On Episode 15 of One Bottle Each Jeff Kralik and I dive into a couple of bottles from de Négoce, Cameron Hughes latest Wine Project. Watch here as we taste and discuss the wines and the project.
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Rosé
Saracina Vineyards 2019 Skid Rosé ($20)
Saracina Vineyards was founded in 2001 by John Fetzer and Patty Rock. in 2018 it was taken over by Marc Taub of Palm Bay and Taub Family Selections, importers of Wine and Spirits. Located in Mendocino County their vineyards are Certified California Sustainable.
This 2019 Rosé is entirely Malbec from the Skid Row Vineyard, the western most block on their property. Fermentation took place in stainless steel with extended Lees contact. I can’t get enough Rosé no matter what time of year it is, but during the summer months I’m eager to try every single one I can get my hands on. So when I was headed out to meet a friend for a socially distant outdoor lunch yesterday I grabbed the Saracina Rosé and brought it with me. It’s a delicious wine that has a softness to it that seems to belie the fact that it’s 100% Malbec. While I’ve had a handful of good Rosé’s from Malbec, the vast majority of them are a bit outside of my preferred Rosé wheel-house. There are exceptions of course, and this turned out to be one of them. Ripe red raspberry and red rose petals aromas waft from the glass with the first time you pull it towards your nose. Red fruit flavors such as strawberry and red cherry are accompanied by wisps of tangerine zest on the palate. The finish is long and mellifluous. Skid Rosé is simply a joy to drink. It was a spot on match with my Mexican lunch of Guacamole and a Carnitas Platter. It’s worth adding that Skid Rosé’s charms were not held back in the least by being consumed from water glasses.
I’ve been drinking wines from Rodney Strong Vineyards for around fifteen years now. That’s a small fraction of their history, they were founded in 1959. I keep going back to their wines for a number of reasons. A large swath of their portfolio is widely available, so access to them is easy. They consistently offer well made wines in a variety of price ranges. By and large whether you spend less than $20 or more than $50 on a bottle from Rodney Strong Vineyards, you’re going to get a bit more than you paid for. So yes I love to experiment and try all manner of wines, but when I’m looking for a sure thing, Rodney Strong Vineyards is one of the names I count on.
I recently tasted a couple of current releases that are perfect for warm weather. A small group of writers joined winemaker Justin Seidenfeld on Zoom to talk about Rodney Strong in general and taste these wines.
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2019 Charlotte’s Home Estate Sauvignon Blanc ($17)
I’m fairly certain that this is the Rodney Strong wine I’ve been drinking consistently for the longest time. Along with the Pedroncelli SB t’s one of my two standbys for tremendous value in under $20 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County. Over time this always delicious wine seems to have gotten a bit more dialed in, and simply better. It opens with a big, rich nose loaded with citrus and bits of yellow melon. The palate is juicy and fresh with Honeydew, lemon ice, and a wisp of guava. The acid rich finish is long, pleasing and mouthwatering.
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2019 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($25)
This is an intentional Rosé made entirely of Pinot Noir. The grapes were grown, harvested and crushed specifically to make this wine, Justin noted that Rosé’s from Provence were his model for this wine and despite the fact that he’s different grapes in another part f the world his intent is the same. This wine is a somewhat recent new one to their portfolio, joining the home team in the last 5 or so years.Wild strawberry an white pepper dot the nose. Red cherry, white peach, tangerine zest and gentle bits of vanilla drive the palate. The finish is crisp, refreshing and simply pleasing. It nearly begs you back to the glass for another sip. This is an excellent example of intentional Rosé.
Another vintage, and more evidence that you can, and should, count on Rodney Strong Vineyards for well made, delicious wines at a fair price. It’s going to be hard to hold on to any of this Rosé as it’s so appealing, but if you can tuck a few bottles away, it’ll make a great wine for Thanksgiving.
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.
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.
Normal will return, at some point. Perhaps slower than we all want, and not all at once, but it’s going to happen. When it does, look out! Many of us are going to bust out of our shelters and drive, fly, train or hitchhike somewhere we love. One of the places I’m chomping at the bit to return to is Dry Creek Valley
few things tie this group of wines together. First and most importantly they’re delicious. They’re all appropriate for Spring. Regardless of their price point they represent excellent or better value. And finally with just a couple of exceptions, most of them are widely available on store shelves. All of them can certainly be ordered online, which is where many of us are purchasing our wine these days.
