Fall Into These Superb Napa Reds From Hestan Vineyards

This trio of Napa reds offers power and grace just right for the fall season.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Hestan Vineyards is a solar-powered estate nestled in Napa Valley’s Gordon Valley region. Established in 1996 by Helen and Stanley Cheng, the property was once a working cattle ranch. Today, it’s home to organically farmed vineyards and gardens, reflecting the Chengs’ enduring appreciation for Napa’s landscape and their commitment to sustainability. Stanley, known for pioneering hard-anodized cookware and founding Hestan Culinary, a brand known for chef-driven kitchen appliances, brings a thoughtful precision to the estate’s winemaking philosophy.

We had the opportunity to taste three magnificent reds from Hestan’s fall release: the 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Stephanie Malbec, and 2021 Stephanie Prorietary Red Wine.

The Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine is a bold yet polished blend of 39% Petit Verdot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and smaller amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. The wine is aged 50/50 in new and neutral French oak. There are silky black cherry notes laced with minerality and floral accents. Limited to 486 cases, this small batch wine retails for $75.

We paired the superb 2021 Napa Valley Malbec from Stephanie with a pan-fried pork chop and a garlic wine reduction sauce. Home-made French fries and fire-roasted corn rounded out the dish. This sensational Malbec boasts a rich, luxurious mouthfeel with flavors of black fruit, blueberries, cassis, and cocoa. The finish is long and delicious.

I brined the chops for an hour in sea salt, herbs de Provence, and a pinch of brown sugar. The seasoning was smoked paprika, thyme, and rosemary from the garden, plus salt and pepper.

The robust seasoning of the juicy chops paired wonderfully with the Stephanie Malbec. We highly recommend this exceptional wine. SRP is only $55.

The Stephanie wines are named for Stanley and Helen’s only daughter. The bottle features a golden silkscreened harp in a nod to Stephanie’s musical talents. 

This line is crafted by acclaimed winemaker Jeff Gaffner. He is known for his work with Bordeaux varieties, producing elegant and refined wines. Jeff started at Chateau St. Jean, working with legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood to produce the winery’s 1996 Cinq Cepages, saluted as Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. We only wish these wines were available in magnum format.

Thomas Brown is the winemaker behind the renowned Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon. He is one of Napa Valley’s most exciting winemakers with an impressive array of accolades. Among his accomplishments are unprecedented double 100-point scores from the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker. Thomas joined the Hestan team in 2009. 

The 2021 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon appears destined for greatness as well. The wine is crafted for intensity as well as long-term aging. Made with 100% Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a big wine that is enjoyable now, but can age gracefully for 10 years and beyond. 

On the nose, there is the aroma of cassis and crushed herbs. Robust dark plum, black cherry, and cedar flavors anchor the palate. The tannins are structured with minerality and vibrant acidity, providing complexity. The finish is long and gripping.

There were 1,267 cases produced, and the wine is aged in 75% new French oak. This latest vintage of Meyer Cabernet is priced at $90.

These selections from Hestan’s fall release reflect precision, depth, and a clear sense of place. From the expressive Meyer Cabernet to the graceful Stephanie reds, each bottle speaks to the estate’s commitment to stewardship of the land and the talent behind its label. These are wines to enjoy now, and to revisit as they evolve.

Miguel Torres Chile Targets Zero Emissions With Tasteful, Organic Wines

Familia Torres, a well-known winemaking family in Spain, has been producing wine for more than 150 years and five generations. Torres was the first foreign winery in Chile and they produced the first Pinot Noir in that country.

Miguel Torres Chile today is under the guidance of Miguel Torres Maczassek. Their wine business in Chile is built on three pillars: organic farming, sustainability, and innovation.

Their goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a tall order for any winery. In 2021 they attained a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per bottle with a goal to reach a 60% reduction by 2030.

Green practices from vineyard to bottle are helping on the pathway to net zero emissions. Three main practices include:

Waste management: The winery approaches its industrial waste by installing clean points, reducing the generation of single-use plastic and using elements for packaging that are designed for recycling. They reduced the weight of 3 out of every 4 bottles produced, becoming one of the most significant reductions in the industry, now being 38% lighter. That’s less waste produced and less fuel to ship the wine.

Renewable energy:  Two photovoltaic arrays of solar panels are installed in the winery in the Curicó Valley. One  generates power for the winemaking process; and the other for the production process, such as bottling and labeling. These projects together with the biomass boilers self-generate 30% of clean energy.

