2014 Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

 

Just so happens this wine was a sample received a few years ago and while letting it age, I wanted to pull it for a special meal. Tonight, was that night to serve with braised beef short ribs over mashed potatoes.

It was 12 years ago when I first was introduced to Cornerstone Cellars and then a tasting when I paid a visit on a trip to Napa and Sonoma. The tasting room has changed over the years, but the wines have remained exquisite.

I opened the bottle a couple hours prior to dinner and poured a small glass without drinking (I know you find this hard to believe) but continued to swirl and sniff in 30 minute intervals to allow the wine to open and to feel it evolve. Loads of dark fruit on the nose with blackberry dominant followed by plum, black currants, coffee bean and toasty oak. The mouth is rich with blackberry, plum, a hint of juicy raspberry wrapped around fennel and star anise. The fruit lingers long in the mouth. 

I would highly recommend a stop by Cornerstone Cellars Tasting Room on your next visit to Napa. 

Cheers

Dan

2019 Cantine Spinelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Atessa Italy

 

A really nice inexpensive Italian from the Central Region of Italy, tonight was the 2019 Spinelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo.  The wine includes both the Montepulciano D'Abruzzo and Sangiovese grapes and fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks.

Nice color in the glass with ruby red and purple hues. The nose shows nicely with dark fruit aromas of dark cherry and plum followed by a hint of earthiness and a peppery spice. The mouth starts with cherry and juicy plum, a little dusty earth and spice on the long soft finish. Great starter wine I paired with cheese and genoa salami.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico Red Blend Sonoma County Cry Creek Valley

 

Some wise gentleman at Pedroncelli once told me I would really enjoy this wine and how ironic he was correct. So thanks Ed for introducing me to this wine. Every time I open a vintage for some reason I start blurting out "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore" and big surprise I paired the wine with pizza pie. 

The Sonoma Classico is a proprietary blend of Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel. The grapes were all harvested in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valley Appellation. 2018 what was a very good year for growing with excellent ripe fruit and the perfect amount of acidity. The wine was aged 14 months in seasoned American oak barrels which softens the wine and gives it its complexity.

Swirl and smell and the fruit rises with plum, cherry, blackberry with a hint of violets and baking spice. The mouth is to die for if you love Italian wines with Sangiovese because this one does not disappoint. Jammy fruit from the start with blackberry, plum, cherry followed by vanilla cream and a subtle yet soft spicey finish with a touch of oak. A wine I keep on hand at all times. Pizza is from a local restaurant and a recipe I grew up on as a kid. Delicious pairing.

Support this family winery by stopping by for a visit or ordering wines online. 

2018 Ceja Vineyards Oxomo Red Wine Napa Valley

 

Always a favorite winery I like pulling from my cellar, tonight was the Oxomo from the Ceja family who continue to produce premium wines from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. They have been featured in many interviews, publications and events all across the region and country. Their story is one to admire going from immigrant vineyard workers to growers and now winery owners. Hard work and a passion for what they love shows in each grape grown and wine produced by this family winery.

The 2018 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Ceja Napa Valley Vineyards. In the glass the color is rich deep red showing aromas that match the color with intense red and dark fruit clusters, a hint of wildflowers and a nice kiss of toasted spice on the nose. The mouth is big on flavor showcasing the ripe berries of raspberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry with a subtle hint of toasted vanilla cream on the long elegant and silky finish. Just an outstanding red wine from winemaker Armando Ceja. Knowing Amelia Ceja and her love of food and wine pairings, it was only fitting I paired this wine with a nice beef tenderloin, thick pan steak sauce (yes a splash of the wine was in it) and a simple baked potato. Stunning.

Next time on your wine region visit swing by their Sonoma Wine Tasting Room for a splash of their offerings, to hear their story and to purchase some of the award winning delicious wines the family produces. I'm due for a visit too.

All links on here are safe and direct you to the winery website. Leave us a comment in the comments section if you have tasted this wine or others from the Ceja portfolio.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Hook and Ladder Severson Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

 

Tonight's wine was a purchase from Hook and Ladder Winery, their limited production pinot noir from the Severson Ranch Vineyard by winemaker Jason DeLoach. 

The vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley in the Olivet Road area known for its cool climate best suited for growing these grapes. Once harvested, the fruit was fermented in open top tanks using native yeasts and punched down by hand 3-4 times each day for 3 weeks. The juice was then aged for 9 months in French oak barrels. The result is outstanding.

Swirl, sniff repeat several times and what you get on the nose is rich dark cherry notes with forest floor accents, a splash of cola, crushed herbs with a hint of spicy notes. No doubt the region on this wine if you are a fan of the RRV.

The mouth is lush with juicy cherry, tart cranberry and a hint of plum. Continue to let the wine roll across the mouth and herbs and spice dance over your tongue. Medium bodied with a long, elegant finish. Only 125 cases made. Jason I never wanted this wine to be gone but sadly the bottle is empty. I paired this wine with olive oil and thyme rubbed pork medalions with rice. 

If you are in the Santa Rosa Ca area on your next wine tasting trip, I highly recommend a stop on Olivet Road at Hook and Ladder Winery. Taste, buy and even sign up for the wine club. I promise you will enjoy the experience.

Links on this blog are safe and point you back to the winery website. If you have tasted this wine or others from this winery, drop us a comment on the blog. We would love to hear from you.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Pedroncelli Chardonnay Signature Selection Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County

Italian dinner night with lobster ravioli in a pink sauce, bruschetta, Italian herb roll, salad and a 2018 Pedroncelli Family Winery Chardonnay. Love the pairings with these wines as they are complimentary to the dishes without overpowering, enhancing your experience. 

The Chardonnay grapes are harvested from the Frank Johnson Vineyard which is located at the southern end of Dry Creek Valley, known for its cool microclimate and alluvial soils, a vineyard perfectly suited for chardonnay. Once harvested, the juice is fermented mainly in stainless steel with just a few months of oak aging leading to that little kiss of creaminess in each bottle. One thing to always remember is the wine really begins in the vineyard and when you have an exceptional vineyard manager along with an excellent winemaker you have deliciousness in any varietal you open with the name Pedroncelli on the label.

The nose on this wine screams the tropics with pineapple, peach, apple with just a hint of spice and toasted oak. The mouth is full of flavor again with the tropical fruit and granny smith apple and a kiss of creamy vanilla and baking spice on the finish. Crisp and refreshing for a Chardonnay with a lot of flavors, not over oaked, and one of my favorites in the Pedroncelli portfolio of wines.

Grab a bottle or 6 from this wonderful family winery on your next visit  

If you aren't in the area you can still purchase from the website or sign up for the wine club.

Drop us a note on the blog if you have tasted this wine. All links in this story are safe and go directly to the winery website.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Argiano NC Toscana Rosso OGT

 

Decided it was a nice night to open an Italian wine from the beautiful vineyards of Tuscany. Ever since engrossing myself in Italian history, I've found myself not only learning about the foods of each region but also the culture and the simple ways of life and that includes the wines. But who doesn't like pasta, pizza, gelato, tiramisu, fresh fish and beef. 

Tonight's wine opens with intense berry aromas of raspberry and plum with a hint of toasted nuts and a little dusty earth. The mouth is rich with cherry, raspberry and plum followed by a kiss of blackberry finishing with the earthy notes and a warm spice. Nice full-bodied wine with a soft silky finish.

Cheers

Dan

2020 Pedroncelli Rose Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County

 

Spring has made an early appearance and I craved a crisp refreshing wine so what better than to open a Pedroncelli Rose' made from the Zinfandel grapes harvested from the Bushnell Vineyard. Since 1954 the family has produced rose in a style that showcases the flavors of the fruit with a crisp and spicy character. Rock solid vintage after vintage. 

I've raved about the wines the Pedroncelli's produce, and you know how much I enjoy tasting through their portfolio. I'll say it one more time You Want To Drink These Wines Everyday All Day!

The wine is destemmed and pressed, with the 100% free run juice transferred to stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The wine was then bottled a few months after harvest. From the moment the wine is poured, aromas of fresh red fruit clusters and fresh cut roses race from the glass. The mouth is juicy with ripe cherry and strawberry lending to a bit of a creamy nuance followed by a gentle kiss of baking spice. Crisp, refreshing and so enjoyable. 

Make sure you grab some Rose and a few other bottles of the Pedroncelli varietals for your sipping pleasure.

Cheers

Dan