Wines
of the Week: Atypical Californian Blends & Varietals
Californians
like to be out of the ordinary, and many winemakers
in the state are no exception to this mindset. Thus, whether
it's growing an uncommon variety, putting together a wine with
grapes that traditionally aren't mixed, or producing a varietal
from a grape that's usually reserved for blending, they love
to offer people something atypical. Here are a few such bottles
which our tasting panel sampled recently:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Hope
Family 2012 "Treana" Blend
Winery:
Hope Family
Grape(s): 70% Cabernet Sauvignon &
30% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Notes of bramble fruit, plum, and cherry are accented
by nuances of spice and vanilla on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of blackberries, plums, and cherries that unfold
into traces of pepper, vanilla, and clove. A dark, hearty
red with rich tannins, pair a bottle with your favorite
red meat. 7,329 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Hearst
Ranch 2011 Tempranillo
Winery:
Hearst Ranch
Grape(s): 91% Tempranillo & 9% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, boysenberries, vanilla, and sweet
spice rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors
of blackberry, cherry, and plum that interweave with notes
of clove, cocoa, and minerals. Fairly dark and lush for
a Tempranillo, pair a bottle with mild Enchiladas.
Rating: 88 |
|
Fenestra
2011 Graciano
Winery:
Fenestra 2011
Grape(s): 95% Graciano & 5% Petite
Sirah
Region: Lodi, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, and pomegranates are
accented by floral and spicy hints on the nose. Flavors
of black cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry come together
with suggestions of white pepper, vanilla, and violets
on the palate. Hearty flavors and supple tannins make
it a wine nicely suite for food. Open a bottle with a
gamy dish, like buffalo burgers. 195 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Fenestra
2011 "Semonnay" Blend
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 66%
Semillon & 34% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Fragrances of peach, apple, and apricot come together
with traces of vanilla on the nose. Notes of tropical
fruit, peach, and golden apple wrap around nuances of
toasty vanilla and minerals on the palate. Bright and
layered, it's an out of the ordinary white that's well
worth a try.
Rating: 89 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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