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Treasure Island Winery 2016 Petite Sirah - Amador County

Treasure Island Winery 2016 Petite Sirah - Amador County

Treaure Island Wines Petite Sirah – Perhaps we could start by saying this is no obscure little wine grape. In California Petite Sirah is the sixth most widely planted red wine grape in the state. Last I checked there were more than 12,000 acres of Petite Sirah planted in California. Perhaps you are like me in that a lot of the time, the wines produced as a varietal of this grape are often too dense, too chewy, just too, too! Yes, this grape can produce some monster wines that are liable to leave your mouth parched and your teeth colorfully stained.

Okay, so if that’s how you feel why write about another Petite Sirah. Well for one thing, I love earthy red wines. Second there are some winemakers that are interpreting the grape variety in a way that emphasizes finesse and grace over towering power of a wine — showing that there’s really is a reason to get excited about Petite Sirah after all.

Several the Petite Sirah I have tasted seemed to follow a formula or patter of picking the grapes at a high sugar level, leave the juice on the skins to extract as much color and power as possible during the fermentation. There are exceptions, but all too often this is the case. You might say that Petite Sirah is a very American grape. It’s the rare example of a European wine grape that has never really been cultivated in any meaningful way in Europe. Hence, everything that’s known about Petite Sirah was learned on American soil for the most part.

Jose Wine Caves 2012 Estate Aglianico

Jose Wine Caves 2012 Estate Aglianico wine review

Aglianico “alli-yawn-nico” is a black grape well known in the southern regions of Italy. This wine grape is considered with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo to be one of the three greatest Italian varieties. Aglianico produces a highly refined, complex wines that are among those considered famous in Italy. A full-bodied red wine young Aglianico wines are known for strikingly savory flavors of leather, white pepper, and dark fruits. If you are patient and allow the wine to age it develops soft aromas of dried figs and sun-tanned leather and a dusty or earthiness.

Is Aglianico worthy of cellaring for a few years?
Yes, easily age worthy for 10 to 20 years.
I remember the saying that was popular years ago from Paul Mason Winery; “we serve no wine before it’s time.” You will find that patience is a virtue when it comes to this full-bodied, high tannin and the acidity of this wine. A good Aglianico really doesn’t start to come into their best until it has aged for 10 years or so. It is then, with time, that the firm tannins and concentrated acidity begin to reveal lush layers of the fruit sweetening, dried floral bouquet with a spicy smokiness and dusty savory flavors really become apparent.

California Central Coast Wines - De Tierra 2017 Red Wine

California's Central Coast produces some delightful wines. This post and video will be focusing on a wonderful red wine,

De Tierra Vineyards 2017 Five by Five Red Blend –
In the glass and to the eye - a deep burgandy in color. A deep, vivid ruby color nearly perfectly diffuse from its core to a slightly lighter rim.

Central Coast Wine Review - Toucan Wines 2010 Carignane, Evangelho Vineyards

Toucan Wines 2010 Carignane – Evangelho Vineyard, Contra Costa County, CA

Carignane also spelled Carignan is a black-skinned wine grape variety commonly found along the Mediterranean cost primarily in Northern Spain and in France. This grape is commonly used in blending with the more well-known Grenache, Syrah, or Mourvèdre to produce some delightful wines. However, some wonderful Carignane wine grapes grow in the Evangelho Vineyard located in Contra Costa County here in California and is the last, and only vineyard in Antioch. There are other dry-farmed, ancient vineyards throughout the country. However, this remaining vineyard offers a special piece of Antioch history with its vines were planted in 1890 and still feeds into the current wine-making industry in California.

Coffees Are Like Fine Wines

Coffees like fine wine? Well, let's see how can we compare a caffeinated beverage to wine. Let's consider how today's Coffees are similar to or like fine wines. My wife and I have belonged to several coffee clubs over the years. Still, it really wasn’t until we traveled together and through parts of Costa Rica with some dear friends that I can say I started genuinely appreciating fine coffee. Oh, I had been enjoying some good coffees, but a coffee tour while visiting this beautiful country with a good friend of ours got that call Costa Rica home to me looking a bit more seriously at coffee.

I realize I am probably not the first to compare fine coffee with fine wines. Coffee that delightful brew as I knew it, is more than just the warm caffeinated beverage, to enjoy every morning. Oh, believe me, I look forward to a nice warm cup each morning. Likely you already know coffee beans, are really the seeds from the fruit of the coffee plant. Coffee plants much like wine varietals and vines themselves, are significantly affected by where they are grown and the conditions soil where they are grown. Have you heard the saying; “you are what you eat?” Well, the same goes for a lot of living things. Wines and coffees certainly share similarities as to the terroir from which they came.

The Terroir –

Sierra Foothill Wineries and Wines - Wise Villa Winery - 2009 Sierra Foothills Syrah

California Wine Tasting With Wise Villa Winery

Sierra Foothill wineries produce some delicous wines and Syrah is one of the wine grapes known to produce delightful wines in the region. Yes, the foothills of Placer County produce some wonderful wines with a little "altitude" if you would. I would like to introduce you to one from Wise Villa Winery.

Just a few weeks ago while going through my wine storage I discovered that I still had one of first vintage Syrah laying down. I Still remember a few other wines that I purchase during my visit with Dr. Grover Lee winemaker and the owner of the Estate and Kevin Luther the winemaker. It was a wonderful experience in the barrel room doing some barrel tasting with the owner and the winemaker that visit.

