EDMEADES ZINFANDEL 2012

 

Zinfandel as some may know is my favorite varietal and for good reason. Diversification of another level, color, flavor, body, aroma, mouthfeel, texture, finish. I can go on about why but that sums it up pretty much and I am sure that most winemakers who have had the chance to play with Zin over the years will tell you the same. Zin is the best Sin, corny I know but its true! It truely is the BEST!

Edmeades Zinfandel is produced in Mendocino County, CA just north of the Napa Valley. Mendocino County is known mostly for its Zinfandel with its warm dry summer days and cool nights it gives the perfect contrast of climate for great zin, but the area does create other varietals as well, I recently have been finding some amazing Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the area as well, more about those later.

The Edmeades 2012 Zinfandel is an amazing introduction to a well balanced style of this varietal, big fruit with slight spice. At first sniff you get that amazing Red Raspberry with slight spice that follows suit straight to the palate. Cola, Raspberry, Rhubarb, baking spice with medium tannin and slight acidity on the finish that makes this a great food wine or stand alone sipper. Retail 20.99-26.99.

A Hidden Gem in the desert

A discrete little shop in the middle of everything, this little tasting room is easily dismissed with a famous named ice cream shop on one side and a movie theater on the other. Tulip Hill is the name and good wines is the game. Making both red and white, I first came across them a few years ago while serving tables at a local restaurant. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend is what I tried and always wanted to try it again. Finally I have had the chance and it was everything I remembered, marvelous. A small family winery with vineyards in both known areas and not so known areas within California, their philosophy of let the fruit do the talking, making incredible wines at even better price points they are definitely worth checking out, I guarantee you don't walk out empty handed.

2008 Cabernet Syrah $24: This blend explodes with loads of fresh berry fruit, hints of cocoa and cedar. A bold wine that softens as it opens will make a great gift or a great dinner party wine. Enjoy this wine with a grilled steak and roasted veggies or with dark chocolate after the steak.

2009 Mirage Red Blend $22 (wine club wine): A medium bodied, round tannin, fruit forward, seductive blend of Merlot and Syrah, enjoy this wine as it opens up more as time goes on. Layers of juicy plum, cherry and lavender lead into a experience that is hard to beat.

2012 Amorosa $15: A sweet rose color wine made from Gamay grapes, this is a wine that is not easy to find but will leave you wanting more. Honey laced strawberries, raspberries and fresh blossoms, chill and enjoy on a warm summer evening watching the sun go down.

To find out more about Tulip Hill Winery visit their website: http://www.tuliphillwinery.com/ or if you are in the desert stop by the tasting room and say you read "Love That Wine"

Deal of the week: Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot

Robert Mondavi is a legendary winemaker and pioneer known for making wine for all occasions and budgets. From Woodbridge to Opus One. Mondavi  is a household name. Known mostly for Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, Mondavi wines are true to form and pure of heart. The Merlot is no slacker though and should not be taken lightly. The Napa Valley series wines are quintessential in flavor, structure and style giving true to form wines of top quality for mid range pricing.

The 2011 Napa Valley Merlot showcases the true characteristics of Merlot, with aromas of plum and cherry which follow through to the palate. Subtle and round tannin from start to finish with a medium length finish, bursting flavors of plum, cassis, cherry and cocoa. Enjoy this wine on its own or with your next Osso Bucco dinner. Will age beautifully for the next 5-7 years.

Find out more about the Napa Valley series from Robert Mondavi Winery at their website; http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/

Silver Oak Cellars

Iconic Silver Oak Winery has two different locations; Alexander Valley and Napa Valley. Fortunately for me, we stumbled across the Napa Valley winery is located in the rich volcanic soil region of Oakville. The newly renovated winery was reopened in 2008 after the horrific 2006 fire that destroyed the vintage and the winery. Silver Oak practices the sole production of Cabernet Sauvignon and their ideals, philosophies and techniques are top notch. As you drive down the long the driveway leading to their iconic symbol, the water tower which stands proudly up front.The property is surrounded by rolling hills covered with their beautiful vineyards. Walking up to the winery you are met with a beautiful fountain that leads up to the stairway of the tasting room and legendary library of Silver Oak with bottles from vintages dating back to the original 1972 vintage. As you walk in the tasting room, it's filled with gifts and memorabilia, with the library to the left. The barrel room to the right and the tasting counter right in the middle. While I was there, the newly released 2009 Napa Valley Cab was being poured along with the 2009 Alexander Valley Cab with the 2007 Napa Cab as a bonus and what a bonus it is to taste that exceptional wine.

