Katie Santorahas been at Chehalem for 8 years and took over the reins as Head Winemaker a short time after Bill Stoller purchased them. We chatted over Zoom recently and spoke extensively about Chehalem Winery, the Willamette Valley and her journey to date as a Winemaker. We also covered a myriad of other topics such as wine closures and fermentation methodology. Of course we also tasted a selection of Chehalem Wines. Watch it here.
Bottega Vinaia 2017 Estate Bottled Trentino Pinot Noir ($18)
When you’re looking for Pinot Noir, does Italy come to mind? If you’re like a lot of people, probably not. That’s a shame though because the hills of Northern Italy have some fine examples of this legendarily finicky and remarkably popular grape. It also happens, they’re usually really good values.
At $18 this offering from Bottega Vinaia is a stunner. Everything here from the first whiff to the last sip sits in perfect harmony. Droves of red fruits drive the aromatics. They continue on the palate where cherry and cranberry are in strong evidence. Oodles of spice are present too. A dusting of dark cocoa emerges on the finish along with wisps of chicory and leather. This Pint Noir is acid rich and incredibly friendly with a varied feast of foods. I enjoyed it alongside a Porcini Mushroom Porridge topped with shaved Pecorino Romano and it worked perfectly.
If you want to read about more about PInot from Alto Adige, give this story from a coupe years back a read.
We’re right in the middle of National Grilling Month. But really anytime you can fire up your grill without wearing a winter coat, is a terrific time to throw lunch or dinner on the grill. If you really want to do it right, pair that grilled goodness with Zinfandel.
Well made Zinfandel is eminently food friendly and incredibly delicious. I’ve participated in some terrific Virtual Tastings with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) recently. You can read about both Zinfandel, America’s Favorite Grape to Grill With and Zinfandel A Perfect Foil for Every Flavor you Grill through these links. A couple days ago I took part in ZAP’s first Facebook Live tasting which included three wineries and a Zin Loving Chef. The whole thing is archived and viewable through ZAP’s Facebook Page.
I gathered with a couple of friends and we enjoyed a cookout of salad, grilled vegetables, grilled potatoes and steak. All of those flavors worked beautifully with the Zinfandel. The trio of Zins that were lined up for the tasting all have engaging winery stories. Three Wine Company is a project from one of the Founders of Cline Cellars, a terrific producer of Zin in their own right. Rock Wall Wine Company is Shauna Rosenblum’s winery. As the daughter of Legendary Zinfandel producer Kent Rosenblum she has Zin in her blood. Martinelli in the Russian River Valley is a highly esteemed multi generation Sonoma County producer, most famous for Zinfandel.
Three Wine Company 2016 Live Oak Zinfandel ($36)
This Contra Costa County Vineyard dates back to 1885. In addition to Zinfandel (77%), there’s also Petite Sirah (12%), Carignane (9%), and Alicante Bouschet (2%) in this wine. Red and black raspberry, bramble and plenty of black pepper spice are in evidence here from the first whiff to the last sip. A kiss of toast show up on the finish. Acid and tannins are both firm, portending a long life ahead for this Zin. If you’re going to drink it now a couple of hours in a decanter will allow it to more readily express its charms. It’s a sure fire match for that Burger topped with hickory smoked bacon and blue cheese you’ve been meaning to grill for yourself.
Rock Wall Wine Company 2018 Maggie’s Vineyard Zinfandel Reserve ($50)
This Sonoma Valley Vineyard was planted in 1901 as a Field Blend. In addition to Zin there’s Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Palomino inter-planted. From the word go this wine impresses. It starts with boisterous and incredibly pleasing aromatics. Due no doubt, in no small part to white varieties that are part of the picture here. Red raspberry, cherry and plum are all evident along with savory herbs, white pepper and bits of red currant. The finish is long, persistent and incredibly pleasing. This was my first time having this wine and it won’t be my last.