The myriad of wines hitting store shelves on a daily basis can be dizzying. Among them are wines at nearly every possible level of quality and intent. Most important of course is whether the wine is any good. Assuming it is good, does it fit your budget and needs. I just tasted through just more than 4 dozen wines looking for a few good bottles to stand out.
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.
Thanksgiving, with its myriad of flavors and overload of food is mere days away. And while some look at wine pairing for so many flavors and textures as a challenge, I think it’s a whole lot of fun. Drink what you like and see what it works with and what it doesn’t work with. The bottom line is that you should have fun and enjoy the holiday.
I’m always determined to find producers I’ve never visited. In fact I strive to spend the bulk of my time in wine regions experiencing new things and places. I have my favorites and I circle back when time permits, but I realize the next spot I hit for the first time might be my new favorite. So it was with that philosophy in mind that I set about to visit to Kelly Fleming Wines, a producer I knew by name but not much else.
Kelly Fleming Wines sits on 300 gorgeous acres in Calistoga. Of those a mere 12 acres are under vine. They farm those acres sustainably; just this year they were awarded Napa County’s Fish Friendly Farming certification. Among the animals and such on the property are beehives, turkeys, mountain lions and four rescue donkeys. When the property was purchased it was unimproved land and they have done everything in their power to be shepherds of this property, improving it with a very light footprint.
While at their Estate property I toured the grounds and tasted through the current releases with Kelly Fleming herself. Apparent after spending the first minute with her is the unbridled passion she has for the property, for remaining a small boutique producer (2,700 cases currently), and for making excellent wine from her Estate and beyond. My thoughts on the wines follow
Kelly Fleming Wines 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($36)
The fruit for this wine came from three Napa Valley vineyards. Fermentation and aging took place in a combination of new French oak (10%), used French oak (30%), and stainless steel (60%). Grass and citrus aromas emerge from the nose. The palate is filled with apricot and peach flavors. Minerals, bits of papaya and orange peel are all in play on the long finish that has a bit or a creamy edge.
Kelly Fleming Wines 2014 Rosé ($36)
The Rosé is produced from estate Cabernet (88%), as well as Malbec (6%), and Syrah (6%) from neighbors. Fermentation took place in stainless steel and once used French oak barrels. Oodles of watermelon characteristics leap from the nose. Strawberry, bright Bing cherry and a bit of vanilla fill out the palate. Continued red berry elements and a touch of crème fraiche are present on the crisp, refreshing finish.
Kelly Fleming Wines 2012 Big Pour Napa Red ($75)
Big Pour is a blend of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Syrah (5%), Malbec (5%), and Petit Verdot (5%) and from Napa Valley. Red and black fruit aromas fill the nose. From the first sip the mouth-feel is velvety in nature with black raspberry and cherry flavors in play. Bits of cocoa lead the finish which showcases a continuing cavalcade of sweet red fruit tinged with black. A dollop of cinnamon appears as well. This is a very accessible Cabernet based wine that is ready to drink today but will age well over the next 8 or so years.
Kelly Fleming Wines 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($110)
Their signature wine is composed of entirely Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate. It spent 20 months in 82% new French oak. 920 cases were produced. Wisps of toast and vanilla are present on the nose along with a cornucopia of berry aromas. There is an almost stunning amount of depth to the palate here with an avalanche of sweet red and black cherry flavors. These are underpinned by copious spice characteristics. Cinnamon, bits of dusty clay, minerals and chicory are all apparent throughout the prodigiously long finish. Firm, yielding tannins and solid acid provide an excellent backbone for aging. This estate wine is delicious now but will improve steadily over the next decade and drink well for a minimum of 5 years after that, perhaps longer.
The tasting room and an attached alcove are quite warm and inviting, as is Kelly herself. This is a beautiful little winery making terrific Napa Valley wines. Tastings are by appointment only, but don’t let that hold you back. They’re happy to have visitors so they can show off the beautiful estate and wines. Kelly Fleming Wines is precisely the type of place it’s worth making extra time and an extra effort to visit. If you’re like me, you’ll leave enchanted, with the magic that comes from the very best of what Napa has to offer. And really, how can you beat that? So reach out to them, next time you're headed to Napa Valley, you'll be glad you did.
If you’re not sure what to get someone as a gift this year, consider a good bottle of wine or spirits —‚ always in season. Anyone who drinks alcohol will certainly appreciate a well-chosen bottle to enjoy, be it alone or with friends (my hope is that it’s with you). Throughout the year, I’ve tasted a number of the best bottles in both the wine and spirit categories and compiled a list of my 24 favorites — any of which would make excellent gifts for a variety of budgets. A few of the bottles are particularly great values, while others are luxury beverages that will really impress the lucky person who receives them; no matter the price, every selection in this guide is delicious and well made. Head over to The Daily Meal to read the rest.
