Syrah A.K.A. Shiraz: The Experience WINE CLASS

The Northern Rhône runs along the steep slopes of the gorge from Vienne to just south of Valence

We continue our series of sessions with the Fredericksburg Tasting Room team we are calling "The Experience Wine Class." We will be watching and meeting for the purpose of expanding our knowledge and experience with wine. Our guide will be Jancis Robinson's Wine Course, an excellent resource! Aired in the United Kingdom in 1995 and is fascinating to see both areas where the wine industry has NOT changed and areas where it HAS. You can watch it all on YouTube!

Episode 5- Syrah A.K.A. Shiraz is a example where we can see a change in the wine world; in the mid-late nineties Syrah was a darling variety, many of us expected to see it explode in sales. Myself included and we can see the anticipation in the faces of the Syrah growers and vintners. Only that sales explosion never happened, and today many wine drinkers still think of Syrah as one of the "other reds" and not as one of the greatest wine grapes in the world. Jancis and the personalities she introduces to us will show us otherwise...

Jancis has shown us in episode 1 through 3; where the New World and Old World are different; climate, geology, and techniques. She has also shown us the commonality of the monumental struggle to overcome the unique challenges each region and each producer faces. Episode 4- Sauvignon Blanc added another layer of complexity as Mrs. Robinson showed us the dynamic and bold people who made the world's most famous examples of the wine; their personalities mirror the "savage" characteristics of the grape! All this foundation comes together is this show about our beloved Syrah! Here we will see the how two men in very different parts of the world use the same grape to bring their communities together and make them prosperous at the same time, in such a way that it has a positive effects in very livelihoods of everyone in the community... amazing events!

We start out in the Northern Rhone Valley, in France, as we hear about the sinister side of success; in this case attracting an armed gang that attacked the home Marcel Guigal of E. Guigal fame. As the information is filled in we find out that in addition to threats Monsieur Guigal has received other offers/demands for his wine; including blank checks, Ferraris and women! As the tour continues we see the cave where the barrels of aging wine are lined up in a peaceful setting they call "The Cathedral to Wine." In bright contrast doors open to the mechanized and computerized receiving lines, two of them in case one fails, where there is a buzz of activity as growers are bringing their crops in to sell to Marcel. We are shown how tough and detail oriented he can be and we can see how his success supports this thriving farm community and how the community supports the Guigals and the dynamic tension this relationship creates.

As an intermission to the drama we visit California with Jancis... Fred Cline, of Cline Cellars, has a vineyard gold mine in the Oakland area where the sandy soil has some of the oldest Mourvèdre vines in California, planted by the European immigrant farmers. Next we meet Doug Danielak who has a bad case of Syrah fever as he shows Jancis the Paras Vineyard where the famous Jade Mountain Syrahs once came from, alas the brand was sold off and lost it's former glory. The wine was made by Doug under the Paras Vineyard label. It was incredible! Tragically; in 2017 wildfires burned up the vineyards! In this video standing in the Paras Vineyard Doug says “Syrah is one of the world’s greatest grapes!”

"In California Syrah was an ultra fashionable rarity in and in Australia it grew like a weed..." Jancis explains as she gives us the brief history of the Barossa Valley which was settled by Lutherans fleeing Germany's turmoil of the time. Their hard work build this community and transformed it into a little bit of Germany in Australia. (Does this sound familiar to anyone in Fredericksburg, Texas?) In the 1970’s the big wine business came to the Barossa, the Accountants had full control. The accountants had worked out the cost of making wine and when a glut of grapes came along in 1979 the big business did not honor their contracts and refused to buy ANY grapes from the BarossaValley. In steps Peter Lehmann, son of a Lutheran pastor, built a local winery on the fly and bought the Valley’s entire production for the vintage; saving many of the local farmers from financial ruin. Affectionately his peers nicknamed him the “Bishop of Barossa.” He rules from the "weighbridge" at his winery where the growers bring him their grapes to buy. Here too his support of the community and the communities support of Peter is the only way all of them were able to find success. You can see the growers gratitude and appreciation of Peter in their faces. There is a very genuine, honest and sincere atmosphere here at the weighbridge, it has a comfortable and friendly feeling. Mr. Lehmann also says; “Shiraz is one of the world’s greatest grapes.”