Martinelli Winery 2018 Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel ($58)
The Russian River Valley is one of the great AVA’s for Zinfandel. And as it happens, Martinelli is one of its renowned producers. The vineyard itself was planted about 100 years after their famous Jackass Hill plot which dates to the 1880’s. The vines were grafted with bud wood from that old Vineyard. If you like cherries you’re going to love this wine. Red and black cherries drive the aromatics. More cherries on the palate are joined by red raspberry. Bits of espresso and kirsch liqueur emerge on the long, lingering finish. The friends I was tasting with opened a bottle of the 2013 vintage as well so we compared them. Visually the 2013 was showing some age. But on the mouth and nose similarities were apparent. In both cases the wines opened nicely over the evening.
There are so many stories when it comes to Zinfandel. The number of well known, old vineyards is impressive to say the least. It’s always fascinating to taste these wines from historic vineyards, particularly when they’re still growing wine as compelling as this trio.
Throw something on your grill, drink some Zinfandel, repeat. It’s good for you!
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.
Matetic Vineyards 2015 EQ Pinot Noir “Granite” ($40)
Matetic’s vineyards sit 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The soils are granite and iron rich. Organic, estate grown grapes were utilized for this wine. It’s composed entirely of Pint Noir. Only Clones 115 and 777 were used. Aging took place in French oak of several sizes for 12 months.
There are a scant few places on earth that offer great bang for the buck in excellent Pinot Noir. As it happens a few that fit the bill are located in Chile. Pinot thrives in cooler climate and most of the very best examples from Chile are from vineyards close to the ocean that are effected by the relative climactic conditions that proximity to water offers. Casablanca Valley is one of those areas.
I’ve been drinking the Matetic wines for about a decade now. What has impressed me each and every time I’ve pulled the cork from one of their offerings probably sounds quite simple. There’s a purity of fruit and expression of place that shines through all of their wines. I say sounds simple, because this isn’t the case as often as I wish it were. I believe that both farming and wine-making practices lead the way to the aforementioned result here. They farm organically, and in the winery they stay as far out of the way as they can to allow the vineyards to shine through. And that they do. From the first whiff that wafts from the glass, red fruit, earth, and subtle spices are evident. Those characteristics are joined by savory herbs on the layered palate. If you’re among those who question mineral notes in a wine, well there’s a treasure trove of them here on the lengthy, persistent finish alongside hints of black tea. This is a striking example of Pinot Noir. At around $40 it represents a steal of a deal. A wine of this quality and purity from a better known Pinot Growing region would easily command $65.
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, located in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is best known to the average consumer for their two tent-pole Wines; Russian River Valley Cuvee’s of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It stands to reason as these represent a large portion of their overall case production. Not to mention these wines are generally available on store shelves across the country. But if you poke your nose under the hood a bit, you’ll find that there’s a lot more on offer at Gary Farrell Winery.
Last week I participated in a Virtual tasting with Winemaker Theresa Heredia and a handful of other writers over Zoom. We took a deep dive into a selection of their Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs. A few things were readily apparent; their goal is to let the particular site speak, and while they are certainly proud to call the Russian River Valley home and showcase it’s bounty of fruit sources, they’re also invigorated to widen the breadth of Gary Farrell offerings by using fruit well outside its bounds, as they deem worthy.
2016 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70)
This first wine we tasted is from Santa Maria Valley, the most far flung from Russian River Valley in this lineup. Winemaker Theresa Heredia said she included it both because it’s a personal favorite, and also because she considered it a bit of an outlier. Dark fruit and spice aromas waft with conviction from the glass the moment you pour it. Red cherry flavors, continued spice and wisps of sour black currant are also present. The finish is above average in length.
2016 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir ($75)
This Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot comes from the vineyard closest to the Pacific Ocean in the Sonoma Coast. Ripe Wild strawberry and bit of gaminess present on the nose. The palate is dotted with a solid core of cranberry. Savory herbs and a long deep, kiss of salinity drive the acid rich finish. In a gathering of Pinot Noir bottles that impressed across the board, this is the one I’d personally reach for most often. The rich acid and vein of salinity knock me out with every sip.
