Wine Road Podcast-- Craig Colagrossi, Owner & Winemaker Colagrossi Wines

We chat with Craig about his wine program focusing on Italian varietals and what’s new and upcoming at Colagrossi Wines on Artisan Alley in Windsor. Plus our Fast Five recipe from Jesse Malvesti of David Coffaro Wines.

Zinfandel: Varietal of the Month

 

Zinfandel is know as the All American grape and has been grown in California since the 1800’s. Yet the grapes true roots are in Croatia where it’s known as Tribidrag. In Italy Zinfandel is called Primitivo. Although the majority of California producers label their wine as Zinfandel, you may see a few Tribidrag’s and Primitiov’s too. Zinfandel is a medium-bodied dry red wine with a range of dark fruit flavors that include raspberry, blueberry, red and black cherry, and plum. Notes of tobacco, brambles, hickory and spice are common as well. Medium tannins make it a versatile food pairing wine, with flavors ranging from juicy and jammy, to lean and elegant depending on climate.

Here are capsule reviews of Zinfandel’s you may find along the Wine Road. 

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Acorn 2018 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 

The Acorn 2018 Heritage Vines Zinfandel is a field blend of 78% Zinfandel, 11% Alicante Bouschet and 9% Petite Sirah fermented with eight other varieties including Carignane, Trousseau, Sangiovese, Petit Bouschet, Negrette, Syrah, Black Muscat, Cinsaut, and Grenache which comprise the final 2% of the blend. On the nose a rush of mocha and peppercorn rise up from the glass with a prominent note of rooibos. Generous body with bright initial notes of blueberry and menthol is balanced with deep lush flavors of blackberry and mocha. Lovely balance of tannin and fruit with long gentle finish that rings with spice. But do those eight other varieties that make up the 2% of the blend matter? I say yes! It brings a certain something, a je ne sais quoi, not easy to define, but ultimately delicious. 
ABV14.7%
$50

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Carol Shelton Wines 2019 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County

The OG* Zinfandel—Carol Shelton’s 2019 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel is a love note to the grape and an astounding value to boot. On the nose you’ll find notes of plum sauce, and sweet briar with touch of cedar. As the wine opens there is a wonderful layer of bacon fat and mocha too. Wild Thing is zippy and alive with juicy flavors of raspberry, clove, fennel, and blackberry crumble.  The long round finish walks a savory tightrope of texture between creamy and bright. Pair with Moo Shu Pork for a savory call-and-response interplay of flavors. NOTE: *OG =Original Gangster, slang for someone/something incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.” 
ABV 14.5%
$20 

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Ehret 2020 Zinfandel, Knights Valley

In the glass the 2020 Ehret Zinfandel is deep dark purple with a pinkish rim. Juicy with an intense with black fruits and a savory quality of smoked meat and bacon fat too! Spiky tannins hit all the pleasure points with a peppy sour cherry finish. A lot of oomph going on in this 2020 youngster and I find it reminiscent of Primitivo, the doppelgänger of Zinfandel in Italy. Expect this to age and blossom with elegance, yet it’s eminently quaffable right now. Pair with spicy food and your most finicky guests, as this will surely gain their attention and respect. 
ABV 15.5%
$ N

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Pedroncelli 2019 Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

The Pedroncelli family has been producing wine for close to a century and the 2019 Zinfandel from Bushnell Vineyard is a great example of their decades of experience. On the nose toasty nutmeg and clove intermingle with lush aromas of black and blueberry crumble and an intriguing note of butterscotch. Full bodied and rich with primary flavors of cola and spicy strawberry preserves. The bright and bouncy acidity delivers a ribbon of red fruits and raspberry fizz that merges seamlessly into a creamy long elegant finish with taut tannins. Pair with a classic sausage pizza.
ABV 16%
$30

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Peterson 2017 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley  

The 2017 Peterson Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley is a blend of 82% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane, and 5% Grenache. On the nose a heady bouquet of garrigue – aka a veritable potpourri of juniper, thyme, rosemary and sage, with a fresh minty-herbal top note. Lush and delectable, it has deep flavors of tobacco, dark plum and earthy brambles, with secondary notes of cherry and rhubarb that are both bright and savory. It’s a shape-shifting marvel of fruit, acid, and tannin. Pair with something tangy and saucy like barbecue ribs or try a savory slow roasted pork shoulder. 
ABV 15.5%
$26

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Seghesio 2019 Zinfandel Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley

The 2019 Seghesio Zinfandel hails from the storied Todd Brothers Ranch in Alexander Valley. On the nose sweet briar and graphite mix with blackberry jam and a touch of vanilla. Very soft and plush mouth feel with concentrated flavors of mocha, black cherry, and all spice with a dash of smoked hickory wood. Great texture and body. Taut long tannins balance the rich black fruit flavors with notes of leather and sweet tobacco. Pair with rich mushroom risotto or hearty lasagna. 
ABV 15.6%
$50

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Taddei Wines 2018 Zinfandel Ionnatti Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley 

Deep dark and alluring in the glass the Taddei 2018 Zinfandel from Ionnatti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is both engaging and enigmatic. The nose is a riddle of sassafras, cinnamon, black plum, tobacco and sweet briar. Lots going on here with a yin and yang of plush sweet notes and tart bright flavors that slowly build to a power punch of strawberry jam over crushed gravel, dotted with white pepper and clove. Tannins so long they extend into the next week! Pair with a suitcase packed for adventure because this wine will take you somewhere unexpected. 
ABV 15.2%
$55 

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Trione 2016 Zinfandel Flatridge Ranch

On the nose, the 2016 Trione Zinfandel has deep earthy aromas of sage, blackberry preserves and nutmeg. On the palate it has plush juicy flavors of plum and olallieberry, followed by bright notes of raspberry and rhubarb. Soft and balanced tannins deliver a long spicy finish of tart red cherry, pink peppercorn and a touch of thyme. Pair with spicy beef empanadas or slow roasted barbecue short ribs. 
ABV 15.5%
$37

Wine Road Podcast--Chef Kristina Daya, Owner of Mazza Catering

 

Kristina Daya, owner of Mazza catering tells us how she got started, the services Mazza catering provides and her philosophy of food—making a celebration out of gathering and being present in the moment.

