Hello, Feastlings.
Sometimes we all feel like it’s just us against the world, and this month, at our tasting at least, it’s Baja, Mexico’s turn. Fortunately for Baja, we think you’ll agree that Baja fares pretty well. With temperatures, soils and a maritime influence that make viticulture an excellent plan, Baja’s wines are quite good, and this Sundy affords you the opportunity to taste three of them with their counterparts from more-established (or at least more imported) wine regions. the tasting is Sunday, February 26, at 3:30 pm, and all of our Last Sunday tastings, each wine is paired with a little snack that’s meant to be eaten with the wine. It’s $30 plus tax and tip to attend, and Kevin Smith of Rebel Vinum will lead the discussion while we whip up some tiny but tasty dishes to accompany the wines. If you’d like to join us, please call us at 326-9363 to make a reservation, as web and email reservations won’t hold you a place. Please come join us and taste some wines you most certainly didn’t taste yesterday.
Baja vs. the World
2015 Casa Magoni Viognier/Fiano, Valle de Guadalupe $19.00
Each variety is harvested and fermented separately. Later the winemaker decides the perfect blend seeking to achieve the right balance, elegance and quality. Honeysuckle and hibiscus mix effortlessly with lime, grapefruit, pineapple and apricot. Full of citrusy and tropical flavors.
2015 Trienne “Sainte Fleur” Viognier, Provence $21.00
Two of Burgundy’s greatest names – Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – are the partners behind this pioneering property in Provence, northeast of Marseille and due east of Aix-en-Provence. Over the years, they have transformed this stunning 46-hectare site into one of the top wine estates in Southern France.Intense perfume of apricot, honey-suckle, white flowers and honey of lavender. This wine strikes a beautiful balance between aromatic richness, crisp acidity and mineral structure.
2013 Madera 5 Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon, Baja California $33.00
A nose of strawberry and red fruit gives way to cinnamon and leather; clean and vibrant on the palate that develops into a big, bold and rich wine with impressive structure and a long, persistent finish. Aged for ten months in a combination of American and French oak.
2012 Westerly Côte Blonde, Happy Canyon $45.00
Both the Syrah and the Viognier for Côte Blonde are sourced from a single vineyard in the heart of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. Picked on the same date in mid-September, the Syrah and the Viognier was destemmed, hand-sorted and then co-fermented together with indigenous yeasts in small stainless tanks. Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Côte Blonde shows off an exuberant nose of white flowers and dried apricots. The palate has notes of dried fruit, earth, leather, soy and black tea with nuances of menthol and cinnamon stick. Full bodied and with a generous mouthfeel, it is nicely balanced with a medium level of fine grained tannins and refreshing acid, finishing long and spicy.
2014 Trig Point “Diamond Dust Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Anderson Valley $23.00
Bright, deep garnet. Offers an impressive mix of red cherry, blackberry, and espresso notes fanning out to dried herb and tobacco accents. The mid-palate is soft and expansive with roasted coffee and ripe blackberry flavors. Finishes with soft, supple tannins.
2013 Solar Fortun Baja “Confabulario” (Mourvedre/Petit Verdot), Valle de Guadalupe $30.00
Is a medium body, low tannin wine designed to be fresh and easy to drink while at the same time maintaining high complexity and structure. With fruit, tobacco and earthy notes, Confabulario is a blend that is redefining new world wines. Full of black currant, leather and musk.