Savor the Flavor of Sonoma Case Stack Case Card Shelf Talkers for Over 35 Years, St

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Savor the Flavor of Sonoma Case Stack Case Card Shelf Talkers for Over 35 Years, St CALIFORNIA ALEXANDER VALLEY AVA ROCKPILE AVA KNIGHTS VALLEY AVA DRY CREEK HEALDSBURG VALLEY AVA SONOMA SONOMA COUNTY COAST AVA CHALK NAPA VALLEY NORTHERN HILL AVA SONOMA AVA OAKLAND 101 SAN FRANCISCO RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA SANTA ROSA SONOMA CALIFORNIA GREEN VALLEY AVA VALLEY AVA SONOMA COAST AVA SONOMA LOS ANGELES BENNETT VALLEY AVA SONOMA MOUNTAIN AVA SONOMA CARNEROS AVA VALLEY AVA “BEST OF THE WEST” –Wine Spectator “One of Sonoma Valley’s Finest Wineries… A Red Wine Powerhouse!” –Wine Spectator POS Savor the Flavor of Sonoma case stack case card shelf talkers For over 35 years, St. Francis Winery in Sonoma has hand-crafted fruit forward, luscious and full-bodied wines. Their wines come from superior mountain and valley vineyards in Sonoma County’s best appellations. www.stfranciswinery.com The winery is renowned for its red varieties, including its Zinfandels (all old vines 50-110 years old), Merlot CONNECT WITH ©2014 Kobrand Corporation, Purchase, NY and Cabernet Sauvignon. St. Francis also produces a noteworthy Chardonnay. facebook.com/stfranciswinery www.kobrandwineandspirits.com #7955 Over 27,000 fans & growing! –Facebook Insights 10/11/2013 sfv_ss_corp_OLD_0813r19.indd 1-2 12/5/13 2:48 PM ORIGIN GRAPE VARIETIES WINEMAKER NOTES TASTING NOTES PAIRING SUGGESTIONS UNIQUE SELLING POINTS • Fruit comes from estate vineyards in Sonoma and Russian Rich varietal character and body, firm Cheddar and blue cheese, braised or • 100% hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards in top River Valleys, as well as growers in other appellations in structure, generous tannins, depth of color, grilled beef, roast pork and other meats Sonoma appellations Sonoma County, including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley classic aromas and flavors of ripe black Sonoma County • Aged in different lots for 19 months in American and French oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rockpile currant, cassis, dusty cocoa and saddle leather Cabernet Sonoma County which helps wine develop complex flavors Merlot • Grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed and crushed before Sauvignon 3-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor • Malolactic fermentation occurs in 85% French and 15% American oak, 20% new • Grapes come from estate vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Granny Smith apple and tropical fruit aromas, Shellfish, chicken, salmon, pastas or • Chardonnay comes from estate vineyards and growers in the best Russian River Valley, and from growers in top Sonoma County fresh minerality. Medium-bodied white with other dishes with cream sauces Sonoma county appellations appellations, including Carneros and Alexander Valley creamy and buttery texture, with bright flavors • Grapes are handpicked during cool night and rushed to winery • Fruit is picked at night to preserve delicate flavors, aromas of green apple and Meyer lemon, crisp acidity before dawn Sonoma County Chardonnay, Sonoma County and acidity and strong, lingering finish Chardonnay Marsanne • Aged 6 months in French oak with lees stirred by hand prior to blending • Grapes are 100% whole-cluster pressed and fermented in for a complex flavor and rich mouthfeel different lots • Malolactic fermentation occurs in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new • Majority of grapes come from Sonoma Valley estate vine- Smooth and elegant, classic flavors and Beef, roast leg of lamb, pasta dishes • Fruit comes from 3 estate vineyards and growers in the heart Merlot, yards and top area growers aromas of cherry, red licorice, currant, dried in red sauces, ripe and blue cheeses, of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, • Grapes are hand-picked, gently de-stemmed and crushed cranberry, with plum and chocolate hints, rich chocolate desserts • Aged for 14 months in French and American oak barrels to enhance Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley Malbec, before 3-day cold-soak to extract optimal color and flavor silky structure balanced by soft tannins and complex flavors Merlot bold, lengthy finish Cabernet Franc • Malolactic fermentation occurs in 80% French and and Petit Verdot 20% American oak barrels, 15% new • “Old Vines” are from vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, Aromas of black cherry jam, white pepper and Barbecued chicken or pork, ribs, • Classic Old Vine Zinfandel–fruit sourced from dry-farmed, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley allspice. Bold and structured, shows flavors red meats, hamburgers, pizza, 50 to 110-year-old vines in Sonoma County • Each vineyard’s vines are dry farmed (no irrigation) to of juicy strawberries and vanilla bean, with blue and hearty cheeses • Field blend of intensely-flavored Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet Sonoma County Zinfandel, spicy finish Old Vines Sonoma County Alicante Bouschet, ensure rich, concentrated flavors and Petite Sirah Zinfandel Petite Sirah • Grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed and crushed before • Aged 15 months in French and American oak barrels, to preserve 3-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor fresh, juicy aromas and lush mouthfeel from old vines • Malolactic fermentation occurs in 70% French and 30% American oak barrels, 25% new • Certified California Sustainable Winery • Hand-crafted, “fruit forward,” luscious and full-bodied wines • Pioneer in helping define vineyards and grape varieties Sonoma • Wines made from 100% handpicked fruit are ready to drink is known for today; first to plant Merlot in Sonoma Valley and food-friendly • Regional leader in green practices, including recycled packaging and water and energy conservation • Sources 60% of fruit from estate vineyards and 40% from 4th and 5th generation Sonoma County growers with most • Owns over 400 acres of vineyard land in Sonoma County’s best appellations, including prime reputable old vine vineyards AVAs like Sonoma and Russian River Valleys; grapes come from superior mountain, hillside and valley floor vineyards • Grower vineyards follow strict viticultural practices approved by St. Francis winemaking team to ensure superior quality fruit sfv_ss_corp_OLD_0813r19.indd 3-4 12/5/13 2:48 PM.
Recommended publications
  • The Extremists of the Extreme Sonoma Coast
    THE EXTREMISTS OF THE EXTREME SONOMA COAST The Fort Ross-Seaview AVA may be only three years old, but its ability to produce distinctive and thrilling wines has been recognized for far longer. Anne Krebiehl MW profiles the early pioneers and more recent producers who are brave enough to farm its inhospitable but rewarding coastal ridges he instructions were clear: Drive on, even when the tarmac ends. The vineyards of the Fort Ross- Seaview AVA are really remote, made so not by geographical distance—Jenner and Healdsburg are just one and a half to two hours away—but Tby terrain. Fort Ross-Seaview clings to the inhospitable, crunched-up, forested coastal ridges of northern California, between Pacific Highway No.1 and Sonoma Valley, right along the San Andreas Fault. The roads winding through these ridges are dark in broad daylight, so shaded by giant redwoods and large madrone that light barely filters through. Where forests were logged, open pasture is dotted by giant valley oaks and craggy rocks. You pass more raccoons than other cars. Everywhere, the proximity of the great, cold, deep, and endless Pacific is palpable. Sea air constantly mixes with the smell of conifer. This is where the Pacific and North American Plates meet. This is where the earth moves. Ocean and shore combine in a way that both unsettles and compels. On foggy days, the forests are almost primeval. In brilliant sunshine, the views are breath-taking: of the Pacific and of small vineyards, laid out like giant picnic blankets down the sides of a slope, surrounded by Douglas fir and ranching pasture.
    [Show full text]
  • The West Sonoma Coast: the Region and Its Wines
    No. 77 NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2019 AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY PRICE $25 The West Sonoma Coast: The Region and its Wines Unique Terroir Proposed AVA The Vineyards 1 viticultural area, its modern wine history dates back to the 1960-70s. During this period explorers and adventurous vintners attracted to this wild area of redwoods groves and Table of Contents sheep farms purchased land and began growing grapes. The history of the area reads like a who’s who of Sonoma’s wine industry. The early pioneers established their Introduction vineyards in the Fort Ross-Seaview area of high coastal Acknowledgements ridges, mountains, and dense redwood forests located The Region within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean situated above the fog line. In the decades that followed new vintners in Recent History search of other coastal growing conditions planted their The Vineyards vineyards up the coast around the Annapolis area and Winemaking down the coast towards Freestone, Occidental and the Sebastopol Hills. These three main regions are expected The West Sonoma Coast Vintners (WSCV) to constitute the new West Sonoma Coast AVA. Challenges and Opportunities Winery Profiles and Wine Reviews The report next examines the vineyards and viticultural practices of the West Sonoma Coast growing area. Many Annexes: of the sub-regions of the West Sonoma Coast are on the 1. Soil Map of Sonoma County fringes for successful viticulture, the edges of ripening for 2. Selected Sonoma Coast Vineyards Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many of the vineyards are small scale and yields are low. Due to the scarcity of labor and remote and difficult locales of many of the vineyards and the high quality objectives of the winemakers, most operations have to be carried out by hand.
