A Day with Dan Aykroyd

This past Saturday morning, the Windy City Wine Guy was invited to a sommelier brunch at Feast Gold Coast with Chicago Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd.   The event was in conjunction with the release of his Dan Aykroyd Discovery Series Sonoma Wines and Crystal Head Vodka to Chicago.  We met Dan Aykroyd, along with his friends and coworkers.  It seems they are all very close and have been traveling and working together for over thirty years!  This was all taking place before a bottle signing event at Binny's South Loop.  Now on to the wines!

Dan Aykroyd entered into a partnership with Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Estates to create his Discovery Series Wines.  Mr. Aykroyd has had a love of wine for a long time, even before his Blues Brothers fame.  After meeting Jean-Charles in Canada, they discussed wine and the Boisset family purchase of vineyards in Ontario.  Soon after, they began to collaborate on a wine project out of DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma, and the Discovery Series was born.  The wines are meant to bring a great $20 value to consumers.  They created two wines:

2007 Chardonnay.  A more crisp, Burgundian style from California.  Less oak flavor, it was aged in a mixture of new and neutral French oak.  There is good citrus and tropical melon accompanied by a light creaminess.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.  A small amount of Merlot and Carmenere were added to the blend to round out this medium-heavy wine.  There are still some grippy tannins along with black fruit and spice.  Ideal with grill meat and rich stews.

After enjoying some wine along with a fluffy vegetable quiche and some good conversation from Chicago local sommeliers, I headed to Binny's along with my wife to get an interview with Mr. Aykroyd.  It was quite a scene as hundreds of people were in line to get an autographed bottle- I think my hand would've cramped up after that!  Here is a video interview conducted by my beautiful and talented wife, Blagica Bottigliero, with some questions we came up with for Mr. Aykroyd:
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I also got a close look at the Crystal Head Vodka.  It is a cool bottle, and I could see it sitting on many a shelf.  To prevent this, the vodka strategists have future plans to release bottles with silver and gold teeth, kind of like pimp skulls!  The vodka is triple distilled through Herkimer diamonds (quartz crystals).  I have yet to taste it, but received good feedback from Binny's staff- they sold over 800 bottles this weekend!  It retails for $47.99.

Dan also makes Discovery Series Ontario wines, but they are unfortunately unavailable here in the states.  If you make your way north of the border, you can grab a bottle of either his Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet-Merlot, or Cabernet-Shiraz, each for about $15.  There is also an award winning Vidal Blanc Icewine for around $65.

It was a great experience to meet a great celebrity like Dan Aykroyd.  He is not only an honorary Chicago's own, but he actually cares about these products he helped create.  He did not merely slap his name on any of these for money, like so many others do.  I want to send out a huge thank you to Mr. Aykroyd, and John Wardzala of Boisset Family Vineyards for working with my wife (big thanks to her for the video!) and I to set all of this up.

2005 Bodegas Viña Magaña Merlot

While at a Cream Wine Co. tasting, I had the chance to retaste one of my favorite wines, the 2005 vintage Merlot by Bodegas Viña Magaña.  The vineyards and winery are family owned, run by the father-son duo of Juan and Diego Magaña.  It is located in Navarra, Spain, just south of Pamplona.  For this particular wine, they took merlot vine cuttings from Château Pétrus, in Pomerol, and planted them on the estate in gravel and limestone soil.  The wine was aged in new French barrels for 18 months, and in the bottle for another six months before release.  The wine is bright ruby red with smells of both mineral and floral components, accompanied by rich exotic spice.  It is full bodied on the mouth with rich, plump, dark fruits, tar, and oak spice nuances, lasting on and on to full length finish.  I believe this wine has great aging potential, with its crisp acidity and fine tannins.  It should retail at the stores for about $40-50.  (WG 95pts.)