Sustainable viticulture: This involves regenerative viticulture, which seeks to imitate nature as much as possible so that vineyards can become natural ecosystems. The winery applies this practice in its vineyards to reach a new balance based on the increase of biodiversity and organic matter in a natural way, thus enabling the vineyards to absorb more atmospheric CO2.

We contemplated these impressive environmental actions while sipping three bottles from the Miguel Torres Chile “Las Mulas” label. We sampled the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Rose, and the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, all made with organically grown grapes. 

The rosé comes from the Central Valley and is a blend of Pinot Noir and Monastrell (also known as Mourvèdre in France). This is a cheerful wine with delicate notes of fresh raspberries and ample acidity. This is a great aperitif or pairing with a light, casual meal.

Pale yellow in the glass, the Sauvignon Blanc is subtle, with a wafting aroma of tropical fruit. On the palate, it tastes of lychee fruit, freshly mown grass, and charming citrus fruit. This is perfect for baked or sauteed fish with light sauce. It’s truly wonderful on its own as well.

Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon was a satisfying surprise. All three of these bottles sell for about $10, but the Cabernet is loaded with flavor and outperforms other wines that are double the cost. I brought this to my weekly wine tasting with my friend Arthur Barham (Merlot 2 Muscadine). The flavors are rich, with prominent red fruit and accents of spice. It’s round and elegant with tannins providing a light and easy structure. The finish was buoyant and long. This is a tremendous deal at the price.

We suggest you cheer Miguel Torres Chile on their way to zero net emissions by toasting with a bottle of their Las Mulas wine!

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Pick This Pair Of Affordable, Earth-Friendly Wines From Argentina

Affordability, outstanding taste, and organic grapes – that combination is hard to beat when shopping for wine. When uncapping two releases from Art of Earth, we were transported back to Argentina and the delicious wines we tasted in Mendoza. They delivered that winning combination.

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Art of Earth is a collection  of wines from the finest organic vineyards making wines within classic appellations. These wines are true to their origins and winemaking traditions without the use of pesticides or herbicides.

The range includes wines from Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The two we sampled were the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2022 Chardonnay, both from Mendoza.

We opened the Cabernet for a dinner of grilled steak and sauteed vegetables on the patio. This was an eye-opener, with fresh fruit flavors bursting from the glass. There were luscious notes of ripe cherries and red currants.

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This isn’t a complex wine, but it is eminently satisfying. The tannins are soft and smooth with a long finish. This is a wine meant to be consumed while young. That’s probably a good idea with organic wines in general, as their shelf lives are shorter.

Both the Cab and the Chardonnay have an SRP of $11.99. That’s an excellent value.

We opened the Chardonnay while playing some games with friends. The group wanted some wine and I poured the Chardonnay. Little did I know what would happen next.

Chardy Party with Art of Earth Chardonnay

Not only did the group like the Chardonnay, but a “ChardyParty” erupted with singing, dancing, and wine. They loved it.

This Chardonnay comes from an organic vineyard above 2,300 feet near the Andes Mountains, the snowmelt of which waters the vines. The crisp flavors are preserved by fermentation in steel tanks. There were bright notes of tropical fruits, pears, and citrus. There is a fullness thanks to malolactic fermentation.

In addition to being organic, these wines are vegan – just another reason to add them to your shopping list.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

The Best Wine Is Wine Shared With Friends

Tasting Features Sparkling Wine and California Reds

A Grand Tasting With Wines From France, California, and Italy

When friends gather, it’s time to break out the good stuff. Over the recent years, as we’ve encountered a few bumps on life’s highway, I’ve come to appreciate even more the pleasures of good wine shared in the company of first-class friends.

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And so when we traveled to Ohio for a family visit, it was time to connect with good friends Steve, Tracey, and Maria. Steve and Tracey (Cabernetor and Glorious T!) hosted a wine dinner that was perfect in all regards.

Our evening started as every evening should – with sparkling wine. The bottle of choice was the Gilles & Romain’s Collet Crémant from Burgundy. This is a brut sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay. Elegant, with an aroma of citrus and pepper, it was full of creaminess – a perfect fizz to start the evening.