Wine Road Podcast-- Denise Gill – Tasting Room Manager from Alexander Valley Vineyards

 Denise Gill, Wine Judge and Tasting Room Manager at Alexander Valley Vineyards chats with Beth and Marcy about what’s going on at the winery, how she got into the wine business and how she became a wine judge. Our Fast Five recipe is from Zina Bower of Woodenhead Wines. And our wine of the day is Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

 

Sauvignon Blanc: Varietal of the Month

 

Widely planted and universally loved, Sauvignon Blanc is well known for it’s spiky, lively acidity. Flavors range from lean, green and grassy to creamy with notes of passion fruit and fleshy peach depending on climate and how the wine is aged be it in stainless steel or oak.  Zesty, zippy and zingy –Sauvignon Blanc has swing and bounce with aromas run the gamut from citrusy to herbaceous. When it comes to food pairing—Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate flex, versatile and accommodating to a vast array of foods from oysters on the half shell to cheese and charcuterie, and even tomato based dishes. 

Here are capsule reviews of Sauvignon Blanc’s you may find along the Wine Road. 

Dutton Estate Kylie’s Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, RRV

The Dutton Estate Kylie’s Cuvée has an unmistakable Sauvignon Blanc nose; a spicy coquet of scents composed of bright green and tropical notes including honeysuckle, spring grass, pineapple and lychee. Aged in stainless steel and a barrel mix of new and neutral French oak, the combination yields brisk acidity yet soft body and mouthfeel with notes of lemon curd, creamy peach, lychee, and grapefruit. The long lingering finish buzzes with gooseberry and ripe apricot. Pair with Panzenella (the Italian bread and tomato salad) and a spur of the moment picnic in a meadow.
$27
ABV 13.9%

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Ehret 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley

Clean and precise the Ehret Sauvignon Blanc hits all the right notes with a bold surge of lemon zest and candied ginger on the nose and a pleasant through line of fresh cut grass. The initial flavors of pear, melon, guava and fleshy white peach, give way to full round flavors of lemon curd with a spike of grapefruit. The spicy acidity builds to a crescendo followed by a long juicy finish with a touch of creamy passion fruit and squeeze of lime. It’s a wonderful example of how Sauvignon Blanc can be both expressive and exhilarating.
$35
ABV 14.5%

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G & C Lurton 2019 L’Orange Wine Sauvignon Blanc

A horse of a different color here, the G & C Lurton L’Orange glows amber in the glass and offers a delicious twist on traditional Sauvignon Blanc. Made in an “orange wine style” the juice is kept on the skins for two months to achieve the distinct color and deep flavors. Rich and complex it amps up the aromatics and delivers an exciting range of flavors including orange marmalade, apricot, tomato leaf, and thyme. Great body and long finish with notes of jalapeño, ginger and green apple. Delicious chilled, but allow it to warm a bit in the glass and notice how the flavors deepen.
$ Sold Out
AVB 14.5% or 13.3?

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J. Rickards Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Alexander Valley

Bright and fresh the J. Rickards Sauvignon Blanc zips across the palate in a zesty burst of citrus, melon, white peach, pineapple and juicy nectarine. On the nose you’ll find pleasant notes of grapefruit, jasmine, and a touch of chalk. Crisp acidity and spiky tannins usher in a juicy long finish full of fleshy peach, pear and kiwi. Pair with goat cheese and rosemary crostini. 
$26
ABV 14.2%

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Selby 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, RRV 

The Selby Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel with a touch of Semillon that adds richness to the body. On the nose it’s a spring frolic of sweet carnation, and fresh grass, ginger and apple blossom. On the palate it’s zesty and bright full of lush tropical flavors of guava and passion fruit in parallel with creamy notes of coconut and vanilla, courtesy of the of Semillon. Vibrant and delicious, the refreshing clean finish lingers well into the next sip. Pair with pan fried scallops (and invite me over!) 
$23
ABV 14.0%

Wine ROad Podcast--Gio Balistreri -- Owner and Winemaker, Russian River Vineyards

 Giovanni “Gio” Balistreri, Owner and Winemaker at Russian River Vineyards tells us what's happening at the property this year as we sip on the 2017 Pinot and 2020 Chardonnay form Russian River Vineyards. Our Fast Five recipe is from Damy Tamburrino of Foppiano Vineyards.

Wine Road Podcast-- Ehret Family Winery

 Jason Robinson, Sales Manager at Ehret Family Winery chats with Beth and Marcy about the Ehret wines, the vineyard tours, the new tasting room in Healdsburg, and what he loves most about Sonoma County all while we sip on the lovely 2017 Ehret Bella Cabernet Sauvignon. Our Fast Five guest is Executive Chef Tom Schmidt of Vintners Resort / John Ash & Co. And our Book of the Day is The Wine Explorer by Graham Mitchell.