Tasting 2016 Bordeaux via Union Des Grands Cru Bordeaux 2019 Tour

February 8, 2019 by evebushman Leave a Comment

This is one of several years we’ve covered the Union Des Grands Cru (UGC) Bordeaux tasting. This year we were trying the latest 2016 releases at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood, surrounded by many old friends – from the wineries and wine pals – in attendence. I covered as much ground as I could in the two hours I had (traffic and parking were not on my side, though we were given three hours for the press and distributor portion of event) most of which can be seen in these four photo grids.

There were two rooms for the tasting, and as I mentioned we were late, the first larger room was pretty crowded so we headed to the second smaller room behind it. There we found the usual long row of tables of sauternes – our dessert for last that we would return to – as well as wines from other appellations: Pauillac, Saint – Estephe and Saint – Julien if I remember correctly. The larger room held the remaining Bordeaux appellations.

The entire list of the wines that were expected to be sampled is below. The Chateaus that stood out for my palate, and in no particuclar order, included Brainaire – Ducru, Talbot, Clerc Melon, Lynch – Bages, De Pez, Grand Mayne, Cap de Mourlin, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Villemaurine, Canon – La – Gaffeliere, Leoville Poyferre, Rauzan Gassies, Coufran, Franc Mayne, d’Armailhac, Phelan Segur, La Dour Figeac, Pavie MacQuin, La Couspaude, Balestard La Tonnelle, Smith Haut Lafitte, La Louviere, Giscours, Clinet, Gazin, Fonreaud, Suduiraut, Lafaurie – Peyraguey, Guiraud and de Fargues.

Note: When I got to the Saint – Emilion tables I was quite pleased with about 90% of the wines I tried, and many had a nice little sweetness to them. One gentleman, Julien Barth of Chateau Beau Sejour Becot, was quite earnest in how “serious” he felt the appellation was that I filmed him sharing his opinion – for about 30 seconds.

Of the pals I met up with, many were completely immersed in the tasting. There was not a consensus about this particular vintage year that I heard, and as I’ve stated in past coverage of this event, there is no way I would say all was good or all was bad – my palate, such that it is, always seeks out – and always finds – outstanding wines. If a Chateau that you normally like isn’t on my list it doesn’t mean I didn’t care for it, it could just mean that I didn’t have the time to taste everything that was available. And one last word to the winery reps and family that come to pour in this tour: we appreciate you traveling to so many of our U.S. cities to share your latest vintages year in and year out. Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2020, and enjoying these 2016s wherever I can find them.

MEMBERS OF THE UNION DES GRANDS CRUS DE BORDEAUX

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: Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery

January 12, 2019 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Let me make this perfectly clear: I have nothing against Cabernet Sauvignon. While our own personal wine journey has taken us primarily down the Zinfandel and Rhone paths, we definitely recognize Cabernet’s place in the pantheon of great wine grapes. Most of our wine trips tend to focus on our favorite varietals, but we have no aversion to expanding those choices. So when our friends gave us a certificate for a tasting at Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery we were happy to do just that.

Stone Edge Farm actually owns three vineyards – Stone Edge, Mount Pisgah and Silver Cloud, which are managed organically by the renowned Phil Coturri.

The Stone Edge Vineyard property at the base of Sonoma Mountain was acquired by Mac and Leslie McQuown in 1995. The property has the distinction of having been owned by Nicholas Carriger, who came to Sonoma from Missouri in 1847. When he planted here, he became the first American to grow wine grapes in Sonoma Valley.

Mac McQuown had his own distinction, not only as a very successful businessman and entrepreneur, but also in the wine industry, having been a founder of both Chalone and Carmenet wineries.

Winemaker Jeff Baker, who was also a partner at Carmenet, joined the McQuowns with his Mount Pisgah Vineyard in the Mayacamas Mountains. Eventually they formed Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery in 2004.

The Silver Cloud Vineyard is in the Moon Mountain District just north of the Mount Pisgah vineyard, up in the Mayacamas Mountains where Sonoma County borders Napa County. The tasting room is on the Silver Cloud property and it is aptly named, being at a high elevation seemingly close to the clouds. It’s a long, winding and narrow road; they recommend you hire a driver. Please don’t go all the way up there without making an appointment first.

Karen and I had plans to head into Napa (more on this in a future article) so we chose that morning to pay Stone Edge Farm a visit.

