From Poetic Cellars comes this powerhouse of a Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre blend, the 2007Â Mantra, made from Livermore Valley grapes by Katy Lovell.
A graceful yet sturdy red, Mantra exudes a fragrant meatiness, with cassis and pepper balanced by minerals. Use it as you would any decent Rhône wine, with lamb, cheese, pasta.
Hurry on up to the gorgeous Poetic Cellars tasting room and pick up one of the few remaining bottles — $34.
Winemaker Bradley Brown continues to capture the attention of influential Wine Spectator tasters. His 2007 Odeon Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah/Cab blend won a 93 ranking by WS (see the current May 2010 issue). And his 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Mandala Syrah took a 91.
I say run out and grab some of these remarkable Santa Cruz Mountains creations while they’re still priced under $45.
Kudos Bradley!
Gardening Workshop on April 25: Home gardeners listen up! Get some fresh ideas at a Spring Gardening Workshop on Sunday, April 25 from 10 am to 1 pm at the UCSC Farm.UCSC’s Alan Chadwick Garden manager Orin Martin and gardening instructor Trish Hildinger will lead this lecture and demonstration workshop. The focus will be on spring and early summer crops, including (more…)
My longtime friend Donna Blakemore and I sit at the wine bar in La Posta, sipping Italian white wine turning gold in the lowering sunlight. The occasion is simply to catch up with someone I see only once a year. The wine reinforces the pleasure of our reunion.
Made by Angiolino Maule from garganega and trebbiano grapes, organically-grown and aged in steel, the La Biancara “i Masieri” is crisp, dry, laden with citrus and perfume of nectarines. Splendid stuff.
Every Saturday from now until the end of summer, from noon to 4pm, the beautiful hilltop Corralitos vineyards and tasting room of Jim and Judy Schultze is open for visits.
Enjoy current release estate pinot noirs, newly released 2008 ‘One-Acre’ estate Chardonnay, and bring a picnic to enjoy at the tables and chairs under the enormous oaks, overlooking the Monterey Bay.
Also – news flash – make plans to stop by The Fish Lady Market, 2510 Main Street in Soquel, tomorrow FRIDAY April 9 from 6-8pm – and meet the Windy Oaks winemaker, taste two pinots and the coveted estate Chardonnay (three tastes for $10, or a glass for $5). Your basic fun, casual setting, complete with live music, AND the outstanding wines of Windy Oaks Estate.
Rachel and Ryan Beauregard have good reason to smile. They’re in love, starting a family, get to hang out in vineyards any time they want to — and sample an endless supply of Beauregard Vineyards wines (made by Ryan).
Here they pose at the top of the 40-acres Bald Mountain vineyard managed by Ryan’s dad, Jim Beauregard.
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.