2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir ($55)
The first of four wines in the tasting from their home AVA, Russian River Valley. A bowl of ripe red fruit drives the aromatics. The palate is loaded with bright Bing cherry and baking spices. Earth and mineral notes are evident on the long finish. Good structure balances the overall juiciness of this wine which has lots of curb appeal.
2016 Hallberg Vineyard, Dijon Clones Pinot Noir ($60)
Also from the Hallberg Vineyard this wine is limited to a selection of Dijon Clones. It leads with a big, complex nose loaded with floral notes. Sour red fruits, spice and tobacco are strewn through the even-keeled palate. A treasure trove of minerals drive the acid-laden finish.
2016 Toboni Vineyard Pinot Noir ($55)
This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is immensely aromatic with red and black fruit competing for attention. The palate has an elegant muscularity about it with red plum and black raspberry joined by bits of black cherry and a solid core of spices. Earth and black tea are evident on the the lovely finish. As with the other wines there’s a solid vein of acid running through and keeping things proportionate.
2016 Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir ($65)
The fourth Russian River Valley wine in this group shows off savory aromatics such as bay and thyme alongside violet. Blueberries, blackberries, bit of leather and copious spices are all present. This is a rich wine whose mouthfeel and texture really set it apart. This wine benefited from some air and had really opened up by the second day to express its charms more willingly.
2016 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir ($80)
Like the last wine, this offering from the Petaluma Gap really benefits from some air. It was tasty on day one, but a bit reticent. On day two it was fully unleashed and ready to party. Everything here is deep, and dark, from the fruit to an undertone of savory herbs and earth. The finish is long, persistent and impressive. The recommendation here is to decant it for at least two hours.
On the one hand these seven offerings are quite distinct, on the other hand they do have a commonality among them; the vineyard and the AVA speak most loudly. These wines represent only some of their Single Vineyard Pinots. In addition to other Single Vineyard Pinot’s their portfolio also includes a range of Chardonnays, a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Rosé, Port style wine and more. There’s a lot under that hood I’ve tasted many of their wines over the years and the consistent connective tissue is the balance and proportion of the wines and the integrity of the fruit sources shining through.
If you’ve never been, Gary Farrell Winery is a beautiful and welcoming place to visit and taste some excellent wines. Of course, visiting options are limited these days. As a nod to that, Gary Farrell Winery has put together a wide range of virtual tasting options. They’re designed to get as much of a feel for the winery in your home as possible. These are detailed at and can be booked directly through their website. In any case, if well-made, food loving wines with a sense of place sound like your thing, the Gary Farrell winery is one you’ll want to be familiar with. If it happens that Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay are your jam, the experience might just be heavenly.
I recently tasted a couple of Cabernet’s from Scattered Peaks with Winemaker Joel Aiken over Zoom. Though we’d never met, in any form prior, Joel’s reputation as a Stalwart Napa Valley Winemaker precedes him. He spent close to 30 years making wine for a little outfit known as BV. You’re likely familiar with a number of their iconic wines such as Tapestry and Private Reserve Georges de Latour. These days he works on several projects including his own label and he makes the wine for Scattered Peaks. They’re part of the Purple Wine Company which has a number of brands. Scattered Peaks is their Luxury Cabernet Sauvignon Brand. So as you can imagine, it makes complete sense to hire someone with Joel’s wine-making skill-set, not to mention his gravitas as a major league Napa Cab guy to make these wines.