So, the same way the dynamic personalities said a lot about the wines in episode four; similarly these generous, supporting and driven men who make some of the world's greatest Syrah also mirror the wine they make. I have not had any other wine as frequently and I can not find another wine that delivers so much complexity and flavor at all price points. For ME; Syrah A.K.A. Shiraz IS the world's greatest grape variety!!!

If you will read this handout which has a few notes from the video and a lot of information and links to more on the web related to the topics Jancis covers, hopefully it adds to the subjects and fills you in on where the personalities from the video are today. It is my sincere hope that you are finding this blog informative and instructional.

Chardonnay; The Experience WINE CLASS

California's San Bernabe Vineyard; 9,400 acres in vines! Think of it this way: if San Bernabe were laid over the Texas Hill country, it would stretch from the Marktplatz in Fredericksburg to Hye Texas’ post office/general store. Nothing but vines all the way!!! WOW!

“It’s weird that everyone is

crazy about Chardonnay.” 

“it is such a neutral grape variety,

yet it is the world's

favorite wine!”

- Jancis Robinson

We continue our series of sessions with the Fredericksburg Tasting Room team we are calling "The Experience Wine Class."  We will be watching and meeting for the purpose of expanding our knowledge and experience with wine.  Our guide will be Jancis Robinson's Wine Course, an excellent resource!  Aired in the United Kingdom in 1995 and is fascinating to see both areas where the wine industry has NOT changed and areas where it HAS. You can watch it all on YouTube!

Episode 2- Chardonnay is AMAZING because of the juxtaposition Jancis shows us; New World vs Old World. She starts out on the Geoff Merrill's winery in McLaren Vale Australia where it is DRY as a bone and there seems to be two maybe three men working with giant machines, pumps, giant hoses, tractors and using additives like enzymes, yeast nutrients and liquid sulfur (to prevent oxidization), and techniques like all MOG removed (Martial Other than Grapes), and cooled like crazy (REFRIGERATION is very important to modern wine making), juice is squeezed as gently as possible to avoid any harsh flavors in the skins, stems and seeds.  Then Mrs. Robinson takes us to France, Meursault specifically, the vineyards and winery of  Dominique Lafon where it is soaking WET and there are DOZENS of people working, a lot of it by hand, some machines, pumps, hoses, tractors are used however only natural yeast and no additives are used. The two wineries are a night and day comparison in every way except one; both wine makers DID NOT like the other's Chardonnay AT ALL! It is GREAT television! Still and watching it again after multiple viewings!!

Jancis returns to Australia driving home even further the point of how dry it is there and interviewing  Adam Wynn of Mountadam in the Barossa Valley. He went to Bordeaux University, worked in Burgundy and had some of the most critical things to say about the French. “They have everything in their favor in France.”  “If you are born lucky enough to inherit three hectares of Meursault; it is a license to print money.”  “It is a tragedy to taste a bad French wine.”  AND the punch line to it all is that Monntadam was founded by Adam's father in 1972 as one of Australia's pioneer Chardonnay producers and handed it all over to Adam who sold off in 2002 and is seemingly out of the wine business and living in Japan!(?). While the other two Mr. Merrill and Mr. Lafon are both passionately making GREAT wines to this very day!!!  

As important to Chardonnay as anything else is the time it spends in oak barrels, so Mrs. Robinson takes us to the Francois Freres cooperage in the Saint-Romain Forests where a 150 year old tree is cut down to make two barrels!  On a whirlwind the way only a DVD can be Jancis takes us to San Francisco where the cooperage has an office and where Chardonnay DOMINATES on restaurant wine lists where she makes the declarative quote listed above.

It is a very compelling episode which is informative and instructional. Our team watched it and I provided this handout which has a few notes from the video and some information and links to more on the web related to the topics Jancis covers, hopefully it adds a bit of depth with some updates on the subjects. It is amazing stuff!!!

Please reply to this blog; is Chardonnay your  favorite wine? If so; why? 

California's Loss is Texas' Gain!!!

