Kendall Jackson Wine Event

APPELLATION COLLECTION (FEATURED AT THE EVENT)
Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay, 2014
“…this wine from the cool Santa Maria Valley oers up plenty of wet gravel, unbuttered popcorn, tangerine and nectarine notes along with some pineapple and lychee.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct. 2016

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2015
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Jackson Estate (Anderson Valley) is one of the most distinctive wines in the Kendall-Jackson lineup. Bright red cherry, blood orange, mint, white pepper and spices are all woven together in a pretty, expressive Pinot that hits all the right notes.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, March 2017

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Jackson Estate Series is a small cuvee of 7,000 cases and a really impressive wine. The mountain vineyards seem to dominate the wine’s character, with moderately high but sweet tannin, briary blackberry and cassis fruit, and a crushed rock minerality present.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct. 2015

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Jackson Estate is terric. A host of mocha, black cherry, gravel, smoke, dark raspberry jam and dark spice meld together in the glass. The 2013 is dark, imposing and structured, with fabulous depth and intensity.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Feb. 2016

VINEYARD COLLECTION
Camelot Highlands Chardonnay, 2015
“The 2015 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands shows the richer side of Santa Barbara County, especially next to the appellation wine. Tropical fruit, pineapple, butter and sweet French oak give the 2015 much of its racy personality.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, March 2017

Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
“…a well-built, structured, deep and potentially complex wine that has plenty of upside. Dense ruby/purple, full-bodied… impressive texture, depth and quality.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Dec. 2014

“The flavors are bold, ripe and pungent with plenty of mountain character…this is a very pretty wine with a lot to recommend.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Jan. 2015

Friday Wine Tasting 4.21.17

Here’s what we’ll be tasting today from 3-7 pm:

WESTSIDE CROSSING CHARDONNAY
The Russian River produces stellar vibrant and balanced Chardonnays and this wine is no exception. Sourced from vineyards next door to acclaimed Sonoma Cutrer and La Crema, this wine offers aromas of green apple, pineapple and brioche. The palate is creamy and juicy with hints of vanilla, nutmeg and clove.

MI SUENO LOS CARNEROS PINOT NOIR
This 100% Pinot Noir from Los Carneros is aged for 10 months in French oak. This aging regimen and temperate growing season produces a wine that is bright, bold and complex. The nose is forward and welcoming with notes of cherry, pomegranate and vanilla. The palate is round and balanced with gentle structure and flavors of cranberry, raspberry, pepper and wet earth. Enjoy this with a mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

BLACK DIAMOND ZINFANDEL
This elegant California wine is a blend of Zinfandel and Primitivo (an Italian Clone of Zinfandel). It shuns the common style of hot, overly intense, heavy Zinfandel and delivers instead a balanced and versatile experience. Delicate floral notes give way to ripe cherries and blueberries all wrapped in a sweet, milk chocolate finish.

BLACK DIAMOND MERLOT
From the Washington Walla Walla Valley, this Merlot is full-bodied and deeply colored. Notes of ripe red and black fruits dominate with flavors of dark chocolate, toffee and dried mint develop on the back palate.

The Glory of Rosé

I always get excited to go to a wine store.

But lately, I’m extra excited.

That’s because it’s ROSÉ SEASON!

Ok, so it may not quite have reached rosé sipping weather everywhere, but I’ve got my windows open and patio furniture out and as if on cue, the stores have their displays up.

Like towers of pink jewels, it seems nearly impossible to look at these beauties and not feel a lightness in your heart, like the sun has just come out.

And it doesn’t hurt that they are DELICIOUS and relatively cheap!

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Friday Wine Tasting 4.14.17

Join us this today for a free wine tasting from 3-7 pm. We hope to see you there! Here’s what we’ll be pouring:

GRUET BRUT ROSE
This graceful, elegant sparkling wine comes to you all the way from… New Mexico? Founded by acclaimed Champagne house Gruet et Fils, the high elevation and sandy loam soils produce fruit that is exceptionally suited to the classic French Champagne methods. The result: wines like this 100% Pinot Noir with a fine mousse, full body and rich floral and fruit flavors. Cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes round out the palate ending in a zesty finish.

FILON GARNACHA
Garnacha (Grenache) from Spain can often be one of the best values in a wine shop. Big, bold, juicy and fruity, these wines rarely carry a price tag matched to their size. From Calatayud, a warmer area in Spain, this wine offers explosive black fruit and dark chocolate notes. Fleshy texture and a hint of smokiness beg for a BBQ sauce smothered food pairing.

