Flat Top Hills - A Lot More Than Just Value

I recently tasted a selection of wines from Flat Top Hills with Head Winemaker Randy Herron and Consulting Winemaker Angelina Mondavi. We met over Zoom and discussed not only these specific wines, but also the project in general.

Flat Top Hills is named after a piece of property in the Dunnigan Hills that the Mondavi Family has owned for years. They supplement their Estate fruit with select purchases of fruit in other regions such as Alexander Valley, The Sierra Foothills and Dry Creek Valley.

Flat Top Hills is an environmentally friendly producer. Whether it’s Farming practices, Green facilities, or being Socially Equitable, their across the board their practices are consistent. That’s not something always seen in a brand coming to market with value driven wines.

A number of things impressed me about this set of wines. Across the board they’re full of varietal character. These wines are proportionate and they’re dry. Often when it comes to wines in the vast under $20 category, the offerings tend to be fit for palates looking for sweet wines. In speaking to Randy and Angelina it’s clear the goal is to create wines that are a step up in quality from the entry level wines many begin their drinking journey with. And while lots of wine lovers have started their journey with wines that have a little bit of residual sugar in them and moved on to other things eventually, there isn’t always a clear path forward. Having wines that are well made, dry, and well-priced offers a natural place for consumers to graduate to.

Flat Top Hills 2018 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)

The moment I sampled this Sauvignon Blanc my interest was piqued. Citrus notes abound from the first whiff to the last sip. This crisp and refreshing SB is balanced and food friendly.

Flat Top Hills 2018 Chardonnay ($14)

Green apple notes are the dominant characteristic here. Hints of spice are evident too along with wisps of Bartlett Pear. This is terrific entry level Chardonnay to pour for someone who thinks they don’t like Chardonnay.

Flat Top Hills 2019 Rosé ($14)

Composed of Dolcetto, Grenache, and Carignane, this Rosé is a bit darker hued than the “extremely pales Rosé” that lives in my minds eye. Don’t let the color fool you, this is an excellent example of Rosé and one of my two favorites of this lineup. Red fruit drives the aromatics and the flavors here. Red apple, cherry and cranberry are evident along with a touch of vanilla bean. I warn you it’s hard to stop drinking this once you start.

Flat Top Hills 2016 Red Blend ($16)

The under $20 Red Blend category is easily the most afflicted when it comes to sweet wines lacking character or depth. This blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah puts the lie to that notion. This wine is dry, balanced and eminently food friendly. Dark fruit, spice and dusty chocolate notes are all evident. If you’re looking for a house red to purchase by the case, this would be a fine choice.

Flat Top Hills 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Blueberry, plum and black cherry notes are evident here from the moment you stick your nose in the glass. Savory herbs, hints of vanilla and a dusting of cocoa are present as well. Crushed cherry notes drive the solid finish.

Georges Duboeuf's Beaujolais - Part One "Pouilly-Fuissé"

Below you can watch my chat with Georges Dubeouf's North American Export Director Romain Teyteau. In Part One of this multi-part series we dive into Pouilly-Fuissé a white wine appellation in the Mâconnais District of Beaujolais.

Romain and I dive into specifics about the Appellation and compare it to another famous Chardonnay region, among other topics. Throughout our chat we taste the 2018 Vintage of Domaine-Beranger Pouilly-Fuissé. This tiny 200 case production has a suggested retail price of $39.99. Watch our chat below and look for additional parts in this series in the weeks ahead.

I chat with Georges Dubeouf's North American Export Director Romain Teyteau. In Part One of this multi-part series we dive into Pouilly-Fuissé a white wine a...

"One Bottle Each," Episode 11 With Guest Lisa Denning

On Episode 11 of “One Bottle Each I’m joined by my friend Lisa Denning. Online Lisa is The Wine Chef. Both by passion and education she’s deeply immersed in both the worlds of Wine and Food. She writes about both of them for he own site as well as others

In every episode of “One Bottle Each",” my guest and I each introduce a wine for us to taste and talk about.

