Wine Road Podcast: Mark Orsi, Owner of Orsi Family Vineyards

 

Varietal of the Month: Viognier

 

Viognier, originally from the Northern Rhone Valley in France, is a full-bodied white wine with a rich, unctuous texture. Intensely aromatic, Viognier has good acidity, tannin structure, and relatively high alcohol. Viognier from cool climates tend towards bright citrus notes, while warm climate wines exhibit deeper floral notes and ripe stone fruit flavors. Pronounced [Vee-ohn-yay]

 

 

Capo Creek 2022 Estate Viognier, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Capo Creek Estate Viognier is aromatic and fresh with aromas of honeysuckle, peach, apricot and orange blossom with a grounding note of toasted almond. On the palate it’s deep and rich with rippling acidity and flavors of lime, white peach and ripe mango. The long finish rings with notes of orange peel and crushed rose petals. Satisfying and textural, pair with a spicy Moroccan lamb curry

 

ABV 13.5%

$45

Carol Shelton Wild Thing Viognier 2022 Central Coast

 

The label on Carole Shelton’s 2022 Wild Thing Viognier is a major hint to the delights held within. Bursting with fresh floral aromatics, it fills the glass with scents of white flowers, honeydew, orange zest and a touch of marzipan. On the palate it’s taut and crisp with juicy notes of apple, creamy white peach and lime zest. Pair with spicy empanadas.

 

ABV 13.7%

$24

 

Francis Coppola Reserve 2022 Viognier Catie’s Corner, Russian River Valley

 

The Francis Coppola Reserve 2022 Viognier from Catie’s Corner is part of a portfolio of wines that showcase distinctive sites in Sonoma County and Catie’s Corner vineyard is renowned for a select few varietals including Viognier. On the nose, a bouquet of soft white floral scents with orange blossom, honeysuckle, peach, and lime zest. On the palate lively acidity balances the plush favors of fleshy white peach, mango, and ripe apricot. Long soft finish with a light note of honey-almond. Pair with Pad Thai or Chicken Satay with spicy peanut sauce.

 

ABV 14.5%

$40

 

J. Rickards 2022 Viognier Il Sogno Ranch, Dry Creek Valley

 

The J. Rickards 2022 Viognier from Il Sogno Ranch, Dry Creek Valley opens with a tropical mélange of aromatics featuring mango, lemongrass, lime, coconut and spicy ginger. On the palate, it’s lean and bright with a lithe, supple texture and citrus notes of lime, and ginger, plus a touch of orange creamsicle. The long finish is clean and taut with a balance of apricot, green apple and a sunny note of orange peel. Pair with grilled chicken topped with mango chutney.

 

ABV 14.3%

$32

 

Russian River Vineyards 2022 Viognier Catie’s Corner, Russian River Valley

 

Great wines hail from great vineyards and Catie’s Corner in Russian River Valley is one of the most storied and lauded for Viognier. The Russian River Vineyards 2022 Viognier from Catie’s Corner in Russian River Valley is a rush for the senses. The nose is chock full of fresh aromatics with scents of honeysuckle, peach, orange blossom and a touch of thyme. On the palate it’s lively and balanced with fleshy white peach, honeydew, crisp green apple and soft apricot. Clean lean finish makes it a natural to pair with spicy tuna sushi rolls.

 

AVB 13.2%

$52

 

Robert Young Viognier 2021 Alexander Valley

 

The Robert Young 2021 Viognier from Alexander Valley is complex and compelling with an ultra soft nose and equally soft palate— it’s like a whisper from the vines to your senses. On the nose a whiff of honeysuckle, and the subtle sweet scent of apple blossom, and sun warmed peach. On the palate it’s rich and textured with flavors of peach, mango, guava, and honeydew coupled with an ever so soft patter of light tannins on the finish like tiny kitten paw prints. Balanced and bright with a lovely soupçon of sweetness, it’s worthy of drinking all on it’s own or pair with a simple charcuterie board of salamis and creamy cheeses.

 

ABV 14.1%

$40

Wine Road Podcast: Shane McAnelly, Excecutive Chef at Dry Creek Kitchen

 

Wine Road Podcast : Devin Ruddick, VP of Sales and Marketing at Hook & Ladder Winery

 

Style of the Month: Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wines are not just for holidays and celebrations, they make a fine choice for everyday meals and pair exceptionally well with a variety of foods. From fried chicken to lobster bisque, the range of food pairings are endless, but nothing beats oysters, potato chips or truffle fries for flavor match made in heaven. Sparkling wines come in a range of sweetness levels from bone dry Burt Nature to the very sweet styles of Demi-Sec and Doux. The most popular style is Brut with less than half a gram of sugar per glass. There’s a sparkling wine to please every palate. 

Here are capsule reviews of Sparkling Wines along the Wine Road

Amista Sparkling Syrah Morningstar Vineyard 

Fresh and bright the Amista Sparkling Syrah from Morningstar Vineyard is an effervescent delight. The light garnet color shines with specks of gold in the fine stream of bubbles. Juicy and bright with flavors of pomegranate, black cherry, a touch of orange zest and all spice. It’s balanced on the palate with a fresh acidity that carries all the way through on the long dry finish. Pair with spicy crab cakes.

ABV 12.5%

$58

Cast Sparkling Brut Nature, Estate Vineyard, 2019 Dry Creek Valley

The Cast 2019 Sparkling Burt Nature from Dry Creek Valley is made from estate grown Zinfandel grapes. Steely and lean with a steady stream of fine bubbles it has initial of notes of brioche, yellow apple, white peach, and lemon zest. A bright stony minerality is in balance with flavors of honeysuckle, peach and buttered toast. The sustained finish rings with zesty acidity. Supremely delicious. Don’t be surprised how fast the bottle empties! Pair with Oysters Rockefeller. 

ABV 12.5%

$62.00

Colagrossi Sparkling Wine Rosé de Sangiovese 

The Colagrossi Sparkling Rosé de Sangiovese is made in the Charmat Method also known as the Tank method, which results in bright juicy, fruity wines with an easy and ready to drink freshness. It’s zesty with flavors of dried strawberry, watermelon and cranberry. Check out episode 186 of the Wine Road Podcast episode to hear how much we enjoyed it in studio with the winemaker! Pair with spicy seasoned tater tots and your favorite podcast.

ABV  12.5%

$45

Emeritus 2020 Hallberg Brut, Blanc de Noir, Russian River Valley

The Emeritus 2020 Hallberg Brut, Blanc de Noir is composed of estate grown Pinot Noir fruit from the heart of the Russian River Valley. It gently glows with a golden hue as a persistent stream of fine tiny bubbles race to the top of the glass. It has a light aroma of brioche and apricot. On the palate, soft notes of ripe pear, crisp apple and zesty lemon blend with a bright top note of ginger. It’s lithe and elegant with great texture and a bracing minerality on the long finish. Pair with classic caviar & blinis.

ABV 12.5%

$80

West Wines 2018 Seafoam Blanc de Blancs

The West Wines 2018 Seafoam Blanc de Blanc is made with 100% estate Chardonnay grapes in the traditional Champagne style, Méthode Traditionelle. On the nose, notes of brioche, lemon curd, ginger and toasted hazelnut waft up from the glass. On the palate it’s fresh and vibrant with a soft creamy mousse. Balanced flavors of lemon curd, pear, peach and orange zest mingle and linger on the finish. Pair with pomme frites and aioli.  

ABV 11.5%

$42

Woodenhead 2013 Sparkling Wine Blanc de Blanc

At ten years of age, the Woodenhead 2013 Sparkling Blanc de Blanc is graceful with a fruity vitality that is both savory and bright. On the nose, notes of marzipan, lemon pith and butterscotch. On the palate, a soft texture with a balance of yellow apple, lemon zest, toasted almond and creamy ginger. In a word—delectable! Pair with buttermilk fried chicken.

