22 July 2020 Virtual Tasting with Dracaena Wines

Virtual Tasting with Dracaena Wines

July 22, 2020 By

Last week, I participated in an informative Zoom wine tasting with Lori Budd of Dracaena Wines. I’ve done a few virtual wine tastings since the start of the pandemic, and this was fun with tons of great info sharing about the winery and Paso Robles.

About Dracaena Wines

Lori and her husband Michael left corporate America, and New Jersey, four years ago to live out their dream in Paso Robles, California. Through hard work they’ve grown to producing over 400 cases of wine yearly.

Dracaena, pronounced [druh-see-nuh], is the scientific name of the plant better known as the Draco plant. The name allowed the couple who come to winemaking from scientific backgrounds to also honor the memory of their Weimaraner, Draco, through their winemaking business.

We tasted three wines: 2019 Rosé of Syrah, 2017 Reserve Cabernet Franc and the 2017 Cabernet Franc Classic.

2019 Dracaena Wines Rosé of Syrah

Lovely Provence-style rosé that would be great with food but also perfect for sipping on a warm day. This has bold flavors and definitely not a wimpy, watery rosé (amen to that).

Looks: Dark rich pink/coral color in the glass

Smell: Fresh, ripe strawberry

Taste: Juicy strawberry and raspberry with some floral notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, crisp, great acidity, dry finish

Pairings: Grilled fish, roasted chicken, creamy cheeses or as an aperitif on a warm day

Style: Rosé Wine

Grape Type(s): Syrah

Region: Paso Robles, CA, USA

Price: $20

2017 Dracaena Wines Reserve Cabernet Franc

Single clone, single vineyard (Plummer Vineyard) Cabernet Franc. According to Lori “not made to taste like bell pepper” which I can absolutely appreciate.

Looks: Dark ruby in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit, black berries with smoky/mocha notes

Taste: Ripe raspberry, dark fruit, chocolate/leather notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-heavy bodied, rich, medium tannins, medium finish

Pairings: Grilled/roasted red meats, aged cheeses, ribs

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Region: Paso Robles, CA, USA

Price: $45

2017 Dracaena Wines Classic Cabernet Franc

This wine received a stellar 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and is a big boy that could benefit from some cellaring to attain its full potential. For the tasting, I used my aerator and it saw an immediate softening. Lori stated it could easily go 10 years in the cellar.

Looks: Dark purple/red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit (raspberry/cherry)

Taste: Ripe raspberry, chocolate-covered cherry, pumpkin pie spice

Texture and Finish: Medium-heavy bodied, rich, medium tannins, medium-long finish

Pairings: Grilled/roasted red meats, aged cheeses, beef short ribs would be especially tasty

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Syrah

Region: Paso Robles, CA, USA

Price: $34

Wine Club

Dracaena Wines has a very popular wine club called Chalk Club where fans of their wines can become members by buying three bottles twice a year at a minimum. A progressive discount is offered for folks who remain members. Members can choose either all red wines or a mix of red and rosé. For more information on Chalk Club, visit: https://dracaenawines.com/chalk-club.   

Dracaena Wines are distributed through the winery, available online for purchase and available at many places.

Lori teased by telling us that 2020 will bring about a Chenin Blanc from Clarsburg and I cannot wait to get that in my glass.

Cheers,

Veronique

Note: Wines were provided by Dracaena Wines complimentary for this tasting.

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Petite Syrah, Red Wine, Rose, Blush Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc

July 8, 2020 By

This 2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc is an affordable, light, fruity easy drinking porch sipper.

Looks: Pale yellow in the glass

Smell: Pink grapefruit, grassiness

Taste: Green apple, juicy pear, sweet citrus on the palate

Texture and Finish: Light, crisp, good acidity, dry finish

Pairings: Oysters on the half shell, grilled fish, aperitif on a warm day

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Santa Clara Valley, CA, USA

Price: $14.99

Cheers,

Veronique

This wine was provided to me for sampling by https://wineinsiders.com/ and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s enjoyable.

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,

2016 Fair Oaks Ranch Merlot

July 2, 2020 By

This light/medium-bodied Central Coast Merlot drinks very young and I recommend it be uncorked at least an hour before drinking or it be poured through an aerator. This will help it soften up and get more of the Merlot roundness the grape is known for.

The 2016 Fair Oaks Ranch Merlot is affordable, light, fruity easy drinking wine.

Looks: Transparent ruby red in the glass

Smell: Bright cherry and dark berries aromas

Taste: Juicy cherry and fresh raspberry flavors with some oaky/chocolatey notes on the palate

Texture and Finish: Light/medium-bodied, sweet/tart on the finish

Pairings: Grilled meats – beef or lamb, cheesy burger

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Merlot

Region: Central Coast, CA, USA

Price: $14

Cheers,

Veronique

This wine was provided to me for sampling by https://wineinsiders.com/ and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s enjoyable.

Filed Under: Merlot, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
13 May 2020 2018 Wilde Farm Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard

2018 Wilde Farm Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard

May 13, 2020 By

I’ve been a fan of Wilde Farm Wines for several years, ever since the New Jersey-based owners, Loren and Amy Grossman, started doing wine-themed dinners at local restaurants. It’s been incredible to have the opportunity to see the wines and portfolio evolve over the years, and this year, I’ve been enjoying the 2018 Wilde Farm Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard.

About Wilde Farm Wines

The Grossmans named their winery after Wilde Farm, a horse farm on the on the estate of Samuel Wilde which was built in 1907 in northern New Jersey. About twenty years ago, the Grossmans purchased he estate and raised their family there.

About the Wines and Winemaking

Wilde Farm makes a small quantity of wines by hand from old vines located in the finest vineyards in California. The emphasis is a balance of acid and fruit for wines that can age well.

Acclaimed winemaker Pax Mahle is the genius behind the winemaking at Wilde Farm. Mahle and the Wilde Farm team source grapes from old vine, low yield sites, where soil, climate and honest farming practices allow for a full expression of the type of grape and the place the grapes come from.

The 2018 Wilde Farm Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard is an easy-drinking wine that’s affordable enough to be uncorked on pizza night (a very nice pizza night) but would also pair well with grilled meats or duck breast at a dinner party. The juicy cherry and fresh fruit flavors with spiced notes paired well with the cheesy pasta I served this young wine with, a bit chilled as was recommended.

Looks: Bright red in the glass

Smell: Bright aromas of cherry and dark berries with spiced notes

Taste: Juicy cherry and fresh fruit flavors with floral and spiced notes on the palate

Texture and Finish: Light/medium-bodied, sweet/tart on the finish

Pairings: Grilled meats – pork, chicken, cheesy pasta

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Dolcetto

Region: Mendocino, CA, USA

Price: $28

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Dolcetto, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
6 May 2020 2018 Honig Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2018 Honig Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

May 6, 2020 By

Found this 2018 Honig Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley wine at a local store and it was great with bold flavors from the Semillon/Muscat that I wish I found more often in other Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve been a Honig fan for a long time and this wine is going in the cellar for summer grill outs. Please note that this is the ‘reserve’ version of their Sauvignon Blanc.

About Honig Vineyard & Winery

Honig is family-owned, certified sustainable and solar-powered. The Honig family settled in Rutherford in 1964 and started winemaking in 1980. The popular Napa Valley winery focuses on producing two varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Honig family name translates to the German word for honey, so bees have a huge presence on the estate, one of the many benefits of sustainable farming practices. The family fully believes that healthy bees are a sign of a thriving eco-system. The bee is prominently-featured on wine labels and throughout the winery.

For those wanting to visit, I can personally say it’s a fabulous place. Not only are the wines excellent, the tasting room staff is knowledgeable and friendly and the setting is gorgeous.

Looks: Medium yellow in the glass

Smell: Intense green apple, citrus and floral notes

Taste: Meyer lemon, ripe peach/pear/plum with floral notes on the palate. Oak flavors, but not over-bearing

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, creamy texture with nice acidity with a dry finish

Pairings: Seafood, grilled fish/chicken, dinner salad

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 89% Sauvignon blanc, 9% Semillon, 2% Muscat

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Suggested Price: $35 (found for $27 locally)

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
8 January 2020 Tasting the Wines of Cline Cellars Sonoma Coast

Tasting the Wines of Cline Cellars Sonoma Coast

January 8, 2020 By

Cline Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery in Sonoma, California founded by Fred Cline, one of the original Rhone Rangers, in 1982 in Oakley, California. Cline’s original vintages from Mourvedre, Zinfandel and Carignane vines dating as far back as the 1880’s.

Nancy & Fred Cline. Photo credit: Cline Cellars Inc

In 1989, the Clines acquired a 350-acre horse farm in Carneros and moved the winery to Sonoma County. While the original vineyards were focused on Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, Fred and his wife Nancy have continued to plant vineyards in Sonoma County with Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Cline Cellars is grounded in sustainability through its natural and sustainable Green String farming methods.

Cline Cellars’ Sonoma Coast wines are produced from vineyards in the region known as the Petaluma Gap and are exposed to morning fog from the nearby Pacific, with a combination of shallow clay and deep loam blocks that make this area much sought-after for Pinot Noir and other finicky varietals.

2018 Cline Cellars Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

This Sonoma Chardonnay packs big flavors of ripe juice tropical fruit, pear and apple with oaky/vanilla notes on a long, rich finish.

Looks: Pale golden in the glass

Smell: Vanilla, peach, ripe red apple, caramel

Taste: Juicy papaya, ripe pear, caramel and vanilla on the finish with oaky notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, medium acidity and long finish

Pairings: Roast chicken, lobster/monkfish, chicken wings, buttery risotto

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 98% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Gris

Price: $20

2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast

Refreshing, thirst-quenching and approachable California Pinot Gris that’s both food-friendly and a perfect sipper on a warm afternoon. Great price for a lovely wine.

Looks: Palest yellow with hints of green in the glass

Smell: Pink grapefruit, tart apple

Taste: Bright flavors of apple, pear and Meyer lemons

Texture and Finish: Light-bodied, bright acidity and light, crisp finish

Pairings: Grilled fish, lighter salad, as an aperitif

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Gris

Price: $15

2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has silky texture and the cherry cordial/raspberry flavors I enjoy/expect from this region.

Looks: Medium ruby red in the glass

Smell: Ripe raspberry/strawberry, chocolate notes

Taste: Chocolate-covered cherries, raspberry

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, nice level of acidity, smooth tannins and long finish

Pairings: Duck, roast chicken, grilled salmon, game

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Gris

Price: $20

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding them to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

2013 Alba Vineyard Cabernet Franc Heritage

January 23, 2019 By

About Alba Vineyard

Alba Vineyard (www.albavineyard.com) is a 93-acre estate nestled in the rolling hills of Warren County, on the north side of the Musconetcong river valley, a tributary of the Delaware River. Alba is a part of the Warren Hills AVA and is situated in the central New Jersey town of Milford.

I’ve written about Alba Vineyard and its beautiful winery and tasting room in prior articles. The place is magical and I highly-recommend a visit, in the summer for the gorgeous courtyard where one can enjoy a bottle while listening to music and munching on food prepared by local restaurants, or in the colder months for a sampling of the wines in the warm and cozy tasting room.

Looks: Inky purple-red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit with some smoky notes

Taste: Rich flavors of dark raspberries with some vanilla and mocha notes

Texture and Finish: Full-bodied, silky mouth-feel, medium finish

Pairings: Beef, lamb, venison, rich tomato sauce-based dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Region: Warren County, NJ, USA

Price: $40

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvedre

January 16, 2019 By

About Dirty & Rowdy

The Dirty (Hardy and Kate Wallace) and Rowdy (Matt and Amy Richardson) families came together for a simple purpose – make wines that they actually want to drink. In 2010, they did just that when they formed a small family partnership based in Sonoma, Dirty & Rowdy Family Winery (www.dirtyandrowdy.com), that sources fruit from the highest quality northern California sites.

2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvèdre

We had the pleasure of meeting Hardy Wallace at a tasting in NYC a few years back, and after hearing the winery’s story and tasting the amazing wines, we became wine club members and have been taking advantage of our yearly allocation ever since.

Amadour County is situated southeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Foothills. This is where the highly acclaimed Shake Ridge Ranch Vineyard is located, around 2,000 feet above sea level. Planted in 2003 with additional vines added in 2009, Shake Ridge Ranch has been organic since 2013.

Looks: Bright purple-red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit with some spiced notes

Taste: Rich flavors of raspberries/cherries with some licorice and leather notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, lighter mouth-feel than I expected, silky tannins, good minerality on the finish

Pairings: Beef, lamb, venison

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Mourvèdre

Region: Amador County, CA, USA

Price: $45

I won’t promise that finding the 2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvèdre will be an easy feat, this has been in my cellar since I bought it as part of my allocation and less than 300 cases were produced, BUT, it’s a beauty if you can locate a few bottles.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Mourvedre, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
9 January 2019 2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir

2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir

January 9, 2019 By

I know this 2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir was a baby, but I still opted to uncork it on New Year’s Eve to pair with some of the meats served at my fondue party. While it could have used some additional time in the bottle, the wine was lovely, much like the 2014 vintage was.

Cristom Vineyards (www.cristomvineyards.com) began 25 years ago as a collaboration between an engineer and a biochemist who each had a deep-rooted respect for the land, the natural winemaking process, and Pinot Noir.

Today, second-generation winegrower and owner Tom Gerrie leads winemaker Steve Doerner and the tenured viticulture team in tending the Estate vineyards, and producing elegant, dynamic wines, recognizable by Cristom’s hallmark style of whole-cluster fermentation by native yeasts.

The Mt. Jefferson Cuvée is Cristom’s flagship Pinot Noir, a blend of the Cristom estate Pinot Noir along with exceptional fruit sourced from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

The 2015 vintage is similar to the 2014 vintage and will be remembered as a warm year that produced extremely high-quality fruit of great intensity.2015 will likely be considered among the better vintages in Willamette Valley winegrowing history.

Looks: Bright red in the glass

Smell: Big, ripe raspberry aromas with chocolate notes

Taste: Rich flavors of raspberries/cherries with some licorice notes

Texture and Finish: Rich silky texture. Medium-bodied, some tannins on the finish with great acidity

Pairings: Poultry, salmon, mushroom-based dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Price: $29.99

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
31 October 2018 Farmhouse Wines by Cline Family Cellars

Farmhouse Wines by Cline Family Cellars

October 31, 2018 By

About Cline Family Cellars

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery in Sonoma, California grounded in sustainability and passion for winemaking. One of the winery’s labels is Farmhouse, which I’ve tasted and thoroughly enjoyed.

Fred Cline founded Cline Family Cellars in Oakley, California in 1982, initially making wine from Mourvedre, Zinfandel and Carignane vines, some dating back to the 1880s.

In 1989, Cline acquired a 350-acre horse farm in Carneros and moved the winery operations to Sonoma County. Known as one of the original Rhone Rangers, Fred Cline planted Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Cline now also cultivates Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay in Sonoma County.

Grounded in Sustainability

Cline Family Cellars uses natural and sustainable Green String farming methods and its aim is to nurture the land and creating wines that reflect the region’s ecosystems. Developed by Fred Cline and soil manager, Bobby Cannard, the Green String farming method is a system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. These methods minimize pollution from the air, soil, and water, and optimize the health and productivity of soil, plants, animals and people.

The Farmhouse names comes from the school house situated at Green String Farm in Petaluma, California. The school house houses the library and study room for students who come from around the world to learn Green String’s method of sustainable farming.

2017 Farmhouse White ($15)

I paired this lovely light-to-medium bodied wine with spicy Thai food and it was a great match with just a tad of sweetness on the finish. The wine is bright and crisp with nice ripe citrus aromas and flavors. Farmhouse White is a blend of 45% Viognier, 40% Palomino, 11% Muscat Canelli and 6% Sauvignon Blanc.

When selecting grapes for this wine, we were particularly conscious of the intensity of the fruit, the acid balance, and the characteristics each varietal offered to the blend as a whole. The final wine delivers bright, crisp flavors of tropical fruit and lime with a fresh, clean finish.

Color: Straw yellow

Aromas: Tropical fruit, sweet lemons/limes and honey

Body: Light to medium

Flavors: Meyer lemon, Asian apple, tropical fruit

Finish: Bright acidity, clean/crisp

2017 Farmhouse Red ($15)

I paired this rich medium-to-full bodied wine with my very beefy Texas chili and it held up nicely to the spice. While it’s very food-friendly, I had a glass before dinner and it was enjoyable on its own with smooth tannins and great fruit.

This easy drinking red blend, 48% Zinfandel, 39% Merlot, 5% Mourvédre, 4% Syrah, 3% Grenache and 2% Petite Sirah, is medium-bodied with boysenberry, tobacco and black-pepper flavors.

The wine has smooth tannins and luscious fruit.

Color: Dark purple-red

Aromas: Dark juicy berries, chocolate-covered cherry

Body: Medium to full

Flavors: Raspberry/blackberry, ripe cherry, black pepper, black licorice

Finish: Rich and flavorful with nice acidity

These affordable well-made wines are readily-available, so add a few bottles to your cellar for drinking anytime.

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding them to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Red Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah / Shiraz, United States, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , ,
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