We parked and were met by Philippe Thibault, Stone Edge Farm’s Director of Hospitality, who gave us a tour of this amazing mountain property and led our tasting.

Stone Edge Farm makes three wines: a Sauvignon Blanc a Bordeaux blend called “Surround” and their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon.

We tasted the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc [actually an 80/20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon], two vintages of the Surround blend [2009 and 2014] and the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.

My impressions were that these wines are designed to showcase the fruit but to not overpower the palate. Sometimes wines are referred to as “food wines” because they just don’t stand on their own and need food to make them work. That was not the case here. The wines all drank beautifully on their own but the experience was definitely enhanced by the charcuterie that was provided.

The Cabernet Sauvignon in particular made a special impression. I am not one for complicated tasting notes, but I did comment specifically about the mouthfeel of this wine, the way it magically spread across my tongue and then dissipated. I actually said “…like a cloud” before I remembered we were at the Silver Cloud Vineyard.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the name is Stone Edge Farm. The entire operation is built around sustainability and includes 16 acres that are organically farmed just west of downtown Sonoma. There is a 30-seat private dining room called Edge where their culinary director pairs the Stone Edge Farm wines with seasonal dishes.

Just to wrap up – Thank you so much Philippe Thibault for being such an engaging host. This is definitely a winery to check out when you are looking for an elevated experience, both in location and in wine. But remember: Make an appointment!

Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery

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.

Perlis Picks: Marietta Cellars

December 29, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Recently, I wrote an article about Sam Bilbro’s Idlewild Wines. In the past, I’ve written about Jake Bilbro’s Limerick Lane Winery. But to truly attempt to grasp the influence of the Bilbro family on Sonoma County – indeed California – wine, one really needs to go back to where it started: Marietta Cellars.

Chris Bilbro, patriarch of the Bilbro clan, founded Marietta Cellars in 1978, naming it after his great-aunt. He bought the current winery property in 1990. Scot Bilbro took over winery operations from his father a few years back. He toured the winery with us on our visit, along with Jenifer Freebairn (Marietta’s VP of Sales and Marketing). Winery equipment is a curious mix of old and new equipment and that’s how Scot likes it. Production is now at about 65,000 cases annually and there are no direct-to-consumer sales. [So, why am I here, right?]

“Scot,” I said, “you are somewhat of a unicorn.”

Scot laughingly asked me “Michael, what do you mean?” even though I was sure he understood my point.

For many years, I have been an extremely vocal proponent of buying wine directly from small family owned wineries. “Don’t buy at big retail stores,” I’d say. “Support the little guys who are crafting their authentic wines by hand.” Now here comes Marietta Cellars, selling only to stores and restaurants through a network of distributors. And at 65,000 cases, while not a big winery in the corporate world, Marietta is definitely on the larger size of “small family owned wineries.”

Which brought me to my “unicorn” comment because off the top of my head I don’t know of any other family owned wineries that only sell wholesale.

Scot said that they were a “unicorn” in another way too. Families like the Bilbros, the Mauritsons and a few others are part of an ever shrinking group that has been farming the area for decades. While Scot in no way bemoaned the new blood that is coming into the region, he did acknowledge that families like the Bilbros are becoming more and more rare in Sonoma County.

As I said, no direct to consumer sales and therefore – no tasting room. But my writer’s card did get us an opportunity sit down with Scot and Jen to taste some of the winery’s current releases.

The largest production of the winery goes to the OVR series, which is most known for Old Vine Red but there is also an Old Vine Rose and an Old Vine Riesling. We tasted Old Vine Red Lot Number 67 which is a Zinfandel heavy blend. This wine was first produced in 1982 and doesn’t have vintage designations as it is a combination of grapes from different years.

As is a characteristic of Marietta Cellars wines, the OVR really over-delivers at its low price point – I’ve seen this wine for well under $20. My only complaint about this wine is it might encourage people to feel that this wine is so delicious why would they need to expand their horizons [i.e. pay more]?

My answer to them would be: the best is yet to come.

And that would be the next tier up, the Family series, each wine being named after a beloved member of Marietta Cellars’ extended family. We tasted the 2016 “Román” a Zinfandel (named after cellar master Roman Cisneros, who has been with Marietta Cellars over 30 years – one of several long-term employees), the 2015 “Armé” a Cabernet Sauvignon (named after Marietta’s husband) and the 2015 “Christo”, an intense Syrah-based blend named after Chris Bilbro himself.

