Top Ten Wine Tastings – 1st Half of 2011

The first half of this year brought to us more wine events than ever, with emphasis on trade and wine country associations banding together promoting their respective regional interests. I counted over 400 that crossed my radar with over 3,500 wines tasted.

On the retail side, a couple of trends developed on my Southern California beat: restaurants and resorts are adding a retail “buy it here, drink it here or take it home” component to their operation causing stress to locally owned wineshops; and county government is actually cooperating with winery associations to promote wine tasting in new or existing AVA’s.

Evidence the opening of some 10 public wine tasting rooms where there were nearly none allowed earlier, in the Ramona Valley of San Diego County.

The following are standout wines that I have tasted and awarded an “excellent” rating, based on flavor, complexity and price point-to-value. The Top Ten are NOT ranked but are listed alphabetically. Prices shown can vary and are what I have noted in web sites and at retail shops. Web sites are inserted for your further research.

§ Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2005. $15. A classic Cabernet from this Carneros District winery, with grapes from 3 vineyards in Atlas Peak and Oakville. www.artesawinery.com.

§ Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz, Australia, 2007. $18. A French style red with a touch of Cabernet and Grenache to add to the Shiraz body for an old world flavor medley. Australia’s Producer of the Year award winner. www.banfivintners.com.

§ Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel Germany, 2009. $15. World renowned maker of racy, mineral-driven Riesling from the steep, slate slopes of the Mosel River. Crisp, slight sweetness on the palate. www.drloosen.com.

§ Fontodi Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2006. $26. Pure 100% Sangiovese legacy grapes. 12 months aging in small French barriques. Great benchmark for all that is lovely in Tuscany. www.fontodi.com.

§ Marilyn Remarke Grenache, Monterey, Ca., 2008. $45. Meticulous re-creation of Rhone style Grenache. A revelation of old world south-of-France vibrancy. www.remarkewines.com.

§ Niner Twisted Spur, Paso Robles, CA., 2007. $25. Wine maker Amanda Cramer brought out the best of the vineyard in this all-estate blend of mostly Merlot, supported by Cab Franc, Syrah and Petite Sirah. www.ninerwine.com.

§ Pedroncelli Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma, Ca.,2009. $20. Remarkable Dry Creek Valley Zin from prized 20 acre family related vineyard for over 50 years. Captures the essence of “California’s grape,” and takes it to a new level. www.Pedroncelli.com.

§ Solis Winery Merlot Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, CA. 2008. $40. Rich Italian family tradition from the 20’s has brought Solis L.A. International Gold, and acclaim to this velvet-lined, regal tasting wine. www.soliswinery.com.

§ Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon, 2008. $39. World-class Pinot from the new world’s authentic footprint of Burgundy, France, the birthplace of Pinot Noir. Its certified organic farming was first in the U.S. www.sokolblosser.com.

§ South Coast Winery Sangiovese, Wild Horse Peak, Temecula, CA., 2006.$34. 100% old-world style Sangiovese in French barrels especially designed for this varietal. A sweeping pedigree of high praise for this best-of-class. A triumph for veteran wine maker Jon McPherson. www.wineresort.

Wine Bytes

Falkner Winery in Temecula celebrates its 11th Anniversary Sat. Ju.y 2 thru Mon. July 4. Free Jazz concerts Noon to 3pm on Sat. and Sun., hourly raffle drawings, outdoor BBQs, tours and deep discount sales on top selling wines. All activities are 11 to 5pm. Call 951-676-8231 for details.

Bacchus Wine Market, in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, is having a Sparkling Wines and BIG Zinfandel Tasting, Fri. July 1 from 4 to 8:30pm and Sat. July 2 from 2pm to 8:30pm. $15. pp. Six tastings promised. For more, call 619-236-0005.

Tesoro Winery Old Town Tasting Room in Temecula is presenting the Two Of Us Plus One concert on Fri. July 8 from 6 to 9pm. Contact phone is 951-308-0000.

