Exploring
the Wines of the Livermore Valley Part 4 -
Occasio Winery
By FBWorld Team
At
Occasio Winery, winemaker John Kinney lives by the
old Latin phrase Occasio aegre offertur, facile amittitur -
know that the right moment comes along rarely and is easily
lost. Thus, they are meticulous at every stage of the winemaking
process, hoping to for each of their wines to achieve their
"own most perfect nature."
Here's
what our tasting panel had to say about half-a-dozen of Occasio's
current offerings:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Occasio
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, currants, vanilla, and floral
notes greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry,
dried cherry, and cassis that flow into hints of rose
petal, earth, and oak. This is not your run-of-the-mill,
fruity Cab. Fans supple, rich, and earthy reds will enjoy
this wine. 125 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Occasio
2010 Merlot
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, plums, and black cherries meld
with notes of herbs and earth on the nose. Flavors of
currants and bramble fruit are accented by suggestions
of green olive, cocoa, and earth on the palate. A rich
Merlot with plentiful tannins, enjoy a bottle with food
now or give it some time in the cellar. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Occasio
2010 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
mingle with notes of dark chocolate, creamy oak, and earth
on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of raspberry and blackberry
that unfold into suggestions of cocoa, baking spice, and
floral hints. A rich, hearty red with a mouth-filling
structure, enjoy a bottle with your favorite gourmet BBQ
or lay a bottle down for a few years. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Occasio
2010 "Heritage" Malbec
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
Notes of bramble fruit and black cherries meld with suggestions
of vanilla, sweet spice, and herbaceous hints on the nose.
On the palate, flavors of blackberry and cherry come together
with nuances of earth and all-spice. A Malbec that delivers
on varietal character with rich structure and earthy overtones,
fans of the variety will enjoy this bottle. Just 48 cases
were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Occasio
2011 Chardonnay
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of baked pear, fresh bread, and vanilla rise
up from a glass. With a sip, flavors of lemon and pear
come together with floral, toasty, and creamy notes. A
rich, mouthfilling wine, it's not your run-of-the-mill
Chardonnay. If you're looking for something a little different,
give this a try. 125 case were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Occasio
2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Occasio
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Notes of rosemary and dusty earth meld with lovely fruity
aromas on the nose. Flavors of tropical and citrus fruits
emerge on the palate accented by suggestions of minerals
and herbs. An easy-going white, with minerally backbone,
try a bottle with your favorite white-fish. 145 cases
produced.
Rating: 87 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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