Chimney Rock Romance

Valentine's Day was upon us and my wife and I were ready to relax with some good food, wine, and eachother.  We've never habitually celebrated Valentine's Day, due to the fact we treat our relationship special all year round, but felt like enjoying a romantic evening at home.  Thanks to my friend Lara from Terlato Wines, we were about to enjoy a bottle of 2004 Chimney Rock "Elevage".  Chimney Rock was created by the Wilson family over thirty years ago to create Bordeaux style wines in California.  Elevage is their proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.  I opened and tasted it while the food was on the stove.  It has a dark ruby color and aromas of both red and dark berries, along with spiced plums.  Oak spices aplenty are present: cappucino, nutmeg, and cocoa.  The wine is fruity and full on the palate, with soft tannins.  I would have liked a longer finish, however, and expected more grip with the varietal make up.  It went well with dinner, but even better with dessert- organic dark chocolate chip cookies.  (WG 88pts.)

WCWG Lynfred Winery Tour and Tasting

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a great day for a trip to Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Illinois.  Thanks to a generous donation by Lynfred 2008 Grape Spitting Champion, Mike Miley, we were about to enjoy a free wine tasting at the oldest, continuously run, bonded winery in the state.  Our trip out was an easy one, as we took the Metra train at Union Station to Roselle, a 47 minute ride.  We were met by a big yellow school bus and were off to the winery!

Lynfred resembles many of the other Roselle homes from the front, with its large front porch and welcome appearance.  But when you walk around the side, you see just how large it really is.  It has become not just a winery, but also a Bed & Breakfast, and a bakery, making fine artisanal breads daily.  The building is gorgeous with balconies, outdoor seating, and grey stone walls covered in ivy.  It was started in 1979 by Fred and Lynn Koehler (whom it was named after).  What started as a retirement hobby became a success.

We walked inside and were greeted by a bustling tasting room, full of cheer and shopping.  Over fifty different wines are available for tasting and purchase, anything from Illinois Chardonel (a cross of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc), to fruit wines (Peach, Apricot, Cherry, Strawberry), sparkling wines and ports, and award winning Cabernet Sauvignon.  Much of the fruit used to make the wines comes from out of state, from California to Michigan.  Our tasting began with the 2005 Viognier, which is full and applely, with a touch of spice.  We then moved to the cellar tasting room, and were surrounded by barrels of aging wines.  We ran through a tasting of nine wines total: 2006 Chenin Blanc, 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay, Sweetheart White and Red Table Wines, 2006 Barbera (my favorite), 2005 Merlot, Blackberry Wine, and a Strawberry Port.  I could tell each one of their wines was treated as something special, as they all distributed great character, and lasting good finishes.  I don't normally get involved with wines made from fruit other than grapes, but I was very impressed as each gave more than I expected.  It was apparent the winemaker, Andrés Basso, took great care with each of his products. 

We were later taken through the winery by our tour guide, Matt.  He explained the winemaking process from grape to bottle, and was very knowledgeable of each Lynfred product.  The facility was immaculate.  The meticulous nature of the wine is a part of every aspect of Lynfred, from the cellar, to the detail of the design and architecture, to the soft and delicious baked bread.  It was an unforgettable experience and I look forward to more visits in the future.

After the tour, we headed over to Pilot Pete's.  It is located right next to Schaumberg Regional Airport.  We were able to see helicopters and Cesnas take off and land just outside the window, while we enjoyed lobster nachos, calamari, and the house blend red wine, created by Lynfred.

The event was a success and I want to thank Lynfred Winery (especially Matt), Mike Miley, Barb the bus driver, Pilot Pete's, and all in attendance.  I hope to have more events just as fun in the future!

Israeli Wine: Pelter Winery Tasting

When most people in the US think of wine from Israel, they think of sweet, kosher wines, like Manischewitz.  While wine production by Jewish folks and in Israel has bowed to this trend for much of their long history, a recent revolution has swept across the nation.  Through French, American, and Australian influence, the wines are gaining international acclaim and success.  When the Windy City Wine Guy was invited to taste wine from Israel made by Pelter Winery, I could not pass it up!

The tasting was set up at a beautiful condo overlooking the Chicago river and sponsored by Richard Shaffer, founder of Israeli Wine Direct.  Members of the Pelter Family, Sam and Nir, were onhand to pour and inform.  Now let us get to the wines:

• 2007 Sauvignon Blanc: this light straw colored wine smells of bright citrus fruits and the palate brings crisp acidity and ripe grapefruit reminiscent of New Zealand style.


• 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay: surprisingly light Chardonnay with meyer lemon flavor, but a slight oily texture.