TASTE OF WINE regretfully reports that one of the pioneers of the modern wine shop format in Carlsbad is closing its doors the end of June after some 6 years. Carlsbad Wine Merchants, led by Kathy Bankerd, was an honest, creative wine merchant, who fell victim to the bad economy. She will be missed. The shop has some big discounts on wine and accessories before closing. Call 760-804-9994.

A Walk in the Clouds of South Coast

by Frank Mangio

A lush, romantic movie drama about a beautiful Napa Valley Vineyard, its trials and successes in making great wine, came on screen in 1995 starring Anthony Quinn and a very young Keanu Reeves. At the same time I and many others were enjoying the film, Jim Carter, since 2003 the owner of South Coast Winery in Temecula, was promising himself he would live out the inspiring message of a Walk in the Clouds and take 400 acres of family purchased land near the Peak of Mount Palomar and make it into a classic vineyard.

It was there that the origins of South Coast Winery really began with its legendary Wild Horse Peak and some of the finest grapes in California. At a recent tour of the property, a private jeep vehicle spirited us up the winding, bumpy 20 minute drive through canyons and rock formations. The vineyard at once shocks and delights as it suddenly appears; a cloud of green for almost as far as the eye can see.

Keith Orlebeck and Javier Flores inspect a “block” of

Merlot grapes at Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard.

It’s a tribute to the care of the environment that Carter and his team have implemented at South Coast , that most of Wild Horse Peak lies within the Cleveland National Forest, a beautiful, pristine public preserve. The 800 vines per acre are mostly in a vast meadow, in harmony with the natural brush and tree formations of the canyons.

At 2,200 feet and higher, the red wines (they also have a small block of Chardonnay grapes) are intense and flavorful. Each block is tested for flavor and juice quality by Master Winemaker Jon McPherson and Winemaker Javier Flores. McPherson, who hails from Texas and a pioneer wine family, and Flores, who learned his craft at Mexico’s leading LaCetto Winery, demand that kind of constant attention to what the grapes are telling them. “It’s about letting the grapes speak,” they said. “We listen and then carefully nurture the process.”

Celebrity Cruises West Region Director Scott Clifton showcases my Mediterranean Wine Cruise October 10 through October 20, at the recent California Wine Festival.

Varietals that I would recommend when you look for the Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard label include: the 2006 100% Sangiovese, a recent Best of Class Gold ( $34.); 2006 Cabernet 4-Block Blend Best of Class Gold($28.); 2008 Tempranillo which is new and is tasting beautifully ($18.) Wine club prices are approximately 25% less.

South Coast has run up an excellent record of awards for their wines, including the “Golden Bear” California Winery of the Year, 2 years in a row in 2008 and 2009. It’s not just about the winery. Its Vineyard Rose Restaurant claimed its first “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator Magazine and the Grape Seed Spa has 11 treatment rooms and complete spa services. Private villas in the vineyard feature terraces, fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.

A walk around the winery and resort with founder and dream builder Carter reveals that he …”wanted to share the complete wine country experience. Guests enjoy the finest wines paired with the finest food and stay in a private villa in the middle of a vineyard. “Learn more by visiting www.WineResort.com. Or phone 951-587-9463.

Set Sail on Wine Cruises

In October I will have the pleasure of hosting a special 10 day “Taste of the Vineyards” Celebrity Cruise Lines wine cruise around Italy and the Greek Islands.

The cruise will be packed with wine opportunities to” Swirl, Sip and Savor ,” and learn more about wine than you ever have before. This ship has been outfitted with a one-of-a-kind 2 story wine tower that needs a tour to see it all. Enomatic wine tasting and preservation systems

are another exclusive feature.

When you dine you have over 500 wine selections with a cellar of 10,000 bottles. Twenty three certified sommeliers are on hand in a wide variety of restaurants.

As if that were not enough to book now, the cabin price includes: a welcome aboard bottle of wine, Wine Appreciation seminar, Art of Food & Wine Pairing Seminar, tour of the ship’s culinary operations, and two special wine classes by the host…that’s me!

