2012 10Span Vineyards Pinot Gris Monterey County

The weather has been cold lately but Spring is around the corner and upon a visit to my favorite wine store First Avenue Wine House I purchased a few white wines. Pinot Gris has long been a favorite and the vineyard 10Span is new to me.

The California Condor with it's wingspan 10 feet from tip to tip was the inspiration for making this wine. Artisan crafted, these wines showcase the coastal region for which the bird soars high above. Proceeds from 10Span wines benefit the Ventana Wildlife Society which helps reintroduce the condor back into the wild.

The nose is so appealing with ripe apple and fresh sliced cantaloupe leading the way. Hints of orange citrus zest, floral notes and caramel round out the nose.

The mouth is crisp with refreshing layers of flavor. Cantaloupe, juicy apple and tangerine with a creamy butterscotch finish. I paired with spicy chicken tortilla soup and what an amazing pairing. The price is easy on the pocketbook at $12.99. A fun delicious wine.

I'll be back in to pick more up Traci.

Cheers
Dan

Cellarcast Talks Wine, Napa, Travel and Food With Elizabeth Smith

I had the pleasure of chatting with Elizabeth Smith on her move to Napa, her job as Wine Club Coordinator at Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards and the new lifestyle she loves. A fitting picture with Cindy Cosco above shows how relaxed one feels in wine country.

For those who do not know Beth was an east coast gal successful working in the wine industry and owning her own personal travel business. All roads were leading to wine country and her love of the grape juice. That day has finally arrived 6 weeks ago and we sat down for a chat yesterday. Thanks for being such a great guest Beth and keep enjoying that Napa life.

Here is the link to CellarCast Interview With Elizabeth Smith 
  

Special thanks to sponsor Cornerstone Cellars!

Enjoy the show

Cheers
Dan

2011 Casillero del Diablo Carmenere from Chile

What a neat wine from Chile and inexpensive around $10 this Carmenere from Casillero del Diablo and Marcello Papa winemaker. A wine in my opinion with a nice bouquet, excellent fruit and soft on the finish.

The nose is full of raspberry, blackberry and plum fruit highlighted by mocha, black pepper, toasty oak and cocoa.

The mouth again is full of dark fruit with dark plum, blackberry, dark cherry and raspberry. A generous spicy currant and finishing with a nice oak accent. Soft for a wine with an emphasis on dark rich fruit. A coworker brought me some deer sticks and this wine was a good match. Enjoyable.

Casillero del Diablo is a nice example of inexpensive wines which you may enjoy.

Cheers
Dan

Vinho Verde Aromas Das Castas 2012 Alvarinho Trajadura

*Sample received

3 to 4 foot of snow on the ground and I'm popping a sample bottle of Vinho Verde from Portugal. First I am impressed with the cool label and long sleek bottle. I've been a fan and also recruited my daughters who love wallet friendly crisp wines or anything Dad pours which they never pay per glass :)

What you will find in each bottle is a refreshing white wine great with small plate salads or conversation sippers. Lime citrus, melon, tangerine, lemon, apricot with mineral on the nose. The mouth was a burst of limeade, tangerine and melon. The tropics are alive and well in this bottle. I paired with chicken salad over buttery crackers and the pairing was sweet.

Check out your local wine store and try some of these value wines from Vinho Verde.

*Sample received

Cheers
Dan

BlogTalk Radio Meet The Wine Maker Cynthia Cosco of Passaagio Wines

All I can say is that old groundhog better never show his face around me. Right before we are going live for this weeks BlogTalk Radio show my internet and power glitch turned this relatively calm individual into 2 year old tantrum mode. Not only would nothing boot up quickly but it appeared it wanted to mess with me and start loading all sorts of updates. Note to self screaming at the router and laptop does not help nor does threatening to throw it in the foot of snow outside. Yes and while this was going on it was snowing outside and the poor winemaker was on hold thinking "I agreed to do what?" With music clips wiped out and the opening vanished we managed to duct tape the show together and had a fun little time. Thanks Cindy for being such a sport.

Here is the link  CellarCast With Passaggio Wines

Cheers
Dan

2011 Seven Of Hearts Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon

Nestled in downtown Carlton Oregon you will find the tasting room of Byron and Dana Dooley owners of Seven of Hearts Winery. The wines produced reflect the terroir....vintage, site soil and clone. Each year the wines will change the vintage will be unique to grapes and vineyard. The goal is to never make the same wine twice.

The story is one I have seen many times before. Introduced at an early age while in college, eventually a love for a style and many trips were planned around tasting adventures and premier wine regions. They chose the Howell Mountain appellation where Byron planted a small vineyard and Dana launched her chocolate business. When school was complete along with his internship at Williams Selyem, the time had come to establish roots in an area where Byron could create delicious wines and Dana could expand her chocolate business. How cool that their adventure took them to Oregon and The Willamette Valley where earlier they had tasted and fell in love with the wines and region.

2006 Byron created his first Oregon wine and the limited production portfolio was born. He works closely with growers to ensure each bottle expresses the growing condition of the region. Dana as well has a successful chocolate business Honest Choclates  and has developed a line of wine tasting chocolates you will find in the tasting room. What a wonderful story and my sources tell me they are the nicest people too.

The nose is full of ripe harvest cherry, sliced strawberry with hints of cinnamon and clove. As the wine opens some subtle earthy character shows nicely but this wine really expresses the fruit. Both bottles were so pleasing to the nose and felt like I was standing in the vineyard among the hanging fruit.

Beautiful mouth with fresh strawberry and cranberry. Hints of red raspberry and cherry with a perfect spicy finish. The layers are complex and flavors decadent. Each glass made me want more and the bottle did not last nearly as long as it should :) Byron this is some of my all time favorite Pinot. A steal under $25 and I'll need to stop by my local wine store to grab more before Traci sells out.

Stop by the tasting room located at 217 West Main Street Carlton OR open Thursday through Monday 11am-5pm. I think you will agree it's wine you will thoroughly enjoy.

Cheers
Dan