All of these wines had great fruit and mouthfeel with long finishes, most notable to me in the Christo. But what I really got from these wines was a feeling of comfort. They are just really good tasting wines that you want to curl up and read a good book with or enjoy with a hearty meal.

These attributes carried over — and then some – to the top tier Estate series as well. As the name implies, this series showcases some of the special vineyards that Marietta works with. The 2016 Angeli Zinfandel (named after the family that settled the property in the late 1800s), the 2015 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2015 Gibson Block Syrah were all wines you just didn’t want to dump from your tasting glass. Especially that Syrah which was just amazing.

As I’ve said [too many times?], you can’t buy these wines directly from the winery. So, don’t go showing up on their doorstep asking for a taste. I suggest you use the Find Wine tool on their website to see where you can get your hands on some.

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 Ev 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: Sculptures, Winemaking and Tasting at Sculpterra

December 21, 2018 by evebushman 2 Comments

Lucky for me winemaker Dusty Nabor, of Dusty Nabor Wines, is pals with Sculpterra winemaker Paul Frankel – in fact Nabor buys his Bentley Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Frankel – and Nabor graciously offered to see about getting me an interview and a behind the scenes tour with Frankel.

My husband and Frankel in front of the many metal art pieces at Sculpterra.

When we drove up to the winery, its reputation as a sculpture garden preceding it, I made a point to tour the grounds a bit and photograph anything I hadn’t already seen before. It’s quite an impressive sight, and I believe unlike any other winery in Paso or anywhere else.

We met up with Frankel who filled us in on some of what we were seeing. There are metal sculptures, railings, a new several-feet-tall “photo album” mural just getting ready to be filled in, racks and poles for bicycles and horses – predominantly created by Bob Bentley. More about the art and artists can be read here: http://sculpterra.com/our-art/

Frankel grew up at Sculpterra, and lucky for his father, he was bitten by the wine bug when he attended Cal Poly. Frankel said you have to love farming and winemaking. His father, Dr. Warren Frankel, is currently in India working as a medical missionary with the “His Healing Hands” organization.

The vineyard was planted in 1993, beginning with 90 acres, then they purchased 160 more. There are now twelve varieties of wine grapes under vine, and pistachio acreage as well. There is also a vegetable garden and fruit trees.

Viognier does well here, according to Frankel, and is their best selling white wine. Primitivo is the most popular in their blends, and their Port is well liked too. Harvest began on September 11 this year and ended on November 1^st.

Their biggest issue: squirrels. Frankel believes there are thousands of them on the property. The have tried bombs, traps and even shooting. Now they have hired a person for the sole purpose of managing the squirrel population.

Interesting aspects on the winemaking: Frankel uses bed sheets instead of lids during fermentation. He believes the technique prevents volatility and too much alcohol in the resulting wine. They can do 10-20 tons a day for de-stemming. A lot the wines have a percentage of new oak influence. Frankel’s been at this since he was 21 and is now 26, “I enjoy the labor and (a winemaker) needs to be young. If you’re passionate (it all) works well.”

Tasting

Frankel left us at the door of the tasting room and we were aptly cared for by Iddy (Isabel) Shirley. Tasting notes were once again provided, some of which I added to. These are the wines I especially liked in the tasting:

NV Sparkling Wine

Chenin Blanc and Colombard

Notes of apple, peach and pear – quite refreshing!

2016 Viognier

I agreed: apple, peach, nectarine, white pepper. I could see why this was a favorite.

2015 Pinot Noir

Eddie liked this one a lot. Notes of tea, cherry, clove and mint.

2014 Mourvedre with 12% Petite Sirah

Smoke, jam, cedar and my top pick…so far.

2015 Figurine

43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Primitivo, 24% Merlot

Brambles, blackberry, smoke, clove and chocolate. I loved the lush fruit and long finish. This was a top pick for both of us.

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon “Bentley Ironworks”

The grapes are grown below Bentley’s workshop, near where the winery is located some distance from the tasting room. Liked the brambly quality. Another favorite of Ed’s.

2013 Petite Sirah

Besides blackberry I found it gamey and earthy, and it turned out to be my favorite wine in the tasting.

2016 Primitivo

Dark fruit, rich, lush and layered.

