Everything Wine

California Wine Classification of 2012

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Recently I have been teaching a wine class along with a colleague of mine (Josh Farrell of Wine Express) and we were going over the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Classification. For those who don’t know what that is, over 150 years ago professionals from the wine industry ranked the wines of Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the most prominent grapes used) according to a certain Château’s reputation, price and of course on the quality of wine.

However there were some politics involved and many equivalent quality wines did not get the top distinction because they didn’t have the brand recognition nor did they demand the ludicrously outrageous prices. Four wines at that time (now five wines) were awarded the elite distinction of Premier Cru Classification and this system is still in tact today. After discussing this in class my friend Glenn had a great question…”so what are the Premier Cru wines of California?” That got me thinking…

While California has never classified wine this way, there are certainly a small group of wines that are considered elite. If you have ever heard the term “Cult Cab”, many of those wines would fall in that top classification category. Cult Cabs are typically an extremely low production, high quality wine that you cannot even purchase unless you wait years to get on a mailing list or go to auction and pay 2-3X what the winery retails it for. They can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars and while they are some of the best wines you may ever taste in your life, they can also be the most disappointing.

The reason being is the expectations are set so high for a wine of this nature, that it is almost impossible for it to deliver. Think about the first time you were able to afford to go to that fancy five star restaurant that you had heard so much about. By the time you finally were able to dine there, did it live up to everything you had envisioned? Usually the answer is no… how could it?! With expectations that high, unless it is an utterly life changing experience it almost has to be somewhat of a disappointment. That’s not to say these wines are disappointing, as they are arguably some of the best wines produced in the world. But when shelling out that kind of dough, it’s tough to monetize the level of enjoyment of a wine.

With all of that said,  I have listed below what I consider the “Premier Cru” Wines of California, the “Grand Cru” Wines (a small step below in terms of quality, price and a bit larger production and availability) and my “Value Cru” Wines ($20-25 wines that over-deliver on a Quality-Price Ratio, or QPR, and are consistent values every vintage). The Value Cru Wines are readily available at most Westchester wine stores as well as online.

Premier Cru

Harlan/Bond Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley (Top Pick)

Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

Verite, Sonoma

Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap District

Grand Cru (2nd Growth)

Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains

Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa/Sonoma (Top Pick)

Opus One, Oakville

BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley

Value Cru

BV Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Rodney Strong Estate Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma (Top Pick)

Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Sterling SVR(Platinum) Reserve Red, Napa Valley

The Latest Red Blend from the Creative Minds of BV!

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Beaulieu Vineyard Beaurouge Napa Valley 09

For those BV Tapestry fans out there, you don’t want to miss the latest red blend from Mr. Stambor. It has a softer feel to it, and the fruit is a little more approachable rating it higher on the drinkability scale than the Tap, which usually needs a bit of aging to develop. Lots of lush dark fruit blend in nicely with the vanilla, smoke and notes of brown sugar and mocha. The tannins have already softened a bit making this just a smooth and lovely wine.

Fun Facts:  Here’s the latest from Beaulieu Vineyards; a red blend from all of their vast vineyard lots throughout Napa Valley. Winemaker Jeffrey Stambor put his blending skills to the test with this very unique and delicious cuvee. The blend starts with 32% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Zinfandel. Then he adds 9% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 5% Sangiovese plus a dash of Carignan, Grenache, Petite Verdot and even a touch of Touriga Nacional. All of the varietals are carefully vinified and the blend is aged 12 months in 50% American, 35% French and 15% Hungarian oak barrels.

BV BeauRouge 2009 Red Blend, Napa Valley

One of the Best Under the Radar Chateauneuf du Pape’s in town!

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Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Cuvee Capelane, Domaine de L'Arnesque

This is truly an intricate and delightful CDP from l’Arnesque. The intense aromas are full of ripe raspberry, black cherry and peppery spice with hints of smoked meat. It is somewhat delicate yet has a dense core of fruit that carries from the palate through the long and lovely finish. It’s drinking well as a young wine now, but this should evolve for several years with age. – WWG

Background info: The Biscarrat family have been wine growers in the area for 6 generations. Marie and Julien Biscarrat (sister and brother) took over the domain in 2005 and changed the name to Domaine de l’Arnesque, after the famed lieu-dit Arnesque in Chateauneuf du Pape. This is where their 12 acre vineyard is located, on the southwestern hill-side of the Mont Redon plateau. The Cuvee Capelane is made from very old vine fruit from that vineyard, up to 100 years of age. 100% Grenache aged in oaks vats for 12 months.

Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Cuvee Capelane, Domaine de L’Arnesque

A Must Have for Outdoor Summer Sippin’!

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I’ll let the video do the talking….

Outdoor Wine Glasses Video

The link to the glasses is below should you be so inclined to grab some for the summer….

Wine Enthusiast Indoor/Outdoor Wine Glasses

Cheers!

An Award Winning Post by Yours Truly for Jordan Winery’s 40 Word Contest!

