2018 Knotty Vines Pinot Noir

 

Took this wine on my trip to Northern Wisconsin and enjoyed while on vacation overlooking the harbor. Pairs well with wood fired pizza in case you were wondering.

 The 2018 Knotty Vines Pinot Noir a lively wine with notes of black cherry, plum, red berry clusters, toasted vanilla and a slight hint of oak.

The mouth is lush and fresh with juicy dark cherry, pomegranate, soft plum, intense red berries with a hint of vanilla and oak. The finish is long, silky and soft. A powerful little wine for $15 that won't break the bank. Clink the link Knotty Vines Pinot  to order yours today.

Cheers

Dan

2017 Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir Napa Valley

 

In South Napa you will find Jamieson Canyon and the home of Elkhorn Peak Cellars, a limited production family winey. Ken Nerlove grower/owner along with his daughter Elise Rutchick co-owner and jack of all trades, winemaker Kent Rasmussen and sprinkle in Faith and Lucas Nerlove and you have the heart and sole of Elkhorn Peak.

In 1983 Ken purchased an old sheep ranch and planted an acre of Pinot Noir and one of Chardonnay. While no vineyards were planted in Jamieson Canyon both the soil and climate were perfect for these two varietals. Just 3 short years later the vineyard expanded to 8 acres with the first harvest in 1987. For the next 5 years this small thriving business sold their grapes to winemakers throughout the region and became known as a top grower. Bam here comes 1994 and Ken's own label is born.

When you think about small clusters of fruit nurtured by the hands of family farmers and how that finished product reflects all the blood sweat and tears in many cases years to accomplish perfection, they hold a special place in my cellar. More importantly they hold a very real meaningful place in the economy called small business, the backbone of America and how the wine region got it's start. Listen to Ken and Elise talk about farming, winemaking and the life while you sit around sipping their juice. Fascinating to listen and learn about their story. I had no idea who Ken was and introduced to their fruit from another winemaker who bought their pinot grapes and made a very delicious pinot noir of their own. Call me a lifer fan now.

The 2017 Pinot Noir is exquisite with aromas and flavors of dark cherry with subtle hints of strawberries and plums followed by a kiss of earthiness and spice. So silky and elegant in the mouth you hate to put the glass down. I've mentioned the comment many times but these bottles are why you drink small production wines and why you should taste this label. 

Check out the website Elkhorn Peak Cellars and grab a bottle or 12 and support the small family farmer and limited production winery. It really is the good stuff folks.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Campesino Cellars Isa Grenache Rose'

An old friend from one of my favorite winemakers Macario Montoya of Campesino Cellars in Sonoma. Hello to the 2019 Isa Grenache Rose' which is a steal at $18 per bottle with only 100 cases produced. I even had a chance to share this wine with the wine loving daughters who now have their own bottles in Wisconsin and Texas. 

The 2019 Grenache Rose' color is a gorgeous light salmon. The nose shows beautifully with fresh picked ripe strawberries, sliced melon with hints of flower pedals. The mouth is juicy with strawberries, cantaloupe, cherry and a nice spice on the long finish. Stainless steel fermented and aged in neutral French oak. Perfect rose' wine Macario. 

I'll sip this on the porch, while cooking or pair with many of my favorite light dishes. Tonight I paired with air fried peppers, onions and polish kielbasa. .

Below you can click the link to order your own bottles of Macario and Griselda's Isa Rose'. Hurry before they are sold out!

Campesino Cellars Wine 

Cheers

Dan

Alma de Cattleya and Pisoni Family Vineyards Wine #AlmaLuciaWine

Several weeks back I had the wonderful opportunity to taste 4 exquisite wines by 2 very talented winemakers who happen to be husband and wife. Bibiana Gonzalez Rave produces her Alma de Cattleya wines consisting of varietals Rose' of Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jeff Pisoni produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rose' and Syrah from the Santa Lucia Highlands with several single vineyard offerings from Pisoni Family Vineyards

Bibiana who was raising in Columbia, produces wines which represent the uniqueness of Northern California. Her Alma de Cattleya wine derives its name from her heritage. Alma means soul in Spanish and Cattleya is the national flower of her native Columbia. What I real enjoyed with her wines was the versatility to pair with the patio outside or enjoy with dinner. The 2 wines we tasted were the 2019 Rose' Of Pinot Sonoma County and the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County. 

