Wine of the Month: 2011 Rocca di Montemassi, Harvest in Napa Valley, Ingrid Croce's New Eatery

The 2011 Rocca di Montemassi: This beauty is what they call in Italy a “Super Tuscan,” a varietal that blends a number of grapes together, proving that, in this case, Italy can produce luscious French style wines.  This bottle brings together 50% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot.  One of the few Italian wines that reek of fresh fruit, along with Balsamic undertones.  The name of the wine, is the name of the winery.

About the winery: Located in the Meremma district of Tuscany, a coastal strip in the southwest. The highest temperatures in 10 years rolled in in August of 2011, with strong winds from North Africa .  This accelerated the ripeness requiring an early harvest. This winery is owned by the Zonin Family, Italy’s largest family owned wine company.

The cost: Cucina Enoteca of Del Mar has this wine in stock in their wine shop at $41.00. Call 858-704-4500.

It’s on with the Harvest in Napa Valley
August is barely here and already harvest whistles are blowing for one of the major varietals of wines in Napa Valley , the sparkling wines.  A collective sigh of relief was also being heard by winemakers as last winter was one of the driest on record.  “Thanks to a long, moderate Spring with some rains and recent heat-spikes, we’re looking forward to bringing in some beautiful fruit  and maybe even an above average yield,” said Ludovic Dervin, winemaker for Mumm Napa Valley .

The Napa Valley Vintners recently brought some of their prize wineries down from the valley to Rancho Santa Fe’s Rancho Valencia , 9 in all, with their latest releases, for a summer event.  It attracted wine consumers, interested in the up and coming names and what was being said about the 2014 harvest.

Sommelier Mitch Price and Food & Beverage Director  Justin Wilson of Rancho Valencia ,
taste a Cabernet from Larry Ryssdal, G.M. of Akerman Vineyards, Napa Valley.

Some names to know that I had the pleasure of tasting were:  B Cellars owner Duffy Keys, who lives in Rancho Santa Fe and Haitus Cellars with Mark Davidowski, who owned the Meritage Wine Cellar in Encinitas.  Others included:  Derenoncourt, Levendi, Malk, Peju, Pine Ridge, Stags Leap and Grandona. Justin Wilson, the Rancho Valencia Food & Beverage Director set up  lawn style reception and tasting areas, and offered displays of cheese, antipasti charcuterie, salads and signature sliders, among other delicious indulgences. Live music filled the courtyard.

Napa Valley now has nearly 500 wineries, but just 4% of the wine produced in California comes from Napa Valley .  This picturesque world-renowned wine area elevation goes from  sea level to 2,600 feet.  Nearly all are family owned, with 65% producing 5,000 cases annually or less. Only 45,000  acres ( 9% ) of Napa Valley is planted under vines, but supplies 1/3 of the value of all wine sold in the U.S. , about $13 Billion Dollars worth.

Napa Valley is most proud of its:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  Remaining small is a constant challenge for the great winemakers who are passionate about quality.  Recently, the Winery of Napa Valley, in the Carneros District, was sold by the Michael Mondavi Family.  “We are seeking to establish a boutique winemaking facility and tasting room befitting our distinguished wines and labels ” he said.  They are hoping to downsize to small-lot prestige wines.  You can follow the harvest action  in the coming weeks on the Napa Valley web page:  www.napavintners.com/harvest.

The Legacy of Jim Croce Lives On
For those of us who are long-time San Diegans who loved the music of the 60’s and 70’s, Jim Croce and his wife Ingrid were a musical duo from Philly who in the 60’s traveled the country in search of fame and a name.

But it wasn’t until July 1973, when they re-located to San Diego that it all turned up for them with the hit record “Big Bad Leroy Brown.” After whirlwind tours in Europe, club dates and another smash LP “I Got A Name,” it all came crashing down with a plane crash on takeoff in Lousianna on September 20, 1973, a week after he recorded the LP.

Michael Simpson, Sommelier and Manager, and Russ Rummer Executive Chef of the new Croce’s Park West Restaurant & Bar on 5th Ave. in San Diego.

Ingrid and Jim had talked about a Restaurant bearing their name in the upcoming Gaslamp District of San Diego, and in 1985, Ingrid opened the restaurant and club Croce’s, which became the
standard-bearer for the hottest night time street scene west of New Orleans .

Now the next chapter begins in the Jim Croce legacy as Ingrid has moved her restaurant  to an attractive restaurant neighborhood on 5th Avenue near Balboa Park and named it Croce’s Park West.  Already, diners have felt the presence of a brilliant young Sommelier/Manager Michael Simpson who in a short time has caught the eye of Wine Spectator with their Award of Excellence to Croce’s.  He has brought in Chandon Winemakers Collection from Napa Valley for a dinner event, and is planning  a Chateau St Jean of Sonoma Five course dinner Tues. Aug. 26th.

Simpson strongly believes there are no set rules in wine pairing.  “The main rule is not to have one element overpower the other. Wine and food must be in balance.”  Learn more about Croce’s at www.crocesparkwest.com. Or call 619-233-4355.

Wine Bytes
PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad has A Sunday of Rose’ Aug. 10th at 1:30pm.  Cost is $28. pp.  Most are from Provence France.  Includes Trio Amuse Bouche bites.  RSVP at 760-729-7377.