• 2006 Trio: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.  A light oak spice and blackberry smell and flavor.  Definitely an easy drinker with lighter tannins and smooth texture but slight lack of length.


• 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz: 50/50 blend of both varietals.  Another smooth drink, but with more dark fruit.  I like it, but again,looking for more depth out of the Cabernet Sauvignon.


• 2006 T-Selection Cabernet Franc: the big hit of the night!  The T-Selection is their high quality, exclusive series.  This wine brings the oak, spice, fruit, and length.  Brilliant red and black berries, nutmeg, and structured tannins highlight this Pelter gem.

They also carry a T-Selection Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon which I hope to taste another time.  For being a newer winery, the Pelter boutique product line has definite quality. 

I am looking forward to tasting future vintages and more Israeli wines.  Though Israel's soil is one of the oldest used to grow grapes for wine (Georgia is the oldest- since about 8000 BC), I would classify Israeli wine as being from the "Old World", but "New World"  in style.  Slight earthiness, but mostly ripe fruit coming through on both nose and palate.

It is an exciting time in the world for wine as we are getting a chance to sample from every nation and their people.  Wine is a passport to different lands and cultures- get out there a take a travel with your next bottle!

Hall Wines

Windy City Wine Guy attended a tasting of Hall Wines from Napa Valley at Tru and the wines impressed.  When I first walked in, I tasted their 2007 Sauvignon Blanc and it was instant refreshment- citrus and tropical fruits accompanied by minerality and a long finish.  I soon met Kathryn Hall, who owns the winery along with her husband Craig.  Kathryn has a very colorful background of being an attorney, community activist, and former US Ambassador to Austria.  Her views on organics and the environment are very conscious and refreshing.  Then it was time to try the wines...

We were ushered into a meeting room where seven red wines were sitting in front of each of us.  President and former wine maker for Hall Wines, Michael Reynolds, was onhand to introduce each wine and lend his extensive knowledge. 

The tasting was a great opportunity to not only taste different terroirs, but also different vintages.  It is always amazing and fun to see how each of these can have such differing aromas and tastes.  We started off with "Jack's Masterpiece" 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.  This was named after Mike's son, who painted the very colorful label when he was 18 months old!  This is a very likeable Cab, with big fruit flavor and easy tannins.  Next was Diamond Mountain 2005 Cab which was very earthy and structured while Kathryn Hall 2005 Cab was like a combo of both wines with some slight earth and spice to accompany dark fruits. 

We were priveledged to taste four 2006 vintage wines which have not been bottled and released yet.  This showed the difference in the years.  2005 was clearly a great vintage for Hall and brought out alot of what the grapes were capable of.  2006 seemed a bit hot with the alcohol coming through a bit more.  The great structure and earthiness was still there, and I could tell the wines needed a bit more aging- they will turn out great in a few years.

The owners, winery, and vineyards are riding a green wave for the environment.  Also, Hall is in its last year of the three year organic certification process.  Recycling of packaging, paper, and water is extensive and they have taken huge steps toward carbon zero by using bio-deisel to fuel farm equipment.  Water efficiency, solar power, and sustainability are practiced.  The Hall family is also involved in the local community and donate a portion of profits to their charity foundation.  This is a company and family to be followed in this new century.

Around the World Tasting @ South Loop Wine Cellar

The Windy City Wine Guy has always been an advocate of local neighborhood wine shops.  Mine is in the south loop at the South Loop Wine Cellar.  Amy Garman is the owner, and she carries a small selection of quality wines which she knows all about.  There are weekly tastings held at the shop, and I attended the Around the World Tasting held Saturday, October 18.  There were many distributors on hand to pour and answer questions- and they were all needed too as people poured in from all over the south loop!

There were some very good wines at this tasting and here are my favorites:

• Axios "Truth", Lindsey's Cuvee 2006: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot delivers deep dark fruit, vanilla and oak spice, smokey bacon aroma, and earth.  $22.50


• Seven Hills Merlot 2006: A silky Merlot with great integrated tannins and acidity.  Smooth fruits, nice body, and long finish.  $25.99


• Finca Villacreces, Ribera del Duero, 2005: This big Spanish red has it all- dusty earth, oak, cherry, rich soil, and spice.  A bit young, let it age.  $47.50


• Brooks Riesling 2006: I love this producer (ENO has the Amycas blend).  A rich dry white with slate, lime, apple, chestnut, and minerality.  So refreshing.  $19.99


• Chateau St. Cosme: There was a Côtes du Rhône ($18), Gigondas ($34), and Chateauneuf du Pape ($49), each better than the other.  Cannot go wrong with any of these as each is worth more than the price.


• Gunn Estate Unoaked Chardonnay 2007: A great expression of what Chardonnay is without all the alteration- honeyed apples, pear, and chalk.  Great ripe fruit.  $18.99


• Buglioni Valpolicella Classico 2006: Light and fresh with great acidity and bitter dark fruit.  $16

This was a great neighborhood event, as I met with lots of fellow south loop residents.  We were able to talk about the goings-on, as well as our liking of Amy and the wine shop.  Where is your neighborhood?  Tell WCWG and promote your local wine shop!

Sonoma Wineries- All Aboard!

If you are staying in Sonoma, there's a variety of wineries within bicycle distance.  I know what you're thinking- not sure about the drinking+bicycling thing.  This is not a bad idea if you do not plan on drinking too much, plus it beats driving a vehicle!  At any rate, we were off and riding toward a couple of wineries on a sunny Sonoma day.

We first visited Bartholomew Park Winery.  The property was originally home to Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian nobleman who traveled America and became the "father of American wine".  The winery now offers organic estate wines overseen by Jim Bundschu, of Gundlach Bundschu.  All are small batch with most being under 1000 cases produced.  We tasted the entire line:

• 2007 Sauvignon Blanc- a fruity white with a smooth richness, despite the absence of oak or malo.  Best SB we tasted on the trip!


• 2005 Desnudos Vineyard Merlot- good mix of spice and fruit for this silky red


• 2005 Estate Syrah- full bodied and very complex with dark fruit, smoke, and earth


• 2005 Estate Zinfandel- excellent depth and long flavor.  Slight sweetness, very rich.


• Two Cabs: '04 Kasper Vineyard, '03 Estate- both will be great wines, are still youthful, and need aging.

The only way to purchase these wines is either at the estate or through their club. 

We later stopped at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery.  There is no winery in the US that has been producing wine on a continual basis while being family owned than Sebastiani (since 1904).  They have a wide array of wines to choose from, over twenty, and all are reasonably priced, quality selections.

Sonoma is also surrounded by many other wineries: Gundlach Bundshu, Gloria Ferrer, Viansa, Buena Vista, and Ravenswood.  Enjoy the wineries if you visit Sonoma City and happy hunting!

Bubbly at Domaine Chandon

On our drive back to the Inn, we had one last stop to make in Yountville- at Domain Chandon.  It is a gorgeous and gigantic estate surrounded by vineyards and a stream.  We walked in to see a huge retail area, which we checked out while we awaited our tour guide.  Their wine array is about as large as the estate- there are over twenty current releases, with anything from Pinot Noir Rose to Sparkling Red.

We finally met Chandon Ambassador Stephanie Wolden and we were off to the winery.  Most of the grapes had already been harvested by August 3rd, due to increasingly hot summers.  It is important to remember that when making sparkling wine, the grapes should still have a relatively high acid level, to maintain a traditional and crisp style.  The juice was being fermented in very large stainless steel tanks. 

We then went down to the cellar where riddling was taking place.  This is a process where the dead yeast cells are slowly moved to the neck of the bottle, for removal, as it is rotated upside down.  It used to be done manually, but technological advances have made the use of gyropalettes commonplace.  There was also an assembly line which freezes the yeast cells, removes them (disgorging), adds dosage (adjustment of sweetness level), corks the bottle and labels it.  This process takes twenty minutes per bottle!

Stephanie then took us for a tasting in the Salon where we tried their Prestige Cuvee and Classic tastings, seven sparkling wines in total.  The étoile Rosé was our favorite with spice, weight, and excellent fruit essences, excellent for summers, lighter fair and cheeses.  Stephanie's enthusiasm and knowledge of the wines rounded out our tasting. 

Knowing the quality of their still wines (I have their Pinot Meunier at ENO) I could not resist grabbing some of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  The bottle never made it back to Chicago, as we splurged and opened it the following evening!  It had excellent body for a Pinot with lively cherry fruit, spice, and even some tobacco on the finish.