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Not to toot my own horn, but I thought this was pretty cool… and I got a fancy, engraved Riedel Decanter out of it! In all honesty, this wine has a special meaning to me because it was one of the first wines that sparked my passion. It’s what is referred to by many as an “epiphany wine”, and the 1996 Jordan Cab (along with a random, yet supremely memorable Gevrey Chambertin) was mine. Check out the link below!

http://blog.jordanwinery.com/2012/04/jordan-in-40-words-contest-winners-announced/

Leave it to the Donald to produce some quality Virginia juice!

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  Image

Donald Trump and his entourage have taken over what was once Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyards, and are already producing some pretty solid wines. Virginia reds have never really appealed to me as the terroir has been seemingly incapable of producing quality grapes. However, this 2009 New World Red Wine is proving otherwise. Definitely crafted in the old world Bordeaux style, the alcohol is a very understated 13% (most California reds like this would have alcohol levels of 15% or so) and the wine has an overall subtle feel. Enticing aromas of black cherry, plum and cassis are surrounded by sweet spices and a nutty edge. The acid and tannins are well balanced, making it a rather food friendly option, while the finish hangs around for much longer than I had anticipated. Would I spend $35-40 on this bottle… probably not. But I think this is a promising sign of things to come from Trump Winery, and hopefully Virginia wine in general.

Cheers!

Some Value Bubbly Options For the Summer!

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Holy crap has it been hot! This summer has bought about heat wave after heat wave and it is just draining. Now I know what the Boca Raton Wine Guy feels like… if there is one. I always find chilled down sparkling wine to be the best option for beating the heat. I do enjoy Champagne, but who can afford to drink that all summer… not me. So below are a few bubbly options that you can enjoy on a consistent basis still have some money left over for your Con Ed bill.

If you are set on having your sparkling wine come from France, then go with a Cremant instead of Champagne. These sparklers are made in the same style as Champagne but come from different regions. The most popular is the Cremant d’Alsace and for a good reason. These wines offer tremendous value but still offer high quality in terms of production and taste. My favorite right now is the Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose. Made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes, it offers bright strawberry and floral aromas and has a wonderfully refreshing combination of acidity and some mild tannins. For under $15 you should be drinking this all summer long!

Prosecco is also a fantastic way to enjoy some chilled bubbles at very reasonable prices. They are made with the Glera grape variety in the Veneto region of Italy and have grown in popularity over the last decade or so. The good ones will maintain fresh fruit flavors and a crisp, clean finish while working in a semi sweet characteristic. No longer are these the sweet and fruity sparkling wines that were once similar to Asti Spumante. The pedigree on Prosecco has risen leading to its recent devoted following. The Mionetto Prosecco Brut is one of the more popular options out there, and very tasty. But my favorite is the La Marca Prosecco. Lots of fresh, clean apple and melon and minimal hints of sweetness… as I prefer sparkling wines on the drier side.

Some of the best value in sparkling wine can be found in those coming out of California. They mimic the Champagne style and are typically half the price. Lots of great names to choose from including Domaine Carneros (by Taittanger), Schramsberg, Mumm and even Korbel. However I tend to reach for the Gloria Ferrer selections. For around $15-20 they make a Blanc de Blanc (mainly Chardonnay) and a Blanc de Noirs (mainly Pinot Noir) that taste much more elegant and sophisticated than the price tag would lead you to believe. They also have some of the those biscuit and yeast flavors that Champagne is famous for, something you may not get in other value sparklers.

So save those fancy Champagnes for the big celebrations, there are plenty of sparkling wines you can drink everyday! Well, maybe not everyday but you get my drift. And because most of these value sparkling options are not really meant to age, the old adage for bubbly applies… chill it and kill it!

Salud!

What do you open to celebrate those big moments in life?

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To follow up on my Father’s Day post, this week my wife gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby girl and we couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s one of those surreal events that changes your life forever and is deserving of a proper bottle to celebrate the occasion. While it may seem like a trivial afterthought considering what a blessing it is just to have a healthy child enter the world, it’s those small yet meaningful celebrations that can stick with you for years to come. I still remember my epiphany wine (the bottle that first sparked my passion), the bottle I opened when I proposed to my wife (and she miraculously accepted), the over-sized bottle we had everyone sign at our wedding, the bottle we opened to celebrate my son’s birth and the bottle we served at his Baptism (coincidentally the same bottle from our wedding). So deciding what to open with my wife to celebrate this joyous occasion is not so trivial in my book.

Over the past day or two I have had some internal debate about the subject. My first instinct was to go with a high end Napa Cab that we acquired from one of our trips to wine country. While it would clearly be delicious and memorable, without the right meal it may be a bit overpowering. I’m not sure we are quite ready to fire up the grill and cook up some big boy steaks to pair with such a wine just yet. So I thought about a Pinot Noir from the same trip, something that may not need the meal alongside it to enjoy. But Pinot is not really my wife’s favorite and I want it to be as enjoyable for her as it is for me.