On Episode 11 Lisa and I taste and dive into a lively discussion about a pair of Chardonnays. One from Burgundy and the other from California’s Russian River Valley.

Domaine Dominique Guyon 2018 Bourgogne ($45)

Gary Farrrell 2018 Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay ($45)

One Episode 11 of "One Bottle Each," Gabe is joined by his friend Lisa Denning. They taste and talk about a pair of Chardonnays, one from Burgundy and anothe...

Sonoma-Cutrer 2017 Russian River Ranches Chardonnay - An Excellent Choice on Giving Tuesday

Happy Giving Tuesday!

There will be many opportunities in the month ahead to enjoy a glass of wine. Whether you’re having a Holiday Meal, Toasting your friends and family over Zoom, or knocking back some for simple gustatory pleasure, there will be a multitude of reasons to enjoy wine.

On this Giving Tuesday I’m recommending a Chardonnay from a stalwart Sonoma County Producer. Sonoma-Cutrer has been producing wine for nearly 40 years. In that time they’ve become a go to producer for so many consumers and a standing selection of restaurant wine lists across the country.

While they grow and bottle a number of distinct Chardonnays, it’s the Russian River Ranches Chardonnay that they’ve become best known for. In light of Covid-19, Sonoma-Cutrer has taken the step of donating $100,000 to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF). This non-profit is an advocacy and action group created by and for restaurant workers. Sales of Russian River Ranches Chardonnay will directly support their donation.

Sonoma-Cutrer 2017 Russian River Ranches Chardonnay ($28)

The fruit for the 2018 vintage of this Chardonnay was sourced at all six of their Estate Vineyards as well as some outside growers. The result is a well hewn composite of Sonoma County Chardonnay. Green apple, Bartlett pear and an undercurrent of baker’s spices inform the aromatics. The flavors are soft, fruity, and direct. Lemon ice, granny smith apple and a underpinning of minerals are the most prominent. The finish is above average, acid-rich, and mouthwatering. It’s a wine you’ll simply want to keep drinking.

You should certainly, drink this Chardonnay because it helps support a worthy cause, but also because it’s consistently well produced and delicious. It’s worth noting that Sonoma-Cutrer’s recent charitable work also incudes a joint donation with Woodford Reserve of $50,000, announced last month, to No Kid Hungry.

"One Bottle Each" Episode 07 With Guest Gil Kulers

On Episode 07 of “One Bottle Each,” I’m joined by my friend Gil Kulers. A former New Yorker, now based near Atlanta, Gil is the Maitre D' & Sommelier at Piedmont Driving Club. He’s written about wine for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Golf Digest, among others.

Gil and I dive into demystifying wine as well as the vagaries of Chardonnay styles, among other topics.

In every episode of “One Bottle Each,” my guest and I each select and introduce a wine for us to taste and talk about.

In Episode 07 Gil and I taste and discuss:

Winderlea Vineyard and Winery 2017 Chardonnay Willamette Valley ($45)

Chehalem 2018 Coral Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains ($50)

On Episode 07 of One Bottle Each, Gabe is joined by his friend Gil Kulers. Gil is Maitre D' & Sommelier at Piedmont Driving Club, outside Atlanta. They taste...

A Reliably Delicious Trio from Stoller Family Estate

While discovering new wines is a lot of fun and certainly very exciting, there’s something to be said for the tried and true. There are those times I’m about to open a bottle of wine and I want the feeling of visiting with an old friend. One of the pleasures of those friendships is they know you, you know them and there’s no real learning curve.

Sometimes it can work that way with wine too. Stoller Family Estate is located in the Dundee Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have 225 acres planted, largely to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their portfolio features a handful of wines that see national distribution and quite a few more that are available exclusively though the winery. I just tasted a trio of their wines that are available throughout the country, and as usual with Stoller, there’s a lot to like.

