by Frank Mangio
Time to pause and deliver. 2011 has been a whirlwind of wine tasting events from wine bars, restaurants, hotels, wineries and major world class multi-day extravaganzas. We traveled up and down California and overseas to amazing Italy, with its centuries-old vineyards, always searching and tasting for the finest wines at the most reasonable prices. Some 4,500 wines were tasted at an estimated 400 events.
My ten top tastes, with the best prices found, show the Napa Valley of California is stepping up with better pricing and traditional quality. I have 4 choices here. Its sister wine country, Sonoma, shows 2 selections. Italy/Sicily has 3 and Temecula 1. All ten are equally excellent on a 1 to 5 scale, considering flavor, body and price.
Pricing will vary so it pays to do your own checking at super stores, markets, wine shops, wineries and the internet. The list is alphabetically shown and does NOT indicate rank.
Mike Grgich of Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, signs autographs in Encinitas.
His 2007 Merlot is in the TASTE OF WINE Top Ten.
Banfi Centine Montalcino Italy, 2008. $12. Blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet. Aged in small Oak barrels for 12months. Soft, gentle tannins for a drink-now experience at 62 degrees. www.castellobanfi.com.
Briar Rose Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula CA, 2005. $105. A rare library wine available at the winery. Aged 26 months in French Oak. Sleek flavors of cassis and black current with hints of Mocha. Long list of awards. A Hollywood celebrity favorite from boutique winemaker Les Linkogle. www.briarrosewinery.com.
Chiarello Old Vine Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, 2007. $30. Hundred year old vines, small production, estate wines. Michael Chiarello is a noted restaurateur. www.chiarellovineyards.com.
Conundrum White Table Wine, Napa Valley, 2010. $17. A distinctly different puzzle of varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli Viognier and Semillon, sourced from 4 counties in California. No other white wine like it! www.conundrumwine.com.
Frank Family Zinfandel, Napa Valley, 2009. $31. Awarded Winery of the year in Napa Valley, Rich Frank was a Disney Exec that found wine fame in Calistoga with this traditional, historic winery that dates back to 1884 ( 3rd oldest). This Zin is bursting with fruit forward flavor. www.frankfamilyvineyards.com.
Gaja CA’Marcanda Promis, Tuscany Italy, 2005. $36. The latest from Italy’s premier winemaker Angelo Gaja. Name means the house of endless negotiations. A blend of Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese all estate planted in the Bolgheri District of Tuscany. Rich and classy. www.terlatowines.com.
Grgich Hills Estate Merlot, Napa Valley, 2007. $42. 18 months in French Oak from one of the best vintages in a decade in Napa Valley. Concentrated flavors. Bigger tasting than most Merlots. www.grgich.com.
J Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Sonoma, 2009. $28. Smooth, dark chocolate fills the palate, spiked with a hint of caramel. A regal Pinot worthy of a crown. The class of the cool-climate Russian River growing grounds. 14 months in French Oak, 9 months in bottle. www.jwine.com.
Lamuri D’Almerita Nero D’Avola, Sicily. 2008. $17. Sicily produces more wine than any other region in Italy and D’Amerita is the Winery of the Year in Italy; a powerful combination for this dynamic wine at the foot of Mt. Etna. The Nero D’Avola grape has just begun to gain legs on the world wine scene. Packs a punch. www.tascadalmerita.it.
Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma 2009. $20. Family made since 1895, Zins are expertly crafted in estate vineyards. Certfied sustainably farmed grapes with power–to-the-pedal taste. www.seghesio.com.
Trends to Watch for:
Starbucks Coffee is testing wine bars within its coffeehouses in the Chicago area. A“Venti Vino”anyone? Look for Tasting rooms in the large supermarkets and discount warehouses. Some markets are already in the permit stage. Pop up mobile restaurants and Food Trucks are fanning out in progressive culinary cities with edgy creations that change almost daily. Locations can be tracked though social media outlets. Wine on tap is already gaining traction in hip bars, following on the heels of the enomatic machine for freshness and fast service.
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