivery of exquisite wine and a signature monthly newsletter. New members receive a free wine accessory with wine gifts delivered.

Give friends and family a wine subscription gift they will savor throughout the year! The Original Wine of the Month Club® also offers a 6-bottle “Cellar Series,” which includes a wine shipment every other month of six extraordinary wine selections for as low as $185.

The Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Club is a gift that keeps giving! Order a one-year membership for your friends and loved ones and they will receive a wine delivery every one- to- three months—your recipient will be reminded of your generosity with each flavorful wine selection! With free shipping for every order, each package is gift-wrapped and comes with a personalized, hand-written greeting. www.wineofthemonthclub.com

A perfect gift for wine connoisseurs or the wine novice, each of the featured holiday wine gifts delivered come with an attractive case or basket filled with the best quality wines from around the globe.

2018 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $150 include:

• Treasure Vintages–Our treasured treasure map fine wine gift box. One bottle of hand selected Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines makes this a great grab and go wine gift bottle. (Starting at $46)

• Wine Elegance–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of one bottle of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Inspired by travel from city to bustling city, our chestnut-colored faux leather bottle carrier replaces flimsy bottle bags with something that will stand up to a tireless lifestyle. Featuring a magnetic closure and two sturdy metal handles. ($51)

• Keep Cool–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of 3 assorted bottles of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Keep drinks cold on the go with this large insulated tote, sporting an ample front pocket and removable shoulder strap. Lined with food-safe PEVA, it holds up to three standard wine bottles. ($89 to $135)

• Say Cheese—Two of your favorite wine selections are shipped in a bamboo wooden gift box that transforms into a cheese board. Three cheese tools are included: Chisel, Knife, Spreader ($90 to $140)

• Treasure Trove of Wine–This is one of our most popular wine gift packs that we offer! Our 6-bottle “Treasure Trove of Wine” of found vintages not only shows your creative taste, our wood box adorned with ancient sailing routes is a great accent for any would-be interior designer. Brass studs accent this treasure chest of our most interesting finds. The gift box set includes: Six bottles of Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines. ($135)ABOUT THE ORIGINAL WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB®

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally since 1972, the Original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices. Wine subscription gift packages are popular for any special occasion. Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shoppe,” a collection of gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Original Wine of the Month Club® newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a retail space/warehouse in Arcadia, California. For more information, please visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com

Paper Street has arrived at J Dusi

October 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

For many of us on the Central Coast, the Dusi name is synonymous with the wine industry!

From J. Dusi Facebook

In 1924, Sylvester and Caterina Dusi were one of the first to plant Zinfandel grapes in Paso Robles. They planted their home property on Ramada Drive with 40 acres of Zinfandel. In 1945, with the help of their three sons Guido, Dante and Benito; Sylvester planted 100 acres across the highway on Theatre Drive, known as Dante Dusi Vineyard. Both vineyards remain family owned and family farmed!

In 2006, Janell, Dante’s granddaughter, took the family’s farming a step further. She bought five tons of Zinfandel from her dad, and with a leap of faith, she became a winemaker. Janell has been making award-winning wines, building a respectable reputation with her J Dusi brand. Five years ago, she opened the J Dusi Tasting Room located at 1401 Hwy 46 West in Paso Robles.

Janell is excited to launch her new label, Paper Street, and to share it’s unique story! Janell’s dad, Mike, as a young man, dreamed of owning a particular piece of Kiler Canyon’s mountainous land. Forty years later, in 2012, the opportunity came, and the family purchased a 321 acre parcel of land in the Willow Creek AVA (American Viticultural Area). The terrain is steep, hilly, rocky, full of limestone, dead almond trees, where wild beasts roam.

Mike, with sons Michael and Matt, cleared land, built roads, and three generations went to work to plant 106 acres of grapes on the steep terrain. The entire family worked at 2200 feet, and as with most Dusi endeavors, it was a true family production.

The varietals planted include Zinfandel, Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah, Grenache Blanc, Tempranillo, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon and Clairette and Petite Sirah.

