With a full flight of bubbles earlier in the month I figured we could skip the Champagne for New Years. We selected some of our favorites from iconic California wineries to round out the tasting for this end of year flight. Grab a flight of four wines for $10!
Featured Wines:
Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Napa Valley, California; $19.99
Merry Edwards played a big part in the creation of Matanzas creek and spent seven years as the winemaker. She created a style of Sauvignon Blanc there that has influenced the region and helped establish her as a pioneer of California white wines. Matanzas Creek has continued to make the wine in that style. More oak usage and lees stirring to create a rounder style. Made from earlier harvested grapes to retain more acidity and minerality. All of these factors produce a balanced, lean style. The aromas are bursting from the glass. Prickly pear, lime, grapefruit and fresh mango. More floral on the palate with notes of lemon blossom, ginger white tea and fresh Lemon Verbena. One of the best American Sauvignon Blancs. - Sample $2.00
Rombauer Chardonnay 2018
Carneros, California; $39.99
A truly iconic wine that has helped to define a classic American wine style, the buttery oaky Chardonnay. 15 years of 90+ scores from Wine Spectator along with five appearances on their Top 100 list and 14 consecutive years on Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 10 Chardonnays. With the first release of their Chardonnay in 1990, the Rombauer family has dominated the category. Nighttime hand harvesting, pressed as whole-clusters, all fermented in small oak barrels, stirred every two weeks to add richness, and a complete malolactic fermentation to develop tons of butter. Aromas of yellow peaches, mangoes, citrus and vanilla. You get some nice stone and tropical fruit flavors with a finish that reminds me of lemon curd. Rich and creamy. - Sample $4.00
Raymond Reserve Selection Merlot 2017
Napa Valley, California; $29.99
Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, is one of the Napa Valley’s pioneers and great estates. Arriving to Napa in 1933, the Raymond family became deeply connected to the valley’s winemaking origins. In 1970, they established a 90-acre estate in Rutherford that now comprises 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. In 2009 Jean-Charles Boisset purchased the estate and has brought his eccentric style and creative vision to the property. They have done incredible collaborations with people like John Legend, pushed towards sustainability converting to entirely self generated solar power, and pushing their Rutherford and St. Helena vineyards to organic certification.
The grapes for the Merlot come from five vineyards throughout Napa Valley. About half come from Rutherford where the heavier soils provide tannin structure, the rest come from a combination of Oak Knoll for texture, and St. Helena and Calistoga for richness. Aged about a year and a half in all French oak. The resulting wine is velvety with lots of chocolate, dried fruit and a touch of spice. - Sample $3.00
Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Napa Valley, California; $19.99 Was $29.99 Save $10!
Originally named the Twin Fir Winery is the oldest continuously operating winery in Sonoma County and one of the oldest in California releasing their first vintage in 1881. They were even able to stay in operation during prohibition by selling sacramental wines. The The winery was run for five generations by the Martini family one of the iconic Italian wine families alongside the Sebastiani's, the Foppiano's, the Pedroncelli's and the Seghesio's. Based in the Russian River Valley, Martin Ray sources the fruit for their Napa Cab from a combination of vineyards in Coombsville, Rutherford and Stags Leap District. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is very food friendly with balanced acidity and a lot of subtle nuance. Dusty tannins, lots of dense black fruits, anise and some earthy leather notes. - Sample $2.00