Episode 167 | Monique Soltani, Host of Wine Oh! TV
Beth and Monique discuss Monique’s career path, wine, love, loss, parenting and the rediscovery of her joy for connecting with people through the world of wine as she launches a new season of Wine Oh! TV.
Wine of The Day: Alexander Valley Vineyards
2018 Chardonnay
Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery
Episode 165 | Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible 3rd Edition.
Beth and Marcy chat with Karen MacNeil—speaker, wine authority and award-winning author— about the 3rd edition of The Wine Bible, the essential resource for wine lovers.
Fast Five Recipe: Baked Brie and Preserves with Walnuts from Janae Franicevic, Owner and General Manager, Sunce Winery & Vineyard
Book of The Day: The Wine Bible 3rd Edition by Karen MacNeil
Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery
Port style and Late Harvest wines have sweeter profiles than other wines. Port, is traditionally made with Portuguese grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Alcohol, usually grape brandy, is added during fermentation, which fortifies the wine. Late harvest wines are made from grapes high in brix/sugar content that are left to hang on the vines and harvested late for concentrated flavor. Both styles have higher alcohol levels but are exceedingly delicious and can also be kept longer after opening than traditional wines.
Here are capsule reviews of Port style and Late Harvest wines you may find along the Wine Road.
Cast 2017 Late Zinfandel Fortified
The whimsical logo on the bottle of the CAST 2017 Late Zinfandel is a hint to the magical delights within. Made with Watson Old Vine Zinfandel grapes and blended with 191 proof distilled spirits, the Late is a marvel of fortified fruity finesse. On the nose toffee, vanilla coffee bean, black plum and spicy black carnation. The palate is full and bright with flavors of baking spice, dried cherry, praline, brandied pear and marzipan. Pair with an array of aged cheese’s that will balance and enhance the rich flavors of the wine.
ABV 18%
Dutton Estate 2017 Sweet Sisters Late Harvest Syrah, Russian River Valley
The Dutton Estate 2017 Sweet Sisters Late Harvest Syrah is a sumptuous mélange of scents and flavors. On the nose, deep aromas of caramel, blackberry, black cherry, mocha and clove. On the palate, the Syrah shines bright with flavors of mint, dark chocolate, eucalyptus, rum raisin, and raspberry. It’s like a liquid version of the Thin Mint! Velvety, yet light, this wine shows how subtlety and balance is the key to late harvest richness. Pair with S’mores or a dense Orange Olive Oil cake.
ABV 14.2 %
Pedroncelli 2016 Vintage Port Four Grapes Dry Creek Valley
The 2016 Pedroncelli Vintage Port Four Grapes is an authentic representation of the style using a field blend of traditional Portuguese grapes—30% Tinta Madera 30% Tinta Cao, 20% Souzao, and 20% Touriga Nacional. Smooth, rich and velvety it’s like a warm embrace. On the nose notes of caramel, brown sugar, baking spice, fig newton and blackberry preserves. On the palate balanced flavors of mocha, black cherry, cinnamon, toffee and molasses with a hint of clove on the finish. It’s a great pleasure to drink now, yet it will continue to develop with age. Pair with a classic Blue Stilton cheese.
ABV 19.5%
Ramazzotti 2013 Rapport Zinfandel Red Dessert Wine
The Ramazzotti 2013 Rapport Zinfandel Red Dessert wine is fortified with Everclear—the grain alcohol, not the band. The Zinfandel grapes combined with the high proof alcohol create a fresh and fruity wine that’s a little bit Port and a whole lot of Zin. It’s wonderfully balanced and light with the scent of sun-warmed berries and light mocha. On the palate black cherry, molasses, caramel apple, warm toffee, ripe fig and baking spice. Easy, smooth and mellow, sip after sip. Pair with a decadent chocolate bread pudding.
ABV 18%
Trentadue 2019 Zinfandel Port, Alexander Valley
On the nose the 2019 Trentadue Zinfandel Port has an engaging light scent of violets with secondary aromas of mocha, coffee, ripe black cherry and plum. On the palate it presents flavors of Raisinets, the classic chocolate covered raisin treat and notes of chocolate covered caramel, much like Rollo’s (the elegant cousin to Milk Duds). It’s a veritable trip to the movie house concession stand for all the nostalgic favorites. The long warm finish lingers with notes of dried fruit, black plum and molasses. At only four years of age it’s still very young and will certainly deepen and develop over time. Pair with your favorite old movie.
ABV 18%
Trione Vineyards and Winery 2010 Fortified Zinfandel, Rockpile Peak Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
What a treat this is. The Trione Vineyards 2010 Fortified Zinfandel from Rockpile Peak Vineyard is well aged at 13 years old! On the nose brandied cherries, chocolate covered raisins, and toffee. It’s rich and heady. On the palate it’s full of lush flavors of chocolate covered cherries, mocha, caramel apple and fruitcake—really high-end fruitcake. Not the kind of fruitcake that gets re-gifted from year to year, but one you’ll want to keep. Warm and luscious with a long mellow finish. Pair it with a roaring fire and a good book—it’s all you need.
