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.
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Thursday, February 24, 2022
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.
Friday, February 18, 2022
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%
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%
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?
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%
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%
Thursday, February 10, 2022
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.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
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.
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Syrah: Varietal of the Month
Syrah, a Rhône varietal, is a medium bodied to full-bodied dry red wine. For many years Syrah was ignored by consumers, it struggled to find it’s place at the table and stylistically many Syrah’s were pushed to the far side of the jam jar. Today winemakers embrace the inherent wild nature of the grape and coax it to its full natural expression of flavors from bright to savory, making wines of great structure and complexity with a balance of fruit, tannin, acidity and alcohol. Syrah is a many splendored thing, a poem of scents, flavors and textures; it’s a varietal worthy of your attention and ultimately your love.
Here are capsule reviews of Syrah you may find along the Wine Road. Note: These wines were tasted over several days and I recommend decanting Syrah for 30 minutes or more, to experience how the wine may change and develop.
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Syrah, Alexander Valley
The Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah is comprised of 98% Syrah 98%
and 2% Viognier, which is often added as a stabilizing factor for color
and tannin with Syrah. The color is a dark inky purple with a brick red
at the rim. On the nose, a bouquet of chalky dusty violets, sage, and a
touch of white pepper. Dry and balanced and full of red fruit flavors
such as raspberry, pomegranate and plum on the initial sips, followed by
rich dark fruits of blackberry, boysenberry and plum. Nice acidity with
notes of leather graphite, cigar box and licorice on finish. Further
tasting revealed softer tannins and a wonderful lingering note of mocha
and mint.
$24
ABV 14.0%
Baldassari 2018 Syrah Bennett Valley
This eye opening Syrah is bight and energetic, juicy and packed with
flavor. On the nose notes of black pepper, licorice, sage and eucalyptus
prevail. Intense and exiting it opens up to with fresh dark fruits of
blueberry and olallieberry, and delivers a long and lingering spicy
finish with notes of black olive and spicy pink peppercorns. Very
kinetic at first, with a griping crunchy minerality that settles nicely
into a balanced smooth grove of rich lip smacking flavor.
$38
ABV 14.3%
Balletto 2017 Syrah BCD Vineyard Russian River Valley
The Balletto BCD Vineyard Syrah has a captivating perfumed nose of
black pepper, anise and plum. On the palate, bright juicy acidity leads
to a steady savory wave of blackberry, tobacco and woody sweet briar.
Earthy and lyrical it has great integration of fruit, acidity and tannin
with layers of flavor and depth. The smooth velvety tannins carry out
to a long plush satisfying finish. Immensely enjoyable with all the
earmarks of complexity and cohesiveness that make for great wine
experience.
$36
AVB 14.3%
Cast 2019 Syrah Sonoma Mountain
Dark and bold, the Cast Syrah has a deep violet color with notes of
spicy carnation and cocoa-mocha on the nose. Bold flavors and primary
notes of black olive and juniper berry come to front of the palate and
mingle with bright red fruits of pomegranate and raspberry that bring
great acidity to the mix. Brambly and bracing this Syrah is alive with
texture and typicity of the grape—a crisp crunch and snap of pink
peppercorns that harmonizes seamlessly with lush black fruit flavors of
plum and blueberry. The powdery tannins deliver a velvet glove finish.
Earthy, lithe and full of flavor, it’s deeply satisfying and
exhilarating.
$52
ABV
Dutton Estate 2018 Syrah My Father’s Vineyard Russian River Valley
The Dutton Estate Syrah presents as dark ruby in the glass with a
bluish edge. The nose is a soft bouquet of floral and herbal notes
opening with violets, fennel, black pepper, dark plum, chaparral, and
sweet tobacco. An unmistakable Peppermint Patty note shines through on
both the nose and palate. It’s unquestionably dry, with layers and
layers of deep dark fruits, savory smoked meat and leather. Smooth and
opulent each sip presents a new facet such as cedar, licorice, mulberry,
menthol, and clove. The ample body is full of oomph and vitality with
soft powdery tannins on the long silky finish. Beautiful and
enchanting—it’s like liquid love.
$58
ABV 14.9%
Frick 2019 Syrah Owl Hill Vineyard Dry Creek Valley
The Frick Syrah from Owl Hill Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is a deep
garnet color with subtle aromas of mocha, dusty rose, and lavender. The
initial flavors are vibrant and bright with juicy black cherry,
boysenberry, and plum studded with cloves and licorice. Harmonious and
balanced with nice body and earthy, savory notes of bacon fat, sage,
green peppercorn and sassafras on the long elegant finish. A thought
provoking and engaging wine, perfect for a special date night.
$29
ABV 14.4%
Limerick Lane 2019 Rocks & Fog Syrah Russian River Valley
The Limerick Lane Syrah is composed of 79% Syrah 13% Grenache 5%
Viognier and 3% Petite Sirah. Inky purple in the glass, this Syrah has a
bouquet of dark plum, black cherry, sweet tobacco and baking spice. The
overall structure is well balanced and lithe with high acidity and
flavors of black olive, bramble, cardamom, pencil shavings and a
wonderful note of petrichor. Long powdery tannins deliver a velvety
finish that thrums with savory, smoky notes of sage and chaparral.
$50
ABV 14.7%
Thursday, January 13, 2022
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