Each week, I like to spotlight a wine that has truly stood out—whether for its unique character, the story behind its creation, or simply the pure joy it brings. This week’s pick – the 2021 Ridge Vineyards Syrah Grenache Mataro is no exception. I’m excited to share this wine—not just because it’s delicious and beautifully structured, but…
Tag: Grenache
Wine of the Week; 2023 Tablas Creek Dianthus
Each week, I spotlight a wine that leaves a lasting impression—whether for its unique personality, compelling story, or the pure pleasure it brings to the glass. This week, that honor goes to the 2023 Tablas Creek Dianthus, a serious and gastronomic rosé that effortlessly commands attention and leaves a lasting impression. Tablas Creek Vineyards Tablas Creek Vineyard…
Arizona Rising: A Taste of Aridus Wine Company
My wife and I visited Arizona a couple of years ago for her birthday. We visited the Grand Canyon (it was her first time!), went hiking in Sedona, and of course did some wine tasting. I came away from the wine tasting experience so impressed with the quality of wines in Arizona, that it was my…
Wine of the Day: 2014 Lumen Wines Grenache
…definitely one of the best Grenache in recent memory for me! This wine is 100% Grenache sourced from Martian Vineyard (54%) and Camp 4 Vineyard(46%) in Northern Santa Barbara County. It was fermented in open top vats and aged in small oak barrels Color – Translucent ruby Aromas – Enticing rose petals, cranberry, strawberry pie, wet clay and a…
2010 Cave de Rasteau “Signature” Vin Doux Naturel and Brutti Ma Buoni #Winophiles
As our last installment of 2017, the French Winophiles (#Winophiles) will feature dessert wines from France. It seems a fitting end to a year in which we covered a wide scope of topics that took us around the country through food, travel and history as much as tasting wine. Just as a dessert wine beautifies…
Wine of the Day; 2011 Tablas Creek En Gobelet
This is a delicious, complex and distinguished wine I won’t soon forget. I wish I had more! The Tablas Creek Vineyard En Gobelet 2011 is a unique blend (29% Mourvedre, 27% Grenache, 26% Tannat and 18% Syrah) of four estate-grown varietals, selected from head-pruned, dry-farmed sections of their 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard. The grapes were largely harvested together…
2014 Domaine L’Ostal Cazes “Grand Vin” #Winophiles
This month, the French Winophiles are making a virtual trip to the Languedoc-Roussillion region of France (which is now part of a newly formed region called the “Occitanie” – more on that later). I’ve chosen a wine from Minervois La Livinière appellation – the 2014 Domaine L’Ostal Cazes “Grand Vin” and pairing it with vegan…
Wine of the Day: 2013 Carlisle Grenache Rossi Ranch #GrenacheDay
2013 Carlisle Grenache Rossi Ranch – This delicious and distinctive wine shows a depth I’ve seldom experienced with Grenache! This wine is a blend of 91% Grenache and 9% Mourvèdre sourced from the Rossi Ranch Vineyard, which was planted in 1910’s by Carlo Rossi. From the winery.…This wine is one of several surprises in 2013. Normally…
A Taste of Navarra #Wine; Spain’s Best Kept Secret
Are you familiar with the Navarra wine region of Spain? I wasn’t, until I recently had an opportunity to sample a diverse selection of wines from the new to me region. I received six sample wines that included a diverse selection of traditional Spanish grape varieties – Tempranillo, and Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), and international varieties Cabernet…
Wine Of The Day; 2016 Ridge Rosé Lytton Estate
2016 Ridge Rosé Lytton Estate…harmonious with racy acidity and ripe strawberry, raspberry, subtle Meyer lemon, nuanced spice and a hint of apricot flavors and a lingering savory finish Ridge Vineyards is relatively new to the trend that is rosé (though they did make a White Zinfandel in the 70s!) in the US. According to cellar tracker…