Since Wise Villa's first vintage with their first released in 2009, Wise Villa Winery has been a family owned and operated winery, estate vineyard, and more recently a Tuscan-style bistro located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills. Wise Villa is in the wine Appellation of Placer County and they have continued to please many a wine-lover since my first vist nearly 9 years ago. Wines Villa's grapes are meticulously grown using organic and sustainable practices. During harvest the folks at the winery go a step further by triple sorting and then implementing whole berry cold fermentation to produce balanced wines with natural fresh fruit character.

Paso Robles Wines - Maréchal Vineyards 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Paso Robles Wines are getting more and more attention from wine lovers all over the world. I would like to introduce you to Maréchal Vineyards - 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon – Paso Robles

Paso Robles strives for Big, Bold, and richly textured, both ready-to-drink and a few Cabernet Sauvignons worthy of laying down if you can wait along with Bordeaux Blends. These Paso Reds have flavors of anise, cola, peppercorns with a finish of bright acidity and quality finish.

Some pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon are Gary Eberle, who planted Cabernet vines in the 1970’s not knowing for sure what to expect. To Gary Eberle’s delight and those that have enjoyed his cabs the vines loved the soil and the hot Paso sun. In 1979 the winemaker founded Eberle Winery. Another pioneer for this grape was Justin Baldwin or perhaps you recognize Justin Winery who planted 70 of Bordeaux varieties in 1981. Justin Vineyard and Winery was born with his first vintage in 1987. Jerry Lohr founder of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines contributed to the recognition of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon starting in 1986 with planting and hands-on care saw to the tending of the vines while creating a winery and barreling facility. Fruits of his efforts became a reality in 1988 and currently spans over 2,000 acres in Paso Robles. Really, there are many more contributors in Paso and if you haven’t been, you are in for a treat.

Bogle Phantom Propreitory Red - 2012

Awhile back I was doing some customer direct marketing and pouring a wine from Bogle, Bogle Phantom. Like any wine, you can’t please everyone with any one wine. The fact is our taste preferences are as individual as we are. Bogle Phantom is a “proprietary red wine” from Bogle Vineyards in Clarksburg, California, USA. I enjoyed my visit to the Bogle winery in Clarksburg AVA just across the river from Sacramento and manage to take the long way out. So, when you visit, unless you want to explore, remember to head back the way you came. If you don’t you will see a lot of farm and vineyard and eventual end up at a river ferry crossing with no choice but to take the ferry, or turn around. I had come this far so I took the ferry across the river, to see what I could see.

While Bogle doesn’t reveal the blend composition, “proprietary red wine” they do say the vineyard source is Amador, Clarksburg, and Lodi. Phantom is aged 24 months in one and two-year-old American oak. On the bottle, underneath the title of the wine reads: “Mysterious and Hauntingly Seductive”
Bogle describes this wine as follows:

“As you pour it from the bottle the glass just might remind you of the dark recesses of the cellar you sense a presence, hear footsteps. Why is it these things only happen when you are alone? In the shadows, a glimpse of muddy boots and old blue jeans… the lurking legacies of hard work and determination left by those who have come before you. We are proud to carry on the traditions of our founders with this unique red wine. A deep ruby apparition that personifies the true spirit of the Bogle.”

Michael David Inkblot - 2014 Cabernet Franc

Michael David’s 2014 Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. California winemakers are produces outstanding Cabernet Franc single varietal wines in today’s wine-producing world. Yet Cabernet Franc is still one of California's best-kept secrets for many who have yet to venture toward this wine grape. Cab Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory bouquet, and smooth and polished tannins.

The first Lodi Cabernet Franc wine ever produced by Michael David Winery, and one of the few produced from Lodi. This varietal originated from the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions of France and has been grown with success in many other countries. The grapes for this wine come from a 9-acre vineyard located on the west side of Lodi right near the winery. Each year of Michael David’s Cabernet Franc are ready when made available at the winery, but each could be set down for a few years, if you can wait a few years.

Paso Robles Wines - Maréchal Vineyards 2017 Primitivo

Paso Robles Wines are really getting noticed by winelovers. Bold Cabernet Sauvignon, layered Primitivos are some of the delightful wines you will discover there. Maréchal Vineyards Primitivo is an Italian variety with roots in Croatia, and it bears the same DNA association with Zinfandel. Like Zinfandel, Primitivo is perfectly adapted to the growing conditions of Paso Robles. However, it is the naturally favors and elegance over heaviness—a quality that inspires Josh Marshall Winemaker, to make his Maréchal Vineyards Primitivo. The Primitivo fruit is hand-picked at peak maturity while carefully avoiding any over-ripe qualities. The winemaking approach borrows from European tradition, favoring evenness over aggressiveness in matters such as oak influence and tannin profile.

TASTING NOTES
Maréchal Vineyards Primitivo is distinguished by it-weight tannins and balanced acidity offer a long, round finish.

What's the difference between Primitivo and Zinfandel?

While Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically similar, they are quite different grapes and produce distinctive wines. Talking with winemakers that grow and produces both wines, and others we learned how they are totally different clusters of fruit and different berries too.

What is the difference?

California Winery Directory