2015 Statuesque

38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Syrah and 24% Petite Sirah.

Loved this for its rich dark fruit.

Jagger Primitivo Port

Ed is not a port fan but he enjoyed all of the wonderful chocolate flavors in this one.

http://sculpterra.com/

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

BACA WINES TO HOST HOLIDAY DRIVE EVENT

November 19, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Photo: Baca’s Facebook page

ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA – BACA Wines, a modern California Zinfandel brand spearheaded by Director Jennifer Brown and Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister, has announced plans to host a Holiday Drive event at HALL St. Helena on December 1. This event will serve as the kick-off for a month long holiday drive campaign benefiting NEWS, a Napa-based non-profit that provides support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Entrance to the event, which includes a wine tasting and light bites, is a donation-based contribution to NEWS through the Eventbrite by selecting a Game-centric monetary value. The donation system is modeled with four different levels of donation named after games. For example, the DOMINOS donation is $30, with the next donation level being JENGA, a $50 donation, and so on. Each individual donation will translate to one complimentary tasting per person.

The format of this event will include a round-robin of engaging activities. Guests will make their way into the HALL’s modern Mezzanine and be invited to enjoy a bevy of holiday activities including a holiday selfie station, be invited to play BACA-inspired larger than life games, all while enjoying appetizers and currently released BACA wines.

The four 2016 BACA Zinfandel wines available to taste during the event include Cat’s Cradle: Rockpile, Tug O’ War: Maffei Vineyard, Russian River Valley, I Spy: Howell Mountain, and Double Dutch: Dusi Vineyard, Paso Robles. The 2016 vintage marks the inaugural year for the luxury Zinfandel brand owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the makers of HALL and WALT Wines. Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister will be present to answer any questions for guests about crafting the high quality Zinfandel wines.

“On behalf of NEWS, we are honored to have been chosen to receive proceeds from the BACA Holiday Drive,” says NEWS Executive Director, Tracy Lamb. “The support we receive will help bring a safe and joyful holiday season to the many Napa Valley families that we serve.”

BACA is Latin for berry. The team sources fruit from some of California’s most notable growing regions—Russian River, Rockpile, Howell Mountain, and Paso Robles. Using masterful winemaking techniques that include optical sorting, exacting fermentations and aging in French oak barrels, BACA crafts powerful wines that reflect the unique places the grapes are grown. The result is four complex, charismatic Zinfandels that pair beautifully with both food and adventure.

HALL Wines
Mezzanine – Located in the Tasting Room, 2nd floor
401 St. Helena Hwy. South
St. Helena, CA 94574

Saturday, December 1, 2018
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. PST

Entrance to this event is complimentary with the donation of a “Game Package” as listed below. The Game Packages include:
•   DOMINOS ($30 Donation)
•   JENGA ($50 Donation)
•   DICE ($70 Donation)
•   CHESS ($100 Donation).
There is also a Holiday Cheer ticket option on eventbrite that will allow for a monetary donation of one’s choice. Tickets can be secured HERE.

For more information, please visit www.bacawines.com, follow on social channels @bacawines, or by calling 707-967-2626.

BACA: Life’s An Adventure. Here’s To Those Who Drink It Up
BACA produces California Zinfandel sourced from some of the state’s most notable vineyards including Russian River Valley, Rockpile, Howell Mountain, and Paso Robles. Led by Winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister and Director Jennifer Brown, the inaugural BACA 2016 wine portfolio includes four wines focusing on complex, high quality California Zinfandel. BACA is part of the HALL Family of wine brands and is produced at HALL Wines in St. Helena. For more information, please visit www.bacawines.com.

ABOUT N.E.W.S. NEWS- Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services is a local non-profit, serving survivors and their children in Napa Valley. NEWS provides counseling, direct client services and a shelter that is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. NEWS serves approximately 1,300 people each year and is continuing to grow and help their community. NEWS is dedicated to providing safety, hope, healing and empowerment for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Equally, NEWS is committed to promoting safe communities and social change through prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy. Donations would directly benefit NEWS’ staff and the people and families who they help every day. For more information, please visit https://www.napanews.org/.

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

Two Bottle Post: 2000 Chateau Margaux Pavillon Rouge and 2007 Domaine Saint Prefert Chateauneuf Du Pape, Reserve Auguste Favier

November 9, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

On the heels of the first Feed SCV Chef Auction where I couldn’t contain my thrill of a wine class with me being purchased for $900 (photo next to these wines), I celebrated a great week with some old pals, and two wines from our cellar. So, though I do like my one bottle posts, this week I give you two.