Why name this mountain Paper Street? When Mike, Janell’s dad, went to the county to apply for an address, he was told that the property was considered a paper street property, existing only on a map, with no physical address!

Ironically, Matt, Janell’s brother, had said he and his wife Ali, would like to name the mountain Paper Street, after their favorite movie Fight Club, and that was BEFORE we had been informed that our new property was recorded as a paper street property.

When the stars line up, you listen; The name of the mountain, also appears on Janell newly released wine label, Paper Street.

On September 1, Janell officially released 3 new wines under The Paper Street Label, available in 750 mL bottles: Zinfandel, Mouvedre and a GSM.

The delightful twist with the dual meaning of Paper Street, continues with Janell’s wines. Her small boutique winery, privately owned, allows her the luxury of naming her wines to correspond with her personal life.

Her Zinfandel is 100% Zin and for Janell, it is important to put that single varietal front and center. It is what the Dusi family is most known for, and they have a history to be proud of. Her Mouvedre, she named Cornflower Blue. Janell’s favorite color is blue. Dante painted everything blue. Janell played in the cornfields that her father farmed, and can tell you about how beautiful 20 acres of sunflowers looked, that her father grew for oil. Fight Club fans might remember that the color of the tie worn on Tuesdays was always Cornflower Blue.

Her GSM is called The Narrator. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre. Janell’s dad, is the Narrator. The stories of mountain lions, rattle snakes, and accidents over cliffs are real. Mike leads by example, and he has beaten all odds in developing the rugged terrain of Paper Street.

It’s a new era for the Dusi Family, and these wines are a treat for all wine lovers. Please accept our invitation to come taste the J Dusi Wines, as well as the new Paper Street lineup at the tasting room on Highway 46 West, Monday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm. All wines are available for purchase at the tasting room, and also online, at JDusiwines.com.
805-226-2034

The 10th Annual “STARS of Cabernet”

October 13, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Beverly Hills – Were you aware that Cabernet Sauvignon, the most cultivated grape in the world, is the result of a marriage between the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals?

In celebration of Cabernet Sauvignon, “STARS of Cabernet” is the premier tasting event of the year! More than 30 of the best Cabernet producing wineries in California–and the world, will showcase their Cabernets and other wine varieties. Come and taste over 100 different wines hailing from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, France, Argentina and Chile.

List of wineries set to pour: Wines of South Africa, Trujillo Wines, Vineyard 29, Alpha Omega, Palazzo Wine, Frank Family Vineyards, Roy Estate, CAMi Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Addendum, Allegretto Wines, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, axr, Hestan Vineyards, Jonata, Ladera Vineyards, Moraga Bel Air, Roca Family Vineyards, Hertelendy, The Debate, Clark-Claudon Vineyards, Michael Rolland, Duckhorn Vineyards. Merryvale Vineyards, JACK Winery, Almaviva Winery, S.R. Tonella Cellars, The Unfiltered Collection, VGS Chateau Potella & many more!

The evening will commence at 6pm with a VIP-access-only vintage tasting, followed by a PENINSULA catered dinner buffet- Acquaint yourself with the world of Cabernet while enjoying exquisite tray-passed appetizers! From 9-9:30pm, guests will enjoy a delicious dessert after-party.

A silent auction containing collectable and large format wines will benefit The TJ Martell Foundation–the music industry’s largest entity funding innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS, as well as sourcing/supporting early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients who otherwise cannot afford a panacea. Learn more at tjmartell.org.

Tickets now on sale!
For information and ticket purchasing, please visit Stars of Cabernet. STARS of Cabernet thanks its generous sponsors: Peninsula Hotel, Los Angeles Magazine, Evian, Robb Report, The Somm Journal and Tasting Panel Magazine.

About Peninsula Hotel:

The only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel in Southern California every year since 1993, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers 194 guest rooms, including 38 suites and 16 private villas, nestled among lush tropical gardens in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Peninsula is located at the intersection of Wilshire and South Santa Monica Boulevards and within comfortable walking distance from the legendary Rodeo Drive.

About WineLA:

WineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles one event at a time. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. We are a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.