So this led me to the somewhat obvious answer… bubbles! I was thinking it really should be a Champagne for an event such as this, but at the end of the day I know my wife prefers the California sparklers which tend to be a little less yeasty. And then it dawned on me…we picked up a couple of bottles of Domaine Carneros (owned by famed French Champagne producer Taittinger) Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour on our last trip to Napa. While at the vineyard we sipped it on their outdoor veranda on a beautiful day overlooking the Carneros vineyards with two of our closest friends and of course our son running and playing around the garden. Yeah, that was a pretty good day. The idea of bringing back some of those memories and starting some new ones with that particular bottle sounds pretty good to me! Oh, and of course… it’s pink 😉

The purpose of saving those special bottles, and opening the right ones at the right time, is all about creating long lasting and meaningful memories. I am sure I’m not the only one that associates certain wines with monumental events that are relived when that same bottle is opened at a future time. Wine can encompass so much nostalgia and emotion which is one of the main reasons people (including myself) are so passionate about it. It’s not just about drinking, it’s about embracing and celebrating life with those that are closest to you.

So the next time you are in the midst of an occasion that is deserving of opening a special bottle, take some time to think about what you select. After all, it may be something you hold with you for many years to come.

Cheers!

A Father’s Day Thought…

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While typically I would write a post on what the best Father’s Day wines are this year while working in a couple of feeble attempts at humor, I can’t seem to wrap my head around that this year. Wine is always a great gift (it is what my dad asks for every birthday, Father’s Day, Sunday…whatever!), and as long as you know the preference of the recipient and get something in their realm of enjoyment then it’s pretty tough to go wrong. My pops is all about California these days, so I guess it’s just a question of which Napa Cab to pick up.

However with a son that just turned two and our second child due literally any day now, Father’s Day is starting to take on some new meaning for me. Not in the hallmark sense, but in what it means to be a father. I feel like love is not a big enough word for the emotion that parents feel for their children. It is this innate and powerful force that encompasses feelings of care, fear, protection, worry, empathy, frustration, futility, generosity, pleasure and dozens of other emotions but of course mostly…unconditional love.

It’s hard to describe the elation you feel when your child learns to do something so simple, like ride a scooter, and to recognize his pride in his own accomplishment. On the other end of the spectrum, the heartbreak we experience when seeing our own child endure any kind of pain, sadness or disappointment can be utterly devastating. And of course none of this compares to the anticipation, excitement and anxiety of welcoming a child into this world and taking on the responsibility of caring for another human being.

So what’s the point? I’m not really sure to be honest. But if I have a point I guess it is this…If I have experienced all of this in the first two years of fatherhood, I can only imagine what the future has in store. It helps me to understand why parents sometimes act the way they do as no matter how old you may be, you are always someone’s “child”. But mostly, it gives me a new perspective and respect for parents everywhere as the roller coaster of emotions they have experienced over the years must be surreal… and something I genuinely look forward to.

So be sure to toast your dad this weekend with a glass of his favorite wine, and mom too! After all the nonsense you have put them through over the years, it’s the least you can do 😉

Cheers!

Have you checked out that new wine bar in Larchmont?

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If not, then you should! Crush Wine Bar is right on Palmer Ave next to the Larchmont Playhouse and it is certainly worth a visit. I had the pleasure of attending last week with two of the most respected, and all around good guys in the Westchester food and wine industry, Peter Kelly of Xaviars/X2O and Marc Newman of Trinchero Family Estates. If these guys give it the thumbs up then you know its gotta be good! We sat with owner Jennifer Deutsch for awhile but she was pretty busy making sure her guests were all well taken care of and enjoying themselves, a great quality in a restauranteur.

This “wine bar” title gets thrown around a little too often lately, with every restaurant offering more than three wines by the glass classifying themselves as such. But that is not the case with Crush. With over 30 wines available by the glass, and another 30 by the bottle, the wine selection is quite impressive. The list is definitely California driven with some solid selections from France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand appropriately mixed in. The menu also includes wine pairing recommendations for each dish, a very helpful addition if you are in need of a little guidance.

First we had the 2010 Menage a Trois Napa white blend, part of Marc’s Trinchero portfolio. While most people are familiar with their Zinfandel based red blend this Chardonnay, Muscat and Chenin Blanc combo is crisp and refreshing with zesty tropical fruits. It’s like a baby Conundrum (Caymus’s white wine blend) at about half the price. We paired it up with a watermelon chip and tzatziki dish which worked out very well.

Next we ordered up a meat and cheese platter including some incredibly fresh prosciutto, sopressata, brie, manchego and parmesan. Crush has a cool option of creating your own platter from a handful of different meats and cheeses. Alongside that we also had the bacon wrapped dates with almonds which screamed for a red. Marc opted for his Dona Paula 2010 Malbec from Mendoza which was a perfect fit with the meaty goodness of the bacon and dates. It’s a smooth and supple value wine that comes out of the bottle ready to drink. In fact it was so good that one bottle just wasn’t enough 😉

With a vast and approachable wine selection along with the culinary experience of celebrity chef Alex Garcia, it would appear that Crush will be “crushing” it for years to come. It offers a perfect atmosphere for those looking to stop in for a glass of wine while strolling around Larchmont, or even for a full night out as their tapas style menu allows you to sip and pick all night. Check it out next time you’re in that neck of the woods.
Cheers!