I stole away into the kitchen to sample and review the two wines alone, as is my way so that I can be completely devoted to the task. Then, as my guests asked, I let them know my findings and suggested they sample each before deciding which to start with. For me I thought that the Bordeaux was lighter than the CDP (Chateauneuf Du Pape) in both style, fruit and spice. I enjoyed both, but the chocolate and beer chili I had made for dinner screamed out for the CDP that I presumed was predominately Syrah, followed by Grenache and Mourvedre grapes.

2000 Chateau Margaux

Very dark garnet in color, with aromas of aged red fruit, musty, tri-color peppercorns, earth, cigar, savory beef and pencil shavings. On the mouth I got that same red fruit – with a brighter flavor than expected, along with mild pepper, slightly medicinal, good mouthfeel and good tannin structure. 91 Eve pts.

This 2000 Bordeaux is one of the six 2000 vintages I knew I would be reviewing this year. I had pulled up the Wine Spectator ratings on each of these to compare with my review:

CHÂTEAU MARGAUX

Margaux Pavillon Rouge 2000

Score: 94

Release Price $65

Current Auction Price $196

Country France

Region Bordeaux

Issue Mar 31, 2003

Tasting Note

Glorious aromas of freshly picked raspberries, with tiny hints of cream and minerals. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish of berries and cherries. Super second wine from Margaux. Best Pavillon Rouge I have ever tasted. Best after 2010. 20,525 cases made. –JS

2007 Domaine Saint Prefert Chateauneuf Du Pape, Reserve Auguste Favier

The color began as garnet with a golden brown edge, however 30 minutes in the glass and it became more purple. On the nose there was raspberry, blueberry, mushroom, stewed meats, rubber and earth. It was quite inviting. I was thrilled with what I found on the palate: a huge mouthfeel, just wow, clean and fresh, killer berry fruits and spice rack notes, as well as milk chocolate and a little bit of mint on the finish. 100 Eve pts.

Conclusion

Being a fan of both Bordeaux and Rhone blends I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to sample such stellar older vintages. My husband has the cellar keys, and though I do keep track of the wines in our cellar on a spreadsheet, I didn’t realize we had some older CDP as well as the 2000 Bordeaux I knew we had. Thinking I need to take another look at the spreadsheet, and our cellar, and soon.

Highlights from 2018 Winesong on the Mendocino Coast

October 28, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, CA – During a spectacular weekend of award-winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving, the 34^th Annual Winesong saw a record-shattering amount raised for the Fund-A-Need auction lot, which this year benefited Cancer Care at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Held on the Mendocino Coast on September 7^th and 8^th, highlights included A Pinot Noir Celebration, the Grand Tasting a Silent and Live Auction, where attendees witnessed unbelievable generosity. Winesong is the main fundraising event benefiting the District Hospital. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, all proceeds go towards supporting the local Hospital that serves the entire Mendocino Coast, plus rural inland areas covering nearly half the distance to Highway 101.

Winesong 2018 kicked off on Friday, September 7^th with an insider’s view of spectacular Pinot Noirs at ‘A Pinot Noir Celebration’ hosted by the Little River Inn. Guests enjoyed Pinot Noir tastings and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, along with a chance to “talk shop” with the winemakers from Mendocino County, Napa and Sonoma Counties plus Pinots from Willamette Valley and New Zealand. On Saturday, September 8^th, attendees to the Grand Tasting strolled the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond, and bites from numerous fine food purveyors. The celebration continued in the Auction Tents with the always-entertaining main attraction, the Live and Silent Auctions, where well over 100 lots were on offer – including spectacular wines from a selection of prestigious wine producers, rare and hard-to-find vintages, special vertical and horizontal collections, original paintings and art from highly acclaimed artists, and domestic and international vacation packages.

