by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2009 | Wine |
I just wanted to use that title (say it slowly). Actually the newly-released Martin Alfaro Lester Family Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir is a pinot to be reckoned with. And those of you wandering the atmospheric south county vineyards at the May 9 Corralitos Wine Trail will be treated to a pour at the very spiffy tasting room at Alfaro Family Vineyards. (New tasting deck at right.)
The 2007 is already showing the stuff that winemakers live for. Enough fruit at the start to capture anyone’s attention, but enough minerality and structure to arouse pinot envy in colleagues of winemakers Joe Martin and Richard Alfaro. I’m finding hints of northwest rainforest, sassafras and dried plum in the center. Potentially great, already wonderful.
Available for sampling and purchase at the Corralitos vineyard crawl next weekend. Be there.
by Christina Waters | Apr 16, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Bradley Brown, winemaker up at Big Basin Vineyards, covered himself in media glory not too long ago with his wild-at-heart, terroir-driven Syrah from Rattlesnake Ridge. And now I know why.
This supple 2006 New World Rhônesque beauty unfolds for miles. From a spice and plum opening, it slides into a meaty center filled with tart and savory mysteries. Bay leaves, cardamom, huckleberries, cassis. The mineral foundation works almost invisibly to support this wine’s rich, smoky center. An Easter meal involving rack of lamb provided the perfect occasion to take this robust, almost feral creature out for a spin.
Soft where you don’t expect it, dynamic through and through. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 15, 2009 | Wine |
Winemaker’s Dinner at Three Degrees with Burrell School Vineyards
April 23rd 2009 7pm
Join Burrell School proprietors Dave and Anne Moulton for a very affordable 4-course dinner, paired with memorable wines, for only $65 on April 23, at Three Degrees restaurant in the Toll House, Los Gatos. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 5, 2009 | Home, Wine |
At New Leaf in Felton no less! For reasons I am content not to question, the wine buyer at the SLV New Leaf has a wide-ranging appetite Рand there on the shelf I found the highly quaffable Unti Ros̩ ($19), right next to other Unti varietals and a very hefty selection of Santa Cruz Mountain all-star premiums.
So now you know where to go to grab some of this stylish Grenache-intensive blush wine. But if you want to drink it along with that amazing squid ink pasta, you’ll need to go to Gabriella.
by Christina Waters | Apr 2, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Buy this wine! Having said that, let me briefly explain why $9.99 was never better spent than on the freshly-released Ca’ Del Solo Sangiovese 2006, from Bonny Doon Vineyard. Such liquid epiphany reminds us why our Italian brethren often know best, to wit the mighty grape that fueled ten thousand Chianti Classicos, that partnered untold numbers of bisteca fiorentina, and which now has received definitive New World treatment from that shaman of oeno-morphic resonance, Randall Grahm.
It’s beyond me how this brilliantly expressive, graceful, tannically-endowed bottle of wild herbs, dark fruit and dried cherries can cost under $10. But it does. And if you can’t find it at your favorite market, or wine shop then your eyes are probably closed.
(Here’s a hint: New Leaf.)
Sangiovese, biodynamically raised just down the road in Grahm’s San Benito County vineyard, big enough at 14.2 alc to stand up to any red sauce on the planet, yet bouyant enough to warrant a second glass. Better, as are all wines, on Day 2. Molto bene.
by Christina Waters | Mar 18, 2009 | Wine |
Pinot Paradise really IS paradise for lovers of the seductive grape of Burgundy. Especially as expressed by the singular viticultural landscape of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.
Devoted entirely to the complex pinot noirs being made from Santa Cruz Mountains grapes, Pinot Paradise, an annual excuse to expand your palate — and your cellar — is worth clearing your calendar for. Seriously – all the pinots you’ve always wanted to taste.
The VIP Tasting – an exclusive action-packed tasting with interesting & knowledgeable winemakers, begins at 1pm. Pace yourself!
The Grand Cruz Tasting – wines paired with deluxe finger food from a dozen fine restaurants — is 2-5pm. Also – silent auction and raffle with some great prizes, and bidding on double magnums from each winery, plus a sensational one-of-a-kind Paradise Cuveé, a 5-liter blend of all the best Pinots being poured at the event.
Don’t dare call yourself a pinot noir lover if you don’t show up. For more info you can also go to the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association website.
