Carpe Vinum Friday Flights! California Reds!
Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!
This week we’re visiting our “Elbow-Macaroni-Shaped” Neighbors to the South: California! Think of all the things California has granted the world: McDonalds “Restaurant” got its start there. Hollywood. Kevin Costner. Guns ‘N Roses. The place where you’re mailing your hard-earned tax dollars tomorrow. And for all these things we will be willing to forgive them for, all because of such wonderful wines it gives.
The wines from California are often overlooked because sometimes it just seems so common. Not so exotic. All of the shelves at the grocery stores are overflowing with big-name, cheap California wines. Cabernet. Chardonnay. Merlot. Cabernet. Chardonnay. Merlot. This redundancy may make it easy to forget that there is a whole lot more to it than that. The selection is almost limitless, and there are always fascinating things certain winemakers are doing: Planting more exotic and odd varietals or experimenting with esoteric new blends.
But considering that the wine selection there is so vast, I decided to focus on 3 factors: Great Values, Odd Varietals, and Luscious Blends, the last always being my favorite. In the “Great Value” category we have the Crow Canyon, one of the best bottles of Syrah you can get for $8, and the Montoya Cabernet Sauvignon. Whoever heard of a Napa Valley cabernet retailing under $40? Here’s one for $12.95! As for odd varietals, I guess Sangiovese isn’t really that odd, but considering there isn’t very much of it made, I guess that’s kinda odd. Also, there are all kinds of stellar blends in there. I included the grape varieties in the description, for your convenience.
Happy Tax Day!
So Friday, April 15th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:
California!
Crow Canyon 2003 Syrah, California
Montoya 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rabbit Ridge 2001 Brunello Clone Sangiovese, Paso Robles
Il Cuore 2001 Rosso Classico (Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Syrah, Carignane), Mendocino County
Amethyst 1998 Vinalia (Sangiovese/Nebbiolo), Carneros, Napa Valley
Also California!
Spencer-Roloson 2001 Palaterra (Carignane, Syrah, Valdigue), Napa Valley
Garretson Wine Company 2003 “G” Red (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier), Central Coast
A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!
Next Friday tasting is Wines of Washington!
M