Bidders at the Live Auction under the big tent helped raise significant funds, with the highlight being the Fund-A-Need focused on Cancer Care. While the bidding was set to start at $20,000, Honored Vintner Dan Duckhorn surprised everyone under the tent with an opening $50,000 donation. That was followed by a $25,000 donation, and from there, paddles shot up around the tent until the final tally of $265,000 was announced – more than the $250,000 the Foundation had hoped for and nearly $60,000 more than the previous record. Since the event, more donations from the FAN have been received, to the gratitude of the Foundation and District Hospital, and 100% of these donations going directly to the Hospital. Trips to Italy and South Africa each garnered $20,000 each, with the South Africa trip being doubled. A week in Anguilla was tripled at $33,000. A 2006 Shafer Hillside Select in a 6L format sold at $4,000, while a vertical collection of Vosne-Romanee, Clos de Reas’ Premier Cru spanning four decades went for $7,000.

Winning bids on other lots included:

Lot 9: “Honored Vintner – Take Flight” – Tasting Experiences between Napa and Anderson Valley with private jet transportation, plus dinner and several large format bottles – $12,000
Lot 12: Artist of the Year Stained Glass, “The Wave” – $7,000
Lot 19: “One Big Beautiful Bottle of Bordeaux” – 2008 Chateau Palmer, Grand Cru Margaux 6L – $5,700
Lot 30: “Jazz You Like It” – 2019 VIP Experience for two at Monterey Jazz Festival – $5,500
Lot 47: VIP Experience for Winesong’s 35^th Anniversary – doubled at $12,000 apiece.

“We were thrilled with the outcome of Winesong 2018,” states Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. “It was another great year, with incredible results for the Fund-A-Need benefiting Cancer Care patients and the Oncology Department at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. We thank everyone who helped make the day a success, and the generosity around this event is truly awe-inspiring.”

About Winesong & the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

Winesong is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Its mission is to help the small rural Hospital provide the best possible medical care to residents as well as the many visitors to the Mendocino Coast. Winesong proceeds have enabled the Hospital to purchase chemotherapy equipment, portable ultrasound machines for the Emergency Room as well as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center, Cardiology Equipment, a Bedside Medicine Verification System, a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system, and Patient Smart Beds for all rooms plus ER.

For further information, please visit http://winesong.org or call (707) 961-4688.

Limited Release 2015 Cabernets from 17 Prestigious Wineries: The 2015 Stags Leap District Appellation Collection

August 23, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – The Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association (SLDWA) announced today that their highly-limited Appellation Collection will be released on October 15th, 2018. This is the only collection of this type offered to consumers. This year’s Appellation Collection includes one bottle of 2015 Stags Leap District-designated Cabernet Sauvignons from the seventeen Association member wineries. Only 150 sets are available for this one-of-a-kind offering and it is only available for purchase between October 15th through December 15th, 2018.

“The Appellation Collection is a highly sought-after wine gift,” said Remi Cohen, Vice President and General Manager at Cliff Lede Vineyards and President of the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association. “It is an exclusive collection that allows wine lovers to experience the entire District in one complete horizontal set. Each bottle unveils the unique terroir and soft tannin structure that makes the Stags Leap District the iconic region it is.”

The 2015 Appellation Collection includes one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from each of the following: 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 2015 vintage is a classic vintage in Napa Valley,” added Cohen. “Higher than average temperatures produced an exceptional vintage, that was high in quality but low in yields. The result are wines that are sensuous and full of character.”

The 2015 Appellation Collection is priced at $1,999.00 for the 17-bottle set, packaged in two boxes, with ground shipping included. The Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association is the exclusive retailer of the Appellation Collection and the only American Viticultural Area (AVA) or appellation to offer a vintage-specific assemblage of its wines.

Consumers interested in purchasing the Collection may order online beginning October 15th, 2018, at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/appellation_collection.php. For additional information, contact the Association’s Executive Director Nancy Bialek at (707) 255-1720.

Availability:
October 15th – December 15th, 2018
150 Appellation Collection sets (Limited Edition)
Sold exclusively by the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association

Order online:
http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/appellation_collection.php
Contact Executive Director Nancy Bialek at (707) 255-1720

Cost:
$1,999.00 includes ground shipping for 17 bottles shipped in two boxes with detailed 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).

The 2015 Appellation Collection includes one bottle of each of the following Stags Leap District-designated wines:

Baldacci Family Vineyards, 2015 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Chimney Rock Winery, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ganymede Vineyard
Cliff Lede Vineyards, 2015 Moon Fantasy Cabernet Sauvignon
Clos Du Val, 2015 Hirondelle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Ilsley Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Lindstrom Wines, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Malk Family Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Odette Estate Winery, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pine Ridge Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Quixote Winery, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Regusci Winery, 2015 ‘The Elders’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Shafer Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five
Silverado Vineyards, 2015 SOLO, Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, 2015 FAY Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags’ Leap Winery, 2015 The Leap Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Steltzner Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Taylor Family Vineyards, 2015 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, and Twitter @StagsLeapAVA.

