30 Days, 30 Wines: California Wine Month

30 Days, 30 Wines:
Greg's California Wine Month

These aren't necessarily the highest-rated California wines, or even my 30 favorite California wines. But they are wines that express the range and diversity and brilliance of California across region, price point, winemaking style, and varietal. Enjoy and celebrate California Wine!

Day 1 Wine 1	2006 Melville Pinot Noir Terraces Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County is known for some of the most expensive Pinot Noir grapes in the entire world. The region is that good. Cool mornings, sunny early afternoons, cool evenings and cool (almost cold) nights create the perfect location for growing Pinot. And this wine delivers in a way that you wouldn't expect Pinot to taste at all. You can pair it with steak! Oddly bold for a Pinot (hence the steak pairing), it's wonderfully earthy (I'm partial to earthy Pinots), but still maintains enough cherry to impress you as characteristically representative of the varietal - even if you were blindfolded. Although Pinot Noir is the signature grape of Burgundy, this wine is all the way California! A perfect opener to California Wine Month.
Day 2 Wine 2	2006 Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel The Sacramento River/San Joaquin River delta is what helps to give the Central Valley Lodi region some cooling relief at night and in the mornings. But there's no denying that it's still pretty hot in Lodi. And the Central Valley isn't a small, narrow valley, but an enormous one that makes the Lodi region basically an expanse of flat land. But Croatia's grape, Zinfandel, thrives here and there's variety in Lodi Zins that set the trends for other regions in the state. Klinker Brick's Old Ghost was so named for the Zin vines that kept growing back even after being cut down to the root (and beyond). The wine has a rich color, and a taste of pepper and spice, typical of a Zinfandel, and that ruggedness (in a good way) that is typical of Lodi. Most noticeable is that although the fruit is generous, it's not a syrupy "fruit bomb" (in a bad way) that can sometimes occur with warm-weather Zins.
Day 3 Wine 3	2008 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot Napa Valley has enough diverse microclimates to make several good wines of ranging varietals, but the Valley is best known for its Bordeaux. Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, and Duckhorn has mastered the potential of the grape (and then some) in their Three Palms vineyard. Merlot has had its share of criticism, and much of that was deserved as the grape became too popular, too quickly. But when handled with the proper respect, it's easy to see why Merlot is one of the world's favorite wine grapes, serving as the base for wines like Pétrus. This single-vineyard wine benefits from the alluvial fan soils in northeast Napa Valley (almost to Calistoga), giving the wine a wonderful mineral/earthiness that sits underneath stunning red fruit. It's a wine that continues to open up and become more complex in the way that you don't ever want to finish the glass. It's a dinner wine, yes, but it's also an after dinner wine in the library with a good book.
Day 4 Wine 4	2008 Indigenè Cellars Riesling I=mb² The winery may be located in Carmel Valley, but the Riesling grapes are grown further south. The Santa Maria Valley that sits in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, opens to the Pacific Ocean on its western end and is bordered on its eastern end by the San Rafael Mountains. This funnel shape off the very cool Pacific allows fog to travel up the valley to the mountains. The cool generally cool weather is complimented by the fog which is basically the only precipitation the valley gets since rainfall is scarce. The movement of the fog, the low rainfall and the cool temperatures (but sun when the fog burns off) create ideal wine grape conditions, and the Riesling responds favorably. In winemaker and owner, Raymond Smith's hands, Indigenè's Riesleing takes on a very fruit-forward profile, with the flavors of white peach and crisp pear, with even a hint of sweet citrus. It's a wine that can be served cold - even colder than most whites, and still retain good flavor, which makes it perfect for hot summer evenings.
Day 5 Wine 5	2008 Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Franc Historic significance aside (Gundlach Bundschu is America's oldest family-owned winery that's still in operation), Gun Bun's Somona Valley estate wines and winery always make them a stand out. Located just north of very cool Carneros (Sonoma) at the base of Arrowhead Mountain, Gun Bun's estate vineyards benefit from fine alluvial soils and a micro climates within micro climates. The Cabernet Franc isn't the only wine they produce well, but it's one that the quality here is rare as a varietal and is a nice addition to any California wine experience. Typically blended into Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot (which it is also done at Gun Bun), as a single varietal, Franc usually lacks character. Gun Bun's pushes beyond the florals (lavender and violets first come to mind as with most Cabernet Francs), to deeper flavors of cherry and even plum. A slightly higher alcohol content balances the fruit and florals, but the pleasure here are the tannins which extend the finish and give the wine a structure that holds up to most dinner meats.