I normally see Chandon classic sparkling wines on sale at Binny's for about $12/bottle so stock up if you enjoy the bubbly.  Thanks again to Chandon and Stephanie!

Windy City Wine Guy/Gals' Guide Tasting at Binny's

Windy City Wine Guy and Gals' Guide teamed up to sponsor Wine 101 at Binny's and it was truly a success!  Basic knowledge was given along with a tasting of four different wines, three cheeses, and chocolate.  This was my first instructional tasting on a large scale and it turned out to be a complete thrill.  The questions were fast and furious but WCWG was able to give answers and knowledge to over 20 budding wine fans.  I was taken with the enthusiasm and curiosity of the bunch- the class actually went almost an hour over schedule and we managed to close the place down!

I picked out the wines and paired them with cheeses and chocolate:

• 2007 Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc with Boucheron- the wine's crisp acidity matched perfectly with this French Loire goat cheese.  The lively citrus, gooseberry, and oily texture coated the mouth perfectly. 


• 2005 Beringer Napa Chardonnay with Chatelain Brie- this wine had a buttery, creamy feel to go perfectly with this creamy cheese.  Ripe gold apple and toast flavors exude from it's medium body.


• 2007 O'Reilly's Oregon Pinot Noir with Tomme Savoie- the earth tones and smooth acids paired well with this earthy sheep milk selection.  Bright red fruit, pepper, and cinnamon were a part of the long finish from Oregon's greatest wine value.


• 2006 Bonterra Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon with Michel Cluizel Mangaro Chocolate Noir- rich dark fruit, firm tannin, and vanilla complemented the dark chocolate well.  Bonterra makes great organic wines for everyday use, value, and enjoyment.

I want to thank Binny's South Loop staff (especially Juan and Elaine) for all the help.  And thanks to all students for the ample participation- I look forward to seeing you all again and putting on more classes and tastings!

Chateauneuf du Pape and Alternatives

Many of us enjoy Chateauneuf du Pape along with other Rhone wines.  Unfortunately, many of these wines can be expensive.   There are ways, however, to enjoy wines similar to your favorites without the big price tag.

For those of us who are not familar with Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP), it is an area in the southern Rhone Valley, France, which lies between Orange and Avignon.  Pope Clement V moved the papacy here in 1308, and his love of wine helped improve viticulture in the area.  The grapes and wines improved over time to become a world renowned product.  It is made in both white and red styles with Grenache being the primary grape, though up to 13 varietals can be used in the blend.

Since CDPs can go from $30-200+, it can be difficult to drink as much as one may like.  That is where the alternatives come in.  Look for Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, and Lirac wines.  These are all towns in close proximity to CDP which produce similar wines though Lirac produces lighter styles.  The pictured wine is Domaine de la Maurelle Gigondas 2004 which I purchased on special at Binny's for $15.  It had very good cherry, leather, earth, and was easy drinking.

You can also look for Côtes du Rhône, and Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages for better quality.  My favorite for under $15 is Guigal Cotes du Rhone.  Good hunting!

Sorting Grapes with Rob Lawson and Tuck Beckstoffer

First stop on our second day in Napa brought us to see Robert Lawson of Pavi Wines at the Napa Wine Company.  Rob gave us each a glass of his Pavi Napa Valley Pinot Grigio and brought us out to the winery.  He and his crew were busy since before sunrise harvesting, and now it was time for hand sorting.  Tuck Beckstoffer showed up to help us sort and we found out he and Rob grew up together in the valley.  My wife and I dug into the conveyor belt of organic Pinot Gris grapes and began to remove unhealthy grapes, stems, and leaves. 

This is not common practice at all vineyards but in Napa Valley, over 90% of grapes are hand-sorted.  It was alot of fun for us but a full day of harvesting, sorting, and crushing in 100 degree weather would be draining for anyone.  After the Pinot Gris was sorted, it was on to the fermentation tanks. 

The wine had been fermenting in large stainless steel tanks for about five days, converting the ripe sugars and yeast to alcohol.  Rob opened the tank into a pitcher and poured us each a glass.  The juice had a cloudy dull pink hue and was very fruity with sweet apricot and peach flavors.  The cloudiness of the wine would eventually settle and leave a clear dry white wine.