French Crémant Gets The Crowd Bubbling

After a bit of hobnobbing, we were ready for dinner. The crowd enjoyed the bubbly so much that Green Dragon (my wife) demanded more. Steve’s cellar has depth, and he soon emerged with another Crémant, Faire La Fête. The wine is from Limoux, the birthplace of French sparkling wine. Faire La Fête means “to party” or live it up. Good selection! Faire La Fête is a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. It’s a beauty with pear and white blossom notes with the requisite creamy bubbles. This is one of the best sparkling wine values out there with a price of about $21.

Masterful Wines From Beringer Vineyards Plus Brunello

When the entrée arrived the reds rolled out. I had brought a 2014 Beringer Quantum, a rich dark Cabernet blend. The four of us (alas Maria wasn't along) had visited Beringer Vineyards years ago on a dark and stormy night during a trip to Napa and Sonoma. We enjoyed our meal and conversation while sipping the Quantum (dark fruit, plum, earthiness, and oak). I hoped the bottle would stir memories of that wine adventure.

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Steve pulled a surprise out of his hat, as he quickly grabbed a bottle of beautifully aged 2012 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Both reds were aerated via the Wine Breather, which always provides a pleasing show.

I was frankly surprised by how well the 2012 Beringer was drinking more than 10 years on. It was soft and silky with raspberry, spice, and black cherry rocking the flavor. Founded in 1876, Beringer Vineyards is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley. They also offer wines in a variety of quality levels with prices from $20 to $400.

Fortified by numerous glasses of wine, I decided it was time to unleash a furious ping-pong attack on Steve. This can only be done after he has several glasses of red wine. Since I had also consumed several glasses, I lost my advantage. It was good table tennis with no declared winner. We headed upstairs.

It was time to enjoy the starry Ohio night on the patio. The 2012 Rodolfo Cosimi “Terra Rossa” Brunello di Montalcino. In the late 1800s, it was determined that Brunello and Sangiovese were the same grape. Today it is one of Italy’s best-known and most expensive wines.

Sour cherry, baking spice, and blackberry jam highlighted this 100% Sangiovese beauty. We sipped away and slipped away into old memories and new tales as the night wound down.

Wines For Animal Lovers: Sipping These Great Values Benefits Four-Legged Friends

We love California Cab and Oregon Pinot Noir, especially when they support charities that help animals.

Time was when an upstart wine from Australia planted a picture of a kangaroo on its label and conquered the American wine market. After the success of Yellowtail, many animal labels emerged: birds, bears, cows, mice, and pigs. Animals can make an attractive label, but it is what is inside that is the primary attraction for me.

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We recently popped open two wines with an animal theme but with a difference. The labels aren’t simply to draw in the curious, but to celebrate their commitment to helping four-legged friends.

Firesteed 2021 Pinot Noir, Oregon

Firesteed winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces an array of Pinot Noir and other wines like Pinot Gris and Riesling. It also has some AVA-specific Pinot Noirs, that highlight select vineyards in Willamette. They also offer a wallet-friendly Oregon Pinot Noir from several sites around the state.

We opened this 2021 Pinot Noir and immediately found a satisfying wine that delivered a great Oregon Pinot experience. The price is a mere $17 and for that, it was surprising to taste cherry notes with a healthy earthiness. Toast and spice round out a silky palate.

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Not only does Firesteed deliver a great QPR (quality price ratio), but a portion of each sale benefits our animal friends. The winery has partnered with Dreamer Horses Colorado,which provides boarding for retired horses on a 100-acre pasture on a family cattle ranch. Firesteed also contributes to the support of retired horses as they live out their best lives surrounded by fresh grass, sunshine, and equine friends.

Bar Dog 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Bar Dog’s Cabernet Sauvignon from the statewide California AVA is a smooth drinking Cab we paired with grilled blue cheese burgers and sweet potato fries. The inspiration for the wine’s name comes from wine creator Terry Wheatley who has a Boston Terrier on her Central California ranch. The dog is a constant companion, like my dog Amber who is laying patiently a few feet away from me while I write this post.

The wine is a delicious everyday drinker. There are no complex layers but at a price point of about $12, it is what you expect it to be: a loyal, friendly, and tasty friend. The expressive flavors of black cherry, cocoa, and vanilla provide plenty of satisfaction right now. There are no heavy tannins and no need to age this wine, which we would suggest should be consumed within three years.