ONE WINEMAKER’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: THE STORY OF JEFF MORGAN AND WHY THE WORLD’S BEST KOSHER WINE HAS “DUAL CITIZENSHIP”

August 22, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Bayonne, NJ – When wine writer Gabriel Geller heard about the man behind Covenant winery, he knew it was an inspiring story, one worth telling. “It’s a story of faith, entrepreneurship, and chutzpah,” said Geller, who also serves as VP of Public Relations for Royal Wine Corp., distributor of Covenant wines in the U.S.

On the left it’s Ari Erle, the winemaker for Covenant Israel, Jeff Morgan is on the right.

In 2002, Jeff Morgan was at a winemaking conference in Napa Valley, CA when an intriguing topic came up: why aren’t there more good kosher wines? The question led the journalist-turned-winemaker on a quest to produce not just a great kosher wine, but the best kosher wine in the world.

It was a risk. As a long-time writer for Wine Spectator, Morgan knew that kosher wines had come a long way over the past few decades. But he had never made kosher wine before. In fact, his upbringing was so secular that his family had Christmas trees and he had never attended synagogue.

Morgan teamed up with food and wine entrepreneur Leslie Rudd, a fellow non-observant Jew and owner of some of Napa’s most prized vineyards. They enlisted the help of Herzog Wine Cellars, secured OU certification, and the Covenant label was born.

The first vintage was a Cabernet Sauvignon made from Napa grapes, released in 2003, that earned high praises from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate. Two years later, Robert Parker declared Covenant “one of the finest kosher wines on Planet Earth.” And the raves kept coming. Covenant became a boutique brand with a cult-like following.

Meanwhile, Morgan realized how little he knew about Judaism. So, he decided to reconnect with his Jewish roots – teaching himself Hebrew, reading Torah, laying tefillin – with his wife and business partner Jodie along for the spiritual ride. In 2007 he became a bar mitzvah. The couple became active in an Orthodox congregation in California.

It was during a visit to Israel some 15 years ago when Morgan sampled an impressive Domaine du Castel Grand Vin, produced in the Judean Hills, and an epiphany: If he could make kosher wine in California, why not also make it in the homeland of the Jewish people, the place where Jewish winemaking began?

“Israel reminded us of what Napa Valley was like 30 years ago,” Morgan wrote in J: The Jewish News of Northern California last May. “We were inspired to found Covenant Israel, a wine project aimed at investing in Israel and showing support for what we believe is one of the world’s most up-and-coming wine regions.”

That was when Covenant became the first-ever kosher wine to be produced both in the U.S. and Israel. The first bottle of Covenant Israel, a Syrah blend sourced from the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, was released in 2015. And in 2018, Covenant ISRAEL Blue C Viognier and Adom became available in the United States. Today, Covenant’s portfolio includes 6 California wines and 3 Israeli wines available in the USA.

In Geller’s view, “Jeff makes a wine in the Holy Land that’s as unique and superb as the wine he makes in California. Covenant Israel was the talk of the Kosher Food & Wine Experience NYC!” The label’s Syrahs, Blue C Viogniers, and Blue C Adom red blend are made in limited batches and consistently earn rave reviews.

“Lovers of premium wines would do well to grab them when they can,” Geller advises. “Those who do will see for themselves what Robert Parker means when he talks about ‘the finest kosher wine on Planet Earth.’”

On a poignant note, the Morgan’s friend, mentor, and Covenant co-founder Leslie Rudd passed away in May. But Covenant is very much a family affair. Jeff and Jodie’s daughter Zoe made Aliyah four years ago and heads up hospitality, sales, marketing, and more in Israel. And Covenant Israel is rapidly becoming one of the most highly regarded brands not just in Israel but in the world.

“As impressive as these bottling are,” added Geller, “nothing impresses me more than the notion that a glass of kosher wine could inspire one family’s spiritual and life journey…and transform the entire wine industry. It’s a story of beshert (destined to be) in the very best sense of the word.”

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.

Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine.