New wines: CalNaturale, Gascon Red Blend and more
The wine world is never standing still. Now you can find organic wines in Tetra Pak containers and a top producer in Argentina branching out with a robust red blend.
Wine
Resident wine expert Sandra Silfven on all things vino
Red Blend
Weekend Wine: Bridlewood Blend 175
Bridlewood Estate Winery Blend 175 Central Coast 2010, $11-$15: All you have to do is lift a glass to your nose and inhale the explosion of raspberries, cherries, black pepper, chocolate and vanilla. In the mouth, it’s smooth and intense; tannins are supple, acidity gives it balance. It’s a blend of high-octane Syrah, Cabernet … Continue Reading →
Weekend Wine: Ghost Pines Red Blend
Ghost Pines Red Blend California 2009, $18-$20. As the Red Blend category keeps growing, here’s a really delicious one — with a siren of cassis, dark cherry, and dark plum on the nose followed by a blast of blackberries, cherries, boysenberry jam, black pepper and black tea on the palate. Tannins are like velvet. … Continue Reading →
Weekend Wine: Peter Lehmann's Clancy's Red
Peter Lehmann “Clancy’s Red” Australia 2009, $16-$18: Clancy’s Red is a Shiraz-Cabernet blend with a smidge of Merlot that is legendary in the wine trade, along with its producer Peter Lehmann, who pioneered the growth of the modern Australian wine industry, especially in the Barossa Valley. This blend kisses the palate with layers of flavor: … Continue Reading →
Cupcake line cooks up success
How much sweeter can business be for California’s Cupcake Vineyards? The selection of wines under this brand keeps growing, and popularity is soaring. Eric Novak, wine buyer for Hiller’s, says the brand has more momentum than any other in his stores. “I devote as much space to them as I can,” he said this week. … Continue Reading →
Give it a try
Lee Family Farm, 2009 Rio Tinto Silvaspoons Vineyard Alta Mesa Lodi, $16 Dan Lee (think Morgan Winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands) makes this approachable, elegantly rustic wine off Portuguese varieties starting with Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) grown on a rocky plateau in an area of Lodi similar to the terroir of Portugal. It’s all about dark … Continue Reading →
Alamos Red Blend introduced
Alamos Red Blend Argentina 2010, $10-$13: This is the inaugural vintage for the dry Red Blend of Malbec, Tempranillo and Bonarda from one of Argentina’s hottest brands. The mountains on the label hint at the cool nights and hot sunlight in the Andes that bring out great acidity and intense flavors. Nick Nearhood, wine consultant … Continue Reading →
Wines of the Day
Clos de Los Siete Argentina 2009, $18: French flying winemaker Michel Rolland puts his name on the French-like front label of this red blend from Argentina. It’s pretty stylish stuff, and I’m betting you would never guess it was from Argentina — because of the bold, very California-like fruit. It’s a blend of Malbec, Merlot, … Continue Reading →
Colby Red California 2010
Colby Red California 2010, $12.99: This dry red blend is not just another bottle on the shelf but a money maker for people, especially kids, with heart trouble. Colby Groom, the 13-year-old son of famed winemaker Daryl Groom, was born with a heart defect and has undergone numerous surgeries. To help give back for the … Continue Reading →