Cabernet is still “King of California” and one sip of this expressive gem from the exceptional 2012 vintage will show you why. Premium Cabernet grapes selected from multiple California growing regions were blended under the direction of award-winning, second generation winemaker Aaron Bader. The addition of a few other red varieties lends added complexity. The result is a wine with the suppleness of Merlot and the rich, full body of Cabernet. Sumptuous and engaging, it offers melodic impressions of black currant, plum, cherry and spice. See for yourself!
In the case of Le Pianure’s 2012 Pinot Grigio, the work and dedication to the wine shows through and includes plenty of fresh fruit flavor, joined by a mild leesy impression. It’s a delicious wine that is immediately likeable when it connects with the palate. Perfect as an aperitif, it also can be enjoyed with hors d’oeuvres, fish dishes, white meats and... a somewhat surprisingly solid pairing partner... vegetable soup.
Kensington’s 2012 Pinot Noir is a wine that exhibits two distinct personalities in the glass. It can be juicy and brimming with red fruit flavors, or engagingly floral with a fruit basket of flavors, including citrus and white peach. Kensington Family Cellars brought in grapes from two exceptional areas of Sonoma County for Pinot Noir - the Russian River Valley and Carneros. Exceptional... but quite different stylistically in terms of the grapes grown.
A wine variety superstar: Chardonnay. The 2012 bottling from Quail Hollow is a quintessential California Chardonnay, at once complex and easy drinking - the perfect wine to toast the Golden State’s wine heritage. This easy-drinking wine offers impressions of apple, pear, citrus and butter.
Like Malbec in France’s Bordeaux region, Nero d’Avola languished in the shadows of other varieties for most of its existence on the island of Sicily. It was Sicily’s most widely planted variety, but it typically was used to add body or color to other varieties. As for Shiraz, the comparison is more evident - that is, in the wine’s style: dark, thick and flavorful, much like the best Shiraz bottlings from Down Under. The variety also is known as Calabrese, but Feudo Montonio embraces the Nero d’Avola name.
Louis Guntrum is a Riesling master. His wines have medaled at Decanter's World Wine Awards. This bone-dry, beautifully balanced Riesling brilliantly captures Riesling's lean, crisp and mouthwatering style. See for yourself! This beautifully balanced wine offers impressions of lime, grapefruit zest, petrol, pear and apple.
Ben Riggs’ wines are show stealers, winning awards and critical acclaim. With 25 years of wine making under his belt at wineries spanning the globe from Australia to Napa Valley, this iconic winemaker stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. He and his team are adamant about making only fleshy, balanced wines bursting with vibrant, delicious fruit. Ben says he likes wines that are big, rich and complex, but also with finesse, texture and elegance. This blockbuster features vibrant, juicy black berry and black cherry flavors delivered with finesse in a smooth, plush style. Eucalyptus and cocoa highlight the elegant finish. Delicious!
The combination of the extreme temperature swings between day and nightmake Happy Canyon unique and ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes to optimum ripeness and quality - as Grassini’s 2012 vintage deliciously demonstrates. It’s a medium-bodied wine that showcases the benefits of taking great care in both the vineyard and the cellar.
There’s no denying the broad appeal of the soft, approachable character of quality Merlot. It’s the best-selling red varietal here in the U.S. This distinguished example benefits from grapes sourced from some of the most respected growers around the state of California as well as the inclusion of other red varietals. Brimming with personality, it delivers the goods and then some. Notes of cassis, black olives and assorted berries are followed by a velvety, sensuous mouthfeel. A dinner party must.
At Viña Mancera, the Verdejo variety achieves new heights. The goal was to craft a wine that's fresh, bright and full of luscious fruit flavors. That description fits the 2012 vintage perfectly - a wine that can be savored solo with a good book or a favorite music playlist, or shared with friends to transform a gathering into a party.
The specialty of the house at Grillesino is Sangiovese, the variety used in crafting Italy’s coveted Brunello di Montalcino. It’s also the primary component of the wines of Chianti and many “Super Tuscans.” Sangiovese from Maremma is capable of developing broad character, as the 2012 vintage from Grillesino demonstrates. This is a fruit-forward wine that was aged in stainless steel tanks in order to accentuate that fruitfulness. Our tasting panel loves its long finish - a tasty reminder of the right variety grown in the right place.
The Altivo line of “Vineyard Selection” wines - including the 2011 Torrontes - provide wine lovers with a tasty “picture” of the area. They are fruity and expressive, demonstrating true varietal character as well as a sense of “place”. In order to protect and underscore those traits, Altivo winemaker Andrea Ferreyra opts to age only a small portion of the Torrontes cuvee in acacia barrels. Therest goes into stainless steel tanks, which impart no additional aromas or flavors. The finished product is what a cross of Riesling and Gewurztraminer might be like: floral, fruit-forward, refreshing and delicious.