    [Show full text]
  • CSW Work Book 2021 Answer
    Answer Key Key Answer Answer Key Certified Specialist of Wine Workbook To Accompany the 2021 CSW Study Guide Chapter 1: Wine Composition and Chemistry Exercise 1: Wine Components: Matching 1. Tartaric Acid 6. Glycerol 2. Water 7. Malic Acid 3. Legs 8. Lactic Acid 4. Citric Acid 9. Succinic Acid 5. Ethyl Alcohol 10. Acetic Acid Exercise 2: Wine Components: Fill in the Blank/Short Answer 1. Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, and Succinic Acid 2. Citric Acid, Succinic Acid 3. Tartaric Acid 4. Malolactic Fermentation 5. TA (Total Acidity) 6. The combined chemical strength of all acids present 7. 2.9 (considering the normal range of wine pH ranges from 2.9 – 3.9) 8. 3.9 (considering the normal range of wine pH ranges from 2.9 – 3.9) 9. Glucose and Fructose 10. Dry Exercise 3: Phenolic Compounds and Other Components: Matching 1. Flavonols 7. Tannins 2. Vanillin 8. Esters 3. Resveratrol 9. Sediment 4. Ethyl Acetate 10. Sulfur 5. Acetaldehyde 11. Aldehydes 6. Anthocyanins 12. Carbon Dioxide Exercise 4: Phenolic Compounds and Other Components: True or False 1. False 7. True 2. True 8. False 3. True 9. False 4. True 10. True 5. False 11. False 6. True 12. False Chapter 1 Checkpoint Quiz 1. C 6. C 2. B 7. B 3. D 8. A 4. C 9. D 5. A 10. C Chapter 2: Wine Faults Exercise 1: Wine Faults: Matching 1. Bacteria 6. Bacteria 2. Yeast 7. Bacteria 3. Oxidation 8. Oxidation 4. Sulfur Compounds 9. Yeast 5. Mold 10. Bacteria Exercise 2: Wine Faults and Off-Odors: Fill in the Blank/Short Answer 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Many Readers Will Have Visited Sonoma County in Northern California Wine Country and Sampled the Zinfandels Made in the Sub­Region Named Dry Creek Valley
    Many readers will have visited Sonoma County in northern California wine country and sampled the Zinfandels made in the sub­region named Dry Creek Valley. The 70+ wineries there are so small (median production is only about 4750 cases) that most sell all that they make at the “cellar door” (either in a tasting room or through Internet orders). Additionally, 150 grape growers sell fruit to these winemakers and another 80+ wineries besides. This direct sales link is vital to small wineries as it vastly reduces their costs of distribution. One result, is that there are many good wines that do not make their way onto retail shelves here, or do so only at a restricted set of outlets (basically the finer wine stores in town). To taste the gamut of Dry Creek wine making you really need to visit the area (and the ideal time is the weekend known as Passport To Dry Creek Valley each April). Notwithstanding that, sometimes the growers go out to their customers. This month, the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley brought several Dry Creek Valley winemakers to Dallas and I was fortunate to be a guest at their media event. Overall, the quality of their signature grape, Zinfandel, is higher than ever, with the over­alcoholic over­extracted sweet style of a decade ago replaced with wines that, while certainly bristling with power, also have complexity and the alcohol and sweetness in balance with each other and the other components. In a telling change from that ‘other’ style — these wines age. Examples from 2001 and 2004 exhibited resolved flavors and reassuring but approachable tannins that young Zinfandel usually lacks.