ABV 11.2%

$54

Wine Road Podcast: Brooke Hazen, Founder & Farmer at Gold Ridge Organic Farms

 

Episode 189 | Brooke Hazen, Founder & Farmer at Gold Ridge Organic Farms

Varietal of the Month: Pinot Noir

 

Pinot Noir is synonymous with Sonoma County as one of the flagship wines of the Russian River Valley region. Light bodied with moderate to high acidity gives Pinot Noir a structure that makes it eminently pair worthy with a wide range of foods. A cool climate grape, Pinot Noir can be finicky and difficult to grow, but it is also most expressive and reflective of the place where it’s grown. Here in Sonoma County, in the Russian River Valley and along the Sonoma Coast, we have some of world’s best vineyards and growing conditions for producing classic Pinot Noir of elegance and complexity.

Here are capsule reviews of Pinot Noir you may find along the Wine Road. 

Baldassari 2020 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

The Baldassari 2020 Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley has a palpable vitality. On the nose, an aromatic rush to the senses with crushed rose petals, cranberry, cherry, earthy brambles and a touch of bacon fat. On the palate, a well-integrated interplay of acid and tannin deliver juicy layered flavors of cherry, red raspberry, wild blueberry, fig, rhubarb and a whiff of cotton candy. It’s a delicious thrill ride with a spicy finish that’s lean and bright. Pair with wild mushroom pizza.

$ 56

ABV 14.1%

De Loach Vineyards 2020 Estate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The DeLoach Vineyards 2020 Estate Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is made using eight estate clones; 115, 828, Swan, La Tache, Calera and Mt. Eden, 777 and 23. In the glass it has a bewitching elegant nose of cocoa, and raspberry with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, bright acidity with juicy notes of cotton candy, raspberry compote, and blueberry. Plush tannins deliver notes of black pepper, clove, and cherry pie with a ribbon of thyme on the long lingering finish. Great age potential; will develop further complexity over time, but simply delicious right now as well. 

$90

ABV 14.5%

Landmark Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir Hop Kiln Estate Russian River Valley

The Landmark Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir from the Hop Kiln Estate in Russian River Valley has an aromatic nose composed of sweet violet, vanilla, raspberry, bright cherry and black pepper. On the palate is has great texture with initial notes of plum sauce, blood orange, raspberry. The mid palate delivers earthy flavors of mushroom, sweet tobacco and Herbs de Provence. The long bright finish is tangy and tart with notes of hibiscus and clove. Pair with spicy fajitas.

$50

ABV 14.4%

Longboard Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Meant to Be Vineyard, Russian River Valley

The 2021 Longboard Vineyard Pinot Noir from Meant to Bee Vineyard in Russian River Valley is a Pinot lovers Pinot. On the nose, a delicious bouquet of sugarplum, vanilla and sweet cedar. On the palate it’s juicy, bright and flavorful with a nice balance of black and red fruits including blueberry and raspberry. As the layers of flavor unfold, notes of hibiscus and tart strawberry come into play with sweet tobacco, and a minty note of chaparral on the long lean finish. Pair with pulled pork sliders.

$64

ABV 14.3%

Papapietro Perry 2020 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch, Sonoma Coast

The 2020 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir from Campbell Ranch on the Sonoma Coast offers a myriad of delights. On the nose, a bouquet of raspberry fruit leather, black cherry, wild blueberry and a hint of flint. On the palate, bright flavors of cherry, hibiscus, and rose hips balanced with deep notes of rooibos, cranberry, leather, and mushroom. A warm note of earthy sweet tobacco comes through on the long lingering finish. Great structure with potential to age and develop further. Try pairing with grilled eggplant or duck confit.

$66

ABV 13.1%

Russian River Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown Austin Vineyard, Russian River Valley  

The Russian River Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, is from the Austin Vineyard in the heart of Russian River Valley. On the Nose, a pleasing light scent of sweet violet and vanilla with an undertone of chanterelles. On the palate, flavors of cranberry, sugarplum, mocha, and all spice, merge with notes of back cherry, and cocoa. The tart, yet savory, finish has notes of clove, fig newton and sweet tobacco. Pair a tangy Thai barbecue chicken.

$82

ABV 14.2%