The Great Eight Wines from Quarter One 2017

by Frank Mangio
The first few months of any wine year are always fun and exciting  as road shows and other grand events are presented with a multitude of new wine releases to become familiar with. Aside from a few rainouts and a  bout with a severe virus, I attended and tasted most all invites that came my way.
Every few months I open all the wine notes and share my picks with the column faithful.  This time there are 4 from Napa Valley , 2 from Oregon , one from Paso Robles and one from Argentina . There are 2 blends, 2 Pinot Noirs, a Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Malbec and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Prices are best available and the list is alphabetical. All are equally excellent values.

Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley , 2013.  $60.  Inhale violets and fresh rosemary.  Catch the fresh turned earth tones. Must be the Rutherford dust in this part of the valley. 2,500 cases produced. Visit acumenwine.com.

Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley , Oregon , 2013.  $27.  This reserve is classic Burgundian powerful Pinot with a silky texture.  Willamette Valley is more old world than new world.  Small batch handling and gentle aging for 16 months in French Oak. See argylewinery.com.

Biale Vineyards Black Chicken Zinfandel, Napa Valley , 2014.  $46. Dark, ripe aromatics and juicy acidity.  Muscular with 15.3% alcohol. Vibrant cherry berry flavors and aged 14 months.  Black Chicken was a secret code from the Depression days.  Read about it at biale.com.

Conundrum Red Blend, Napa Valley , 2014. $20.  A scent of alluring German chocolate, rich berry and lavender.  Lush flavors of candied cherries fit nicely in the front palate.  The finish is that of cocoa. Serve more chilled than a normal red.  conundrumwines.com.

Celebrating the Grgich Hills Estate 40th Anniversary Chardonnay:  Founder Mike Grgich, Co-proprietor Violet Grgich and winemaker Ivo Jeramaz.

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley , 2014.  $50.  A special bottling from a key vintage, that celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Grgich Estates in Rutherford, Napa Valley in 1977.  It showcases Mike Grgich’s style that made him famous at the 1976 breakthrough Paris Tasting. View more at grgich.com.

San Simeon Stormwatch Blend, Paso Robles, 2013.  $70.  A rich, mouth-filling wine of dark cherry and raspberry. French oak barrels add a sense of elegance to the presentation.  This is a Bordeaux style blend prominently Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with touches of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. Made by the renowned Riboli family, well known for their stewardship of  San Antonio Winery in downtown L.A. since 1917.  Visit sansimeonwines.com.

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec, Mendoza Argentina , 2012. $21.  Grapes from the Lujan de Cuyo vineyards planted in 1912.  This is very high altitude viticulture from over 3 thousand acres. Look for more at excelciorwines.com.

Willakenzie Pinot Noir, Willamette  Valley Oregon , 2013.  $16.99.  Here’s a low-ball price from another  lovely Pinot from the Willamette Valley . Ruby red and purple with a juicy rasberry flavor.  Should even get better with some age.  Pairs great with salmon and roasted poultry. WillaKenzie.com.


Ramona Valley Wines Awarded Gold in San Francisco
The 2017 San Francisco Chronicle competition, judging over 7,000 entries, awarded two silvers to the Ramona Ranch winery for its 2012 Reserve Sangiovese and a Tannat 2013.
Two bronze and a gold medal were awarded to Altipiano vineyard and winery.  The bronze went to its 2014 Petite Sirah and the 2014 Estate Sangiovese.
 

 Altipiano Vineyard and winery co-owner Peter Clarke pours a Super Tuscan
for columnist Frank Mangio. The wine was a recent gold medal winner.

The big prize of gold went to the 2014 Super Tuscanmade with the Estate Sangiovese Grosso, Brunello clone of Montalcino. Denise Clarke is the winemaker.  She also makes Baerbera, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Zinfandel and Pinot Gris. Details at altipianovineyard.com.

Wine Bytes
Tasting Room Del Mar has an Ole’ Imports Spanish Wine Tasting, Wed. March 29 from 6 to 9pm. Everything from the bubbles of Cava to the fortified Sherry will be tasted.  Cost is $25. for seven wines.  Call 760-212-7826.

Brews, Beats and Eats is the theme at Chandler’s in the Cape Rey Resort in Carlsbad Fri. March 24 from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the poolside beer garden.  Brews from Stone Brewing, beats from the Ottopilot band and eats from the Cape Rey Taco Bar. 10% of proceeds go to the Ca. Surf Museum . Tickets range from $15. to $35.  See eventbrite.com.

South Coast Winery Named CA. Winery of the Year

by Frank Mangio
For those of us who have been writing on wine in Southern California , watching, visiting and knowing that some day Temecula Wine Country would show its excellence in winemaking, I say that day has come.  I no longer buy the “party wineries”  or the “theme park” stories connected with Temecula Wine Country that have divided the  larger goals of excellent wine, proclaimed by responsible vintners in this community of over 100,000.  The city of Temecula owes a big debt of gratitude to the wineries that have brought in a big surge of wine visitors that helps all. South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is one of the best examples.
 

 South Coast winemaker Javier Flores, owner Jim Carter and Master winemaker Jon McPherson celebrate another California State Winery of the Year Award.

 
A dream of Jim Carter, who planted seeds at 8 years old, convinced himself to buy 400 acres in Temecula in 1981, who in the mid-nineties was inspired by the movie A Walk in the Clouds and found ways to nurture his land by maximizing  water, land and climate.  He brought in expert winemakers who would help him establish the winery’s excellence.  A later chapter would offer villas, a restaurant and world–class spa to visitors….and as he says it, “a complete wine country experience.”

This winery has been awarded over 2,500  medals for its wines, so it’s really no surprise that, for the 4th time in its history, it brought home the California State Winery of the Year at the California State Fair. This, after only 13 years of wine production.

Carter leaves no doubt that major credit deservedly goes to his winemaker team of Javier Flores, Master winemaker Jon McPherson and the winery’s outstanding staff of veteran professionals.  Visit at wineresort.com.

Elegance and Style Served Up at Tasting Room  Del Mar
 In the middle of the Village of Del Mar is a new age, beautifully appointed tasting room featuring “vines, hops and harvest.”

It’s the exquisite, new Tasting Room Del Mar, with  “small bites”dining, craft beer and a premium wine experience.  Over 40 known and loved craft beers sit side by side with a carefully selected small production collection of over 100 wines. It made its debut recently with the hosts  David and Evan Taylor launching the business, with Rusti Gilbert wine Director. Executive Chef is Steven Loma and Chef de Cuisine is Jenny Goycochea.

Tasting Room Del Mar had its Grand Opening recently with delicious appetizers provided by

Service Manager Victoria Abdallah and Champagne by Wine Director Rusti Gilbert.

Gilbert came from the highly acclaimed Addison and most recently The Cork and Craft.  She’s put together a small production, boutique wine list with an eye on the seasonal menu for optimum pairing. The list focuses on France , Germany , Spain and about 40%  California with emphasis on Rhone varietals from the Central Coast , but as Gilbert says, “the list is still evolving as we discover great new challenging wines. Syrah and Grenache are big favorites.”

I spotted a couple of personal favorites from Saxon Brown and winemaker-owner Jeff Gaffner.  His home base is Sonoma but he looks high and low for the best vineyards for his wine grapes.  Check out the 2009 Chardonnay and the 2012 Pinot Noir from Durell Vineyards. Gaffner will be presenting his wines at a Tasting Room wine dinner Monday July 25th.  Contact Tasting Room Del Mar for details at 858-461-0124.