    [Show full text]
  • Sonoma County Champagne Och Andra Fyrverkerier
    Sonoma County Champagne och andra fyrverkerier Port – världsklass till reapris Taylor’s Nr 8 • 2011 Organ för Munskänkarna Årgång 54 • 2011 • 8 Vinprovning Ansvarig utgivare Ylva Sundkvist – för både samvaro och tävling Redaktör VINTERN NÄRMAR SIG i rask takt och jag är nu inne på mitt femte år i styrelsen. Otroligt vad tiden går fort Munskänken/VinJournalen Ulf Jansson, Oxenstiernsgatan 23, när man håller på med nåt som är kul och spännande. Via Munskänkarna har jag haft förmånen att få 115 27 Stockholm träffa många trevliga och engagerade människor. Vinprovning är en hobby som både stimulerar intellektet Tel 08-667 21 42 och skapar trevlig stämning. Det kan också vara roligt att tävla. Att gissa druva hemma i soffan eller att se vem som prickar flest viner i kompisgänget är ju sånt som vi alla tycker är roligt ibland. Nu senast fick jag Annonser chansen att träffa likasinnade från många länder vid vinprovnings-EM i Priorat. Munskänkarna i Sverige Urban Hedborg är en världsunik förening där vi lyckats samla många medlemmar på nationell basis och man ser på oss Tel 08-732 48 50 med stor respekt. Nästa år får vi chansen att visa framfötterna på hemmaplan, både som tävlande och som e-post: [email protected] medarrangörer. Våra vänner i Finland har då också aviserat att ställa upp som ny nation. Att tävla i vinprov- Produktion och ning är alltid mycket spännande och jag tror att vi kan locka både publik och medier till detta arrangemang. Grafisk form Exaktamedia, Malmö NÅGOT SOM DOCK ÄR oroande är att flera av våra sektioner har börjat få problem med lokala handläggare monika.fogelberg@ kring serveringstillstånd.
    [Show full text]
  • Moody Vineyard, OR 2018 New Price $140.00 Id
    Cabernet Franc - Columbia Valley AVA - Moody Vineyard, OR 2018 New Price $140.00 id. 18MCF Moody Vineyard, located in the Columbia Valley AVA, is perched high above the confluence of the trout-filled Deschutes River and the Columbia River. Western basalt cliffs help shield the vines from the wind blowing down the Columbia Gorge. The east slope offers early sun and provides heat to ripen and develop premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wine grapes. One of the furthest westerly vineyards in the NW to ripen these varietals successfully. Averaged Lab Readings: Brix: 25.4, pH: 3.71, TA: 3.7 g/L Recommendations: - Add 35 g. tartaric acid and 2 good nutrient doses, ferment to 85° f ICV/BM45. - The ripe grape’s low acidity makes it an ideal candidate for a blend – Super Tuscan Blend with the 2018 Sangiovese. Two pails of Moody Cab. Franc with one pail of 2018 Sangiovese will create a full bodied, aromatic wine. The addition of 1.8 L of unchlorinated water, 64 grams / 2.3 oz of tartaric acid, and a large dose of yeast nutrient will prepare the must for fermentation. Sangiovese - Carneros AVA - Santo Giordano Vineyard, CA 2018 New Price $155.00 id. 18CSG Santo Giordano Vineyard is located in the Carneros AVA next to San Pablo Bay, across Arnold Drive from the Gloria Ferrer Vineyard. The vines are cooled by morning fog and the influx of afternoon marine air. Sangiovese is the primary grape in Tuscany’s Chianti wine. Our California Sangiovese is grown in a region sufficiently hot to allow full sugar and phenolic development, while maintaining fresh acidity.