We then went to Bonded Winery Number 9, where Ghost Block and other great wines are tasted.  We tried two more Pavi wines, their Napa Dolcetto and Italian Pinot Grigio.  Rob and his wife, Pavi, started making the wines in 1998 from Italian varietals and eventually Italian vineyards to reflect her heritage.  If you want an authentic Napa experience, check out the Napa Wine Company and maybe you will have Rob making a wine for you!

Hanging with Tuck Beckstoffer

Our last stop on our first day in Napa was with Tuck Beckstoffer of Vinifera Vineyards, Beckstoffer Vineyards, 75 Wine Co., and Private Reserve Jets.  From the moment we met and shook hands, I knew that Tuck was my kind of guy.  He was business and casual at the same time, with a warm and welcome demeanor.  When we sat down to try some wines I knew I was in for some prime tasting.

The Beckstoffers have been working with grapes and acquiring land in California since 1969, and Napa since 1975 (hence the name 75 Wine Co.).  They are now the largest private landholders in Napa Valley and source grapes out to such wine greats as Paul Hobbs, Plumpjack, Broman, Merryvale, Provenance, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Clos du Val.  Tuck himself has worked at Cakebread Cellars and Far Niente.  All of this and being part of the 1987 America's Cup winning Stars and Stripes crew make for the right person to drink some vino with.

We tried four of his wines:

• 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley- this 100% stainless steel organic white was in tune with my buds.  It had a good amount of citrus, though not as much grapefruit as I like (ala New Zealand).  Still, it was a bit tropical and had a nice creamy texture from sur lie aging.


• New Bordeaux like blend- this is a new release from Tuck which was still was sans label.  It is a Sauvgnon Blanc/Semillon blend which had more floral components and body than the '07 Sauvignon.  Can't wait to see this one in the Chicago market.


• 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Amber Knolls Vineyard- with a floral and tart red fruit nose which leads into dark fruit flavor, spice, earth, and chocolate.  Has fine body and aging potential.


• 2005 Vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley- another fine Cab with added leather and pepper components. 

Tuck has a mission-

"We are committed to producing and offering hand-crafted wines from the finest vineyards in California at a reasonable price in a package that will compete for attention in the finest restaurants in the world."

Have to love some high quality Napa wines which fall into the $15-35 price range!  Now, you cannot get these wines everywhere as Tuck is picky about who he lets vend his wines (which is a good thing) but I have seen some of them available for online purchase.  Pick them up if you get the chance.

We left 75 Wine Co. bound for Sonoma and some rest.  But we would get a chance to see Tuck again the next day...

Grgich Hills Cellar

Driving down I-29 in Napa, I could not help but stop by one of my favorite producers, Grgich Hills.  The winery was started by a man I idolize, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich.  Mike came to America from Croatia with nothing and has become one of the leading wine producers in the nation.  His ability to work with new equipment, innovations, and techniques has created a world class reputation.  He worked with Andre Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), Robert Mondavi, and created the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting winning Chardonnay, 1973 vintage Chateau Montelena.  After the Paris Tasting, he struck out on his own at Grgich Hills. 

The property is welcoming and simple.  I noticed on the way in a sign stating the estate is both biodynamic and organic certified- a suggestion from his nephew, Ivo Jeramaz.  Ivo has been with Mike for two decades and his wine background goes back to Croatia, growing grapes and making wine with his family.  Mike and Ivo were also able to create a winery in Croatia, Grgic Vina, in Dubrovnik.  Mike may have some great help, but at 85 years of age, he is still very active at the winery.  We hoped to speak with him but he was very busy with scheduled visitors and harvest.

We were greeted by Connor, a California native who was very knowledgeable about both the winery and the wines.  The tasting room is offset by both stainless steel fermentation tanks and oak aging barrels- nice to be surrounded by future great wines!  Here is what we tasted:

• 2007 Napa Fume Blanc- this Sauvignon Blanc was aged in oak and sur lie, giving it good body.  Great tropical and citrus fruits, oak, and oily texture.  Long finish.