Scattered Peaks 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
The fruit for this wine came from Pope Valley (50%), Gordon Valley (29%), and Rutherford (21%). 11,000 cases were produced and it’s entirely Cabernet Sauvignon. The Purple Wine Company purchases a lot of fruit each year and that buying power allows them to make a pretty remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon for $40. Red and black fruits are joined by savory herbs from the nose to the toes. Black cherry, red raspberry, and a fine core of spices are all present. A gentle kiss of toast and baker’s chocolate are evident on the finish. This Cabernet is incredibly approachable now with a softness that makes it hard to resist. It does however have the bones to improve for a few years and drink well for at least ten. That’s certainly an impressive achievement in its price tier.
Scattered Peaks 2017 “Small Lot” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $125)
Their Small Lot Cabernet is true to its name with a mere 450 cases produced. It too is 100% Cabernet with all of the fruit coming from two spots; Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and Sage Ridge Vineyard just south of Howell Mountain. “Small Lot” Cab is hugely aromatic with black cherry and savory herbs leading the way. Black raspberry, blueberry, and oodles of spice drive the palate. The finish is long and persistent enough to be impressive. Tannins are firm but yielding. If you’re drinking this now, I‘d decant it for at least a couple of hours so it’ll express its charms more readily. Otherwise. I’d lay it down for 8-10 years and drink it in the 5 or so that follow.
I went back to both of these wines when they had been open for just more than 24 hours. The “Small Lot” was far more ready to show off all it had than it was the day prior. And the Napa Cab was also a bit more beguiling and certainly holding its own. These are both rock solid in terms of being fine expression of Napa Cabernet. The lineage impresses too, with more than terrific fruit sources and a winemaker whose pedigree is beyond reproach. Scattered Peaks, I recommend giving them a shot if you dig Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Watch clips of Joel speaking about these Cabernet’s and a lot more below:
Gabe speaks with Joel Aiken
Last week when I grilled with Zinfandel I went the most classic of routes; a burger. Zin and grilled burgers are about as American a meal as there is. One of the many beauties of Zinfandel however is it’s versatility with most any kind of cuisine. More specifically though, great Zinfandel will pair well with nearly anything that comes off of your grill. So when I started planning a meal to pair with the Zinfandels below I wanted to incorporate flavors further away from home than a burger.
Inspired by myriad meals over the years at Turkish, Greek and Georgian Restaurants, to name a few, I came up with a wet rub (recipe below) for meat, though it would work with veggies too, that incorporated many of the flavors I associate with those cuisines. I rubbed it on Skirt Steak and let it do it’s thing in the Fridge for 24 hours. On the side I made Baba Ganoush using my favorite recipe, found over at Cookie + Kate. I made a couple tweaks to it, adding in 2 teaspoons if Merquen (a Chilean Spice Blend) and grilling the Eggplant instead of cooking it in the oven. I also served Grilled Sourdough Bread and a Dip of Dukkah and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. There’s a broad range of flavors in this meal, many of them bold, which have plenty of connective tissue between them and paired impeccably well with this quartet of Zinfandels from Legendary Vineyards. Those vineyards represent four distinct growing regions.
Robert Biale Vineyards 2018 R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel ($62)
This vineyard, planted in 1905, represents the only Zinfandel in all of Coombsville. This Zinfandel is a study in sweet, dark fruit such as plum, blackberry and cherry. Hints of gingersnaps as well. Breyer's Black Cherry Ice Cream on the finish. 888 cases were produced. Not a surprise that this is another distinct, vineyard specific wine from the folks at Biale. It paired particularly well with the Baba Ganoush.
Peachy Canyon Winery 2017 D Block Zinfandel, Mustang Springs Ranch ($85)
A mere 68 cases of this Paso Robles, block specific Zinfandel were produced. D Block is a red fruit lovers paradise. Raspberry, cherry, plum and currant are all accounted for alongside spice, sweet dark chocolate, and wisps of tangerine. The heat in my wet spice rub really complemented the bright red fruit in this Zin perfectly. It turned out to be a next level pairing.