Stoller Family Estate 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Rosé ($28)

9,000 cases of this Rosé, entirely comprised of Pinot Nor, were produced. Aromas of strawberry and orange zest lead things off. The palate shows off continued juicy red fruit, yellow cling peach and bits of cranberry. White tea and a hint of peppercorn emerge on the finish. Zippy acid keeps everything here in check.

Stoller Family Estate 2019 Dundee Hills Chardonnay ($28)

10,000 cases of this, one of several Chardonnays they offer were produced. They use all of the Chardonnay clones grown on their property to produce this wine. The result is a classic example of Willamette Valley Chardonnay. There’s plenty of orchard fruit here in the form of Bartlett Pear and Green Apple. There’s also a vein of bright Meyer lemon that runs through it from the first whiff to the last sip. A gentle core of spices drives the above average finish. This is a great value in Chardonnay at its price point. You should also consider their reserve Chardonnay which I covered in this recent story.

Stoller Family Estate 2018 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($35)

16, 750 cases of this particular Pinot Noir were produced. Just as with the Chardonnay they utilized every Pinot Noir clone on their Estate. As one would expect from a size-able Willamette Valley producer, this is one of a number of distinct Pinots in their portfolio. Ripe wild strawberry and hints of leather drive the aromatics. Black tea, red cherry and bits of earth are evident on the impressive finish. $35 is a friendly price for a well made Pinot Noir that expresses a sense of place.

I’ve tasted these wines over a number of vintages and they’re always worth the money, and then some. They vary of course based on vintage conditions, but that’s the beauty of honest wine.

Wine and Booze Picks to Kick-off Grilling Season

Grilling Season is here! And while you may not have quite as many people at this year’s Cook Out as you did in 2019, or that you’ll hopefully have in 2021, that’s no reason to skimp on the beverages. In fact, one might argue it’s a great excuse to double down on drinks. Here are some wines as well as an Irish Whiskey and a Liqueur that will help make your grilling season far more palatable and tasty. Expect a lot more picks to pair with grilled food in the months ahead. Memorial Day Weekend is just the unofficial kick off for this season.

Valdo Floral Rosé Brut NV ($16)

Composed of Nerello Mascalese (75%) from Sicily at about 1,000 feet above sea level and Glera (25,%) from the Veneto, it was produced using the Charmat method. A bouquet of wild, red berries drive the aromatics. Ripe strawberry flavors mingle with sour red raspberry. Add a dollop of creme fraiche and spice to close things out and you've got a delightful and uber food friendly wine for a budget friendly price. Fun packaging to boot.

Luca Bosio Vineyards 2018 Langhe Arneis (DOC) ($20)

It’s composed entirely of Arneis from the Luca Bosio Estate. Stone and tropical fruits tell the story here. Peach, apricot, papaya and pineapple flavors and aromas all come together in a delightful wine. There’s a slightly honeyed quality on the finish that really helps the wine distinguish itself. Luca Bosio Arneis is a terrific choice to welcome guests to a party or pair with lighter foods.

Qupé 2018 Central Coast Syrah ($20)

In addition to Syrah there’s some Grenache, Tempranillo, and Mourvèdre blended in here. This is a clean Syrah loaded with dark fruit, spice and bits of dusty cocoa. If you give it some air it’ll really express its charms. Pair it with anything that you pull off the grill. There’s a lot of happy in this bottle for $20,

Raeburn Winery 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($22)

Russian River Valley stands among the small handful of best places in California to grow one of the world’s most widely debated grapes. People get passionate about Chardonnay styles.  Too much oak? Not enough oak? Here’s an example that screams purity of fruit with the oak making its presence just known enough to provide a counterpoint. Think of it like a great cut of steak with just enough salt and pepper. Certainly, orchard fruit drives the train here with Anjou pear and Gala apple in abundance. Just a bit of papaya pokes its head in to say hi. The finish shows off spice and a hint of creaminess. This is a fine example of Russian River Valley Chardonnay at a no brainier price.