Celebrity has many wine cruises for destinations around the world, and no better than Italy and the Mediterranean at harvest time in the vineyards. That’s the one I chose and I hope to meet you all on board. For booking information, visit www.vineyardtravel.net. Or call Rosemary Nigro at 760-741-6667. Toll free at 800-359-3772.

Wine Bytes

Sage Grill in Encinitas has a Markham Wine Dinner on Mon. June 20 at 6:30pm. Cost for 4 wines and 3 courses is $50.pp. For an RSVP call 760-943-7243.

Wine Rave San Diego happens Wed. June 22 at FLUXX Nightclub, Downtown from 7 to 10pm. 25 wine and spirit companies to choose from plus cuisine items. $45. advance, $60. at the door. Visit www.WineRaveSD.com.

The 3rd Annual San Diego Spirits Festival is Sat. June 25 and Sun. June 26, Bayside at the Port Pavilion, Broadway Pier San Diego, 1 to 5pm. Unlimited tastings, seminars, bartender battles with the best bars on the beaches. Enjoy the cocktail revolution!

See SanDiegoSpiritsFestival.com or call 888-559-2577 for tickets.

Sustainability Defined

By Janene Roberts

If you've ever sat down to talk with me, you've probably heard some of my preaching about sustainability. It's been a passion of mine to live a sustainable lifestyle. But, what does that word sustainability really mean? Well I did a lot research on it for my wine tasting book and I came up with my own definition.

Sustainable definition: “Taking a more conscious approach to life and realizing that everything we do contributes to either the benefit or the demise of our world and specifically our community.”

So, how does sustainability go with a book about local wineries? Here are just a few things.

•Saving in fuel costs and emissions by traveling fewer miles to wineries.

•Investing income back into the local community.

•Establishing community. Many times the winemaker is serving the wines.

And since I'm a member of the Sierra Club, I also hear about other ways for the bettering of our community. This year, San Diego will become the first community in the COUNTRY to adopt a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) as part of the Regional Transportation Plan. There's a draft that's been released by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) that proposes to reduce greenhouse gases by 13% per capita by the year 2035 that would include funding for public transit and development of already-developed land, which would help avoid sprawl. If you want to know more, go here: https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=OnScreenThanks&id=6486

San Diego Wine Tasting Passport

Support Local Wineries by purchasing a San Diego Wine Tasting Passport. For just $25 (and only $20 if you're a wine club member) you can taste wine at five local wineries.

Belle Marie

Bernardo Winery

Cordiano

Hacienda de las Rosas

San Pasqual Winery

The wineries also have fundraising opportunities for non-profits. Contact any one of the listed wineries for purchases. Passports are good through September 5, 2011.

Toast to the Italians and their Big Wines

by Frank Mangio

I’ve always wanted to go to Vinitaly, the annual gathering of the world’s Italian winemakers and for the past 45 years, a vast April trade show in Verona Italy. Friends and associates who have attended have proclaimed it the largest and most influential wine event on the planet.

So it was with a large dose of excitement that I was on the guest list at TOAST, the popular Italian “Enoteca and Cucina”wine bar and restaurant next to PETCO Park downtown San Diego. TOAST recently honored Vinitaly and selected some of the best-of-show wines to pour for a select group of wine lovers. The wines had scored the highest rating available from Gambero Rosso’s yearly guide to Italian wine, equivalent to Wine Spectator’s 97+point wines.

Owner-Chef Martin Gonzalez was serving his most requested Italian menu dishes, like Pizzas, Tortellini and Rigatoni. He is well known for his award-winning Acqua Al 2 Italian Ristorante in the Gaslamp District.



Martin Gonzalez, shown by an Enomatic Wine Server at his Cucina and Wine Bar, TOAST.

