Wine Road Podcast: Abagail Peterson Editor in Chief, Sonoma Magazine

 Episode 211: Abagail Peterson Editor in Chief, Sonoma Magazine

Wine Road Podcast: Ed Morris , Winemaker at River Road Family Wines

 Eposide  210 --Ed Morris, Winemaker at River Road Family Wines

Varietal of the Month: Barbera

 

Barbera, a variety native to Italy, can vary in flavor depending on where it’s grown; be it warm or cool climate, and how it is produced. Wines from cool climes tend to display brighter tart red fruits and warmer climes show deeper berry fruit flavors. Typically Barbera is delightfully spicy with good acidity, and tends toward medium to light tannins with a smooth finish. FUN FACT: A little know rumor claims the name of the character played by John Travolta on the 70’s TV show Welcome Back Kotter, was chosen by one of the writers as a subtle nod to his favorite Italian grape— Vitis vinfiera Barbera —Vinnie Barbarino.

 

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

 

Carol Shelton 2022 Barbera D’ Oakley, Planchon Vineyard, Contra Costa County

 

The Carol Shelton 2022 Barbera D’ Oakley is blended with Zinfandel and Merlot.

It has a soft aromatic nose of cherry, cocoa and strawberry. On the palate it’s smooth and silky with medium tannins and good acidity that supports flavors of tart pomegranate, black cherry and blackberry. Secondary notes of dried strawberry, licorice and black pepper come through on the long spicy finish. Pair with Eggplant Parmigianino. NOTE: I had the pleasure of tasting this vintage previously and it has deepened with evolved. It’s always fun and educational to taste a particular vintage over several years if you can.

 

ABV 13.5%

$32

 

Foppiano Vineyards 2022 Cook House Barbera, Russian River Valley

 

The Foppiano Vineyards 2022 Cook House Barbera, from Russian River Valley is a deep ruby color with a magnificent nose of mocha, rose petals, violet, and plum.

On the palate notes of strawberry, boysenberry, mocha, tart cherry and a pleasing note of minty graphite, much like garrigue. Great balance and structure with light grip of tannins and long spicy-herbal-menthol-cherry finish that is quite delicious and satisfying. Pair with pear and gorgonzola pizza.

 

ABV 14.1%

$55

 

Orsi Family 2022 Barbera, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Orsi Family 2022 Barbera, Dry Creek Valley is deep garnet in the glass. On the nose, light scent of pomegranate, anise, and cherry. On the palate the flavors are tart and juicy with notes of dried strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, tart cherry and fleshy dark plum. It has all the earmarks of classic Italian style Barbera with great acidity and loads of licorice, black plum, strawberry, cherry, and an earthy note of tobacco. The initial taut tannins mellow with time in glass. Pair with aged salami and goat cheese crostini.

 

13.9%

$44

 

Peterson 2020 Barbera Tollini Vineyard, Mendocino

 

The Peterson 2020 Barbera is from the Tollini Vineyard in Mendocino. This Barbera has an impish heart and soul that will charm your palate and capture your imagination. On the nose, fleshy black cherry, plum, and garrigue (think mint and thyme). On the palate, it builds steadily with flavors of dried strawberry, sour cherry, cranberry, and black pepper. With time in the glass it comes alive with a juicy vibrancy that carries though to the bright spicy finish. Pair with a creamy mushroom risotto and go heavy on the Parmesan.

 

ABV 14.3%

$24

 

 

Russian River Vineyards 2021 Barbera, Sonoma Mountain Morning Sun Vineyard

 

The Russian River Vineyards 2021 Barbera from Sonoma Mountain, Moring Sun Vineyard is deep garnet in the glass. On the nose, aromas of cocoa dust, blackberry, cherry and a delightful hint of bright strawberry. On the palate the flavors are tart and juicy with notes of dried strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, tart cherry and fleshy dark plum. Bright acidity and medium sandy tannins deliver a mouthful of deep lip-smacking flavor. Rich, balanced, and tremendously nuanced with long juicy finish. Pair with deep fried green olives and blue cheese.

 

ABV 14.9%

$57

 

Seghesio Family Vineyards 2021 Barbera, Home Ranch Vineyard, Alexander Valley

 

The Seghesio Family Vineyards 2021 Barbera is from the Home Ranch Vineyard in Alexander Valley. The nose is an intriguing bouquet of mocha, dusty blackberry, nutmeg and earthy tobacco. Tart and bright with vibrant acidity it’s bursting with flavors of black and red cherry, plum, licorice, leather and black pepper. The tannins transpose from a light grip to long and silky with a juicy and spicy finish. Enjoy with pumpkin sage ravioli.

