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/

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.

Kokomo Winery in Dry Creek

Kokomo Winery in Dry Creek is a phenomenal winery that is definitely a must go! Award winning wines that are second to none and focus on fruit purity and characteristics. I first found out about their wines when some guests first brought in their amazing Zinfandel and Petit Syrah. These wines absolutely blew me away. From the first appearance, to the last sip, I couldn't wait to get my own to enjoy. The wines were deeply ruby red in color, full bodied with beautiful structure and flavors worth drinking now or worth cellaring for a special occasion.

A little information on Dry Creek. Dry Creek AVA is in Northern Sonoma County bordering Healdsburg right off Hwy 29. This AVA is very small, charming and a must see for wine lovers. Author of  the infamous book, "The Wine Bible" by Karen MacNeil, says that Dry Creek is "perhaps the most charming viticultural area of all in Sonoma County... Time seems to have stood still there." She couldn't be more correct. The rolling hills along the low lying valleys with sporadically placed vintage farmhouses, feels like you have drove into another century. This area has been adapt to viticulture dating back to the late 1800's.  The area in total 32 square miles, 16 miles long by 2 miles wide it is easy to miss, but once you are there it could easily become a place you will want to return too.

Back to Kokomo, while there I was amazed by the hospitality and care they showed while we were there. Leslie was my tasting guide and as we got to talking, not knowing who was sitting right next to us quietly, was Ross. Ross is the hospitality manager for Kokomo and between the two of them, I can not say enough great things. As Leslie started asking questions wondering what I would like to taste, we went from a few wines to their entire library of extraordinary wines. I am only gonna touch on a few but believe me I could go on and on about what they do, amazing stuff!

2013 Timber Crest Sauvignon Blanc: $20 (from winery only)

Light and crisp with intense fruit flavors and structure for this style, aromas of citrus, pear and tropical notes, the mouthfeel is lush and viscous at the same time. Guava, tangerine and apricot will overwhelm your palate like nothing you will ever taste. While tasting this I thought the perfect pairing would be a fresh pear and goat cheese torte.

2012 Russian River Pinot Noir: $36 (from winery only)
Gold Medal Winner 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

This complex pure Pinot Noir focuses on the quality and complexity that Pinot Noir can have. Floral and fruity aromas with complex structure and mouthfeel this is not your typical everyday wine. You can drink it now or keep it in your cellar for years to come.

(These wines are almost exclusively sold through the winery. Very limited production of these wines are made and a must try.)

To find out more information on Kokomo Wines check out there website:
www.kokomowines.com