Victor Hugo Winery 2018 Estate Viognier ($24)

Just 326 cases were produced of this Estate Viognier from family owned and run producer Victor Hugo. It’s entirely composed of Viognier. It’s beautifully aromatic without being over the top like some New World examples. The Victor Hugo Viognier is stuffed with stone fruit flavors tinged with bits of tropical fruit and spice. A hint of creaminess emerges on the finish.  And wonderful texture and mouthfeel and this is an all around fantastic Viognier.

Mettler Family Vineyards 2017 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)

The Mettler’s have been farming in Lodi for 100 years. Cabernet Sauvignon stands at the heart of what they grow. Make no mistake this Cabernet is distinctly Lodi and an impressive example of Cab for $25. It’s loaded with dark fruits such as blackberry and plum. Savory herbs, dark chocolate notes and a complement of spices. The Finish is velvety and acid rich. No two ways about it, this is a lot of Cabernet for the price.

Disaronno Velvet Liqueur ($30)

This new entry from Disaronno has the classic flavors of Hazelnut you expect in a creamy, silky package. I love the texture, mouth feel and of course the flavors here. It’s sweet without being cloying and the hazelnut flavors are just intense enough and quite real. Simply drink it over ice, pour it in coffee or try my recipe for “Italian Chocolate Milk” below.

Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey ($37)

This is a knockout blended Irish Whiskey for the price. Aging occurred in French oak, Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Rum casks. It’s aromatic and flavorful for sure. But most impressive is how smooth and silky it is. Vanilla and toffee notes are in evidence alongside date and bits of dried papaya. A hint of mesquite honey and just the slightest hint of heat on the finish is a lovely coda. It’s going to be a great cocktail component, but I’m impressed with how tasty it is sipped neat. That’s not often the case in Whiskey in this price tier. Try it with the recipe below.

Acumen 2015 Mountainside Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)

Mountainside Cabernet from Acumen also has Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec blended in. It’s a proportionately powerful and refined example of Cabernet that leans towards red fruit characteristics. Cherry and red plum are joined by bits of leather. Chicory and sweet dark chocolate are also in evidence along with black pepper spice and savory herbs. This finish is long, pleasing and acid rich. You don’t always get much in Napa Cab in this price range, here’s an example where you get lots of value relative to price.

Italian Chocolate Milk

2 Ounces Disaronno Velvet Liqueur

1 Ounce Coffee Liqueur

Chocolate Milk

Maraschino Cherries

Put 4 or so ice cubes in a Collins Glass. Pour in Disaronno Velvet and Coffee Liqueur. Fill glass which chocolate Milk and Stir. Garnish with Maraschino cherries.

Irish Whiskey Sour

2 Ounces Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey

1 Tablespoon Meyer Lemon Syrup

Fresh Cherries

Pour Whiskey, Meyer Lemon Syrup, Ice in a shaker and mix vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with fresh cherries.

Check out the video where I talk more about my picks and taste a couple of them.

Gabe Recommends Wine & Spirits to get Grilling Season off to a good start

Bodega Catena Zapata 2016 Catena Alta Chardonnay

I just tasted the Catena Alta 2016 Chardonnay from Bodega Catena Zapata. Click below to hear all about it

Gabe tastes the 2016 Catena Alta Chardonnay from Bodega Catena Zapata. This high altitude Chardonnay spent 14 months in French Oak (45% new). #Chardonnay #Al...

Villa Maria Winery Exemplifies the Diversity of New Zealand

One of the key factors that distinguish New Zealand as a major player in the wine world is diversity. If you travel through the numerous regions, as I did earlier this year, you’ll find myriad examples of unique soil types, elevations, and climactic conditions. Thus each of these regions helps a different collection of grapes thrive. And in the cases where there is overlap in grape types the distinct conditions still lead to diverse results. Villa Maria is a microcosm of that; by growing and sourcing fruit throughout New Zealand, their portfolio showcases the assortment of grapes and wine styles that New Zealand is absolutely nailing, often at bargain prices too. I recently participated in a virtual tasting with Villa Maria and Snooth; here are my thoughts on the handful of wines we sampled.

