Winery
of the Week:
House Family Vineyards - Santa Cruz Mountains, Ca
With
so much, of the wine on the market today coming
from large, corporate producers, it's nice to come across wineries
where things are still done on a modest scale. At House
Family Vineyards, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains
of California, they focus on small lot wines sourced entirely
from the vineyard on the family's property. In some instances,
there are fewer than fifty cases made. Such small production
certainly won't lead to a million dollar business, but it certainly
leads to some great wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
House
Family 2011 Merlot
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 80%
Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1%
Petite Verdot
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, plums, and cherries mingle with
nuances of cedar and herbs on the nose. Flavors of blackberry,
plum, and cherry combine with suggestions of herbs, spice,
and wood on the palate. Offering plush tannins and interesting
non-fruit accents, fans of Merlot will find plenty to
like here. 110 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
House
Family 2012 Chardonnay
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
A bouquet of pineapples, mangoes, citrus fruits, and fresh
bread greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of
tart pineapple, passion fruit, and lemon, alongside notes
of toasty vanilla and minerals. Bright flavors and a lively
acidity make it a fine choice to enjoy with crab cakes.
175 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
House
Family 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 81% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Aromatics of boysenberries, raspberries, and cherries
meld with whispers of balsamic, cola, and herbs on the
nose. A sip reveals flavors of pomegranate, raspberry,
and black cherry that unfold into traces of cola, dark
chocolate, and balsamic. With vibrant fruit and supple
tannins, open a bottle with a homemade meat loaf. 475
cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
House
Family 2011 Cabernet Franc
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
Fragrances of plums, cherries, floral earth, and black
tea rise up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors
of cherry, raspberry, and plum, which flow into allusions
of earth, tea, and leather. Soft tannins and elegant fruit
endear this wine to a mushroom quiche. Only 37 cases were
made.
Rating: 89 |
|
House
Family 2013 Pinot Noir
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma
County, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Notes of bright red berries, sweet spice, earth, and vanilla
are showcased on the nose. With a sip, flavors of strawberry,
cranberry, and cherry play with whispers of vanilla, all-spice,
and earth. Vivid red fruit and elegant tannins mean grilled
salmon would make an excellent companion. 187 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
House
Family 2011 Petite Verdot
Winery:
House Family
Grape(s): 100% Petite Verdot
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
On the nose, blackberry, cranberry, and dried cherry aromas
interweave with notes of rose petal, spice, and earth.
On the palate, flavors of cherries, bramble fruits, and
cranberries come together with floral, earthy, and chocolaty
hints. Bright fruit and easy-going tannins make this a
good bottle to open with lamb loin. Only 41 cases were
made.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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