The Bar Dog certainly elevated our burgers-on-the-patio dinner. The winery also takes its commitment to animals beyond the bottle label. For the love of dogs and all they bring to our lives, Bar Dog wines has committed to supporting rescue shelters across North America in partnership with the Petfinder Foundation. The Petfinder Foundation awards grants funded by Bar Dog wines to shelters, helping them provide pet food, supplies, and veterinary treatment for dogs awaiting adoption.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Moon Mountain District Wines Sky High With Premium Quality

Moon Mountain District Dinner

Moon Mountain District crafting premium reds from mountainous perch in Sonoma County.

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Vino-Sphere Publisher

Ten years ago I tasted my first wine from Moon Mountain, buying five bottles from the Moon Mountain Vineyard winery. The luscious wine soon ran out and to make matters worse, I learned the winery was closing. My lingering fears were unfounded as Repris Wines purchased the property and continued and expand the reputation of the legendary vineyard and wine from this special slice of Sonoma continues to flow.

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The Moon Mountain District AVA, formed in 2013, is in a mountainous region in the very east of Sonoma County. It is made entirely of hillside vineyards, some incredibly remote, with iron-rich volcanic soil. A clear view of San Francisco 50 miles south is not uncommon.

Moon Mountain wines

Wines made there have been famed since the 1880s. Phil Coturri, vineyard manager and pioneer of organic and biodynamic winegrowing in California, explains the uniqueness this way, “The multiplicity of slopes, aspects, exposures, and elevations, combined with volcanic soils enlivened with organic matter and enhanced by complex cover crops creates flavors as unique as the terroir found in the Moon Mountain District --  of course, the attitude of the winegrower adds additional spice.”

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We recently celebrated these magnificent wines with the Red Side of the Moon: A Moon Mountain AVA Dinner, pairing six wines with tasty gourmet dishes. These are premium red wines and most have limited production. Although these are "big" wines, we were impressed with the richness and balance that translated to grace and power. We decanted each wine for at least an hour.

Kamen Cab, Lasseter Syrah and stew

Our group included wine writers Dathan and Jen of Triangle Around Town and Arthur and Mary Barham of Merlot2Muscadine as well as friends Robert and Linda. Each wine was served with a specially crafted dish.

For “lift-off” on our voyage to the Moon, we started with a sparkling Grüner Veltliner Sekt (more on that in a separate story) and the Reprise 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clones. This was paired with Vadouvan Spiced Carrots & Radishes and a cheese selection. The unique French spices, a take on Indian masala, created a complex blend of smokiness and sweetness that worked wonderfully with both wines.

Moon Mountain diners

The Repris Cabernet uses the Moon Mountain Clone evolved in volcanic soil over four decades. It includes some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in California and delivers a wine that delighted the group with aromas of dark fruit and sweet spices. This is a savory wine that immediately opens your eyes to the glorious potential of Moon Mountain District.

Pairing six big reds with a dinner menu can be ticklish, but the Green Dragon was up to the challenge. Our next dish was a Beef & Vegetable Stew and a Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad (prepared by me). The stew was a lighter affair just perfect for the Kamen 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain and the Lasseter 2018 Syrah Moon Mountain.

Faces at the Red Side of the Moon dinner

The Kamen captured fans right away with raspberry and violet notes riding on complex dark chocolate layers. Minerality and smooth tannins make for a great finish. The Lasseter was the only non-Cabernet wine and provided a nice contrast with a decided Old World vibe and brambly notes of sweet oak and blackberry. At this point, our guests have become avid Moon Mountain admirers.

All six wines have ABV levels above 14.5% and two have more than 15%, so it was time for a pause. Arthur presented his intermezzo, a chilled fruit soup duet. We enjoyed a Peach & Champagne Shooter and a Pear, Prosecco & Mint Spoon. Now that’s the way to cleanse your palate!

Peach & Champagne Shooter and a Pear, Prosecco & Mint Spoon

Two very special wines were teed up for our next entrée: Seared Duck Breast with Port & Cherry Sauce. What a refreshing food pairing. The duck offers a delicious change from steak, with its rich meat and robust flavor.

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso and Duck

The Louis M. Martini 2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard has the vineyard’s signature spice and sweet oak aromatics. Topping out at 16.1% ABV, I wondered if this would be too “big,” but it proved to be big, balanced, and agile – like the Yankees Aaron Judge. Monte Rosso has been producing award-winning wines for three generations. This is a bottle that can and should be aged to fully integrate the tannins.

