This was literally a case of, “Do you want a red or white wine with dinner tonight?” The fact of the matter was the meal could have easily paired with either. So, I thought, heck, why not try this (for me) experimental blend I just received in my latest allocation of Panther Creek new releases. It’s a cool concept: Take off the skins of the red wine grape and ferment it like a white and then, blend it with another white. No reason it shouldn’t work…
I like a good Bordeaux-style blend. I repeat, I like a good Bordeaux-style blend—the nuances of which are hard to master because, let’s face it, we’re not in Bordeaux. But I have to say that Flora Springs is consistently a reliable source for the California expression of this style with the production of their Trilogy red blend. So, let’s take a look at the 2015 vintage, shall we?
Warning: Personal anecdote ahead. I recently moved from SF to the North Bay. (I will, very shortly be moving again from North Bay to winecountry proper…but that’s a diff story). Walking down the street of downtown Corte Madera, I came across the Madrigal Family Winery tasting room. It was a Sunday morning, the doors closed. My partner in wine crime asked if I knew who they were. Heard of them? Yes. Tasted from them, no. So, here is my first look at and taste of Madrigal Family Winery.
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I can’t say that I’ve tasted a LOT of wines from SLO. But if Talley Vineyards is any indication to the vibrancy of Pinot Noir this region produces, then I will definitely be tasting a lot more. This, here, is a review of their estate Pinot Noir, a blend of two estate vineyards. Lovely, well-rounded, and (again) vibrant. Hey, Tally, think I can get a sip of a single vineyard? 😉
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Biodynamic wine anyone? Honestly, you may be sipping on more biodynamically farmed and made wines than you realize, as many who do don’t necessarily advertise it. (Hello, Tablas Creek.) Anywho, that’s not actually why I gravitated to this wine—it was the fact that Troon is consistently in pursuit of planting with vineyard specificity, replanting and grafting new vines appropriate to their Applegate Valley estate. Thus, more Rhone varieties are being planted, Rhone-style wines being made. This is the first release of this white blend, made in partnership with fellow biodynamic farmers and winemakers, Barbara and Bill Steele of Cowhorn Vineyard.