ABV 18%
Roger Beery tells us about his journey from wine blogger to winemaker and how the entire family got involved in creating J.Cage Cellars. Our Fast Five Recipe is Lemon-Goat Cheese-Mushroom Pizza from Nick Stez at WoodenHead Our book of the day is Blood Form a Stone by Adam McHugh.
Wine of the Day: It’s a mystery!
Fast Five Recipe: Lemon-Goat Cheese-Mushroom
Pizza from Nick Stez at WoodenHead Wine
Book of The Day: Blood from a Stone by Adam
McHugh
Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery
Here are capsule reviews of Sparkling Wines along the Wine Road.
Amista Sparkling Tres, Morningsong Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley
The Amista Sparkling Tres from Morningsong Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It shines in the glass with a bright cranberry color and a persistent stream of fine bubbles. It’s full of deep rich flavors of black cherry, blackberry, mulberry, orange zest, and cardamom spice. It’s earthy and savory with secondary notes of toffee almonds and a touch of pink peppercorn on the wonderful dry finish. Each sip brings a new layer of flavors. Pair with a spicy Jambalaya.
ABV 12.5%
$55
Cast 2019 Brut Rosé, Dry Creek Valley
The Cast 2019 Sparkling Brut Rosé of Zinfandel is estate grown and exhibits a bewitching nose of lemon, grapefruit, allspice and creamy slated butter. Long strands of of bubbles stream up the glass with flavors of dried strawberry, citrus peel raspberry and brioche. Perfect level of sweetness balances out the clean dry finish. Pair with fried calamari and sriracha dipping sauce.
ABV 12.5%
Iron Horse Vineyards 2014 Stargazing Cuvée
Otherworldly is not an exaggeration to describe this stunning 2014 Stargazing Cuvée from Iron Horse Vineyards. The label features the “cosmic cliffs” of the Carina Nebula from the James Webb Space Telescope. You’ll literally see stars in the tiny delicate bubbles as they fill the glass. Great complexity with bright and creamy flavors of lemon curd, grapefruit, toasty brioche, toffee, almonds and a hint of ginger. Lovely long lean finish with a whisper of white peach and orange blossom honey. Available in Magnum only, but hey, that’s only two bottles, and trust me, it will go fast! Pair with crab cakes.
ABV 13.5%
$195 Magnum
Zesty and bright the Kenneth Carl Brut from Wilson Family Wines is primarily composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a small addition of Pinot Meunier that in my opinion gives it subtle lift and body. Opening notes of crisp yellow apple and apricot blend with refreshingly tart and tangy citrus. Full bodied and lush with a long creamy finish featuring lemon curd, marzipan and a hint of orange blossom honey. Balanced and bold enjoy with Oysters Rockerfeller.
ABV 12.5%
$44
Pech Merle Brut Rosé de Syrah, Mendocino
The Pech Merle Brut Rosé is pale pink in color with a steady bubble stream. It shimmers in the glass and delivers juicy flavors of black cherry, cranberry raspberry, strawberry and ginger. Savory and plush mouth feel with a creamy fruity mousse, it’s pleasingly sweet and tart at once. Long dry finish with citrus peel, apple and marzipan. Pair with a spicy sausage pizza for a casual and romantic date night dinner.
ABV 12.5%
$59
Trione Vineyards and Winery 2016 Sparkling Brut
The Trione Vineyards 2016 Sparkling Brut starts off with aromas of hazelnuts, Bosch pear, and vanilla. Tiny bubbles dance across the palate with citrus flavors of bright lemon, grapefruit pith and lemon curd. Plush and lush it strikes a balance between creamy and lean with toasty biscuit and zesty mandarin notes on the long dry finish. Pair with a creamy cheese and mushroom omelette.
ABV 11.5%
$56
Verah 2014 Sparkling Wine, Dry Creek Valley
Produced by Mounts Family Vineyard, the Verah 2014 Sparkling Wine is named in honor of Lana Mounts’ grandmother and is a tribute to the enduring bonds of family. Much like the Matryoshka doll charm that adorns the beautifully designed bottle, the Verah is full of flavors nested within each other, each sip revealing new depth. Dreamy and engaging it floats across the palate with a creamy mousse of butter, sage, brioche, apples and pears. It’s nutty and dry with a subtle touch of sweet fig on the finish. Pair with classic caviar blinis.
ABV 12.0%
$65
Woodenhead Natural 2019 RRV Single Vineyard
The Woodenhead Natural 2019 Brut is a Méthode Champenoise style single vineyard selection from the Russian River Valley. It’s bright, tart and lemony with long strands of pearlescent bubbles. Complex and layered with flavors of melon, ginger, citrus, and yellow apple. The finish is bone dry and savory with earthy notes of mushroom and briny oysters. Elegant and austere, like James Bond in a tuxedo—it’s a structured wine but without the pretension. Pair with Pomme frites and aioli.
ABV 12.1%
$46
Chris Taddei of Taddei wines joins us to tell us about his winemaking philosophy and how he got into making wine. He shares his Project X, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Our Fast Five Recipe is Lamb Chops with Blue Cheese Compound Butter from Julius Orth from Ektimo.