Day 6 Wine 6	2007 Wiens Tempranillo Even some of the most experienced California wine tourists have yet to make it down to the wine regions of southern California. Not Paso Robles or Santa Barbara County, but further south in Temecula Valley in Riverside County, located between Los Angeles and San Diego north to south, and the Pacific Ocean and Palm Springs west to east. The tiny cluster of wineries located just east of Old Town Temecula plant vineyards in between farmed palm trees and cacti. It's a fascinating landscape and exciting in that many of the wineries are still discovering their signature. Wiens seems to have come forward as one of the first to make expressive wines from several varietals, and the Tempranillo (a grape from Spain's Rioja) is a good match for the climate of this very dry region. The grape delivers that noticeable tobacco aroma, so common in Tempranillo, and there's supple red fruit on the tongue.
Day 7 Wine 7	2008 Madroña Nebbiolo Madroña, located in El Dorado county in the Sierra Foothills, has the highest vineyards in the region, sitting just over 3000ft. It's a unique climate for grape growing in California, once again, showing the diversity of the state. Winters find the vines under several feet of snow, and spring comes late, giving the region one of the latest bud breaks in North America. While the summers may provide very hot days, nights are cooled by winds from the Sierra's, which hold snow all year long. The area is also an agri-tourism destination, with apples, pumpkins, squash, pears and other fruits and vegetables having their own festivals at various points during the season. Wine grapes are just another crop, but not necessarily a new one. Having a wine history that goes back to the Gold Rush, the foothills are known for bold wines and lots of Italian varietals. Nebbiolo is one of Italy's favorite grapes, grown in the northern part of the country and forming the base for Barbaresco and Barolo wines. It's been slow to migrate to the US, and its lighter color, high acidity and high tannins make it a challenge for many US winedrinkers (let this one age a little to soften the tannins). Nebbiolo is the wine for people that say, "All wine tastes the same to me." One sip of Nebbiolo will cure anyone of that misconception. The taste is unique - cranberry, cherry and even tart rubarb give it flavors that will make it a stand out in your collection.
Day 8 Wine 8	2006 Clos Du Val Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in California, and in fact, the United States. The Stags Leap District (on the east side of the valley against the Vaca Mountains, just a few miles north of the city of Napa on Silverado Trail), was the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) to be identified by soil type and unique characteristics of terroir as is typically done in France (soils research by Geographer, Deborah Elliott-Fisk of UC Davis). That's quite an address! In a region now world-known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Clos Du Val was one of the original wineries included in the famous Judgment of Paris where California took on the French and won. In all fairness, Clos Du Val showcases a more French take on California wine (the founders both had roots in the French wine industry). The Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is one of their showpiece wines that presents the grape in a classic format. Black fruit on the nose and palate (with just a touch of dark chocolate) are typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, but the elegance at which they are done here is about subtlety rather than intensity. The finish is long and the tannins have smoothed to give that soft texture in the mouth that compliments so many meat dishes. The wine was made for food. And the winery? It's absolutely beautiful, a welcomed stop on your next Napa Valley wine tour.
Day 9 Wine 9	2009 Vina Robles Red⁴ This GSM blend (+ Petite Sirah, hence the "4") is a play off of what has characterized a good portion of the identity of Paso Robles. While Rhône varietals were not unheard of in California, they certainly didn't have the plantings of grapes from Bordeaux and Burgundy. And even where they were planted, it was scattered. Paso Robles took on the Rhône identity fairly aggressively, with wineries making several varietal wines from Rhône grapes, as well as distinctive blends from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM) that weren't as common elsewhere in the state. This blend from Vina Robles is the perfect wine for learning to understand blends, and yet be able to identify the different grapes. The fruit-forwardness is all Grenache, while Syrah displays its characteristic spice. Petite Sirah provides incredible color and tannins, and the Mourvèdre balances the very fruity Grenache by giving it structure. The tannins of both Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre will allow this wine to age (if you can find a 2007, you'll be surprised at how different it already is from the 2009), but the fruity Grenache will also let you enjoy this wine young.
