Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Here's an example of a wine in which the final blend is more than simply the sum of its constituent parts. Morgan crafts their Twelve Clone Pinot Noir from a mixture of vineyards throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, with a portion coming from their own "Double L" vineyard. The latter is the source of the wine's namesake, in a reference to how many Pinot Noir vine clones were originally planted there. The resulting red is a balanced, complex, and incredibly enjoyable affair, with aromas of earth, spices, pepper, and bright red berry and plum fruits, with a palate that has plenty of zest but also great juiciness.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Known for their large production of Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford also produces a line of what it calls "Small Parcels" releases, which are essentially "reserve" style selections. There are some interesting finds within that category, such as their "Wild Grace" Chardonnay, so named as a dual reflection of the rugged vineyard source, and the fact that wine undergoes fermentation with wild yeast strains. The result is the type of ripe, tropical, and creamy/toasty white that ought to be somewhat out of favor these days, but instead offers enough character, complexity, and verve to make it a guilty pleasure to drink.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Spain's Mencia (genetically equivalent to Portugal's Jaen) has come a long way from its days as a light table wine grape. With lower yields, older vines, and plantings at higher altitudes, Mencia has developed into a more robust, complex, and yet still-affordable red. Godelia's version is hard to beat for the price, offering ample red berry fruit flavors, and nuances of wet stone, green and dried herbs, and compelling earthiness.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
For those red wine lovers out there who don't want to be denied their bubbles during the warm Summer months, check out the Amelia Brut Rose. This Cremant de Bordeaux puts a sparkling, refreshing twist on the hearty Bodreaux grape varieties, emphasizing their red berry and plummy fruitiness. Combined with the additional structure imparted by those grapes' skins, those red fruit flavors make this a sparkler aimed squarely at those who prefer robust reds.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
This new premium label from Sonoma's venerable Rodney Strong takes a slightly different turn on the red blend phenomenon. It's primarily made up of the core Bordeaux red grape varieties, but also includes Syrah and a touch of Viognier, and all of the grapes hail from high-elevation vineyards. The result is a red that's got the sexy juiciness that you'd expect, but with lovely touches of dried herbs and a perfumed, aromatic lift.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
It's often difficult to find Napa Valley wines that are under $25, and sometimes difficult to find Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc that doesn't come off as a bit too heavy for its own good. So it's doubly surprising that Miner Family Winery's Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc manages to avoid both of those difficulties. This white is nicely balanced between tropical fruit richness and citric zest, and delightfully won't set you back much more than twenty dollars.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Iconoclastic California winemaker Randall Grahm has many vinous irons in many vinous fires, but that diversity of attention hasn't detracted from his flagship, Rhone-inspired red, Le Cigare Volant. Cigare is now celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the 2013 vintage (a blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre, and 4% Cinsaut, culled from six different iconic vineyards) is a fitting tribute to the Cigare legacy. Floral, spicy, meaty, vibrant, and juicy, such a complex and tasty wine could easily be mistaken for a Southern Rhone red (though its abundant, ripe and plummy fruit flavors betray its California lineage).
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
If you think that you can't have a racy, piquant Chablis that also exhibits Chardonnay's potential in terms of roundness and richness, then you don't know Julien Brocard. Brocard Biodynamically farms his family's 11-acre Boissonneuse domaine in Burgundy, and while his vines are anchored in the region's typical Kimmeridgean and limestone soils, his wines go beyond the racy, citrus-fueled Chablis profile. In the case of the La Boissonneuse, there's depth, peach fruit flavors, and notes of honey to round out the telltale Chablis acidity.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
In this white blend, we have a sense of easy-going refreshment that belies a deeper sense of history. Now going on nearly sixty harvests, the Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Bianco is the first wine produced by Count Tasca d’Almerita on the Regaleali estate in Sicily. A blend of mostly native grapes (Inzolia, Catarratto, and Grecanico), with a bit of Chardonnay for depth, the apple flavors, floral notes, and zesty acidity combine to make this a great pick for Summer sipping.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
You really can't get through the Summer without at least some Prosecco, right? Filodora's bubbly is crafted from 37 acres of vineyards in the town of Miane, using fruit from vines that average about 35 years of age. These vines produce lower yields, resulting in a more complex and elegant Prosecco style; think almonds, flowers, and bright apple fruitiness. In other words, perfect for helping to abate that Summer heat.