2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Beautiful aromas of violet and cassis lead to a full palate of berry, spice and chocolate. A long lingering finish with smooth round tannin, easily able to drink now or keep for a rainy day.

2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Complex aromas of ripe red fruit and floral characteristics give way to a full bodied true Cabernet Sauvignon, black cherry and baking spices with layered tannin and lingering finish.

2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Imagine putting your nose in a bowl full of chocolate, cherries, coffee and freshly sanded wood and you will begin to understand the complexity of this one of a kind wine. A big bountiful nose with fully structured flavors and tannin that won't let up, 2007 was simply the best.

To learn more about the Duncan family and Silver Oak Cellars visit there website at: http://www.silveroak.com/ and if you go say you read the "Love That Wine" blog.

2nd stop: Twomey Winery and Tasting Room

Nestled along the everlasting Silverado Trail in Calistoga is a small elegant winery known as Twomey. Twomey is owned and operated by the Duncan family who also are the proprietors of the iconic Silver Oak Cellars. Started in 1999, the Soda Canyon vineyard was acquired with fully mature Merlot vines already established there. Known for one of the only single vineyard Merlot's, this wine will not disappoint if you ever make your way up there. Rich, silky and fruit forward concentrated with a never ending finish it's hard to stop drinking it once you have started.

We arrived at Twomey early enough in the day to where it was not completely packed yet in the tasting room and lucky for me Ross was my tasting guide. We started off with their newly released 2013 Sauvignon Blanc which portrayed very forward citrus and floral aromas, tropical fruit on the middle palate with a crisp lingering finish, amazing! As we progressed talking about tasting notes, history of the winery and vineyards, Ross tasted me on their evolution of Pinot Noir. The three Pinot Noir I tried, all same vintage 2012 coming from three distinct regions; Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Russian River.

2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir display very bright acidity in the front with characteristics of rose petal, cherry and a slight smokey flavor on the finish. This was only the beginning. 

2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was silky smooth, creamy and so delicious. Ripe strawberry, cherry and roses on the finish was absolutely boggling my mind.

2012 Russian River Pinot Noir. Generally my favorite Pinot Noir come from the Russian River AVA and this one did not disappoint. Full bodied, silky and seductive flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry and sweet spice filled my senses and took over me completely. A smooth middle palate that burst with flavor and a slightly tannic finish. This is what Pinot Noir was made to do, make you fall in love with wine so when someone says that's a great wine. all you can is "oh yes, Love That Wine."

To finish this extravagant experience was heart breaking but the best was only yet to come. The 2009 Napa Valley Merlot. Easily the best Merlot I have ever tried, forget every preconception you have about Merlot because this will make you a believer if you are already are not. Grown from French clones in volcanic soils, this wine is truly in a league of its own. Full bodied, silky and seductive, your mouth fills with ripe berry, smooth spice, chocolate and coffee. From the first sip to the last drop, the taste and sensation is addicting. These are the type of times that make you love wine tasting and keep searching for more.

To find out more about Twomey wines visit them at their website:
www.twomey.com/#!/welcome or if you plan on stopping by ask for Ross and say you read Love That Wine.

Fetzer Crimson 2010 Red Blend

This deep ruby red blend is by no means a traditional style California blend. Petite Syrah, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon make it fruit forward, earthy, funky and smooth all at the same time. Not the mixture of varietals that usually go together but who is to say what goes together? This wine was absolutely amazing and the price point was a selling point itself, $11! Score one for the good guys. 2010 was phenomenal year for California Reds. The right type of precipitation, weather, soil, and root stock made Reds grown in CA remarkable. Fetzer Crimson Red Wine brings to the table dark stone fruits, earth, a hint of smoke, cedar, with a smooth finish. Drink now with friends, by yourself with a significant other, pair it with some good food or on its own, the choice is yours and yours alone! (Totally had to say that) Cheers!