• 2006 Napa Chardonnay- this is the first vintage of both biodynamic and organic certification.  Mike's Chardonnays are always done in Burgundian style- oak aged with no malolactic fermentation, leaving a crisply acidic full bodied wine with great floral, citrus, mineral, and honeyed components.


• 2005 Napa Chardonnay, Carneros Selection- this is the best of the best.  More contact with new oak makes this wine more rich and nuttier.  Tropical fruits and creaminess shine through with elegance.


• 2004 Napa Merlot- is a Merlot meant for aging with rich tannins and structure.  Has a silky texture along with dark fruit, spice, and cedar.


• 2005 Napa Zinfandel- a rich dark color accompanies lively fruit, leather, and earth.  This wine gains great structure from the addition of Petit Syrah.  Perfect pizza wine.


• 2004 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon- a complete balance of body and fruit, this wine also gives off floral and chocolatey components.

Every wine we tasted is of the best quality and not only garner high WG scores, but also high scores from all expert tasters and writers.  The price tag on these wines are very moderate for the quality, ranging from $30-135 and considering the cellaring potential, all are a steal.

Terredora di Paolo Aglianico 2006

A southern Italian wine made by Campania's largest wine producer and vineyard owner.  Terredora takes pride in reintroducing the world to local ancient varietals, all of which were the best of the Roman Empire.  Aglianico is the best red varietal that the south of Italy has to offer.  Priced at $11.99 from Caffe Roma in San Francisco, this wine produced.  There was deep dark color, leading into a dark red fruit which was complimented by spice and toasted tones.  The wine was tight and benefitted from time outside the bottle (WG 88pts.).  Was great with our spinach and homemade meatball pizza from Pizzelle di North Beach, San Francisco.

Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd 2001

Domäne Wachau is a label formerly used by the cooperative Freie Weingärtner, now being run by Roman Horvath (Vineyard Manager) and Heinz Frischengruber (Winemaker).  The grapes are grown in the western portion of the Austrian Wachau, where the wines are known to be crisp and ageworthy.  This particular riesling is classified Smaragd, a word for the lizards that live in the vineyards, and stands for the most rare and full-bodied of rieslings.  The other classifications are Steinfeder, a word for grass, and known to be lighter, and Federspiel, a word for the noise a falconer makes to his bird, known to be a bit fuller. 

It is a bone dry, pale gold Austrian Riesling of great quality for the price (normally $24, end of bin for $7.99 at Binny's).  The wine has some whetstone and floral scents along with great minerality and citrus on the palate.  It is creamy with crisp acidity, full body, good spice, and a moderately long finish.  Great buy, even at normal price- WG 91 pts.

Business and Pleasure

Tastings come in two forms: Business and Pleasure.  Business tastings are done for certifications or put on by distributors or producers.  They are for networking and selling/buying.  You will try just as many wines you like as you do not like but always remember what your clientele will like.  Wine tasting for pleasure is done with family, friends, or put on by wine and liquor shops.  These are for enjoyment, meeting new people, hanging with those you know, and talking about wine.  Just remember if you attend both they should all be used for experience- hone your senses.

Ole Imports @Carnivale

The WCWG will be at Carnivale courtesy of Cream Wine Company for a tasting of Ole Imports Portfolio.  This is going to be a great opportunity to meet 15 winemakers from Spain and taste their wines.  I am looking forward to the experience and if you cannot be there, giving you this guy's rundown of the event!Results:

The best wine tasted was Bodegas Viña Magaña Merlot 2005.  Merlot is not normally made as a single varietal in Spain so this is very special.  The vines originate from Chateau Petrus cuttings so the grapes definitely have a pedigree.  There have only been three vintages created, only in special years.  This is a lush, floral, fruity, structured wine with some exotic spice.  It has aging potential or can be drunk now.  Excellent!

A very good upcoming area is Montsant- it surrounds Priorat and has a higher altitude.  Bodegas Falset Marca makes great old vine Garnacha and blends.  Their Etim L'Esparver is the premium with strength, fruit, and structure.

A great dessert wine smash hit is made by Bodegas Viños Piñol- 90% Garnacha Old Vine and 10% Syrah.  It has great raisin, dark cherry, and earthy truffle scents and flavors.  The silky syrupy texture rolls on your palate and will go great with chocolate or even a cigar.

(Image courtesy of Cream)