Day 10 Wine 10	2007 Imagery Estate Lagrein Artist Collection This is a fun one, even for the wine experts. Lagrein is a rarely planted grape from Trentino in northern Italy. Imagery Estate Winery, located in Sonoma Valley, has built a reputation for creatively blending well-known varietals and even producing wine from a few varietals that aren't so common. The winery itself is a work of art, focused on biodynamic viticulture and featuring an art gallery (that happens to have a tasting room in the middle of it) full of original art works created for the wine labels. Each vintage of each varietal has its own commissioned work, and one is even a musical composition! It makes for a fantastic visit to taste wine and look at the art. (It should also be noted that while Imagery is clearly its own winery with its own identity and varietals and vineyards, winemaker Joe Benziger is the younger brother of Mike Benziger of Benziger Estate, also in Sonoma Valley.) As for taste? Their website says, "Lagrein is not a sexy Latin dance," but it sure makes a sexy wine. A common ancestor with both Syrah and Pinot Noir help explain the dark cherry and plum flavors in the wine, but it also shows the characteristic of high acidity found in other Italian varietals. This unique grape is best when aged, and is a perfect sample from a very unique winery.
Day 11 Wine 11	2010 Wente Small Lot Eric's Chardonnay Livermore Valley, in the San Francisco Bay area, is a wine country that surprises many wine tourists because of its close proximity to east bay cities. While Livermore is one of California's oldest wine regions, it's biggest threat has come not from phylloxera or prohibition, but from suburban sprawl, which nearly did away with all of the vineyards in the area. Wente is not only the oldest continuously operating family winery (owned by a single family) in the country, Wente is also responsible for much of the California Chardonnay grown, having helped develop what is now called the "Wente Clone" of the famous French grape. Wente was also the first California winery to produce a wine labelled, "Chardonnay." Chardonnay is often called "the winemakers grape" or the "chameleon grape" because it can change so dramatically depending on if it undergoes malolactic fermentation or if it's fermented or aged in oak (and then depending on what kind of oak). It's extremely versatile. Wente produces several Chardonnays, and the Eric's Lot is completely stainless steel (no oak in fermentation or aging), and the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. This gives an amazingly crisp, acidic Chardonnay with the flavors of pear, green apple and tart citrus.
Day 12 Wine 12	2008 Bogle Phantom Located in the tiny town of Clarksburg about fifteen miles south of downtown Sacramento, Bogle is actually one of the largest wine producers in the United States. Bogle often sources grapes from other regions of California, but their signature is unmistakably of the delta area. With vineyards spread across several areas of the Sacramento/San Joaquin rivers delta, Bogle's regional vines benefit from strong sun and heat, but cooling affects at night. The Phantom is a unique blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. The wine itself is bold as is characteristic of many wines from the region. Pepper and spice from the Zinfandel are supported by red fruit and tannins from the Petite Sirah. Aging in American Oak again gives more intense flavors to match the varietals chosen to create a wine that doesn't get lost in tricky food pairings such as bar-be-que and almost anything off the grill.
Day 13 Wine 13	2007 Tolosa "1772" Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo's Edna Valley produces some fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and has one of the longest growing seasons of all California wine regions. Cool morning fog, sunny afternoons and a picture-perfect location make this a prime growing region and an excellent region to visit. Many of the vineyards are in in sight of the iconic Islay Hill, show in many photographs of Edna Valley. Tolosa Winery produces several Pinot Noirs, and the 1772 is one that really characterizes the grape in its Central Coast form. Strong in aroma and flavor (black cherry and earth dominate), the wine is also higher in tannic structure than most Pinots.
Day 14 Wine 14	2007 Napa Cellars Zinfandel With a name that leaves little to the imagination in terms of the winery's location, Napa Cellars is actually quite versatile in its varietal offerings and use of the full range of the valley for sourcing its grapes. From a tasting room perspective, the winery shares its counter space with the creative and playful Folie à Deux Winery. The Zinfandel from Napa Cellars is one of those wonderfully fruit-forward Zins that appeals to a broad range of wine drinkers. Zin fanatics love the fruit and those that typically don't drink wine can easily relate to the intense berry flavors. But there's more beneath the surface, and the wine also delivers enough characteristic pepper (and even a little smokiness) to keep it interesting for those used to wines that aren't as fruity. The charm of the boldness of this wine is that it holds up to many different dishes, and the pleasure of it coming from a Napa Valley winery is that it's fairly consistent year to year.
Day 15 Wine 15	2002 Blackjack Ranch Harmonie (Bordeaux Blend) Blackjack Ranch, located just outside of Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley, serves up a Bordeaux blend that's big on just about everything. The fruit is huge in this wine. Currant, blackberry on the nose tongue. The tannins have softened a bit, but still give plenty of structure, but what's most interesting is everything that's going on in between the big fruit and mouth-filling tannins. You've got a great minerality on this wine that mingles with vanilla and hint of herb and lavender. All of that makes sense when the lead grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Fans of Blackjack Ranch will note that while there are plenty releases of "Harmonie" and the blend is always Bordeaux, the percentages and actual grapes do vary from release to release - taking the best of each season. This yields expressive, interesting wines year after year.