Mount Peak 2017 Rattlesnake Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard ($40)
Small amounts of Syrah and Petite Sirah are also blended into this wine. 525 cases were produced.Monte Rosso is among the most famous vineyards in Sonoma County. The highest point of the vineyard is called Rattlesnake Hill and this wine is named in tribute to that area. Rattlesnake Zinfandel is layered with red and black jam fruit, Bosco Sauce, and oodles of plum pudding spices. This Zinfandel is decadent and delicious. It paired delightfully with my meal, but was perhaps the most keenly attuned of the quartet to drinking on it’s own.
Rombauer 2017 El Dorado Zinfandel, Twin Rivers Vineyard ($42)
In addition to Zinfandel this wine has 15% Petite Sirah Blended in. Twin Rivers Vineyard Zinfandel has the big, nearly explosive dark fruit you should expect from an El Dorado Vineyard. It also has a prodigiously long, spice laden finish and enough acid to keep everything honest. It’s dark, delicious and goes well with bold flavors so my meal paired fabulously with it. This vineyard in El Dorado County is featured in my recent story, “Excellent Zinfandel Begins with Legendary Vineyards.” I encourage you to check it out if you’d like a deeper dive into the relationship between Legendary Vineyards and Great Zinfandel.
I know that Zinfandel pairs with lots of different flavors, especially bold ones. So in planning my meal, I not only wanted to grill as much of it as possible, I wanted to push the flavor boundaries and make sure I was going outside the typical pairing. Not only did it worked, it was absolutely phenomenal. Even something as simple as grilling a few slices of Sourdough bread elevated it and helped it complement the wines so well. So yes, whatever you enjoy cooking on your grill, Zinfandel is the correct wine choice.
Someone has to be the best right? Loaded question I know. But I’m here to tell you that Smith-Madrone, located on Spring Mountain, is Napa Valley’s Best Winery.
Bodegas Bianchi New Age White ($13)
Hailing from Argentina’s Mendoza Region, New Age White is composed of Torrontés (90%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%). It’s light, fruity flavors, firm acid and relatively low alcohol content make this wine a great base for cocktails. I like to use it to make Sangria. My recipe is below and you can watch me make it below.
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Romain Teyteau heads up North American Exports for the Duboeuf Winery which is still very much a Family Business. We discussed a number of topics, diving into some Beaujolais basics, the age-worthiness of well made Gamay and of course reflecting on the passing of Georges Duboeuf early this year, as well as some other topics. We also tasted a trio of current releases. You can watch the entire chat here.
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
To be honest I had not given a lot of thought to Kirkland Signature labeled wines from Costco. I' knew they existed and I’ve even seen people at parties walking around with bottles of Kirkland Signature wines, but I never got past “that’s interesting” in my thought process. Too many wines, too little time. Then a bottle showed up on my doorstep, looked me in the eye and essentially dared me to deal with it.
Kirkland Signature Reserva, 100% Tempranillo, Rioja D.O.C.a, ($6.99)
Rioja has long been a region known for value; still $6.99 seemed a but dubious to me. I read a bit about it and found that it had been barrel aged for 30 months in a 50/50 split of French and American oak, 30% of the barrels new. It then spent 6 months aging in bottle prior to release. Three months of total aging time is the requirement in Rioja to label a wine a Reserva.
It’s got red raspberry, leather and a bit of cherry on the nose. Those red fruits carry through the palate along with plenty of spice. Earth and fairly firm tannins show up on the finish. This is a really terrific value for $6.99. It should definitely be a contender as a case purchase it you’re looking for a house wine.
Costco branded wine, who knew?
Watch me taste it below.
Gabe tastes a 2015 Rioja from Costco's House Label Kirkland Signature #Rioja #Spain #Value #Tempranillo #Costco #PriceClub #CasePurchase
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
The GlenDronach Revival 15 is an exceptional Single Malt. Its level of complexity and nuance for a 15 year old expression that comes in under $100 is quite impressive. All things considered this is on the very short list of best Single Malt’s I’ve sampled over the last 4-5 years. If you’re a fan of Expressions aged in ex-Sherry casks this should be on your must try list.