Wine of the Day: Taddei Project X, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Fast Five Recipe: Lamb Chops with Blue Cheese Compound Butter from Julius Orth from Ektimo.
Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery
Have you noticed everybody is talking about Cabernet Franc lately? It’s no surprise—Cabernet Franc has medium body and moderate tannin and acidity with great texture that makes it a worthy addition to the dinner table. Cabernet Franc offers up the softer side of Cabernet Sauvignon, to which it is the parent grape.
Here are some capsule reviews of Cabernet Franc you may find along the Wine Road.
Alexander ValleyVineyards 2020 Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley
This Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Franc grown in Alexander Valley is 100% Cab Franc with a deep purple color. On the nose a distinct mocha note, reminiscent of Aztec Hot Chocolate that combines cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and chili powders. It’s like s’mores in glass! On the palate, tart and juicy with flavors of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cassis and touch of black pepper along with a persistent cocoa note. Plush mouth feel with and taut fine tannins. Pair with lamb kebabs.
ABV 14.0%
$34
Cast Cabernet Franc 2019 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
From Oak Knoll district in Napa, the Cast 2019 Cabernet Franc is full of energy. Notes of mint, plum and strawberry on the nose. The palate is full of texture, with juicy plush mouthfeel and taut fine tannins. Flavors of mulberry, tart cherry a touch of thyme with a savory note of nutmeg. Still young, this wine will only get better with age, but it’s delightful now. Pair with a classic French Onion soup and crusty bread.
ABV 11.4%
$ Sold Out
Colagrossi 2018 Cease & Desist, Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley
The Colagrossi 2018 Cease & Desist Cabernet Franc from Alexander Valley will grab your attention from the first whiff with a beguiling aroma consisting of strawberry, sweet tobacco with a trace of bell pepper. On the palate, notes of gravel, boysenberry and raspberry. Great texture with fine tannins and a bright note of spice and brambles. It’s like sunlight breaking through the fog—soft, yet warm and rich. Pair with Chicken Enchiladas.
ABV 14.6%
$45
The Meeker Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley
Warm and welcoming, like pulling on your favorite sweater, the Meeker Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Franc from Dry Creek Valley is a spicy sipper for winter nights. On the nose you’ll find juniper, pink peppercorn, lanolin and a faint note of cherry blossom. On the palate an array of flavors with bell pepper, jalapeño, and clay pot. The fine tannins and long bright finish carry through with notes of red currant and tart cherry. Supple and alive now, but will age beautifully over the long term. Try pairing with mushroom and sausage lasagna.
ABV 14.9%
$50
Mounts 2018 CabernetFranc Dry Creek Valley
The Mounts 2018 Cabernet Franc from Dry Creek Valley bursts from the glass with earthy scents of dried strawberry, raspberry, cayenne, crushed gravel, sweet briar, and saddle leather. It giddy-yaps across the palate with grace. Plump mouthfeel with great texture and tannin structure featuring balanced flavors of sugarplum, chili pepper, boysenberry, licorice, and tart cherry. The long finish is deep and rich with notes of bright cranberry at the end. Pair with pork tenderloin.
ABV 15.8%
$50
Peterson 2014 Cabernet Franc Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
The Peterson 2014 Cabernet Franc from Bradford Mountain Estate in Dry Creek Valley is comprised of 80% Cab Franc 15% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot. It’s a magical confluence of fruit and tannin with aromas of cherry, dried strawberry, vanilla, chaparral (sage and cedar) and mocha. Soft and lovely on the palate it has both lift and depth with rich flavors of sweet tobacco, Aztec Chocolate, red plum, strawberry and a whiff of petrichor. Pair with maple cherry glazed Duck Confit.
ABV 14.4%
$45
Ramazzotti 2018Cabernet Franc, Pigoni Ranch, Alexander Valley
The Ramazzotti 2018 Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley, from the famed Pigoni Ranch vineyard is a gorgeous deep garnet in the glass. On the nose it’s bright and aromatic with scents of raspberry, strawberry, sweet briar, coffee bean, cola and a faint note of fennel. On the palate, it opens with juicy raspberry, followed by paprika, thyme, tart cherry and a heavenly note of mochaccino on the long finish. Soft tannins make this an easy sipper that will pair great with dishes as varied as Chile Rellenos to Moroccan Beef stew.
ABV 14.5%
$55
Robert Young 2019Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley
The Robert Young 2019 Cabernet Franc from Alexander Valley has an awesome cherry cola scent that reminds me of Mr. PiBB!—a spicy, cherry pepper mix that’s simply fabulous along with soft notes of caramel and sweet bell pepper. On the palate, it’s soft and plush with warm notes of dried tobacco, sage, black cherry and bright cranberry on the long finish. Still quite young, this wine will benefit from a few more years of age. Hold on to it if you can—this wine is going places and you will want to be there when it arrives! Only 16 barrels produced. Pair with a majestic crown roast of pork; its inherent drama will be equal to the wine.
ABV 14.4%
$68