Northwest of Austin, just off Highway 71, down some winding farm roads, across a couple of cattle guards, nestled under a grove of old oak tree is a cool Texas winery that you need to visit...Spicewood Vineyards. This is one of the OG Texas Wineries; founded in 1992 by Edward and Madeleine Manigold with a goal of making the finest wines possible and their very first Chardonnay won a silver medal in a national competition. The Manigolds gave their baby tender loving care for many years until 2007 when the Yates family purchased the property and now joyfully continue the tradition of making fine wines that continue to win State, Regional, National and International competitions.

On Sunday September 27th I had the great pleasure to attended a very special evening that celebrating Todd Crowells, winemaking in his 'new' home at Spicewood Vineyards and his old home Christopher Creek in Sonoma California. Spicewood owner Ron Yates, and Christopher Creek owner Dominic Foppoli co-hosted the event.  They commented on the talents and benefits of Todd's winemaking while regaling the attendees with the fun, funny and entertaining moments of owning and working at a winery. Dominic lamented not having Todd as winemaker on more than one occasion.

It was a great setting in the limestone walled cellar filled with barrels of aging wine and bins of recently picked grapes fermenting, on their way to becoming wine.  In the midst of this wine 'river;' corks were sprung from bottles from California and Texas, the wine bubbled and poured into the many glasses of the eager and enthusiastic tasters. Who savored and enjoyed every drop of wine and every turn of phrase from the storytellers.

Wines Tasted:
Albarino,  Spicewood, Texas High Plains, 2014
Expressive aromas, very fruity almost tooty fruity, quite floral. On the palette the tangy fruity quality abound, with citrus and melon flavors making this wine very enjoyable to drink with it's light crisp finish.

Sauvingnon Blanc,  Spicewood, Estate, Texas Hill Country, 2014 

Nicely and slightly effervescent with aromas of tropical fruit and dried hay. The flavors of grapefruit come through quite enjoyably with a hint of kiwi and a refreshing finish. Made from mature vines planted by the Manigolds in the early '90's; excellent!

Chardonnay, Foppoli, Reserve, Russian River Valley, California, 2011

Mysterious aromas; alluring and beguiling. The flavors are very revealing with pronounced apple, caramel and fruitiness that is just shy of being sweet. Supple feeling on the palette with just a hint of minerals in the finish. A very pretty California Chardonnay that is well made and fun.

Pinot Noir, Christopher Creek, Eastside Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sanoma, California, 2014

Very smoky on the nose with raspberry aromas. In your mouth the fruity raspberry flavors explode with blackberry fruit following through where the smoky and oak touches come through too the finish.

Pinot Noir, Christopher Creek, "Wine Family" Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sanoma, California, 2014

Begins with a funky nose showing the raspberry fruit too. The flavors are very delicious with the raspberry fruit and balanced oak and that earthy complexity.  Shows great promise, just needs a little more time in the bottle.

Red Blend, "The Good Guy" Spicewood, Estate, Texas Hill Country, 2013 
(This was a preview of the 2013, made with 31% Tempranillo, 31% Merlot, and Graciano, Cab, Syrah.) Effusive vanilla aromas with smoky and toasty notes with cedar, pepper and a handsome floral flourish. The flavors were a tad more reserved with raspberry, pepper and pleasing coco notes.  Showing the early signs of a great wine that will reward the drinker who has the self control to age it.

Red Blend, Benevolo, Reserve, Napa Valley, California, 2011

Classic single vineyard red Bordeaux varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. Napa Valley grapes in the hands of Sonoma winemakers! The aromatic qualities of pine and pepper are mouthwatering with nice round plum fruit.  The delicious red and black cherry fruit come through up front and proud with some tangy tannins following.  Secondary flavors of coco, spice and leather add complexity and enjoyment of this pleasurable wine.

Zinfandel, Spicewood, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California, 2013 

A little wine that Todd Crowell missed making and Ron Yates made happen for his winemaker, winery and all of us wine drinkers! California Zinfandel is one of the worlds most unique wines and I love them. This wine has a great rhubarb aroma with boysenberry and cracked black pepper.  The flavors are big and rich with red cherry, ripe raspberry, white pepper and soft vanilla. Pure pleasure.