VINA TARAPACA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Carmenere may be the signature red grape of Chile, but Cabernet Sauvignon is actually #1 in production, export and quality. A bold crimson with purple highlights, this wine has an earthy nose with aromas of tobacco leaves, dried mint and mushrooms. The palate is rich and soft with firm tannins, a juice acidity and flavors of blackberries, licorice and warm oak spice.

VINA TARAPACA GRAN RESERVA RED BLEND
This blend is sourced from estate vineyards within Chile’s Maipo Valley, creating a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Carmenere. Bold aromatics of ripe black and purple fruit, warm spice and wild violets, usher you into a full, robust palate. Raspberry, cherry and black plum mingle harmoniously with fine tannins and a flinty, white pepper finish.

More Italian Love

Ok, I know it might sometimes seem like I’m part of the Italian wine lobby, but if I do drink an inordinate amount of Italian wine it is just because they offer some of the most exciting, unusual and value driven wines out there.   

Take these three beauties. All native and almost exclusively Italian varietals (you can find some pioneering winemakers in California trying their hand at the reds). All fantastically delicious and a nice change from the typical, international varietals we all usually drink. And all under $25!

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Friday Wine Tasting 3.31.17

TERCOS TORRONTES
Torrontes is the signature white grape of Argentina. Pale yellow with faint greenish highlights, this wine has an unmistakable classic rose and white floral aroma. A pleasant melange of tart grapefruit, peak, apple and sweet pineapple is supported by a lively, crisp acidity. This is a playful wine with a freshness that lingers.

PENALOLEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep and brilliant purple hue. Ideally balanced between earthy and fruity notes, this wine presents aromas and flavors of black currants, wild strawberries, mint, dried herbs and a rich balsamic finish. Round and lush, the wine is supported by fine, tight tannins lingering into the finish.

MAQUIS CABERNET FRANCE
Cabernet Franc is often an under appreciated grape, lost in blends with rich, bold grapes like Cabernet Sauvgnon and Merlot. But on its own, Cabernet Franc can offer a subtle, graceful elegance that makes a lasting impression. This bright, vibrant red wine offers sweet red berry fruit, baked plum and warm cedar notes. The tannins are sculpted and firm, just coming into maturity. The sweet oak notes linger, lending a warm spiciness to the juicy, fruity finish.

MAQUIS LIEN RED
This Chilean red is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Syrah and Petite Sirah. With the intent of producing bold, concentrated fruit, the Hurtado family restricts vine yields to a maximum of 12 bunches of grapes per plant. This ensures a wine that offers plentiful jammy, ripe fruit notes. 12 months of French oak aging provides a warmth and richness that pairs well with the peppery spice from Syrah and the herbal notes from Cabernet France.

Friday Wine Tasting 3.24.17

We hope you’ll join us this afternoon from 3-7 pm for some fantastic wines! Here’s the line up:

PORTLANDIA PINOT NOIR
This Oregon Pinot Noir sourced from the Willamette and Rogue Valleys, is a youthful, lively example of the grape. The nose is bright with red cherry and hints of pipe tobacco. The palate is vibrantly acidic and spicy, with red berry and plum notes and a clean underlying minerality.

ROSSO DI CA’MOMI
This is a proprietary red blend of grapes sourced from throughout Napa Valley. The nose is bold with caramel and fig aromas, along with notes of coffee and chocolate. Lush and medium bodied on the palate, ripe red fruit flavors mingle nicely with cedar and coffee notes. Powerful grip and balanced acidity carry you into a pleasing and long finish.

BLEASDALE LANGHORNE CROSSING RED BLEND
This blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Malbec from South Australia, offers bright red berry fruit and warm spice on the nose and palate. The ripe fruit profile and gentle tannins are hallmarks of this vineyard region, while a complex minerality is imparted by the alluvial soils of the floodplains.

OPOLO VINEYARDS SUMMIT CREEK ZINFANDEL
Paso Robles is quickly creating a name for itself in the production of ripe, juicy, full-bodied red wines, and Opolo Vineyard wines are no exception. This Zinfandel presents a bold nose of black cherry, licorice and beef jerky. The palate is equally bold with dense flavors of blueberry, leather and dried tobacco all carried of well-structured, but silky tannins.

Letting Wine “Breathe”

When I first started this website, I had aspirations of strategically planning and scheduling the topics of my posts. That lasted about a week. I have so much more fun just bringing you all along on the everyday wine happenings in my life. So, although I still have a general plan of topics I want to cover, I’m quick to push them aside and instead share an amazing wine or interesting topic I encountered. 

Here’s one now:

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