    [Show full text]
  • Cult-Ivated the STORY BEHIND DALLA VALLE VINEYARDS’ CELEBRATED STATUS
    VALLE WINERY VALLE Lucky Number 13 RECOGNIZING THE BENNETT VALLEY AVA COURTESY OF DALLA COURTESY Bennett Valley, a gently sloping, elevated valley located just southeast of Santa Rosa, is Sonoma PHOTOS County’s 13th appellation. Situated between three mountain peaks, it features well-drained mountain benchland soils, volcanic rock, early morning fog, a long growing season, and cool marine breezes flowing from the Sonoma Coast and San Pablo Bay. As one of Sonoma’s smaller appellations, the Bennett Valley AVA is planted to less than 1,000 Maya and Naoko Dalla Valle of Dalle Valle Vineyards. Cult-ivated THE STORY BEHIND DALLA VALLE VINEYARDS’ CELEBRATED STATUS Since Naoko Dalla Valle and her late husband Gustav Westerhold Family Vineyards proprietors John first acquired the land for Dalla Valle Vineyards in 1982, a Westerhold and Sharon Bauman. considerable amount of winemaking history has unfolded on this 20-acre hillside vineyard. acres of vines primarily by family-owned grower Planted at elevations up to 450 feet above sea level brands; only one winery, Matanzas Creek, is open on the eastern hillsides of Oakville, California, and of- to the public. We recently tasted three wines ficially founded as a winery in 1986, Dalla Valle has rested from the region that piqued our interest. in the hands of some of Napa Valley’s most preeminent winemakers, including Heidi Barrett and To ny Soter. The Westerhold Family Vineyards 2015 Pinot Under the leadership of Winemaker Andy Erickson, Con- Noir from Bennett Valley ($52) comes from sulting Winemaker Michel Rolland and Vineyard Manager a drought vintage. The grapes’ thick, protective Edgar Alfaro—with their shared desire for viticulture and skins help produce a dense, unctuous texture: a winemaking—produce wine rivaling the prestige often mouthfeel that creates PHOTO reserved for the great First Growths.
    [Show full text]
  • Pinotfile Vol 6, Issue 47
    If You Drink No Noir You Pinot Noir PinotFile Volume 6, Issue 47 The First Wine Newsletter Exclusively Devoted to Pinotphiles December 3, 2007 Inside this issue: Fort Ross:Growing Pinot On the Edge Clos Saron 7 “It’s a long way from anywhere. It’s markedly cold - 10 degrees cooler Ramey Schulten 12 than Napa Valley on average. It’s extremely foggy. There’s no infrastructure. Pinot Briefs 13 It’s lonely. The locals don’t like outsiders. Strong winds break the vine Where are the Wine 14 shoots. There’s a high risk of devastation by wild pigs. Gophers frequent Scores in PinotFile? the area in droves.” Susan Keevil, The Wine News. June/July 2004 Growing Pinot Noir along the most western reaches of the Sonoma Coast might be regarded as pure folly to many, but the dedicated band of winegrowers who have accepted the challenge know that the fickle grape feels right at home here. This region is quickly becoming one of the epicenters of fine Pinot Noir in California. The Sonoma Coast AVA is the largest of the 13 AVAs in Sonoma County at 750 square miles. This cumbersome AVA was formed in 1987 primarily to allow certain wineries to include all of their scattered major vineyards within one boundary so they could use the “estate bottled” designation on their wine labels. “No two bottles are ever The Sonoma Coast AVA is defined by its truly identical: every coolness, with no more than 2,800 degree bottle is unique in its days of heat during the growing season.
    [Show full text]
  • California's Edgiest Wine Region: the Western Sonoma Coast
    Katie Kelly Bell, Contributor 03/06/2014 @ 12:11PM |178 views California's Edgiest Wine Region: The Western Sonoma Coast The grapes in Nick and Andy Peay’s vineyards are in a precarious state most of the time. Quivering on the edge of the San Andreas Fault, shrouded in hours of chilly fog and subjected to steady Pacific breezes, it’s a wonder these grapes can ripen at all. The Peay’s and their winemaker Vanessa Wong are not alone in the Western Sonoma Coast’s risky winemaking climate. In fact, they enjoy some highly regarded company including wineries such as Hirsch, Joseph Phelps and Littorai. I’m always impressed and slightly agog at winemakers who seek the outermost edge of anything; it takes certain boldness and, some might argue, insanity, to invite extreme challenges into your winemaking. Andy Peay admits there were more than enough naysayers when he and his brother started farming the coast. “Everyone said it was way too cold and that we’d never get grapes to ripen. In truth, we have had problems with ripening; some years are just really tough. Bill Phelps, president of Joseph Phelps wines, agrees with Peay’s assessment, noting that the Western Sonoma Coast wines exemplify a very cool climate style of chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah. “We would say we are truer to a Burgundian style; our wines are higher in minerality and not as plush on fruit. They tend to be more structured, lower in alcohol, and less extracted and fruit-dominated as wines from further inland, such as the Russian River Valley.” Phelps is also one of the founding members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association which includes wineries from Annapolis, Fort Ross/Seaview, Occidental, Freestone, Green Valley and the Sebastopol Hills.