From here the group of Spicewood supporters, newly initiated, and curious passer bys all adjourned to the elegant Event Center where we further indulged in wine and perfectly paired small plate foods! My favorite was the Good Guy wine with the duck.  All were excellent! And, even better was the conversation with the Yates family and friends. Events like this are hedonistic without a doubt and designed to please all of your senses, but the real je ne sais quoi comes from the interaction of the attendees.  And, the Yates at Spicewood have it going on!

I implore you to go to Spicewood Vineyards the next chance you get. With October being Texas Wine Month; you should be going to Texas wineries every weekend! I hope to see you in wine country!

Showdown at Sunset 3

How would you like to try $548 worth of wine for only $27?  Of course you would!!!
Come try my new “Showdown at Sunset” wine flight featuring:

Which Valley is the best for Cabernet?

Comparative tasting is really fun! When it is all said and done what it boils down to is which wine would you rather drink and how much are you willing to pay for it? And we have clearly experienced that beauty is in the eyes of the taster; In our last Showdown at Sunset we ended with a tie, and the wine one couple thought was the worst was another couple’s favorite!?! In our “Showdown” tasting; all bets are off and any rules are out the window...four wines are poured, two ounces each, and you tell us which one you like the most. Simple & fun!

September 12th 2014


In our last Showdown at Sunset guests votes were across the board for Pinot Noirs from the Central Coast!  In today’s tasting we are taking one grape; Cabernet Sauvignon, from two valleys, only separated by the Mayacamas Mountains.  Are these wines close together in flavor as they are in geography or are they worlds apart?


2 oz each of four wines for $27. with tasting notes. (while supplies last.)

-Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2009   Bin#628 $132.00 (VOTE = 2)
Dark ruby color with a purple edge and an inviting nose of ripe black plum, blackberry, baking spices and soy sauce.  On the palate, the wine is rich and full, reminiscent of the flavors of a berry cobbler. It has a long finish with fine grained tannins.  Located in Geyserville, since 1972 they have perfected the formula for elegant wine, Founder Raymond T. Duncan first visited the Napa Valley in the late 1960s, he began to buy land in both Napa and Alexander Valleys with the goal of planting vineyards. Ray partnered with Justin Meyer, to create a winery that would forever raise the standards of California wine. Without Justin Meyer the California wine industry would not be where it is today.

-Rodney Strong, "Rockaway" Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2007   Bin#615    $152.00 (VOTE = 2)
Powerful and slightly tannic with concentrated flavors of blackberry, currant and a hint of toast with a rich, full body, complex structure and a lingering elegant finish. Established 1994 Rockaway Vineyard is planted almost exclusively to Bordeaux varietals. On the eastern slope of Alexander Valley just above Geyserville, the property rises to an elevation of 750 feet, with the contour sloping northeast and southwest.  More than 50 years ago a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong passion: winemaking. The 13th winery bonded in Sonoma County.

-Lewelling, Wight Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, 2009   Bin#631  $132.00 (VOTE = 3)
Evocative red plum, dark berry, and ruby red cherry aromas mingled with notes of anise, almond blossom, espresso, and charcoal. Blackberry, creme de cassis, and tart cherry flavors; baking spice, mineral, coffee, and cedar; full-bodied with sweet, round tannins, impeccable balance and lively acidity.  Vineyard: 1/2 mile south of St. Helena on Lewelling Lane, an alluvial fan at the base of the western foothills with soils of bale gravelly loam.  Established in 1864; one of the oldest continuously-owned family vineyards in the Napa Valley.




-Cliff Lede, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, 2009  Bin#751 $132.00 
(VOTE = 1)
Intense blackberry liqueur and espresso bean develop into rose and truffle oil aromas. Creamy and opulent, flavors of semi-sweet chocolate, mocha, and plum layer the front and mid-palate. Fresh minerality, archetypal Stags Leap District character, frames the long silky finish.  Established in 2002, Cliff Lede Vineyards encompasses sixty acres with a gravity-flow winery with a berry-by-berry sorting system and conical tanks commissioned using a design inspired by the tanks of Château Latour. One tank per vineyard block ensures each lot evolves at its own pace. Every step of the way; no corner has been cut.