Stone Edge Farm Winery is an interesting producer that is focused on organic grapes and high environmental standards. It produces energy independent of the power grid and has a carbon footprint below zero. However, my main interest was its 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. This has 4% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc, which fine-tunes the powerful Cabernet flavor. On the tongue, there are baking spices, ripe cherries, and tobacco.

Red Side of the Moon and chocolate

For our “wine-down,” we moved out to the patio and amidst the torch flames enjoyed a selection of Dark Chocolate Truffles and Caramels. Our final Moon Mountain District wine was the B Wise 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, just over 500 cases were produced. After five big reds, could the B Wise still delight? Yes, with exceptional balance, jammy goodness, dark fruit, and hints of leather this was a perfect wrap-up to the evening.

The greatness of these wines is undeniable right now, even though most are designed to age, some up to 20 years. The warmer climate, longer growing season, and rocky high-altitude soils make Moon Mountain wines a memorable treat. If you are unfamiliar with this unique region, the Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association website provides a nice background.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Roundup Event Captures The Best of Premium Texas Wine

Cactus, cowboys, and tumbleweeds? If that is your vision of Texas, get ready to expand your mind.

Roots Of Texas Wine

The first vineyard in North America, it is said, was established in Texas by Spanish missionaries in 1662. Today Texas has more than 500 wineries and the wine industry contributes more than $13 billion in economic value annually. It is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the US, and boy are those wines good!

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The state of Texas is actually bigger than France with plenty of geographic diversity to grow grapes. To explore more deeply the Lone Star State winemaking tradition, we created a food and wine experience. The Texas Wine Roundup featured a selection of fine Texas wines paired with artfully prepared small dishes.

Texas Roundup Wineries

Here’s a capsule on the four Texas wineries showcased at our roundup:

Wedding Oak Winery has its main winery in San Saba. It specializes in Mediterranean-style wines with heavy influences from the Rhone Valley. The winemaker, Seth Urbanek has worked at wineries in Champagne, Australia, and New York’s Finger Lakes before moving back to his home state. His talent has elevated Wedding Oak to recognition as one of the top wineries in the country.

  

Texas Heritage Vineyard, located in Fredericksburg, just celebrated its fourth anniversary and is already racking up lofty awards. For two years in a row, their tasting room has been voted by the Fredericksburg Standard as the Reader’s Choice Best Winery Tasting Room. They are gaining national notoriety for impressive wines made with Portuguese varieties such as Souzao, and Italian grapes like Barbera and Sangiovese.

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Kerrville Hills Winery is located just north of Kerrville. Texas wine industry icon John Rivenburgh purchased the winery in 2019 and has put in a significant effort into building a portfolio of top-notch Texas wines. He is well known for his impressive Semillon, Mourvèdre, and is widely recognized as a leading evangelist of Tannat.

Fall Creek Vineyards is the closest winery to Austin. It is one of the oldest and most storied wineries in the state with incredible wines that have graced the table of presidential inaugurations. Winemaker Sergio Cuadra was recruited to move to Texas from a prestigious winery in his home country of Chile 10 years ago and has made a big imprint on the Texas wine industry.

Food And Wine Lone Star State Style

We invited four other couples to join us for the wine dinner and only one had tasted Texas wine before. Our guests created dishes to reflect Texas and match with a Texas bottle. The result – combining friendship, delicious food, and premium Texas wine – was a smashing success.

We opened with Cowboy Caviar bites and shrimp & avocado bites. This was paired with the Fall Creek 2021 Sauvignon Blanc and Wedding Oak 2021 Terre Blanc, a blend of Roussanne and Marsanne. The spritely Sauvignon Blanc carves its own path with lemon and white peach and a nice soft finish. The full-bodied Terre Blanc is golden yellow and barrel-aged with plenty of green apples and pear flavor.

The Rivenburgh 2021 High Plains Vermentino by Kerrville Hills Winery was light and crisp with a kiss of fresh apple. This was paired with Southwestern Fish Tacos with Apple Fennell Slaw & chipotle dressing artfully prepared by Arthur (merlot2muscadine.com).

The amazing Texas Heritage Vineyard 2019 Merlot was a silky intro to the reds. Its cherry notes are unified with the organic chicken thighs with porcini and cherries. This is a robust Merlot with beautifully extracted red fruit flavors.