    [Show full text]
  • Wine-Book-210709.Pdf
    02 04 08 09 21 52 53 54 02 04 08 09 21 52 53 54 2 SPARKLING Brut, Naveran — Cava (Penedès), 2018 .............................................................................................................. 8 Brut Rosé, Michel Briday – Bourgogne, NV......................................................................................................... 12 Brut, Taittinger — Champagne, NV.................................................................................................................... 18 ROSÉ Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah Peyrassol — Mediterranee 2020 ............................................................................ 10 Touriga Nacional, Maçanita - Douro 2019 ......................................................................................................... 14 WHITE Melon de Bourgogne, Eric Chevalier — Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu 2018 ................................................... 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Vincent Delaporte — Sancerre 2019 ..................................................................................... 16 Sauvignon Blanc, Spy Valley — Marlborough 2020............................................................................................ 11 Pinot Grigio, Jermann — Fruili-Venezia Giulia 2019 ........................................................................................... 14 Albariño, Fillaboa — Rias Baixas 2018 ................................................................................................................ 11 Grüner Veltliner, “Crazy Creatures,” Malat —
    [Show full text]
  • Sonoma County Pinot Noir
    2019 sonoma county pinot noir We’ve been making wine in Sonoma County for over ten years now and along the way, established a dynamic network of friends and colleagues that include vineyard owners, growers and winemakers. While we successfully navigated and maneuvered our way through the négoce market in the past, Valravn represents the next evolutionary step for us. Because of those forged relationships and friendships, we have exclusive access to grapes from fantastic vineyards and the team to oversee hands-on production from vineyard to bottle. We are proud of our past achievements and excited to realize the culmination of a decade of learning and focus, bringing authentic wines to the table that we have found, seen, and touched at every step. Valravn wines are out of the gate approachable, delicious, and table ready. VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING Valravn Pinot Noir is an exploration of Sonoma County, anchored in the Russian River Valley. Vineyards span at far NORTH as Annapolis, EAST as Sonoma Mountain, WEST as Freestone, SOUTH as Petaluma Gap. Noteable vineyards include Sunnyslope (Bennett Valley AVA), Gap’s Crown (Petaluma Gap - Sonoma Coast AVA), Grand Vent (Petaluma Gap - Sonoma Coast AVA), Gravenstein (Russian River), and Walala (Annapolis - Sonoma Coast AVA). In the cellar, hand-sorted grapes undergo cold soak followed by primary fermentation in small open- top stainless steel tanks for 12-14 days. Following primary, the wine was transferred to a blend of 25% new Cavin, François Freres, Remond, and Tremeaux barrels for 11 months malolactic and aging. PRESS - 90 points Wine & Spirits “Focused on vineyards in the Russian River Valley, this has simple red cherry flavors, light tannins and gentle elegance.
    [Show full text]
  • CWM Wine Club Fourth Quarter 2020
    CWM Wine Club Fourth Quarter 2020 The CWM Wine Club is all about discovery and we love nothing more than sharing our new favorites with you. These wines are truly exceptional, each in their own way, and are bursting with loads of personality. Each wine has its story to tell, which is also part of the fun... knowing the background of the people who make these handcrafted beauties. Since we are all staying close to home right now, this quarter’s selection is all from California producers. Stay safe and stay strong. The Blackbird 2018 Dissonance from Napa Valley is a delightfully refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that is simply bursting with lovely aromatics of sweet pear, honey, and subtle grassy notes wrapped in a bright and exceedingly supple texture. Mendocino is an ideal place for cool climate Pinot Noir which gives the Waits-Mast 2016 Oppenlander Vineyard its combination of effusive burnt cherry, sweet vanilla, cloves and hints of chocolate. We are enamored with this wine! Only 145 cases produced. Dan Cederquist has a wealth of experience making Zinfandel in Sonoma County. His Rockfish 2016 Zinfandel from the remote and high elevation Rockpile Appellation shows juicy berry character and intriguing layers of sweet caramel oak character. Only 98 cases produced. The Portalupi Winery specializes in Italian varietals and their 2018 Barbera from the Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador County is quite possibly the best Barbera made in California. Its supple dark juicy berries and mouthwatering acidity are so appealing. Just 630 cases produced. The harmony and complexity of a Cabernet Blend truly shines when all the components are well integrated.
    [Show full text]