Make reservations at Francesca's at Sunset in La Cantera Resort.

Showdown at Sunset

How would you like to try $480 worth of wine for only $27?  Of course you would!!! Come try my new “Showdown at Sunset” wine flight featuring:
"Which $120 Red Wine on our list is the BEST?"

Comparative tasting is an enjoyable pursuit. We often try the same variety side by side, or wines from the same region. When it is all said and done what it boils down to is which wine would you rather have and how much do you want to pay for a wine.  In our “Showdown” tasting; all bets are off and any rules are out the window...four wines are poured, two ounces each, and you tell us which one you like the most.  Simple & fun!

August 29th 2014

July and August we featured our French wines on the list; guest who had the Syrah from St. Joseph said; “It was so good we did not leave a drop.”  We know it is a great wine and a good value.  How does it compare to other red wine that sell for the same price?

2 oz each of four wines for $27. with tasting notes.
(8 oz of wine valued at $38.40)

-Syrah, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Domaine de La Croix des Vignes, St.-Joseph, Rhône, France, 2009
“2009 will mark the full and complete resurrection of Paul Jaboulet Aîné to the highest level of quality in the northern Rhône!” Robert Parker, March 2011
From a tiny 3.75-acre estate and aged in 50% new oak, shows terrific raspberry and mineral-laced black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with aromas of flowers.  Complex, elegant, pure—Syrah!
The Paul Jaboulet story is of a magical encounter between a generous land on a hill along the Rhone river and a family passionate about growing vines and making wine. Founded in 1834 generations have helped these vineyards soar as beautiful and profound wines for the world.



-Malbec 75% Petit Verdot 25%, RAVEN, Becker, Texas Hill Country, 2010. (VOTE = 2)
“Look no further, you have found Texas’ Greatest Wine!  Dark and brooding colors in the glass with pleasant aromas of oak and vanilla over Texas’ characteristic ‘Trail Dust’.   The flavors are big, rich and juicy, with blackberry, black cherry, a creamy coco tease over the vanilla laced oak and smoke notes.  In the complex layers chestnuts, spice and woodsy flavors emerge, followed by a great finish.” -Steven Krueger, Resort Sommelier
Established in 1992 by Richard and Bunny Becker.  In addition to the grapes planted on site they buy grapes from great Texas growers like Drew Talent.  His vineyards in Mason County are the excellent source for the grapes that make this wine.

-Cabernet Sauvignon 83%, Merlot 8%, Malbec 5%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Orin Swift, "Palermo"  Napa Valley, California, 2011 (VOTE = 2)
Only the third vintage of Palermo; this wine represents years of experimentation with different lots, varying grape maturity levels, complex  French cooperage programs, and some proprietary intuition, they call “separate among equal parts.”  As time has passed, Orin Swift has carefully assembled a diverse network of vineyards to work with, in an ongoing effort to make better wines. The spirit of Palermo resides in an allegorical catacomb that stands to honor the past, cloaked in deference to the vine, and strives to artfully frame what the harvest yields every year.


-Zinfandel, Turley, Dragon Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, 2012 (VOTE = 2)
Dragon Vineyard is an estate-owned and certified organic vineyard. Planted at 2400 feet at one of the
highest points on Howell Mountain, the vineyard sits well above the fog line and faces east.  These important features, along with the rocky, red volcanic soil, make for a very unique, full-bodied and powerful Zinfandel.
Turley Wine Cellars makes single vineyard designate Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs.  Focusing on old vine vineyards in Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.

Make reservations at Francesca's at Sunset in La Cantera Resort.

(Showdown ended with a three way tie!  The only looser being my beloved Syrah.  This showdown exercise is fun and tough.)