Gonzalez works diligently, with the certainty of his culinary and wine experience in Florence, Italy, to present wines like no other in the metro area; over 400 wines by the glass, from state-of-the-art Enomatic Servers. These are automated portion-controlled servings that are self-served with a digital price display, name and wine description. The server has 16 bottles that customers can access and make choices through pre-paid debit cards. TOAST can change the wine menu at any time.

Some extraordinary Italian picks this day included: a 2006 Chianti Classico, Fattoria Le Fonti from Panzano, Toscana; a blend with an unusual oak and fruity character, different from many of the region’s wines. Another Toscana favorite was the Brunello from Montalcino, the 2005 Tenute Silvio Nardi which has Italy’s highest rating. All Brunellos are a minimum 4 years in barrel and one in bottle before release, and generally still considered young at 10 years.

Then I stopped at the Antinori table where the classic Tenuta Tignanello 2007 was being served, and stayed there. I was tutored by video on the internet by the great patriarch of the family, Piero Antinori. His Tignanello is considered the original “Super Tuscan.” It is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet and 5% Cab Franc. Truly exquisite Italian wine making!

This rare opportunity was hosted by TOAST, one of many more wine/food events set to make its mark in San Diego every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Visit its web site at www.toastenoteca.com for more information, or call 619-269-4207. Weekday happy hours are from 3 to 6pm, with Sunday happy hours all day. Private parties are a specialty in the wine lounge or on the outdoor patio.

Sonoma Favorite J Cellars Names New Winemaker

Melissa Stackhouse has been named Vice President of Winemaking at the J Vineyards and Winery located in Healdsburg, Sonoma.

J has a 25 year reputation as a top sparkling wine house with fine estate-driven varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

She is a graduate of UC Davis and was winemaker at La Crema from 2003 to 2010, and was most recently at Jackson Family Wines where she was master winemaker of all Pinot Noir.

Find out more about Stackhouse and J Wines by visiting www.jwines.com.

Melissa Stackhouse

Wine Bytes

* Canapes Restaurant and Wine Bar in San Marcos is now open every day from 4 to 10pm, with weekly outdoor movies on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm. The first one was ” The Hustler” with other greats to follow. For more, call 760-510-2088.

* Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego is planning a Cabernet Franc tasting, Fri. June 10, from 4 pm to 8:30pm. Wine from California and France will be compared. Cost is $20. Phone is 619-236-0005.

* The new Mahogany Mountain Winery Tasting room in Ramona has Port-style wines, chocolates and other food delights, plus Zumba Classes on Sat. June 11 from 4:15pm to 6:15pm. Cost is $20. pre pay and $25. at the door. Check it out at 858-248-1612.

* PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad is presenting an Orfila Wine Tasting Sun. June 12 from 2 to 5pm. Cost is $25. pp. For more information call 760-729-7377.

* The 28th annual Wine & Roses Charity Event is Sun. June 12 from 3 to 6pm at the Westgate Hotel, downtown San Diego. Lots of food, wine and entertainment. Silent auctions, drawings and 40 wineries. $65. pre-pay, $75. at the door. Call 619-583-9463.

* Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas brings in Cakebread Cellars with a great wine dinner on Tues. June 14 at 6:30pm. Call 760-635-1066 for an RSVP.

Chateau Tanunda Leads the Aussie Comeback

by Frank Mangio
The kudos and awards are rolling in for Chateau Tanunda in the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley of Australia. The latest, the Australian Wine Producer of the year 2010, awarded by the International Wine & Spirits Competition, was quickly followed by Best International Shiraz and Best Single Vineyard.

No less a world-wide wine giant than Banfi Vintners from Italy, has partnered with Chateau Tanunda, to market the brand to greater heights. Banfi has brought in the daughter of Tanunda owner John Geber, to be the world-wide ambassador for the iconic Barossa estate.