A pinnacle for the evening was the limited 2021 "Alamo" Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of the grapes came from Fall Creek’s Oxbow Vineyard, which was land originally owned by Alamo hero William B. Travis. A portion of the sales of the wine will go to help operate and maintain the Alamo. This Cab has rich, deep, cherry and plum notes with a touch of light oak. It blended deliciously with Smoked Beef Brisket & BBQ Sauce with skillet-fried potatoes.

I had thought about having a palate cleanser at this point (five wines consumed) in the dinner. However, my wife, who had slaved for days to set everything up, protested. I decided that cornbread would be a great Texas-style “sorbet.” Our friends made tasty Borracha (drunken) Beans over cornbread, which accompanied the inky Texas Heritage 2019 Petite Sirah, which has blueberry and chocolate notes.

The grand finale was Wild Boar Ragù Pappardelle matched with the decanted Wedding Oak  2020 Tannat The wild boar was shipped in from Texas by D’Artagnian Gourment Meats. We also tasted the Kerrville Hills Winery Tannat as well. Texas Tannat is the most elegant expression of this grape I've tasted. Deep, powerful plum flavors and dark fruit tamed the raging bull (which had been simmering for 5 hours).

Although most were unfamiliar with Texas wines, everyone came away dazzled by the range and quality of these great wines. Thanks to the wineries for making this extravaganza possible. A tip of the Stetson to our posse of guests, who also helped prepare the meal: Phyllis The Filly and Bronco Bud, Ambush Arthur and Maverick Mary, Tombstone Tony and Alamo Amy, Lawless Laurie and Jedidiah Jeff. The hosts had to have outlaw names too – Wild Dave and Calamity Kathy.

Even if we all can’t be Texans, we can at least savor these brilliant Lone Star wines.

Full disclosure: The wines were received as marketing samples.

A Wonder-Fall Wine Tasting

A quartet of wines to greet the changing colors of Autumn.

Bubbly Albariño

My tastings with friend Arthur Barham always have a few surprises. During my recent visit, Arthur greeted me with a first for me: sparkling Albariño. The wine was the 2020 “Octopus” from Carboniste, a California winery specializing in unique sparkling wines.

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Octopus is made with grapes grown on Andrus Island in the Sacramento River Delta. The grapes are pressed whole-cluster and four months on the lees.

The pressure and fizz of the Octopus are closer to Prosecco than Champagne. It’s sealed with a crown cap and is fresh and fun once opened. There are notes of green apple and kiwi with a flavor that is more pronounced than any other Albariño only 2% of California vineyards are planted with Albariño.

Sauvignon Blanc From Chile

We then uncorked the Brisandes 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Colchagua, Chile. The winery is part of the far-flung Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) winemaking dynasty. I bought a number of bottles for our daughter’s birthday and had a couple left over. This wine is intriguing to me because it has a different flavor profile than Sauv Blancs from New Zealand or California.

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The acidity is dialed down and while the grassy notes are present, there is a beautiful salinity along with lime and herbal flavors. Perfect for seafood and also (and I later found out) for a vegan ceviche with cauliflower steaks (and chimichurri sauce) and Chilean rice. This dish was prepared by my vegan chef daughter.

A French Crus Bourgeois

The reds were rolled out by Arthur. First, we sampled the elegant 2018 Château La Valière from Médoc. This is a Crus Bourgeois bottling. This quality level stands just below the Cru Classé but is recognized for its quality all over the world.

This is a Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Sauvignon playing the lead role with plentiful Merlot. Silky smooth with fine tannins, it has a medium body with blackberry and currant flavors and juicy cherry. It’s a refined wine purchased at a steal from WTSO.

Silky Cabernet Sauvignon

Ending with a velvet punch, Arthur popped open the 2020 Annabella Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Annabella (we’re on a first-name basis now) is rich and powerful with blueberry notes and whiffs of leather. The layers include chocolate and hints of spice. This wine eases to a persistent finish with a touch of vanilla.

Thanks to Arthur for sharing his hospitality and his wine.

Dry Creek Vineyard Releases Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Dry Creek Vineyard is celebrating 50 years as a pioneering winery in Sonoma.

Dry Creek Vineyard not only is located in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, it has done much to establish the standards of quality for that prestigious wine region. The history of this multigenerational family winery is full of notable firsts within the industry:

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1972:  First winery built in the Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition.

