2020 Hook And Ladder Olivet Ranch Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

 

Hot weather called for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and this crisp delightful wine from Jason Deloach and Hook & Ladder Winery was just what the glass needed.

The grapes were planted in 1985 in front of the winery in the home vineyard Olivet Ranch. Once harvested and pressed, the juice aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak barrels until bottling.

Once in the glass the aroma of fresh cut melon with floral notes, lemon grass and citrus zest please the nose. The mouth is a citrus blast so crisp and refreshing. Flavors of meyer lemon and key lime with splashes of nectarine roll across the tongue. The bottle never lasted the night. Must buy more.

Make sure on your next visit to Santa Rose you swing in for a taste and then grab a few bottles for your cellar. Located at 2134 Olivet Road in Santa Rosa, you have multiple reservation options based on your tasting preference. Trust me they make the good stuff.

Cheers

Dan

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