Chardonnay, Rodney Strong, Sustainably Grown, Sonoma County, California

Place Matters.  An early pioneer in Sonoma County, Rodney Strong was an acknowledged visionary who understood the potential that Sonoma County’s soil and climate held for producing world-class wines. He was the first to craft a single-vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in Russian River Valley and the first to produce a Chalk Hill Chardonnay.  
“Place is not everything. But place is the most important thing.” – Tom Klein, Proprietor

• SUPPLE
• Brown Spice
• Vanilla
• Lemon
• Apple
• Toasty Barrel
• Pear
• Pineapple

From the west and southwestern regions of Sonoma County, ideal for growing chardonnay grapes.  The cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean arriving reliably in the form of fog each summer evening maintains the bright natural acidity that is key to the balance of any fine Chardonnay, while the warm summer afternoons ensure plenty of ripe fruit character. A combination of estate grown and locally farmed fruit, grown in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast appellations make this wine delicious.

And please reply to this blog;

have you tried this Chardonnay?

BRANNON'S CAFE

WINE LIST

Cabernet Sauvignon, MOUNTAIN VIEW, Central Coast, California

“Some of the best values in the marketplace have come from Mountain View.  Smart consumers should be buying these wines.” –Robert Parker
50% Monterey grapes and 50% Northern Paso Robles grapes; excellent vineyard sources with talented and experienced wine making with American oak aging for 12 months, a little Merlot blended in (8%) was added for balanced juicy flavors; this is the most interesting and delicious wine at this price point.  

• POWERFUL 
• Berry Fruit 
• Black Cherry
• Cranberry,
• Cedar 
• Earthy Base Tones

From its inception, in 1978, Mountain View winery has forged strong relationships with growers in order to produce reasonably priced wines of superior quality. With growers located in regions that offer strong varietal character and exceptional value, including Monterey, Amador, Carneros, Lake County and the Central Coast. Mountain View Vintners are committed to the pursuit of ecologically sound practices whenever and wherever possible in the production process of premium quality varietal wines. In the Monterey and the Central Coast vineyards their growers have adopted sustainable farming methods and are happy to report environmentally sensitive results along with quality and economic benefits from the changes to "let the 'green' soil do its job naturally" have been realized. Their packaging is also “green” oriented as all glass bottles are produced with 75% recycled glass and our cases are made from 85% post-consumer recycled paper. And, the label printer, Galaxy Press, was the first printer in Northern California to achieve “green” certification and all labels are made from water based products so that they are biodegradable. Quality and substance is what we find in every bottle of wine from the Mountain View Vintners.

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WINE LIST

Cabernet Sauvignon, VILLA SAN JULIETTE, Paso Robles, California

The story begins with the reality series “Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes” that followed the trials and exploits of award-winning entertainment producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick as they made a major investment in their long held dream – owning their own vineyard. Childhood friends from the backstreets of Liverpool who produce the huge US prime time hit, American Idol, Ken and Nigel have the Midas Touch.  The beautiful 168 acre vineyard in Paso Robles, California is quickly developing into another HUGE Success for this team!

• POWERFUL
• Cherry
• Plum
• Cedar
• Cocoa
• Clove
• Raspberry
• Vanilla

MATT ORTMAN, WINEMAKER, grew up the son of a well-respected winemaker, surrounded by vineyards and wine in the Napa Valley, Matt's own wine making career started at the age of 12 when he unsuccessfully attempted fermenting apple juice. But, Matt desired to build skyscrapers and bridges as a Mechanical Engineering major at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. After this an older, wiser Matt had an epiphany after enjoying a bottle of wine that his father had given him and his bride, Lisa. Realizing he wished he had pursued wine when he had the chance growing up, he took a cellar position at Castello di Gabianno winery in Tuscany. Upon his return to California, Matt joined his father in launching the Ortman Family Vineyards brand.  After learning his craft from true master artisans, Matt is now winemaker with Villa San-Juliette. He believes strongly in the region and feels that the estate vineyard lies in one of the pockets capable of creating exceptional wines. The combination of soils, aspect, and elevation are what will allow him to create wines of richness, depth, and character which will stand up to the quality of the landscape and tasting room experience. This is an exciting wine from and exciting place; ready to make your dinner more exciting, tonight!

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WINE LIST

Meritage, ESTANCIA, Paso Robles, California

In 1999, Estancia planted nearly 700 acres of vineyards in the acclaimed appellation of Paso Robles. The infertile soils and rugged terrain of Estancia’s Keyes Canyon Vineyard, encourage the vines to yield small fruit clusters with tiny berries packed full of rich berry tones. This unique appellation is home to more extreme temperature swings than any other wine-growing region in California. During the day, the vines bask in the warm sunshine and at night they are soothed by a cool marine layer from the Pacific Ocean.