 

ABV 14.5%

$45

 

Wine Road Podcast: Davero Farms & Winery

 Episode 209 - Elizabeth Miller, Director of Sales at DaVero Farms & Winery

Wine Road Podcast: Sebastopol Itinerary UPDATE 2024

 Episode 208: SEBASTOPOL Itinerary Update; What to do and where to go!

Varietal of the Month: Syrah

 

Is Syrah the Red Wine Supernova? Very possibly, yes! Yet for many years Syrah, a medium bodied to full-bodied dry red Rhône varietal, was ignored by consumers and it struggled to find a place at the table. 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.

 

Here are capsule reviews of Syrah you may find along the Wine Road

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Syrah, Alexander Valley

 

The Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Syrah presents as a dark violet color in the glass. Although this wine’s roots are Californian, from the Alexander Valley, it has the pulse and heartbeat of the Rhône. On the nose it’s deep and earthy with notes of menthol and herbs de Provence, green peppercorn, black cherry and sweet tobacco. On the palate, bright acidity and juiciness prevails with notes of blackberry and raspberry. A touch of white pepper and a meaty quality, typical of Rhône Syrah, balance the fine tannins along with a lingering black olive note on the finish. The sub $30 list price is an exceptional value.

 

$26

ABV 14%

 

 

Balletto 2019 Syrah BCD Vineyard Russian River Valley

 

The Balletto 2019 Syrah from the BCD Vineyard in the Russian River Valley is 100% Syrah made from the Estrella River clone. So what’s that mean to you? Probably nothing. But once you taste it you’ll want to take note and seek it out again. On the nose, a rich earthy elixir of black plum, ripe blackberry, clove and black pepper with notes of coffee bean, dark chocolate and sassafras. On the palate, the lively blackberry comes to the fore, along with rich flavors of blueberry and black cherry. Fine sandy tannins build to a long satisfying finish with notes of mocha and a hint of black olive. Enjoyable right now, but it is destined to deepen and develop with age.   

 

$36

ABV 13.9%

 

 

J. Rickards Winery 2020 Syrah Furlong Vineyard, Alexander Valley

 

The J. Rickards Winery 2020 Syrah from the Furlong Vineyard in Alexander Valley is co-fermented with 4% Viognier. On the nose, plum sauce, black current, and black pepper, along with subtle notes of cedar, menthol and sweet tobacco that conjured in my mind an adorable hamster smoking a Salem. (But that’s just my frame of reference.) Rich and robust, this is a fleshy and richly flavored Syrah with flavors of plum, blackberry, mocha, mint, and chaparral. Wonderful balance and structure with fine sandy tannins that lift the deep flavors and deliver a nice round finish. 

 

ABV 14.6%

 

Peterson 2016 Syrah Gravity Flow Block Dry Creek Valley

 

The Peterson 2016 Syrah Gravity Flow Block from the Dry Creek Valley is composed of 93% Syrah that is co-fermented with 7% Viognier. Co-fermenting Viognier with Syrah is time-honored method employed in the Rhône Valley to offer stability to the wine, but it also subtly enhances the floral and fruit notes. On the nose an exciting collision of earthy blackberry, dark plum and brambles, along with savory scents of mushroom, cardamom and sassafras. On the palate, a soft caress of minty sagebrush, ripe black cherry, mocha and boysenberry. This bold scent profile coupled with a plush mouthfeel is the essence of the descriptor— “an iron fist in a velvet glove”—it’s robust yet elegant and refined at the same time. 

 

$48

ABV 14.7%

 

Selby 2019 Syrah Dry Creek Valley

 

The Selby 2019 Syrah from Dry Creek Valley is alive with texture and flavor, with all the earmarks of a fine savory Syrah. On the nose, chocolate covered blueberries with a touch of mint and green peppercorn. On the palate, smooth and rich with bright juicy blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, cranberry and plum sauce. It’s harmonious and balanced, with medium body and a distinct and savory black olive note on the long velvety finish.  

 

$38

ABV 14.4%

 

Spicy Vines 2021 Syrah Dragon’s Kiss Sierra Foothills

 

The Spicy Vines 2021 Syrah Dragon’s Kiss is from Le Mulet Rouge, a high elevation vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. The nose is softly perfumed with chocolate, sweet tobacco, clove, a whiff of leather and peppercorn. On the palate it’s chewy and tart with plum sauce, mocha, boysenberry and tangy black olive. Soft powdery tannins spread across the tongue and palate with a plumy rich meatiness and a touch of mint on the long earthy finish.

 

$48

ABV 15.1%

Wine Road Podcast: Ron Rubin, Owner of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

 

Episode 207: Ron Rubin, Owner of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery