Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 4

May 8, 2021 by Michael Perlis

It is finally time to move our focus to Northern California, so now we can write about the Big Three.

Ahhh, the Big Three. These are the three winemakers that have had the biggest influence on our wine drinking over the last 2+ decades. Not only do they make great Zinfandel [kind of a requirement for this Zinfan] along with other wonderful reds that are in our wheelhouse [think Syrah, Petite Sirah, etc.] but they also make wonderful lighter style wines.

In addition, they are all founding members of the Historic Vineyard Society [insert website], an organization dedicated to preserving California’s old vineyards.

Photo provided by Mike Officer of Carlisle

The Big Three are:

Mike Officer of Carlisle Winery and Vineyards

Tegan Passalacqua of Turley Wine Cellars and Sandlands

Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock

Mike and Kendall Officer’s first vintage from their Carlisle Winery www.carlislewinery.com was 1998. They both kept their day jobs for the next few years, but given the immediate accolades they received out of the starting gate for their wines produced from old-vine vineyards, focusing on Zinfandels and Rhones, demand for them to increase production was high. They eventually were able to devote themselves full-time to the winery and their family – both of their children now work at the winery. While we immediately became huge fans of their red wines, they also make three whites that are definitely on our go-to list:

Sonoma Mountain “Steiner Vineyard” Grüner Veltliner: Not too many wineries use this varietal in California.

Sonoma Valley “Compagni Portis” White Wine: a field blend of primarily Gewurztraminer, Trousseau Gris and Riesling from the Compagni Portis Vineyard. Sonoma County “The Derivative” White Wine: The 2018 is a blend of Semillon, Muscadelle, Columbard and Palomino.

While many people consider Turley Wine Cellars www.turleywinecellars.com to be a Paso Robles winery since they purchased the old Pesenti winery in 2000, they also have a facility in Amador County, having acquired the Karly property in 2012. More to the Northern California point, Turley’s headquarters is in St. Helena in the Napa Valley. Under the auspices of Director of Winemaking Tegan Passalacqua, Turley produces an amazing number of delicious Zinfandels from some of California’s best vineyards, along with some Petite Syrahs, Cinsaults and even some Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are looking for lighter wines, they make some great ones as well. For whites, the Sauvignon Blanc is a favorite of ours and The White Coat blend is always outstanding. And yes, Turley also makes a White Zinfandel; but please don’t expect it to be that silly sweet stuff.

Tegan and his wife Olivia also own Sandlands www.sandlandsvineyards.com , where they focus mainly on “forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite (sand), from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture.” Sure, they do make some outstanding Chardonnay, but don’t miss their Lodi Chenin Blanc or Cinsault, Mataro and Carigane from Contra Costa County, even a Mission from Amador County, among others. The wines have an old-fashioned flair to them, including lower alcohol by modern California standards and are lip-smackingly delicious. Prices are really reasonable too, but you need to try to get on the mailing list!

Last but not least, Morgan Twain-Peterson founded Bedrock www.bedrockwineco.com

in 2007, but winemaking would seem to have always been in his blood. As the son of Joel Peterson who created Ravenswood and now owns Once And Future Wine, Morgan made his first wine when he was 5 years old – I think he made Pinot Noir just to annoy his Zinfandel-loving father. We were first drawn to the Bedrock Syrahs, Zinfandels and Heritage field blends, but we have found the whites to be equally as compelling. Morgan and his now partner-in-wine Chris Cottrell are doing amazing things with Sauvignon Blanc. And if you or anyone you know thinks that Rieslings are not for them, please give Bedrock’s a try; you will change your mind. Finally, the Ode to Lulu is one of our favorite pink wines every year.

Be aware that all of the Big Three reserve the bulk of their production for their mailing lists, so I highly recommend you sign up – or get on their waitlists.

As the weather starts heating up and Karen and I get to being fully vaccinated, we are looking forward to traveling to our favorite wine regions and tasting new varietals and vintages and reporting back. But in the meantime, you’ll probably see another article or two in this series.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 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 President of MCP Financial, which provides outsourced controller services. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or mcpfinancial@aol.com.

Bushman and Perlis Review 5 Newly Released 2020 Rosés

April 30, 2021 by evebushman

Recently Michael Perlis and I were presented with a few new Rosé wines for review. We didn’t taste together so below you will see notes by either K&MP (Yes, Michael enlisted his wife Karen to help with the hard work) or EB. I will first share the tantalizing invitation, and below that are descriptions of the wines from the wineries followed by our own tasting notes:

Rosé season is finally upon us! We are excited to present our selection of newly released 2020 Rosés, which come in a beautiful spectrum of pink shades. While these are wonderful wines for year-round enjoyment, there’s just something special about sipping a glass of pink during the springtime, when the weather begins to feel warmer, flowers bloom and days start to lengthen.

Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2020 (750ml/$14.99): Jean-Luc Colombo is an estate built upon innovation, passion, and dedication to winemaking. From the stony, limestone vineyards nestled in the hills above the bay of Marseille near Provence comes Cape Bleue Rosé – a wine of pure elegance and freshness with pronounced raspberry aromas over a core of red fruit, classic watermelon and peach notes. An elegant mouthfeel, fluid and round with ample length and crisp finish. K&MP: Very intense with flavors of Gala apple and Anjou pear from the Mourvedre that wrap around the smokiness of the Syrah. We paired the wine with a roasted Pork Loin marinated in a ginger scallion sesame sauce with a few red pepper flakes thrown in. The wine was a great accompaniment. This was MP’s favorite – guess he’s a cheap date.

Côté Mas Aurore Rosé Pays d’Oc IGP 2020 (750ml/$13.99): Côté Mas Aurore Rosé captures the essence of its Mediterranean region’s charm, offering a rich and smooth palate full of cherry, strawberry and floral aromas evolving toward soft candied fruit notes. The palate is rich and smooth with ripe red fruits and well-balanced acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with grilled chicken, shrimp, and goat cheese salads. EB: I’ll admit I chose this wine to review as the label design attracted me: a couple from the past – he wore an old fashioned straw hat – sitting for some wine with the vineyard in the background, all painted with pastel pinks, blue, yellow and green. The color of the wine itself, a pastel pink, coordinated perfectly. Now, to smell, I got aromas of cherry blossoms, fresh cut watermelon, lemon and lime zest, dried berries and wet stones; for the flavor there was welcoming crisp apple, juicy red fruit, and a mild to medium acidity which gave away to a nice length. We enjoyed this as recommended, as an aperitif. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 10% Vermentino. I would buy this wine.

Valdo Prosecco DOC Rosé 2020 (750ml/$15.99): One of the must-try wines from the newly approved category designation, Prosecco DOC Rosé, Marca Oro has a lovely pink hue and persistent perlage. On the nose, inviting floral notes lead to apple, pear, and small red berries. The palate is delicate, fruity, pleasantly harmonious with a long finish. This is perfect as an aperitif, and it pairs perfectly with pasta, fish, and tartare. EB: The color, of a perfectly ripe peach, and oodles of dancing bubbles definitely drew me in, including the three Prosecco lovers that shared this bottle with me. On the nose there was a wealth of raspberry, strawberry, toasted French baguette, wet river rock and white flower – all very enticing. One guest commented on the taste that the bubbly was fruit forward, as I got with more than a hint of ripe raspberry, bright strawberry, a feeling of general freshness, a nice low acidity, and that same raspberry from the nose to the taste lingered through to the finish. Pinot Noir and Glera grapes. My guests took photos of the wine in the hopes of finding it. I would also like to find this wine again.

Bertani Bertarose 2020 (750ml/$19.99): Bertarose is one of the oldest wines of the Bertani winery, and a blend of 75% Molinara and 25% Merlot grapes. Fresh aromas of pomegranate and red currants with notes of white flowers. Decisive on the palate, medium bodied with deft balance between acidity and tanginess. Excellent length. Perfect as an aperitif, it also goes well with salads, delicate-flavored pasta dishes and white meat. K&MP: Very clean nose and finish. Nice smooth mouthfeel as well. We got some citrus/lemon notes as well as pear. This wine was very refreshing yet full bodied enough to stand up to the mini-Reubens that we paired it with. They’ve been making this wine since the 1930s and they definitely know what they are doing. Very interesting blend as well as the approach of fermenting the Molinara on the skins and the Merlot off the skins. Makes for a pretty complex wine, which is not unexpected for a winery credited with creating the first commercial dry Amarone.

Planeta Sicilia DOC Rosé 2020 (750ml/$19.99): A blend of 50% Nero d’Avola and 50% Syrah, this fresh, fruit-forward rosé represents all the feelings of a Sicilian summer. The fresh aromas of strawberry make it a marvelously friendly wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy Planeta Rosé in good company, as an aperitif with tapas, raw fish, fresh salads or alone with seasonal fruit. K&MP: Light in color and nose, which makes sense as the wine is vinified like a white wine. Fragrance of Jasmine tea leaves. Seemed to bounce off the palate with its brightness. We paired this with a margarita pizza that we had added smoked salmon to and it matched perfectly. This would be great on a late summer California afternoon/evening with passed appetizers.

Find where to purchase any of these wines via Taub Family Selections:

https://www.taubfamilyselections.com/

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

Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 3

April 24, 2021 by Michael Perlis

When I started writing this series of articles about the lighter wines Karen and I have been drinking recently, I hadn’t really thought that so many of them would be from Paso Robles. After all, Paso’s reputation [at least in my mind] is for big delicious Reds, and there certainly are a lot of those coming from this area. And we don’t limit ourselves to PR’s AVAs, as I expect you know. But, as I’ve said, great winemakers make great wine, regardless of color, and here are three more wineries that produce some of our favorite lighter wines from the area. As an added bonus, they are all somehow connected to each other.

We’ve actually known Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solene www.clossolene.com the longest of these three, having met him at an event back in 2009. He was pouring his first vintage – a delicious Roussanne – and was still assistant winemaker at L’Aventure. But 2009 was long ago. We’ve followed him to the shared Paso Underground tasting room in downtown to Paso Robles and then to Tin City just south of downtown Paso. Now he and his wife Solene have their own property in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, from which they are creating some of the best wines in the region. I’ve always felt that his Red wines did a great job of showing how their inherent power could be softened into elegance without losing the characteristics of Paso.

The lighter wines are equally as stylish. Karen loves all of them when “paired with our “Snacks– Hunkered Down” nights of charcuterie and/or smoked fish, various cheeses, dried and fresh fruit, followed by lemon cookies or a scoop of ice cream.”

The pink La Rose is a Rhone blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah, made from grapes specifically farmed for rosé – no saignee here! Very pale in color that belies the complexity of the wine itself.

Clos Solene’s Hommage Blanc is a classic white Rhone blend of mainly Roussanne plus Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Karen found it to be “full bodied…flowers, fruit, spices…”

Finally, En Coulisse is 100% Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley’s Bien Nacido Vineyards. A nice rich Chard, and [per Karen] “not overpowering with oak, vanilla or butter but fruit forward…”

Guillaume is also partner in another Paso Robles winery with his brother Arnaud –

Benom Wines www.benomwines.com. They originally took over Clos Solene’s spot in Tin City, although I believe they have now moved to a larger space in the same area.

The name Benom is a riff on the French word “binôme” which translates to “a project together”. These French brothers have successfully combined their homeland’s heritage with all that Paso has to offer, with their blends showing what can be done by them in a place with no rules. No surprise, again, that the red wines are great, but this article is focusing on these lighter wines.

The L’Essor rosé combines Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon and Contrast is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Neither of these could be made back home due to the rules about combining grapes from different regions. And they clearly should be. Karen loved the “bright fruit” of the L’Essor and found the Contrast to be “crisp, clean, full of fruit…”

As I mentioned at the start, this article is about three wineries that are somehow connected. Arnaud Fabre of Benom is also marketing director at Law Estate Wines www.lawestatewines.com, another winery that we first tasted at a festival. This time it was the Ojai Wine Festival back in 2013, when Karen came up to me and said “you really have to try Law”. As always, she was right and we have been big fans since. We met GM Oliver Esparham at the Ojai Festival and have visited him and the rest of our friends at Law at the state-of-the-art winery and tasting room many times – once even before it was complete. The winery and vineyards high up on Peachy Canyon are amazing in their own right. But, that would mean nothing if the wines didn’t match. And they definitely do. The Law wines are truly some of the best ones around.

With regard to lighter wines, Law makes two. The Rosé blend is typically Grenache based while the white Rhone blend Soph [named after the Laws’ granddaughter] is usually about half Roussanne. The exact blends vary from year to year for both of these, but they are always stunning and are present on our table [and in our glasses] often. I love that the description on the website refers to Soph as “an extremely moreish wine”. We definitely agree on that.

Next article, we’ll finally leave Paso Robles and look at wines from farther north. Unless I change my mind.

Clos Solene

www.clossolene.com

Benom

www.benomwines.com

Law Estate Wines

www.lawestatewines.com

Vintage Eve Circa 7/2018: Canned Bonny Doon Fizzy White and Pink…Would you try?

February 2, 2021 by evebushman

I shared a press release recently on canned wines. Suffice it to say, most of the comments, mine included, were biased against canned wines. Most of us didn’t care for the presentation – just like the people that resist screw capped wines for their lack of romance – and some questioned if there was a metallic taste. Got a lot of discussion in one of my Facebook posts and prompted the powers that be at Bonny Doon Vineyard to send me some canned wines to sample.

The two cans I tried below did turn me around. There was no problem with the flavor in these lighter-styled wines sparkling wines:

Fizzy White

AKA La Bulle-Moose Blanche

100% Vermentino

Color: Dried hay, and a little fresh green grass.

Aroma: Pineapple, lemon hard candy, kiwi, wet concrete, cantaloupe and honeydew melon.

Flavor in a wine glass: tingly, Prosecco-like, that same lemon but not as sweet, more like a light lemonade, paler melon fruit, green apple.

Flavor from the can: Same, of course, maybe more fizzy but that may just be perception.

Fizzy Pink of the Earth

AKA La Bulle-Moose de Cigare

57% Grenache, 18% Grenache Blanc, 9% Mourvèdre, 6% Roussanne, 5% Carignane, 5% Cinsaut

Color: Peach, rose gold.

Aroma: Bruised strawberry, yellow peach, raspberry, lemon-lime, akin to sparkling wine.

Flavor in a wine glass: overall light nuances of fruit cocktail, pear and peach with a medium finish.

Flavor from the can: same.

Conclusion

Basically: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. The company sent me two of each flavor and my husband liked the idea of keeping the two we didn’t open in the fridge to have on our porch before dinner some night soon. I liked the idea of just splitting a can of wine before dinner, and before moving over to cocktails or a full bottle of wine to pair with our meal.

I also felt that both of these would also lend themselves well in a Sangria with fruit, and maybe a little rum or spirit of your choice.

I would probably have a harder time being convinced of the merits of a heartier or higher quality wine served in a can. I also can’t imagine moving people with strong opinions for cork closures to try canned wines any more than they would accept screw-capped wines. It’s just too much change…for the present. Who knows how wines will be served in 100 or so years? Everything may be canned soon enough.

Side note, I’m not a fan of wines with names that do little to tell you what grapes they’re made from. Every time I get served a Rose I find myself asking what grapes they’re made from, so this may just be my pet peeve. Plus I’m not attracted to puppies or kittens or a moose on a label though I know other people do select their wines based on a cute label, so I get the desire. Maybe it’s just me?

Click on cans for details –> https://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/Shop/Cans

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.

Vintage Eve Circa 5/2018: A Trio of French Rosé Reviewed

December 15, 2020 by evebushman

I’m a sucker for Rosé wine, especially when the temperatures go up and the days are longer. It’s almost like an aperitif to have before dinner for us, on the front porch, as we watch our neighbors slowly filter by walking their dogs or walking themselves. So, this week, now that I’ve got you in a relaxed mood I hope, I give you three Rosé wines to virtual sample through me, and then go out and find for yourselves:

Château de Berne Inspiration 2017, $20

12.5% alcohol

70% Grenache Noir, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah

Color: Pale rose gold.

Aroma: fruit cocktail, peach, fresh sweet watermelon, pear, a cool stream running through a lush forest.

Flavor: Tingly (medium acid) hit me first, then fresh ripened apple, steely/concrete, much more fruit on the back palate and a finish of lemon-lime.

88 Eve pts.

From Tech Sheet: Château de Berne Inspiration a light, yet fragrant Grenache-dominant wine that will elevate any meal or happy hour with friends. The grapes are sourced from Château de Berne’s 330 acres of vineyards as well as trusted growers with whom the estate has long-term relationships. The warm Mediterranean climate, vineyard altitudes of 820-1,082 feet and limestone and clay soils produce grapes that are concentrated while still retaining fresh, juicy acidity. After harvest, the Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes undergo cold soak maceration for 2 to 3 hours, to produce the pale pink color for which Provence is world-famous. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 2 to 3 weeks before bottling.

Château de Berne Emotion 2017, $16

12.5% alcohol

50% Grenache Noir, 25% Cinsault, 25% Syrah

Cork: Synthetic cork that reminded me of a white marshmallow, this was a first for me.

Color: Very pale pink.

Aromas: Bright and aromatic fruit, citrus, lemon tart, cut pineapple, talcum powder.

Flavor: tart peach and pear, lemon, lime, sweet pineapple, mild to medium acidity.

88 Eve pts.

From Tech Sheet:

The grapes are sourced from Château de Berne’s 330 acres of vineyards as well as trusted growers with whom the estate has long-term relationships. The warm Mediterranean climate, vineyard altitudes of 820-1,082 feet and limestone and clay soils produce grapes that are concentrated while still retaining fresh, juicy acidity. After harvest, the Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Syrah grapes undergo cold soak maceration for 2 to 3 hours, to produce the pale pink color for which Provence is world-famous. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 2 to 3 weeks before bottling.

Ultimate Provence Urban Provence 2017, $23

12.5% alcohol

45% Grenache Noir, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 5% Rolle

Color: rose gold, Swarovski crystal.

Aroma: peach, pink grapefruit, sweet ripe raspberry, plum, hard candy, cream, talcum powder, wet stream pebbles.

Flavor: fruit forward, strawberries and cream, but of tropical fruit, medium acid, mildly sweet finish.

90 Eve pts.

From Tech Sheet: Urban Provence is a dry rosé combining Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Rolle into a refreshing dry wine with bright red fruits balanced by spice. The grapes are harvested from Ultimate Provence’s 100-acre estate near the village of La Garde-Freinet, where the sandstone soils produce concentrated, aromatic fruit. After harvest, the grapes undergo cold soak maceration for 2 to 3 hours, to produce the pale pink color for which Provence is world-famous. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 2 to 3 weeks before bottling. The gorgeously etched bottle is reflective of the product inside: beauty, craftsmanship, quality and originality.

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

Lake County Wines Reach New a Pinnacle

November 14, 2020 by evebushman

KELSEYVILLE, Calif., PRNewswire — Lake County received the highest rating ever achieved by a wine from its region – receiving a 96 point rating for the 2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Lake County, a small wine growing region directly north of Napa, used to be part of Napa County and was said to have grown as many grapes as Napa in the 1900s. However, the 1920 Prohibition brought an end to Lake County wine production as vines were removed and planted with other crops.

Lake County’s re-emergence in the wine industry began in the 1960s and grew from less than 100 acres in 1965 to nearly 10,000 acres today. Although large premium Napa Valley grape growers like Beringer and Beckstoffer Vineyards established themselves in the county, few wineries included “Lake County” on their labels, as most wine was often blended into that of Napa Valley and Sonoma wines.

In 2007, a dozen wineries in Lake County including Sol Rouge Winery, established the Lake County Winery Association to promote awareness. At the time, Lake County wines were relatively unknown or reviewed by the top wine magazines with only a few wines receiving a 90+ point rating. Most of these wines were made by Napa winemakers like Thomas Rivers Brown, maker of the Schrader Cellars Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer’s Amber Knolls Vineyard.

Today, the Lake County Winery Association has over three dozen vintners like Shannon Ridge, Gregory Graham, Brassfield, Hawk & Horse, and Obsidian Ridge, who commonly make wines in the 90-95 point range. “We’ve seen a trend in higher ratings from all of our Lake County wineries and this rating is just another example of how wineries are producing world-class wines from Lake County,” said Helena Walsh, Director of Lake County Winery Association.

The 2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah put Lake County in a completely different league, scoring a 96 point rating by one of the top wine review magazines – the highest in the county’s 50+ year history of winemaking. “I actually never checked on how rare that rating was. I tasted the Sol Rouge Petite Sirah blind of course, along with a few other Petites from Lake and two other appellations, so when I scored it I didn’t know the AVA. It’s a magnificent wine and a great example of how good the Lake County terroir can be,” said Jim Gordon, Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

“When we planted the Sol Rouge Vineyard, we sought to grow the best possible grapes to make the finest wine we could,” said Bryan Kane, Co-Owner & Winemaker of Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery. “When we came to Lake County, the highest rating from one of the Big 3 (Spectator, Enthusiast & Parker) was 92 points. So far, we’ve earned 90–94 points on 44 of our 51 Lake County wines, with the majority scoring 92-94 points.” Bryan attributes the higher scores amongst Lake County wines both improved winemaking and the excellent growing conditions.

“Lake County produces some of the most distinct winegrapes in the world, and over the years, we’ve seen a steady increase in recognition of the region’s wines,” said Debra Sommerfield, President of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “This impressive rating further substantiates Lake County’s position as a top-tier winegrowing region.”

With all the recent devastation to the Napa and Sonoma wine growing regions caused by the Glass and LNU Lightning Complex fires, wineries have been looking to Lake County for grapes. Jim Smith of Case by Case Wine Brokers states, “We have been challenged as of late with the soaring demand of winegrapes from Lake County. I believe the work is out on what winemakers can expect from our wine growing region.”

“We are honored and excited to have received such a high rating on our 2016 Petite Sirah and expect that Sol Rouge and others will continue to aspire to make highly rated world class wines,” stated Jill Brothers, Sol Rouge Co-Owner and Winegrower.

ABOUT SOL ROUGE

Sol Rouge is a family estate located in the Mayacamas Mountains at elevations averaging over 1800 feet. North of Napa in the foothills of a dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country in the Red Hills Appellation of Lake County, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name – translating to “Red Soil” in French. This 70 acre estate is planted with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a “high vine density” configuration allowing each vine to focus on fewer clusters of fruit, leading to greater complexity. Nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge, this aggressive sight is all hillside with slopes up to 60% and is said to be the most aggressive and tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills, with nearly 6000 vines per hectare in some blocks. For more information, see http://www.solrouge.com

2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah Wine Enthusiast Magazine Review: https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/sol-rouge-2016-petite-sirah-lake-county/

Vintage Eve Circa 9/2016: Black Vintners Wine Experience

September 24, 2019 by evebushman

Hello Eve, An increasing number of wineries in South Africa are engaging in transformation through the production of socially sustainable wines made by a new generation of Black winemakers…and with that I was invited to attend a “Black Vintners Wine Experience” hosted by the South African Consulate-General and the Wines of South Africa USA.

What I already knew about South African wines I learned long ago from my WSET and COC Wine Studies instructor DiMaggio Washington. They were known for their Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, the latter being a grape variety that is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault grapes. Both became my favorites as their expressions were unique in my opinion.

Fast forward nearly a decade and both the Wine Spectator, and the Marketing Manager for Wines of South Africa USA, Jim Clarke, report that those wine varieties – specifically Pinotage – are no longer in fashion.

I had no doubt the fashion calls for Bordeaux blends and Sauvignon Blanc, the big sellers in new world wines (new world areas include the U.S., Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Chile and South Africa) and the wines we were to taste incorporated those varieties and others as well.

Tasting – aromas and flavors separated by ;

Seven Sisters “Twena” Pinotage Rose 2015

Strawberry, yellow peach and wet stones on the nose; then flavors of strawberries dipped in sugar, fruit cocktail with a low acid. 88 Eve pts.

Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Green grass, cheddar cheese and limeade; lime, lemon with a medium acidity. 88 Eve pts.

Solms-Delta Chenin Blanc 2015

Pear, lemon, white pepper, grapefruit; bright, tingly, refreshing, peach and pear. 88 Eve pts.

De Bos “Sure Lie” Chenin Blanc 2014

Powdery, slight earthy notes, crisp apples; nice balance of fruit and acid, easy to drink, subtle fruit. 89 Eve pts.

Fairvalley Pinotage 2014

Plums, black licorice, grilled meat, mushroom, eucalyptus; dry, tobacco, dried plum, black pepper. 89 Eve pts.

Solms-Delta Syrah 2014

Black cherry, milk chocolate and green peppercorn; young, black cherry, dry with firm tannins. 90 Eve pts.

Suo Red collection #2 2014 (Bordeaux Blend)

Black fruit, mint, black pepper; big, dark fruit, blueberry, blackberry. 91 Eve pts.

Mvemve Raats MR de Compostela 2014 (Bordeaux Blend)

Barnyard, earthy, dark chocolate, plum and smoke; brighter fruit in the mouth than the nose indicated, yet still tannic, dark and dusty. 90 Eve pts.

Average retail prices: The whites were all less than $20, the reds ranged from under $20 to $35 on the Suo Red to $65 on the Mvemve Raats. These wines may or may not be available all over the U.S. so please check you local retail outlets. If you don’t see South African wines represented – please ask for them!

From Marketing Manager for Wines of South Africa USA, Jim Clarke:

The winemaking area of South Africa is a small region, about 245,000 acres, located in the Western Cape near Cape town.

South Africa is the seventh or eighth largest wine producer in the world.

Ninety-five percent of the wineries are certified sustainable.

South Africa is the largest producer of Chenin Blanc.

The World Cup put attention on the region.

South Africa has always been a “beer and brandy” drinking area, now there is a new culture that enjoys wine tasting.

Pinotage wine production have gone down from 12 percent to seven percent, however, those making it are serious about doing it well.

The wines of South Africa are more diverse than before.

From more than one member of the consulate:

I asked about the promotion of Black South Africans, specifically vintner scholarships and assistance in winery start-ups.

(The programs) are a good motive for the government to assist Black winemakers…and to get all involved in the country.

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

MARGERUM WINE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW TASTING ROOM IN SANTA BARBARA’S FUNK ZONE

June 26, 2019 by evebushman

Santa Barbara, California; May 28, 2019 – Doug Margerum and the Margerum Wine Company announce the opening of their new tasting room at the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, California. The Margerum Wine Company tasting room offers distinctive flights and wines by the glass from their premium wines produced at their state-of-the-art Buellton winery.

Leading the Margerum Wine Company team is creator and namesake, Douglas Barden Margerum, a long term Santa Barbara resident who has been a fixture in the Santa Barbara food and wine scene for over 35 years. Rani Mclean oversees the tasting room as the Direct to Consumer Manager.

Enter the MARGERUM WINE COMPANY tasting room across from the entrance to the Hotel from Mason Street, near the corner of Helena Avenue, and discover a balanced mix of quintessential Santa Barbara Spanish Colonial architecture and a multi-faceted modern style. The interior was styled by designer Marni Blau Margerum and she describes it as “where modern farmhouse meets couture boutique”. Marni’s eclectic design style centers around an expansive bar made of a reclaimed and flattened oak barrel staves from the winery. The bar is the main focal point, anchoring the spacious and exquisitely finished interior to create a naturally defined room for wine tasting and socializing.

The oak stairs lead one past the hand-forged cast-iron railings to the stunning private room that sets the stage for an unforgettable wine tasting experience in Santa Barbara. The private tasting room accommodates up to 32 people for a seated event or 50 for a stand-up reception or custom wine-tasting menu. Crafty details and sky-high ceilings are accented by the crimson red velvet curtains on the mezzanine, providing a cozy lounge for wine club members and for larger groups with reservations. Private lunches or dinner parties are available for an exceptional wine and dining experience.

The beautiful outdoor patio boasts a spectacular vantage point for lounging, wine tasting and people-watching. The patio can also be transformed into a private space for exclusive events day or night, which can accommodate up to 24 guests for an alfresco experience at this quintessential Santa Barbara wine tasting venue.

The wines are produced from their Estate vineyard and from purchased top Santa Barbara County growers to create hand-crafted wines that are indicative of the region, showcasing individual characteristics and personality of each terroir. The scale of production is kept at a level where they can touch and know the wine as it is raised to the bottle. The standards of quality are measured by their own criteria (not by external sources) and they only make wines they personally enjoy – some to drink young; others for long aging in cool cellars for future generations to enjoy.

Margerum produces several different wine varietals, including Sybarite Sauvignon Blanc; UBER Syrah (a blend of Syrah grapes from Santa Barbara County’s best vineyards); Riviera Rosé (made primarily from Grenache grapes); the flagship Rhône Varietal Red Blend M5 (blended from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Counoise grapes); the M5 White (blended from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Vermentino); and Amaro – a fortified wine made from Herbs (Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Parsley, Lemon Verbena, Rosemary, and Mint), Barks, Roots, Dried Orange Peels, Barrel-Aged Brandy and Caramelized Simple Syrup. Currently, the Margerum Wine Company produces about 16,000 cases a year.

The Tasting Room will be its ever-changing menu featuring rare bottlings and excellent older vintages of Margerum Wines. For those seeking a more refined experience, the Margerum Wine Company offers customized Private Winemaker Tastings with Doug Margerum by appointment.

The Margerum Wine Company tasting room is open daily from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday/Saturday and by appointment.

ABOUT MARGERUM WINE COMPANY:

MARGERUM WINE COMPANY produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown both on their estate vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards from in and around Santa Barbara County. The 18-acre estate vineyard is planted exclusively to Rhône grape varietals. The acreage is divided between limestone hillsides and gravelly alluvial flatlands along Alamo Pintado Creek. The wines are made at their state-of-the-art winery located on Industrial Way in Buellton. Owner and Director of Winemaking, Douglas Barden Margerum, works with the top vineyards from the cool, eastern end of the valley in Happy Canyon to the western end’s cold vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills. Doug carefully selects the vineyards with meticulous attention to detail in all factors influencing the ultimate quality of the wines, including pruning, soil, climate, and farming methods. MARGERUM WINE COMPANY is committed to creating hand-crafted wines using only the highest quality grapes in order to make wines that are indicative of the place where they are grown. They strive to make wines naturally, to make wines that have individual characteristics and to make wines with personality. The scale of production is kept at a level where they can touch and know the wine as it is raised to the bottle – the antithesis of mass production. The standards of quality are measured by their own rigid criteria – not by external sources. They make wines they personally enjoy – some to drink young, others for long aging in cool cellars for future generations to enjoy, but mostly to share at the table with family and friends.

ABOUT DOUG MARGERUM:

Doug’s multi-faceted background as the Sommelier/Owner of The Wine Cask, a Wine Spectator Grand Award restaurant recipient, and as a highly respected winemaker made him sought out by a variety of wineries to assist in the formation of their brands. Doug has consulted for Chêne Bleu super Rhône wines in France, and continues to consult for La Encantada Vineyards, Rancho Boa Vista and Happy Canyon Vineyards, all in Santa Barbara County, as well as the Santa Barbara wines of Paradise Springs Winery based in Virginia.

MARGERUM WINE COMPANY TASTING ROOM

19 Mason Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.845.8435

tastingroom@margerumwines.com

For more information the public can visit:

www.margerumwines.com

Follow MARGERUM WINE COMPANY:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/margerumwine

Twitter: @MargerumWine

Instagram: @margerumwine

For information on the Barden Wines visit:

www.bardenwines.com

Paso: Visiting Linne Calodo and Denner Vineyards

December 28, 2018 by evebushman

Both Linne Calodo and Denner had been recommended to us over the years to visit, but if you’ve been paying any attention to the growth in Paso Robles you know that there are now hundreds of wineries to choose to visit. In my earlier article on Parrish Family, as well as this one, it was the first time in all of our visits to the area we were not seeing any wineries we had visited before. Everyone has their favorites, and I myself felt guilty about not seeing some of mine on this trip, but I do it all for you, dear reader, so that you can explore something new as well. So on a cool Saturday morning we set out to both for predominant Rhône blends and both by appointment only.

View from Denner patio.

Linne Calodo is on the corner of 46 West and Vineyard Avenue, so it’s extremely easy to find. A short drive up the hill and you’ll find a medium-sized tasting room for guests that would like to either sit or stand through a flight. Greeted with a menu of what we would be tasting – we knew it was ours as our name was printed on it – and a trio of red wine glasses.

We were expertly taken care of by Meghan Ball – Meghan is a new mom so she has taken a short break in her duties as assistant winemaker this year to take over as the Director of Sales. Meghan explained that guests were welcome to bring food to have for an outdoor tasting, there is sometimes live music upstairs that is enjoyed by tasters downstairs, couches and sitting areas are often used by members – as club members have always been the wineries exclusive buyers.

In fact when the tasting room opened in 2009 – they reached the maximum for wine club members. It was not until January of this year that they had re-opened the wine club for new members, and re-opened the tasting room for walk in guests. Had they not acquired more acreage they would still be closed for new tasters and members.

Linne Calodo owner and winemaker, Matt Trevisan, had switched his interests from airplanes to biochemistry – and started out with Justin Winery in 1995, the same vintage year that Wine Spectator awarded Justin Isosceles with a 100 point score. 1998 was Trevisan’s first vintage for Linne Calodo. Beginning with a 500 case production they are now at 5,000 cases. The vineyards are primarily dry farmed, all estate, they make eight to ten blends a year with four or five released twice per year, with an additional white and rose.

This struck me, Megan said that all of the wines are unfiltered and unfined, and that “through blending we create balance.” We agreed as we meandered our way through: 2016 “Rising Tides” with 77% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre an 9% Syrah; 2016 “Nemesis” with 87% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre and 4% Grenache; 2016 Outsider with 82% Zinfandel, 7% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre and 4% Graciano.

(I have no tasting notes on these wines as we were too busy chatting with Meghan all about the winery. I enjoyed everything, with a special nod to the 2016 Nemesis that had been opened 24 hour earlier. Meghan commented that the “first and last glass” of this particular wine “is a totally different experience”.)

Linne Calodo www.linnecalodo.com 3030 Vineyard Dr. Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 227-0797

Denner, just up Vineyard Avenue about ten minutes from Linne Calodo, has a large parking lot and several welcoming areas to taste both inside and out, a bocce court, trees, flower gardens and vineyards are all within view. We were told to take any seating area and chose a nice tall table outside to take in the sights.

Our entertaining and educational sommelier Yule from the Ukraine presented us with six wines to taste, and allowed us time with each before returning with a new wine. What we learned and tasted:

We began with a 2016 100% Viognier that I thought had perfect fresh fruit with a medium acidity. I also agreed with the provided tasting notes that described notes of orange and lime. Yule explained that this wine, and some of the others, had spent their months aging in large “cigar” barrels. I was familiar with these for their odd shape compared to the standard shaped barrel. Yule also explained that they allowed for less oxygen to reach the wine, and I presumed the large shape would also provide less oak notes in the nose and flavor.

Next we tried the 2016 Grenache with 81% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah and 1% Roussane. While our tasting notes described the wine as having aromas of cherry and raspberry I also found chocolate. The wine is all estate fruit, fairly dry, well balanced, and left me with hints of cherry cola on the palate.

Ron Denner, the owner of the property, started out being told that he wouldn’t amount to much by his father as his grades in his early school years were lacking. Between his college years, military service and owning more than one business – two involving moving dirt (the latter being the winery) Denner more than proved his father wrong. The wine named Ditch Digger is a shout out to that memory. The wine we tasted, the 2016 vintage, again an all estate wine was 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise and 5% Cinsault. While the tasting notes mentioned black licorice, strawberry, botanicals and spice my own palate found it to have also notes of crushed cherry on the nose and darker fruit on the palate. This wine had spent 16 months in neutral 500L and 600L oak puncheons – three times bigger than a standard barrel – allowing for less oak on the flavor.

The next wine, the 2016 Dirt Worshipper, had a great story for its namesake, and proved to be our favorite wine in the line-up. Lets start with the brief story: Yule got down on bended knee to show us what it looked like when the workers were planting the grapes that would eventually make up Dirt Worshipper, and you probably may have guessed it, yep, they looked like they were praying. The 2016 vintage was 97% Syrah, 2% Roussanne and 1% Viognier – and why use a white wine in a red blend? And why so little of it, would it make any kind of difference? Yule explained that the small percentage of white Rhônes would act as a stabilizer for their Syrah to maintain its color. Cool. I agreed with the tasting notes that showed white pepper and blackberries on the nose, and espresso and blueberries in the palate, I also found it very creamy. I also wrote down what I overheard another guest say, “If this is ditch digging we can agree he struck gold.”

The 2012 Syrah, with it’s gold ribbon on the bottle, was considered more of a library wine that can age longer due to more tannins. With notes of violets, blueberries, and white pepper on the nose and with the addition of espresso on the palate – we were in agreement with the tasting notes on our menu.

A final wine added to the lineup was the 2016 Sacred Burro of 100% Carignan. In this wine, Yule explained, the vineyard had been head trained, and since the grapes are susceptible to mold up to 80% of the fruit was cut off to allow only 20% for wine. In comparison, if left alone there would be 20 tons of Carignan harvested to an average of five tons for Cabernet Sauvignon. He further explained that without the head training, the mold could takeover other parts of the vineyard. As we went in for our taste – the wine was described as having rose petal and raspberry notes (I also found dark cherry) it would be easier to discern these aromas if we rolled our glasses, and then see if we could sniff the raspberry or cherry on the near side, and the rose botanical on the far end. It seemed to work. Something to try at home!

Note: I didn’t explain the time in oak for all of these wines, share their Vinous scores or the pricing. You can email me if you want further details: Eve@EveWine101.com or peruse their Facebook or website pages:

https://www.facebook.com/DennerVineyards/

http://www.dennervineyards.com/

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

Hampton Water Wine Named to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2018

December 19, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Hampton Water, the premium rosé label, created by award-winning music icon, Jon Bon Jovi, son Jesse Bongiovi, and acclaimed French Winemaker Gérard Bertrand, has been named the top ranked rosé and #83 wine in the world by Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2018.

Since launching in early 2018, Hampton Water has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Rosés in the world and received a 90-point rating from Wine Spectator earlier this year. This coveted accolade further distinguishes Hampton Water’s unprecedented first year.

“It’s an incredible honor to be on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2018, let alone ranked as the top rosé. It’s a true testament to all of our hard work and I could not be more proud to share our excitement for, and love of, Hampton Water with people all over the world,” said Jon Bon Jovi. Jesse Bongiovi, Bon Jovi’s son and Co-Founder added, “To be recognized by this esteemed organization at all, especially in our first year, is a tremendous accomplishment. Thank you!”

The idea to create a wine, emblematic of a bon vivant lifestyle, emerged during time spent in the Hamptons, between father and son. Hampton Water is representative of that lifestyle – the sense of enjoying life and making memories with the people you love most. Bon Jovi and Bongiovi were introduced to Gérard Bertrand, and the three quickly developed a shared vision, to create a unique rosé, uniting the essence of the relaxed lifestyles of the Hamptons and the South of France.

“Jesse and Jon came to me with an idea. Together we decided to make a premium rosé wine which represents the perfect link between South of France and Hampton lifestyle,” said Gérard Bertrand. The idea for me was to create a real and friendly partnership and I was happy to share with them my 30 years of expertise blending and harvesting. I am proud to see our first vintage listed as the best rosé wine in the Wine Spectator Top 100.”

“The Top 100 recognizes the most compelling wines that our editors have reviewed over the past year,” said Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor, Wine Spectator. “The state of wine is as strong and exciting as ever. We were particularly impressed with the continuing diversity of the wine world—more than half the wines are making their first appearance on our Top 100 list. We’re thrilled to share the rising stars, outstanding values and benchmark bottles from both traditional and emerging regions.”

Hampton Water is described as a fresh and lively rosé, with distinctive minerality. The wine is made up of the perfect blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre grape varieties distinctive of the French Mediterranean region of Languedoc.

Hampton Water is currently available in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, DC, Florida, Illinois and Nevada or online at wineonsale.com, with further expansion in the United States and globally, in early 2019, at the retail price $25.