International winemaker Nick Goldschmidt will present a seminar and tasting at Vintana in Escondido , Thurs. Aug. 14 from 6 to 8pm.  He will take you through the tasting of 10 different wines.  Cost is $35.  Call 760-745-7777.

Harry’s Bar & American Grill on La Jolla Village Dr. in San Diego is pleased to bring in Brunello Montalcino Banfi wines for a five course Food & Wine Pairing, Wed. Aug. 20 from 6 to 9:30pm.  Call Garo for an RSVP and menu information.  Cost is $85. ea.  858-373-1252.


 Join other wine enthusiasts at Morada in the Rancho Santa Fe Inn  Thurs. Aug. 21 for a wine tasting from several wineries, 5 to 6:30pm.  Includes light appetizers.  $25. pp.  RSVP at 858-381-8212.

Russian River Valley Winery Profile: In the Alphabet Soup of Wines J Gets an A

In the wine tasting world, if you have a wine that starts with the letter A, you have a distinct advantage. Tasters have a “clean” palate and are starting fresh. J Vineyards starts and ends with one letter, J, and chances are, this Sonoma Russian River wine will taste clean, crisp and luscious on the palate, no matter where it is on the taster’s list.

The story of J Vineyards began in 1986 when Judy Jordan, at 25, persevered in starting a winery specializing in sparkling wine.  After an exhaustive search for the right “terroir” for cool climate grape growing, she discovered the Russian River Valley , with soils perfect for Champagne method wines.  After some years of proving herself in the wine world, Jordan branched out into three varietal wines:  Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, made from 10 vineyards now under the J banner with 254 acres planted, all in the Russian River Valley .

J Vineyard winemaker Melissa Stackhouse displays a J Vintage Brut Sparkling wine
with owner Judy Jordan

The mineral-based Alluvial soils found in this valley have been forming for millions of years so you can say that these wines are still in their baby years in geological terms.  Recently J Vineyards was featured at Twenty/20 in Carlsbad .

Devin Savano, Western Sales Manager, opened with the two signature Sparkling Wines, J Cuvee 20 Brut ($24.) and J Brut Rose ($30.).  Getting to the main courses, the 2012 J Chardonnay ( $28.) and 2012 J Pinot Noir($35.) enhanced the gourmet cuisine of panned seared scallop and spiced glazed duck.  Savano was most excited about the first ever J Vineyards Blend.  “We have a new 2012 release “Misterra” ($50.) that we produced that is really unusual, with 90% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinotage ( from South Africa ) and 4% Pinot Meunier ( normally a sparkling wine component.) The additions to the Pinot Noir add depth and color.” To learn more, go to www.jwine.com.

Monte Xanic Leads the Charge of Mexican Wines

Nearly 100 kilometers from the San Diego County border and 30 kilometers inland from the Mexican port city of Ensensada , lies the Valle de Guadalupe, providing 90% of the top wines in Mexico, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Chardonnay.  The premier winemaker in this valley is Monte Xanic (chaneek).  The first question I asked  co-owner Hans Backhoff when I met him at his display in a COSTCO store in San Diego was, what does Xanic mean?

 Hans Backhoff, co-owner of Monte Xanic of Mexico with his Gran Ricardo Blend, 

a featured wine in COSTCO stores.

“It means flower which blooms after the first rain,” he declared.  “You know our country for our premium beer and tequila, so why not premium wine? Right now, we are in five COSTCOs with our signature blend, the 2011 Gran Ricardo, a Bordeaux blend of  70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.  It is a beautiful wine with 18 months in French Oak barrels”($49.99).  I was fascinated by the old style handsome wax seal.  Backhoff commented that “it’s actually easy to open, you just drill down through the top with your opener.  Don’t try to peel the wax off, it’s too messy.” This is a deep, dark colored intensive wine as Bordeauxs can be.  The fruit comes through as a cherry/berry flavor profile, with spice and okay notes.

Since 1987, Monte Xanic has been producing high quality, premium wines.  It’s the benchmark of the Mexican wine industry and now it’s ready to make its mark in California and the rest of the wine world. See more at www.montexanic.com.


Wine Bytes
Vigilucci’s Restaurants, in Carlsbad on Tuesdays and Coronado on Wednesdays, have created “Date Night” with two entrees and two glasses of wine for $39. per couple. Vigilucci’s newest location in Leucadia is scheduled to open late this month.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas will conduct a blind tasting Fri. March 21 from 6 to 8pm.  Cost is $20.  Information at 760-479-2500.

Chandler’s in Carlsbad at the Hilton Oceanfront will be the location for a celebration of the best world class wines from Lafite Rothschild, Sat. March 22 at 6pm.  Cocktail reception, champagne toast and 4 course wine dinner.  $150. pp.  RSVP at 760-479-2500.

Marina Kitchen in the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina is the location for the Sta. Rita Hills afternoon of wine tasting at 3pm, and a BBQ dinner at 5:30pm, Sun. March 30.  Twenty member wineries will be on hand pouring their wines, featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tickets for the tasting are $20.  Tickets to the 5:30pm BBQ and wine tasting are $45. Combination tickets are $55.  Purchase on line at eventbrite.com-keyword: sta.ritahills.