• 1972:  First to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley.
• 1972:  First to label a wine as “Fumé Blanc” in Sonoma County.
• 1982:  First to display a sailboat on a wine label, a bold and daring move beyond the popular chateau-style labels of the time.
• 1983:  First to pioneer Dry Creek Valley’s American Viticultural Area (AVA) status.
• 1985:  First to label a wine as “Old Vine” Zinfandel, setting off an industry trend.

   

• 1987:  First to label a wine as a “Meritage,” illustrating the family's love of Bordeaux blending.
• 1997:  First to release a “Heritage Clone” Zinfandel from pre-prohibition vine cuttings.
• 2017:  First to receive a U.S. patent for the design of printed sustainable sourcing information on a cork.
• 2022:  First to release 50th consecutive vintage of Dry Chenin Blanc in the United States.

Here are the latest releases as the winery continues its 50th-anniversary celebration.

2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

Dry Creek Vineyard really led the way for Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley and we love their vision of this wine. It is made of 81% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Sauvignon Musqué, and, 3% Sauvignon Gris. The Gris provides a creamy texture while the Musqué adds weight and juiciness. The flavors are bright tropical fruit, lemon,  and melon. We love Dry Creek Vineyard’s Fume Blanc, but this is a step up in complexity and elegance. It’s also a refreshing change from the jarring acidity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

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2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley

Dry Creek Valley is primarily known for Zinfandel, but the AVA has almost as much Cabernet Sauvignon planted. This is a wine that delivers inviting flavors in a medium-to-full body. It’s enjoyable to sip on a summer’s night – as we did. The flavors are lush and elegant with cranberry and black cherry with undertones of coffee and leather. It displays the hallmark of Dry Creek Valley wines: floral and spice notes.

The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. While this Cab can be aged for another five to 7 years, its rounded edges make it very approachable now. Also approachable is the $32 price tag.

2019 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley

The Mariner is perhaps our favorite red wine. It’s an elevated wine created with finesse and the vision of creating the finest Meritage from the Dry Creek Valley with the five noble Bordeaux grapes. Each year the footprint is a bit different as the winemakers search for the best lots in Dry Creek Valley, including Dry Creek Vineyard’s DCV9 Endeavor vineyard. This year the blend highlights Cabernet Sauvignon (61%) with 18% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc.

The wine gets 20 months of aging in French and Hungarian oak, 42% new. During the fermentation, the wine gets pump-overs twice daily. All vines are 20+ years old. The point is, that all steps are taken to make this a special wine.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

The Ultimate Wine Tasting: Iridium and Lineage

Precious and rare – top-end wine and good friends.

A Promise Kept

The Cabernetor (also known as Steve) has been my good friend for more than two decades. Through the years and miles, the friendship has endured.

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One of our great adventures was traveling to Napa for a visit to Sterling Vineyards (as part of the Wine Bloggers Conference. We were joined by our spouses (my wife, the Green Dragon, and Steve’s wife Glorious T).

At Sterling we took part in the Platinum Experience, traveling to the winery via aerial tram and then continuing to elevate our experience by tasting some incredible wine. Nothing could top what we experienced next: the first vintage of Iridium. Iridium is the flagship Sterling wine produced only in the best vintage years. It has also been served as the official wine of the Emmys.

To make our escapade even more astounding, winemaker Harry Hansen poured the wine and discussed the process as we sipped. The Cabernetor snapped a photo of the three of us during this treasured memory.

A couple of years ago I encountered a medical challenge that has tested me to the core. Even though we moved to North Carolina and he’s still in Ohio, Steve was there every step of the way to encourage me to overcome the problem through diet, exercise, and prayer. Some of the challenges were mind-numbing, but Steve kept me on track.

He also had leverage. He kept reminding me that he had a bottle of Iridium to open up when I finally beat this thing. That promise was brought up each time I I faced another wrinkle in my medical saga.

After months of trying to schedule a trip to Ohio to see Steve and Tracey (Glorious T), we finally finally made it. I was packing with me valuable cargo: a bottle of 2017 Lineage, the first and only 100-point wine I’ve tasted.

An Evening With The Stars

Lineage comes from Livermore Valley, a region that we think doesn’t get enough attention. Steven Mirassou, a sixth-generation winemaker from America’s oldest winemaking family, has a goal to make one of the truly great Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the world. He struck paydirt with the 2017 Lineage. Renowned wine critic Steve Heimoff awarded the 2017 Lineage an unprecedented 100 points. Heimoff remarked that of the thousands of Cabernet blends he’d tasted over the course of his career, “None have been better.”