Day 16 Wine 16	2006 Langtry Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County is certainly a throwback region when it comes to California wine. Although just north of Sonoma and Napa counties, the look of Lake County wine country is a distance measured more in time than miles. Even the website for Lake County's wine association looks as if they've just discovered the internet and its possibilities. All of this is charming to most fans of Lake County wines, and it's the ability to visit wineries that are only just now getting used to tourism that appeals to visitors. One of the region's best known wineries is Langtry Estate, and their Cabernet Sauvignon is grown just north of the Napa County line on the north side of Mt. St. Helena. This proximity works in the wine's favor, and the well-draining volcanic soils help the vines "struggle" appropriately to produce excellent fruit. Blackberry and black cherry and chocolate dominate the mouth on this Cabernet Sauvignon which is wonderfully dark in color. The tannins are characteristically mild for a Cabernet of this year, and the finish can definitely linger in a good way.
Day 17 Wine 17	2008 Young's Petite Sirah The Sierra Foothills region of Amador County is home to the California Shenandoah Valley, not to be confused with the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, which is also a wine AVA. The California Shenandoah Valley was first planted during the Gold Rush of 1849, and the vines have been around ever since, giving this area the oldest Zinfandel vines in the country. Zin is certainly what the region is known for, but Italian varietals also thrive here and wineries are known for Barbera and Sangiovese. The intense sun creates grapes with lots of sugar and that results in high alcohol wines - many well over 15%. Winemakers balance that with very fruit-forward wines that are, if anything, very distinctive. Young's Petite Sirah is a standout. Lots of fruit, relatively high alcohol and incredible tannins. The color is a deep purple-black, and while expresses an unfiltered ruggedness that almost makes you think this is what the pioneers and prospectors would have enjoyed. If you're cooking outside and like heavily grilled foods with lots of char, this wine will stand up to it and be that surprising match you didn't expect.
Day 18 Wine 18	2007 Esterlina Cole Ranch Pinot Noir Cole Ranch, in Mendocino County, is the smallest AVA in the United States, immediately making the wines produced there a must-try on your California wine tour. At only one-quarter square mile, the tiny AVA sits between 1400 and 1600 ft. in elevation, actually creating enough slope for some temperature variation, and its soil types vary, providing growing conditions for several varietals, including Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Cole Ranch is that it's completely owned by one family, the Sterlings, who operate two wineries, Esterlina in Mendocino County and Everett Ridge in Sonoma County. The Sterlings are great hosts, and a visit to either tasting room will pair wine with family friendliness. The Cole Ranch grapes show up in several of their wines, and Esterlina's star production is their Cole Ranch Reserve Pinot Noir. Characteristically silky with plenty of cherry and red fruit, this is Pinot Noir has very soft tannins and a smooth, medium finish. A classic wine, you'll want to let this one open up and really express itself - it shows equally well alongside salmon steaks or flavored chocolate.
Day 19 Wine 19	2010 Harney Lane Albariño For decades, Lodi was known as a supplier of bulk grapes for wineries in other regions. Even when the wine was made in Lodi, it carried the designation, "California" rather than being Lodi-proud. That has changed, and the area is now known for Zinfandel in all its variations. Spicy, sweet, fruity and Lodi even moved into making more mild Zinfandel that has been imitated in other regions. Even more recently, however, Lodi, in the words of Mark Chandler, Director for the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center, has become "Lodi-beria." It makes sense. The Iberian Peninsula varietals are peaking interest among wine drinkers, and Lodi's climate is actually more suited to Spain than France. Harney Lane was one of the earlier converts, and they pulled up some of their Chardonnay to plant Albarino, a beautiful white grape from Galicia Spain. Splendid acidity, the wine has a wonderful tartness that is enhanced by citrus and green apple. Don't be afraid to take this one down in temperature. Its characteristics come through even when very cold. It's surprisingly sophisticated and casual at the same time. I've been pushing this one since its very first vintage and am glad to see it's finally getting wider recognition.