Jeff looking at the history was destined to be a winemaker. You grow up in a family business of grape growing and wine, understand the land and farming aspect and the natural progression to winemaker. Thanks to Gary Pisoni who went against the odds of planting grapes in the mountains, the result is these beautiful Lucia wines and the Pisoni Estate wines. The 2 Lucia offerings we tasted were the 2018 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands and the 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands. Both wines are elegant, sophisticated and taste well over their price point.

The 2019 Rose' Of Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Carneros regions. Harvested and night, the grapes were hand sorted and gently pressed with the juice being allowed to settle overnight. Racking commenced then the juice is aged in neutral French oak barrels for 6 months. Production on this wine is 500 cases. The nose starts with beautiful fresh cut rose petals followed by ripe strawberry and citrus. Crisp and refreshing tingling the senses. The mouth is so juicy bursting with wild strawberry and floral notes. Beautiful acidity from start to finish. A definite value at $20.

The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc fruit was sourced from 5 different vineyards on hillsides in Sonoma County. The clones selected were Clone 1 and Musque. Harvested at night, hand sorted and gently pressed this wine is aged in neutral French oak on its lees for 6 months. The nose shows nicely with sliced grapefruit and hints or orange and lemon zest followed by wildflowers. The mouth I love with the soft grapefruit and kiss of lemon citrus finishing with a hint of orange zest. So well balanced and refreshing. price point on this wine is $22 with 2250 cases produced.

The 2018 Chardonnay was sourced from Pisoni's Gary's and Soberanes Vineyards in the Lucia Appelation. Hand picked and sorted, these limited production wines are aged with native yeast in selected French oak barrels for 11 months. The blend for this wine is 100% estate fruit with each vineyard providing a unique character to the wine. The higher elevations of the Pisoni vineyards gives the wine the baked apple, pear and lemon curd character while the Soberano vineyards gives the wine a citrus blossom and wet stone distinction. The nose showcases apple, pear with hints of baking spice. The mouth is lush with apple pie and baking spice intertwined with sliced pear, a splash of lemon and finishes with a toasted vanilla crème. One fine chardonnay priced at $45 and 480 cases produced.

Final wine the 2018 Pinot Noir which was sourced from the Pisoni, Gary's and Soberanes Vineyards. Hand picked and sorted the wine is aged 40 months in French oak barrels. The wine is a combination of 41% Gary's Vineyard, 32% Pisoni and 27% Soberanes. The aromas of dark cherry, red berry clusters, spice and crushed herbs race from the glass once poured. The mouth screams pinot with dark cherry, a tartness of red currant, raspberry, a hint of strawberry with a nice subtle spice and herbal notes on the finish. Outstanding expression of Pinot Noir priced at $45 and 1460 cases produced.

Bibiana and Jeff thank you for the introduction to your wines. Ranks up near the top of some of the wines I have been lucky to taste on these tweetups. Robert thank you as well for the opportunity to taste as part of the participants selected. 

If you would like to purchase these wines below are the website links to the respective wines

Alma de Cattleya Wines 

Pisoni Family Vineyards Wines 

Cheers

Dan

2014 Eric Ross Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Nick's Block Sonoma County

"Taste The Vineyard" when drinking a bottle of Eric Ross Vineyards wine. Respect the vineyard and no interference, that's what makes Eric Luse owner and winemaker a rockstar and his wines taste exactly like each varietal should. 

I got a chance to share this bottle over a fathers day dinner with my oldest who was passing through on a visit. Perfect time to open this 2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Dark cherry and rich cola grace the nose with a hint of vanilla. The flavor is intense with the rich dark cherry, a splash of red currant with cola and toasted vanilla. The finish is long and silky. Pinot Noir as it should be! Might be my new favorite wine from your lineup Eric.

Paired this beauty with one of my favorite dishes. Pork medallions with pomegranate cherry reduction sauce with air fried veggies. What a great pairing.

Cheers

Dan