Wine shelves all over the country are jammed with countless selections and choices are so varied it can be dizzying. With that in mind, I’m here to help you work your way through the haze of bottles. I tasted through more than three dozen wines across all price ranges and stylistic tiers, and here are my 11 favorites from the bunch.
Hugel et Fils 2012 Gentil ($15)
This vintage of “Gentil” blends together pinot gris (23 percent), pinot blanc (21 percent), riesling (20 percent), sylvaner (20 percent), gewurztraminer (14 percent), and muscat (2 percent). Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled vats. It was gently fined and filtered prior to bottling. Lychee fruit aromas dominate the inviting nose of this French blend. “Gentil” has a palate stuffed with white and yellow melon, peach, and apricot flavors. Head over to The Daily Meal to read the rest.
Portugal’s Quinta Do Vallado has a history that dates back to the 18th century. It’s now in its sixth and seventh generations of stewardship by the Ferreira Family. Their portfolio focuses on dry wines, but as they sit in the Douro, naturally they also make several ports. I recently tasted through much of their current portfolio, as well as some older vintages. I was struck by the quality, drinkability and age-worthiness of their wines as a whole. In addition, I also found that it would be easy to select all the wines for my Thanksgiving table from their offerings. So with Thanksgiving just about a month away, here’s a look at four wines that offer perfect holiday sipping from the moment your guests arrive through the final bite of dessert. Head over to Bullz-Eye.com to read the rest.
Warm weather means the time to drink rosé has arrived, and not a moment too soon for me. There are a number of general things that appeal to me about good, dry rosé. First, since you’re serving them chilled, they tend to be refreshing. Rosé is also often delicious all by itself, but the good ones also tend to be quite food friendly. I just tasted through more than two dozen examples of rosé; these are my favorites from that group.
Real Compañía 2012 Rosado — This Spanish rosé is a blend of garnacha (60 percent) and tempranillo (40 percent). All of the fruit was sourced in the La Mancha area located in Central Spain. Eight hours of skin contact occurred before the juice was bled off. Temperature-controlled fermentation followed. This wine has a suggested retail price of $9.99. Strawberry aromas are abundant on the nose and supported by wisps of fresh cream. The palate is filled with juicy red fruit flavors such as watermelon and cherry. The... Head on over to The Daily Meal to read the whole story...
With summer weather in full swing for weeks now, I’ve been going through more Rosé than ever. That’s partly because my thirst for them increases year after year; in addition to that we see more and more Rosé’s on our shelves from all corners of the globe as time marches on. Here’s a look at two I just tried and really enjoyed.
The Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda 2012 Rosé was produced from fruit sourced in the Mendoza region of Argentina. This offering is 100% Malbec. Fruit for this Rosé was hand picked, sorted and destemmed. Fermentation took place in a temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures. This widely available wine has a suggested retail price of $13. This Rosé has a darker, more vibrant hue than the average. Aromas of wild strawberry jam leap from the nose of this wine. Bright raspberry, cherry and bits of orange characteristics light up the palate with a ton of scrumptious flavors. Vanilla bean, sweet cherry and white pepper notes are all in evidence on the finish which has good length and shows off firm, crispy acidity. This wine will go well with a variety of foods; I found it to be particularly excellent with spicy chicken tacos.
The Castello Monaci Kreos 2012 Rosato was produced from fruit sourced in Italy’s Puglia region. This Rosé is a blend of Negroamaro (90%) and Malvasia Nera di Lecce (10%). The wine was produced using the saignée method. 3,750 cases were produced ans it has a suggested retail price of $16. The color of this wine brings fresh strawberries to mind. Bright cherry aromas spill from the nose of this Rosé with conviction. A bevy of red fruit flavors such as watermelon, raspberry, cherry and strawberry explode on the palate. This is a refreshing and engaging Rosé loaded with curb appeal. Zingy spices and acidity dot the finish. There’s a touch more heft here than the average Rosé which will allow it to marry with slightly bolder foods.
There’s a bit more prime Rosé drinking weather left this summer. Here are two terrific, delicious, and distinct wines that you should consider. Hopefully you’ve already enjoyed a bevy of different Rosé’s this season, if for some reason you haven’t here are a couple of excellent places to start.