• POWERFUL AND SOPHISTICATED
• Complex
• Dark Black Cherries
• Anise
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Chocolate Powder
• Soft Oak
• Luscious

Varietal Composition 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot.  Oak Aging 14 months.

Pronounced; MEHR-ih-tihj. The name Meritage (a compound of the words merit and heritage) was chosen from over 6,000 entries in an international contest held by a group of vintners who sought to establish standards of identification for a category of American blended wines made with traditional Bordeaux grape varieties.  Instituted in 1989, the term Meritage is a certification mark registered with the U.S. Department of Trademarks and Patents. To be designated as Meritage, a wine must meet the following standards: 1. It must be a blend of two or more Bordeaux grape varieties- 2. It must be the winery's best wine of its type; 3. It must be produced and bottled by a U.S. Winery from grapes that carry a U.S. appellation; and 4. Its production is limited to a maximum 25,000 cases per vintage.

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WINE LIST

Cabernet Sauvignon, MAGNOLIA GROVE, by Chateau St. Jean, California

Magnolia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon's label evokes a relaxed elegance that is synonymous with the Sonoma County lifestyle and feeling one will experience when traveling and staying in a Starwood Hotels.  This wine was created for Starwood Hotels by Chateau St. Jean to meet the expectations of their consumers who are knowledgeable, yet unpretentious about their wine selections.

• POWERFUL
• Black Cherry
• Soft Tannins
• Cedar Spice
• Vanilla
• Oak

Grapes are sourced primarily from vineyards in the Central Coast and the Northern Interior of California.  Fermented in stainless steel tanks with a portion in French and American oak, the majority of the fruit goes through malolactic fermentation, lending richness and creamy mouthfeel.  Use of oak is intended to complement the brightness of the fruit and its structure without overpowering the palate. Excellent results from a great partnership.

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WINE LIST

Cabernet Sauvignon, JOSEPH CARR, Napa County, California

The Joseph Carr wines really bring together the best vineyards and talented wine making into the bottle and then selling that at fare prices.  The vineyard sources for this Cabernet Sauvignon are first rate; Rutherford, Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill and Red Hills.  You will frequently find the juice from the neighboring vineyards selling for twice the price and more.  I applaud this endeavor for making quality and keeping it affordable.

• POWERFUL
• Dark Cherry 
• Ripe Plum
• Ripe Black Currant,
• Smoke
• Vanilla
• Cocoa Dust
• Firm Tannins

Joseph Carr wines are produced at Larson Family Vineyards in Carneros, bordering both Napa and Sonoma Counties. A beautiful property built over a hundred years ago by Tom Larson's grandfather; this is where they crush, barrel ferment, blend, and age all of the Joseph Carr wines.  Tom owns over a hundred acres of vines in Northern California, as well as managing 500 acres of some of the finest boutique vineyards in the valley. In this place the people can be creative, laugh a lot, and work together to produce handcrafted wines, unhurried, in a state of the art facility.

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WINE LIST

Cabernet Sauvignon, JOSH CELLARS, North Coast, California

Joseph Carr's wine making team jokingly refers to this as a “vin de garage”  after work they like to sit around  wine cellar they call “the garage” and tinker with things.  Grape growers and friends come by and lend a hand,  laugh, tell stories and produce a winemaker's wine that we make just for ourselves; a handcrafted wine.  And, now they are sharing this with with you and me; named after Joseph Carr’s father, Josh, and they are expressive, but unassuming and approachable – just like Josh Carr was.