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Lineage was part of an epic tasting at our house that featured Livermore Valley wines paired with gourmet bites. It was a show-stopper.

While Lineage includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cab Franc, Iridium is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sterling winemaker Harry selected the very finest lots of Cabernet from vineyards spanning Napa Valley. These grapes come from Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville and Calistoga’s Frediani Vineyard, to name a couple.

Iridium is one of the rarest elements on earth and it is treasured, just like Sterling’s Iridium. Made in only the very best vintages with the finest and most intense expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Iridium is considered by many to be the pinnacle of winemaking perfection.

Perfection Uncorked

To open the evening we uncorked the spectacular Paul Berthelot “Eminence” Premier Cru Champagne. This was followed by our soup course with the 2020 Clos Bellane “Altitude” rosé as the pairing. With wonderful hospitality, conversation, and wine, we were ready to progress to the main course.

All the culinary treats were prepared by Glorious T. For the main dish, we had an elevated “surf and turf” with salmon and beautifully cooked steak.

Before we poured the wines, which each had been decanted, Dragon made the comment that it would be interesting to see which was best. Oh, I thought. That’s not the point of this soiree. “This isn’t one versus one,” I said in a wine-inspired mood. “This is one plus one!”

The Lineage and Iridium are both smooth and balanced on the palate almost beyond words. The 2017 vintage of Lineage was limited to 3,984 bottles and is broad and rich with multiple layers. Oak plays its role but doesn’t dominate the pleasing black cherry and red fruit note. There is a whisper of mint. The finish is elating.

Iridium, Iridium, what a sensational wine. The sleek bottle with a reflective top and shoulders looks like it is ready to launch to Mars or be placed in an art museum. With the first sip, it envelopes the palate like a velvet glove. Iridium has an amazing array of flavors from chocolate mint to blueberry pie. Threads of cedar, floral, and leather intertwine for a sensational experience.

The evening progressed out to the deck and then down to the OSU-themed basement. A thrashing on the ping-pong table then ensued. To maintain my self-esteem, I won’t say who thrashed who. The evening wound down with the 2018 “The Vice” Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder. Alas, my tasting notes radar was malfunctioning at that point.

Who knows what the future may bring, but in this triumphant moment good friends opened wine that rocked. It will be remembered on down the years.

Friends Spring Fling Wine Dinner Delivers Fun

COVID kept this group of friends bottled up for far too long. Time to uncork the bottles!

The beginning of spring was ushered in with a private wine dinner at Cellar 55, to salute fun and friendship. The event featured dishes by Chef Jounte Burwell and wines from Nina Escobar from Cellar Distributing.

Pierre Brut Nature Mauzac and Nuts & Berry Salad

The opening salad dish said “spring” in every possible way. It featured mixed greens, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, feta cheese, and toasted almonds. This wine comes from the Limoux region in southern France and is made with Chenin Blanc and Mauzac. Nice bubbles with notes of green apple. A great starter for the evening.

Mary Taylor 2020 Saint Pourcan Rosé and Gazpacho

Gazpacho is another perfect spring dish – a chilled tomato soup. The soup was finished with cucumbers, red onions, and cilantro. This is a 100% Gamay rosé that is copper in color and hails from the Loire region. It has a lovely taste of dried cherries and peach. There is a good acidic backbone, which makes for a superb pairing.

Voces El Viajero 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley and Petit Filet

The wine was crafted by winemaker Fernando Candelario, who was born in Mexico. The wine is plush with juicy blackberry and currants. The finish is smooth and silky. This wine is aged in both American and French oak and the flavors are well integrated. The filet rested on a thin bed of polenta and was finished with a red wine sauce. This was a heavenly combination of vino and cuisine!

Arvay 2018 Tokaji Edesem and Chocolate Pot de Crème

The final dessert, a Chocolate Pot de Crème, featured fresh berries, French cream, and mint. Paired with the dish was the Arvay Tokaji, which is a famous dessert wine from Hungary. This wine is usually made with Furmint, but for this one, the Muscat grapes are used. The Tokaji gains its special flavor thanks to noble rot – a mold called botrytis that feeds on the water in the grapes and concentrates the grape sugars into honey-like sweetness. The only thing sweeter than this wine was the opportunity to gather with friends free of COVID isolation! Special thanks to Caroline Greer for organizing the dinner.