The Time of Year to Sparkle
The approaching New Year brings many opportunities to celebrate. It is routinely a time to remember the friends and experiences that make a year memorable. It is a time to reminisce and savor the accomplishments of the year gone by, as well as to usher in the possibility of the coming year. What will you create? What will be the mark and moments of 2015?
Celebrations, as such, are frequently accompanied by sparkling wines. Although most commonly and collectively referred to as “Champagne,” all that bubbles is not that. Champagne itself is made from grapes solely from the region in France named Champagne. Yes, it is a specific region that owns that name. The effervescence is accomplished through secondary fermentation in the bottle. The winemakers in Champagne also use specific grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Munier). Many believe the French have mastered the craft, and the bottles may be expensive (and worth it).
Older Wines Need to be Laid Down…
My mother told me that if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all. I usually abide by that statement and yet sometimes… I was in a wine store the other day (imagine that) and was picking up a prize for a wine tasting party. I could not help myself – I had to browse the aisles and see what gems there might be on the shelf. I was a bit disturbed to see some older wines standing up. An example was a 2006 wine called La Serena Syrah – there were nine bottles, all standing at attention. The challenge for you, the consumer, is not knowing where and how these bottles were held for the last six years (many wines are not released from the winery until about two years after the harvest year). This wine costs about $60 and should be resting on its side to reach you and your glass in the best possible condition.
Chappellet Winery on Pritchard Hill: Come for the Wine and Stay for the View
Just recently, I visited Chappellet Winery. Chappellet is located high on Pritchard Hill and was the second winery to make its home there. This winery is truly a family affair, as the Chappellets have resided and grown vines here since 1967. They are most known for their cabernets, which have great depth and concentration.
Pritchard Hill is situated in the Vaca Mountains, which are on the eastern side of Napa Valley and have elevations of 700-2,000 feet. This height allows the vines early morning sun with more moderate temperatures. For the grapes, it provides a wonderful environment to develop deep flavors. For us – it is a setting that provides great views.
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2014
It is that time of the year again when Wine Spectator announces and lists its top 100 wines of the year! Movies have their Emmys, sports have their Espys, music has its Grammys, and so on. Such is the “case” for wine (pun intended). Remember that this is not an industry announcement, but an evaluation of a magazine with seasoned and experienced tasters making their judgments – so there is some credence to their assessments. This is what Wine Spectator states about their list:
Biale’s Black Chicken: This Bird Can Party!
Zinfandel can be many things; yet, for me, it was once a little known varietal. I did not appreciate its multitude of expressions. Well, that was before Biale’s Black Chicken. I remember the bottle and that vintage where I first met this party animal, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
It was the 2004 Biale Black Chicken. Previously, I had dismissed Zinfandel as a big fruity wine with a single note. It all changed when I met this bird. It was amazingly fresh; there was depth of flavor and a degree of complexity and richness I had not discovered before in this varietal. I kept buying it vintage after vintage and sharing the gem with my friends. Trust me, I sold a lot of this wine – no commission – just the pleasure of knowing my friends were enjoying a great wine with a modest price.
Buccella: Industrial on the Outside, Luxurious on the Inside
The Buccella tasting room can be found in the southern tip of Napa Valley, located in an industrial setting. It was only recently that the tasting room has been open to visit. This is an appointment-only tasting and well worth the effort and time. Do not go looking for vineyard or mountain views — this is a stop to experience the wine, learn about Buccella’s wine making philosophy, and taste through some beautiful wines hosted by Gwen who leads their hospitality team. She is knowledgeable about the winery and will walk you through the richness of the experience. The tasting room itself is lovely and well appointed. Check out the pictures for an up close and personal view.
Good Cabernet for $15??
Most people say that it is easy to buy a good bottle of cabernet for $50. The real challenge is finding the good bottle for much less. Well, given the challenge, I had to post this for your palate and pocket experience. This comes from Wine Spectator Advance; and, after reading about it, I had to share it with you.
Columbia Crest
Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills H3 2012
92 points | $15 | 162,000 cases made | Red
“Dark and spicy, billowing with plum, currant and white chocolate flavors, picking up pear and white tea notes as the finish lingers with refinement. The tannins are submerged. Drink now through 2018.” —H.S.
2012 Tres Picos Garnacha: A Great Buy and Now Available
This is an alert! I had written about the 2012 Tres Picos Garnacha many months ago as a great value. I had read the review and how well it was regarded. I have been eagerly awaiting the distribution, and I found it today in my local supermarket!!! Here is a refresher on what has been written about this wine, which usually costs under $20. I tasted this wine this evening. Right after pulling the cork, it was lush and fruity. Look for it near your home – a wonderful buy!
Reading and Sharing About Wine — Almost As Much Fun As Tasting
One of my favorite pastimes is tasting wine. It is a pleasure to sip and discover what is in the glass. That is the obvious first choice as a path to exploring new wines. I also savor reading about wines as a second path. In my recent reading, I found a couple wines that I wanted to share with you. These both have large enough productions that you may be able to find them at retailers in your area. I found these in the Wine Spectator sneak preview buying guide. Again, it’s not completely about the rating; yet, with a good one, it makes it worth trying,
Go with “Pride”
This past Sunday, we enjoyed a ride up the mountain to tour and taste at Pride Mountain Vineyards. This famous winery is located atop Spring Mountain and provides glorious views of Mount St. Helena and the Mayacamas Range. The expanse of vines provides picture perfect scenery for the photographer in you. Many times I have visited and never tire of the beauty of the setting.
While I am doing my best to explore the 500 wineries in Napa County and almost 450 in Sonoma County (yes, that is a lot), there is one winery I always seem to come back to — and that is Pride Mountain Vineyards. It is the winery I have the longest history with and always enjoy visiting. The people are gracious, the views are lovely and the wine – oh, yes, the wine is quite pleasurable to drink.