• POWERFUL
• Cherry
• Black Currant
• Spicy 
• Berry
• Oak

The grapes are from a single vineyard in the mountains of the Red Hills at the highest section between the Vaca and Mayacamas mountain ranges. The Mayacamas are famous for great Cabernet wine, due in part to ancient pyroclastic soils that contain volcanic glass. Josh Cellars North Coast Vineyards contain obsidian gravel that allows the soils to drain well, which is extremely important for growing Cabernet grapes. The high elevation sunlight combined with the rich volcanic red soils and obsidian fragments produce quality grapes that are extremely unique to the Red Hills. The vineyard itself sits on an East facing slope with varying altitude from 1200 to 2000 feet. The average daytime summer temperature is 84 degrees with an average nighttime temperature of 51 degrees. Handpicked at the peak of flavor development, crushed and cold soaked for 24 hours; punched down three times a day to maximize flavor extraction. Followed with a 10-15 day extended maceration. Barrel aging in new American oak and 1-2 year French oak for 16 months.

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Chardonnay, JOSEPH CARR, "DIJON CLONE", Sonoma Coast, California

California estate vineyards with traditional French techniques makes this Chardonnay delicious.  The vines are Dijon Clones 75, 76, 95, 96  growing in the Sonoma Coast region. The Growers picked the grapes by hand at the peak of ripeness and the winery gently pressed the grapes into juice using a membrane press. The juice was then chilled, settled, and racked into Burgundy oak barrels for fermentation. The yeast lees were hand stirred monthly to enhance the creamy finish produced by barrel fermentation and to encourage secondary malolactic fermentation. Less than 1,200 cases were produced.

• Apple
• Pear
• Vanilla
• Butter
• Citrus
• Tropical fruit 
• Creamy Butter
• Toasty

In 2009, New York Times writer Eric Asimov proclaimed Joseph Carr to be “a producer to watch”, and put his wines alongside the likes of Far Niente, Clos du Val, Heitz, Grgich Hills and Rubicon. Mr. Asimov continues to comment that these are “wines of balance and restraint”. As director of Joseph Carr Napa Valley, Joseph continues to work with many of the associates he has met throughout his long career in restaurants as a Sommelier. Influenced by the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Joseph Carr's winemaking philosophy is balance, sophistication and approachable. Since launching his business in 2005, Mr. Carr's wines have been received with great enthusiasm. His wines grace some of the finest restaurant lists in the United States and abroad.

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Chardonnay, MAGNOLIA GROVE, by Chateau St. Jean, California

Magnolia Grove Chardonnay's label evokes a relaxed elegance that is synonymous with the Sonoma County lifestyle and feeling one will experience when traveling and staying in a Starwood Hotels.  This wine was created for Starwood Hotels by Chateau St. Jean to meet the expectations of their consumers who are knowledgeable, yet unpretentious about their wine selections.

• SUPPLE
• Pineapple
• Ripe Peach
• Lemon Zest
• Vanilla
• Oak

Innovative techniques for wood aging are used; toasting the oak at lower temperatures for longer period of time. This "lower and slower" process brings out more sweetness and vanilla in the wine than traditional methods,making the flavors in this wine comparable to Chardonnays that sell for twice the price.  Grapes are sourced primarily from vineyards in the Central Coast and the Northern Interior of California.  Fermented in stainless steel tanks with a portion in French and American oak, the majority of the fruit goes through malolactic fermentation, lending richness and creamy mouthfeel.  Excellent results from a great partnership.

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Cabernet Sauvignon, ROBERT MONDAVI, Napa Valley, California

There is no name or label on a bottle that embodies California Wine more than this one.  One could make a case that Chardonnay is most stereotypically California, but from Napa Valley it has to be Cabernet Sauvignon.  And, this one is 100% Napa Valley and 40% of that is from the legendary To Kalon Vineyard!  Planted originally in 1868, the To Kalon Vineyard has become recognized as one of the first-growth vineyards of the world.  Ancient Greek for “the highest beauty,” To Kalon is the historic vineyard that provides Robert Mondavi Winerywith grapes for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

• POWERFUL
• Black Cherries
• Blackberry
• Italian Plums
• Mocha
• Tobacco
• Clove

Mr. Mondavi believed that wines should reflect their origins, that they are the product of the soil, the climate, and the careful stewardship of those precious resources. He also believed in combining the newest techniques and technology with time-honored winemaking traditions.  The Robert Mondavi Winery winemaking and vineyard teams are proud to carry on the tradition to always strive higher, to pursue Mr. Mondavi’s goal of excellence with the same passion and innovative spirit, moving forward with programs that break barriers and open new frontiers.

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