Villa Maria 2016 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc ($13)       

Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand’s most famous export, and for good reason, several regions are perfect for growing it. This offering from Villa Maria is a classic example of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It has a big nose, good fruit, racy acid, and lots of mineral notes on the finish. At the price it’s a steal of a deal.

Villa Maria 2016 Private Bin Bay Rosé ($14)    

The Villa Maria Rosé has a darker hue than average. It’s filled with cheery red fruit, bits of orange rind, white pepper and hints of vanilla. This Rosé is juicy, tasty and it’ll pair with an astounding array of foods.  In short it’s an excellent warm weather wine.              

Villa Maria 2016 Private Bin Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc ($15)           

The Villa Maria Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc is light, refreshing and a perfect summer welcome wine. It’s a wine you don’t have to think much about, yet it has reasonable depth. For the price you could even use it as a cocktail or Sangria base. This is a fun and tasty wine that will make crowds of people happy.

Villa Maria 2014 Cellar Selection Merlot-Cabernet ($20)

This cohesive blend is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Each variety (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec) come together to form a well woven wine. Red berry fruit and bits of thyme are evident on the nose. Black raspberry and cherry dominate the palate along with spice notes. The long finish shows off dried blackberry and bits of chicory.

Villa Maria 2015 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir ($26)  

Pinot Noir is Mew Zealand’s second most famous export. While it grows in other regions, the two most famous are Central Otago and Marlborough.  Cellar Selection Pinot has a proportionate richness with black cherry, plum and tons of spice.          

Villa Maria 2015 Taylor’s Pass Chardonnay ($45) 

This Chardonnay is a real knockout from the first whiff to the last sip. Apricot, peach, and golden delicious apple aromas burst from the nose. Green apple, roasted nuts and a drove of minerals are evident on the palate. The long finish shows off crème fraiche and bits of toasty oak. This Chardonnay will benefit from a couple of years of bottle age.                 

Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay

It seems that nearly every grape of any note has its own day. That being the case, Chardonnay, the most widely planted grape on earth likely deserves an entire week. But as of this writing it gets today, the Thursday before Memorial Day as its very own, well sort of. Today also happens to be National Wine Day, which confuses me; isn’t that every day? But I digress aren’t we’re gathered here to talk about Chardonnay? Indeed we are. The sheer number of Chardonnays that cross my line of sight regularly is pretty dizzying.  They come in all shapes and sizes, as well as from nearly every region that grows grapes. When in doubt, someone will plant some more Chardonnay. There’s mostly good reason for it, Chardonnay can be awesome. But then sometimes (too often) it’s really terrible. If you need examples I could list a bunch, many of them in the famed (really infamous actually) style known as California Chardonnay. They’re easy to identify when you drink them and then you'll need to spit sawdust out after swallowing the wine. However California has a lot of great Chardonnay too and for the most part people are talking about it. Less people though are talking about the terrific Chardonnays coming out of the Pacific Northwest. Both Washington and Oregon are producing some fantastic examples. So here in celebration of both Chardonnay Day and National Wine Day are some thoughts on a lovely Washington State wine.

Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay ($42)

The fruit for this wine came from two blocks located within the Conner Lee Vineyard. Each is planted to different clones of Chardonnay. The vineyard itself is located in Eastern Central Washington. Citrus rind, spice and a hint of vanilla provide complex and welcoming aromatics. The palate is stuffed with Bartlett pear, Granny Smith Apple and wisps of spice. The long finish is loaded with white pepper, papaya and an abundance of wet limestone notes. What stands out the most about this Chardonnay is the mouth-feel. There’s a wonderful texture and weight here that’s both impressive and quite appealing. Ditto for the racy acid that lends to the moutwatering nature of this offering. Once you sip it, you’re not going to want to put it down.

You could celebrate Chardonnay Day with a Burgundy, California Chardonnay or one from, literally, countless other regions. Don’t do that this year; reach for some Washington State Chardonnay. You’ll be glad you did; this offering from Buty Winery is delicious and noteworthy in its complexity and purity.