What a wonderful last six months for the wine experience it has been. Of course the recession has hurt wine sales a bit and on the retail level, the discount coupons and price incentives were in evidence. But if you’re like me and saw the glass as half full and not half empty, it’s been a breakthrough 6 months, with biodynamic style vineyards growing, alcohol content moderating and the rise of winning Temecula wineries.
Then there is the huge growth in Paso Robles, and yes, the Napa Valley renaissance of young brilliant winemakers. Put it all together and you have to be happy with where we are with wine.
I reported on some 400 wine bars, resorts, restaurants, special tasting events and wineries, tasting many hundreds of bottles in the past 6 months. Price to value and availability were important. I favor a less complicated 1 to 5, “bad to excellent” rating and choose not to rank my top ten wines. All of the following are listed alphabetically, and were brilliantly crafted. Prices are suggested retail.
Francesco Mazzei and his Tuscan Fonterutoli Chianti Classic0 2005 is the only European wine in the Top Ten Tastings from the first half of 2009.
Chateau St. Michelle Col Solare, Red Mt.Washington. 2005. $75. Accented aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and rich spices. A partnership of St. Michelle and Tuscany ’s Marchesi Antinori blending 71% Cabernet, 25% Merlot and 4% Cab Franc. www.ste-michelle.com.
Denner Viognier, Paso Robles CA. 2008. $30. Splashes of peach, yellow apple and tropical scents lead the way for this complex, pleasing white, sure to challenge Chardonnay for domination. West side winery, growing in stature and popularity. www.dennervineyards.com.
Ferrari-Carano Siena, Sonoma Ca. 2007. $23. If you enjoy a blend, you will love this low priced Italian style red, with 78% Sangiovese and 22% Malbec. Great care in handling and barreling. No better with Italian dishes. A staple in my collection. www.ferrari-carano.com
Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles CA. 2006. $62. Intense flavors of 86% Cabernet, 9% Cab Franc and 5% Merlot that adjusts with each vintage based on Justin’s experts from around the world. A work of art that only gets better with age. 24 months in French Oak barrels. Amazing retention of superior taste once opened. www.justinwine.com.
La Cereza Viognier, Temecula CA. 2008. $24.95. Surprise grand best-of-show white at the recent Critics Challenge International in San Diego , this off-dry Viognier is rich, complex and perfumed with tropical accents of apricot and orange. Continues on the palate with fresh peach. Perfect time of the year to enjoy! www.lacerezawinery.com.
Marilyn Remarke Grenache, Monterey CA. 2006. $45. France ’s Rhone Valley grapes work very well here and this noble presentation achieves excellence with its 6th vintage of lovable Grenache. Limted to just 400 cases but worth the search. Power and finesse in a bottle. www.remarkewines.com.
Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico, Tuscany Italy. 2005. $24.99. Ancestors were the fathers of chianti wines. 24 generations later, exciting earth and minerality in bouquet and taste with 100% Sangiovese grapes from Castellina in Chianti. www.palmbayimports.com.
Pedroncelli Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma CA. 2006. $18. Cheers to this winery for its economy pricing with quality in its bottles. Jammy and concentrated fruit from one of the pioneer Zin families in Sonoma . Their “Mother Clone” Zin adds another dimension to the lineup www.pedroncelli.com.
Thornton Nebbiolo, Temecula CA. 2006. $32. Northern Italian varietal, California style. Winemaker Don Reha achieves singular success with this luscious, wide-body grape. Rich, black fruit with bursts of cherry, plum and leather. Direct sales only. Access at www.thorntonwine.com.
ZD Pinot Noir, Napa Valley CA. 2007. $40. Making great wine on the Silverado Trail of Napa is nothing new for ZD. Dark, ruby red in color and character, this example of the “Queen of Wines” is exotic and demands attention with its silky, well integrated tannins. www.zdwines.com.
Wine Bytes
La Cereza Winery in Temecula returns the great Spanish Flemenco guitarist BENISE in concert with his supporting cast, Sat. July 18 with doors open at 5:30 and Benise appearing at 8:30pm. This Vegas style show is filled with visual and musical surprises, including the master electric cellist Marston Smith. Auction item money raised will benefit California Family Life Center . Items include: an African Safari! Dinner prices include individual and VIP tables plus a Benise meet and greet in La Cereza’s Barrel Room. Admission starts at $55. with tickets available at 951-699-6952 or www.lacerezawinery.com.
A Bastille Day celebration is planned for Sat. July 11, 4 to 8pm at the Fairbanks Ranch clubhouse in Rancho Sante Fe. Enjoy wine tasting, food, live entertainment and auction items. Donation of $125. pp goes to the Southern Caregiver Resource Center. Call 858-268-4432.
Free jazz on Sundays is back at Falkner Winery starting Sun. July 12 and through September, 12 to 3pm . Jazz saxman Jason Weber plays. Concert style seating. Details at 951-676-8231.
The Summer Legacy dinner featuring owners Gerry and Rosie Wilson is Sat. evening July 18 at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. For complete details and menu, call 951-699-WINE.
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