Michelle Geber presented the family of wines in a recent interview. She told me of her father’s earlier years as a negotiant, a buyer and seller of wines, and how he fell in love with the dormant chateau in 1998. “It was a happy accident to see the 40 acres and the two story chateau, which has been enlarged to 200 acres,” she said. “It had some acreage and still does, that grows authentic German Riesling. Our other varietals, which came later are: Grand Barossa Shiraz, Noble Baron Shiraz, Noble Baron Cabernet and 100 year old Vine Shiraz.”



Chateau Tanunda in the Barossa Valley of Australia, is being introduced in America by Banfi Vintners and the owner’s daughter, Michelle Geber.

There was a time not too long ago that Australia seemed to be catching up with the traditional wine world in production.
Their wineries could do no wrong with their animal labels and an ocean of Shiraz. Single vineyard varietals were not in their strategy, as the government allowed vineyards to add grapes from anywhere in the country without transparency. The smart wineries now are mending their ways with a serious swing to quality.

Chateau Tanunda never needed to go elsewhere for grapes. Their twin properties in the Barossa and Eden Valleys in Southeastern Australia has been locked in to quality since the beginning. Local growers in the community reserved their best fruit for this elite winery. “Put it down to sentiment, perhaps, but we have access to fruit that other people don’t have,” Geber said.

Shifting to the style of wine at Chateau Tanunda, I asked Geber where in the world her wines are styled after. “Our wines have a European sensibility,” she answered. She pointed out that most of the varietals are native to France, either Bordeaux or the Rhone Valley. “We make 200,000 cases that are sold to over 30 countries in the world,” she enthusiastically revealed. “Our pricing is very attractive, for our central customer, who often is a ‘Mellenial’ ( 21 to 35) with high disposable income, is upscale and honest in their thinking. We are visitor friendly. We host some 100,000 visitors yearly and produce many festivals and events.”

Each Chateau Tanunda wine has a personality of its own and it keeps its pricing highly competitive. I would recommend the Grand Barossa Shiraz, 2007. It has a touch of Cabermet and Granache for a medley of European flavor, for the best of old world style and new world terrior. ($19.) Look further into the Barossa Valley’s oldest and largest winery at www.chateautanunda.com and www.banfivintners.com.

Terra, an American Farm Story
I first met Jeff Rossman in the Hillcrest Uptown District of San Diego, when he opened Terra Restaurant in 1998. I thought it was a name that fit nicely for an American style dining room but didn’t think of the connection to the earth and agriculture. Farm-fresh ingredients wasn’t a drawing card for customers at that time. Dining out for health reasons hadn’t come into the picture the way it has in the past few years.

Rossman realized he wanted to take his restaurant in a different direction when he started working with kids about 6 years ago in the San Diego Unified School District, and a garden project one of the schools had inherited. He saw the look on their eyes when they were able to taste what they had grown. As the same time, he was teaching cooking classes and saving the most exciting recipes that were garden-based, local, sustainable and organic. The inspiration and passion of his book “From Terra’s Table” gets to the heart of the farm to table movement.


Mark Rossman, inspired by his book “From Terra’s Table” has opened Terra American Bistro in San Diego

The new location at 70th and El Cajon Boulevard displays a tractor at the front entrance. Inside, all eyes turn to the 10-person Chef’s Farm Table where Chef Jeff hosts monthly wine/beer paired farm-fresh dinners with appearances by local growers.

My choice of wine for my organic salad, smoked salmon and sea bass was the Cinnabar 2008 Mercury Rising Cabernet/Merlot from Paso Robles. It showed up as one of my favored wines to date this year. Terra American Bistro also does catering with its local, organic menu, and has a bar featuring seasonal fruit and herb-infused vodkas and an array of beer and wine choices. See more at www.terrasd.com. Or phone 619-293-7088.

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has an Italian wine tasting Sat. June 4 from 4 to 7pm. for $20.pp. It will be Tuscany vs. Piedmont wines. For more, check out www.meritagewinemarket.com.

FLAVOR in the Del Mar Plaza presents Scribe Wines from Napa Valley and a special 4 course dinner Tues. June 7 starting 6:30pm. Cost is $95. Call 858-755-3663.