Day 20 Wine 20	NV Domaine Chandon Reserve Pinot Noir Brut If the list has to include a sparkler, then it should be one from Domaine Chandon. There are several sparkling wine houses in California and many of them make fine wines. There are even a few wineries that focus mainly on still wines that produce a good sparkling wine. Domaine Chandon, the American winery established by Möet et Chandon, became the first French-owned sparkling winery in the Napa Valley. They've lived up to that reputation ever since by producing fine sparkling wines from the traditional Champagne grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Pinot Noir Brut, like the other Domaine Chandon sparklers, has a wonderful texture provided by methode champenoise. The initial crispness immediately gives way to a bolder mouth feel and a toasted nutty flavor complimented by bright red fruit notes. The finish is pleasant, almost like holiday spices. Like the winery itself and the rest of Yountville, it feels like a "millionaire in jeans" - so rich that there's no need to be pretentious.
Day 21 Wine 21	2009 Jack Creek Cellars Estate Pinot Noir Paso Robles, like so many California wine regions, is just breathtakingly beautiful. First time visitors will immediately notice that the US Highway 101 not only runs through the city of Paso Robles, but also sits on a physical geographical division between the two sides of Paso Robles wine country. There's Paso East, warmer and flatter, and Paso West, with hills and cooling breezes from the Pacific. And it's not as if these two areas are leagues apart - it all happens in a relative few miles giving Paso Robles several microclimates and distinct personalities. Jack Creek has taken the call to make Pinot Noir as well as some of the Rhône varietals so common in Paso Robles. The Pinots produced here, like some of the others on this list, are very Californian. The color is noticeable as more intense than a Burgundy, and cherry and red fruit dominate with a force to match the color. The finish is silky as one would expect from a Pinot with just enough earthiness to make it go down pleasantly.
Day 22 Wine 22	Concannon Petite Sirah - You Choose! Petite Sirah may seem like an odd varietal to build a reputation on, but Concannon in Livermore Valley has done just that. In 1961, Concannon released the first bottled varietal wine of Petite Sirah in the United States (the winery itself has existed since the 1880s). Petite Sirah is one of those varietals that can confuse new wine drinkers - is it just a cute name for Syrah? It's not, (although Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape). Petite Sirah (also Petite Syrah - just to add to the confusion), is a cross between Syrah and a rarely used grape, Peloursin. Petite Sirah can produce extremely dark juice and is typically heavy in tannins, making it a desirable blending grape. On its own, the fruit leans towards black fruit and blueberries with pepper spice notes. Concannon makes several Petite Sirahs from different vineyards, so you can pick your vintage, vineyard and price range (from $60 all the way down to to $10), and still have a bottle of their signature grape.
Day 23 Wine 23	2009 Preston Rousanne Dry Creek Valley is one of those wonderful places that is at once easy to slip into without knowing it (the divisions between Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley can all blur together around Healdsburg), but it's unmistakable once you're actually there. Low hills on the east and mountains on the west, this narrow, small valley is home to a host of wineries and microclimates that provide a suitable range from Burgundy to Bordeaux to Rhône. Preston of Dry Creek Valley has a great feel all the way around. The winery is as if you stepped onto a farm - which is is. The proprietors are friendly and always on hand to serve their wines and talk about the weather. While Preston makes a nice share of reds, one of their more interesting wines is a 100% Rousanne that doesn't come around too often. The Rhône varietal has very limited plantings in California and it's also a difficult grape to produce as a varietal - all the more reason to give this a try. This Rousanne's characteristic lies in its slightly nutty flavor and the coolness of the melon flavors. Those offset a mild acidity which will put this in a much different place than crisper whites.
Day 24 Wine 24	2008 Scheid 50/50 Monterey County has been the producer of wine grapes in California for much of the state's entire wine history. The Salinas Valley which runs through Monterey County is an abundant agricultural region, and at various points both table and wine grapes grow. The climate in the valley is regulated largely by Monterey Bay which is extremely overcast and cool most of the year. Vineyards are often planted high enough so that enough fog will burn off during the day to give the grapes some direct sun - and this is still common even a hundred miles from the bay. The extremely cool climate has at times been a challenge to grape growers, but many of the wines from Monterey County are now considered top rate. Scheid has several vineyards located throughout the county, and the 50/50 blend is an odd one made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah. In France Bordeaux and Rhône wouldn't ever meet like this, but that's the wonder of California! The grapes come from Hames Valley, which is a little warmer than some of the other areas of the country, and the wine is an interesting combination of structure and fruit. Plum and black currant mix cherry and even vanilla with a backbone of mild tannins. Both grapes are well represented and while it might not be what you'd expect, this non-traditional blend gets right to the heart of what makes California wine unique.
Day 25 Wine 25	2008 Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon It's almost impossible to have too many good Cabs on a wine list representing California. In spite of the fact that Napa Valley is only a few miles wide and just over thirty miles long, it contains over 400 wineries, making it one of California's most dense wine regions. That combined with the fact that this very dense region produces a very small percentage of wine would help support the conclusion that there is a concentrated effort to make quality wine in Napa Valley - or at least to create a high demand for Napa Valley wine. Hall Winery, located just west of Highway 29 is an example of the quality approach that has made Napa Valley famous. The 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the Cabs that they make, and it's very expressive of the valley. Black fruit, with chocolate and something that's almost like earth. It continues to unfold with the foresty flavors that go along with the ripe fruit. And it's still relatively young! The tannins suggest that this one will age for several years more - can't wait to try it again in 2013, and again in 2015.
Day 26 Wine 26	2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc The tiny town of Clarksburg, CA is finally pushing its way into the wine world, having long been a place for grape-growing. The Clarksburg Wine Company, located in the historic Old Sugar Mill, not only focuses on grapes grown in Clarksburg, but also makes more than one style of Chenin Blanc, the Loire Valley grape that's becoming a Clarksburg signature. The other exciting aspect of this winery is that it's brand new. 2010 is their very first vintage and while all of the wines are extremely young, they are all showing promise. With a Chenin Blanc, a Chenin Blanc VS (Vouvray Style) and an unusual Chenin-Viognier, the winery offers up this grape in multiple formats and is working to distinguish the Clarksburg region. As with all things geographical in nature, uniqueness of location is the backbone for both successful wine and successful tourism.
Day 27 Wine 27	2009 Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County's Sta. Rita Hills AVA is one of the world's prime locations for growing Pinot Noir. Foley's Rancho Santa Rosa vineyard is stunningly beautiful, located on south facing hills. The steep hillsides are immaculately planted with Pinot Noir. Foley produces several Pinots, and the Rancho Santa Rosa is one that seems to speak of decidedly California winemaking styles. The wine is slightly darker than most Pinots, emphasizing cherry, but also blackberry and spice. The finish on the wine is almost smoky and when complimented by the soft tannins gives the wine a depth that pairs well with grilled or smoked meats. The 2009 should do just fine, but if you can find a 2007 - even better!
Day 28 Wine 28	*2007 Twisted Oak The Spaniard* (Rioja Blend)** California's major wine regions have plenty of mention on this list of 30 wines for wine month, but it's also fun to get off the beaten track every so often. Are you twisted? You might be after you try a wine from Twisted Oak in Calavaras County - certainly off the beaten wine trail. Like some of the more innovated wineries in California, Twisted Oak has ventured full speed ahead into Spanish wine territory. The winery itself, as evidenced by the "adults at play" sign on their website, seems to have a good time at what they do. The Spaniard is a Rioja styled blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha. Big on fruit, the wine is actually surprisingly balanced with alcohol and leathery/earthiness to match the initial fruit-forward taste. In this case, it's this wine, while Rioja in grape varietals, is unabashedly Californian. As Twisted Oak says, this wine will leave you mostly dead- but entirely in a good way.
Day 29 Wine 29	2007 Lyrique Jazz (Rhône Blend) The California Central Coast scores big with this wonderfully fruity and solid blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. In some ways, it takes the typical GSM and cranks it up a little. But first, a little about Lyrique. The website appears not to have been updated since 2007, and that's a shame because it's really pleasant to visit. One might wish for more information on the wines themselves (Lyrique also makes Solo, a 100% Syrah), and music that also represents Jazz (Solo is clearly portrayed on the website). The musical themes are apparent in the labels for both wines, and the flavors are lush - but not without individuality. Jazz is an ensemble and a composition. It opens with fruit - enough to match the deep color. The fruit is the Grenache and the Syrah at once. But then the spice of the Syrah and the structure of the Mourvedre round things out, each taking its turn. A trio of instruments would make the perfect music for the website and if there ever was, this is a wonderful, social gathering wine. Find it at Trader Joe's for half the price (or spend just as much, but buy two bottles).
Day 30 Wine 30	2008 Stag's Leap Cask 23 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Perhaps the most obvious California wine, rather than start with this one, we'll end California Wine Month with a Cab from the winery that won the Judgment of Paris in 1976, that famous blind tasting where two Napa Valley wines managed to upset the French. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (not to be confused with the nearby Stags' Leap Winery - watch the location of the apostrophe), was a new winery in the early 70s, and their Cabernet Sauvignon defined not only the Stags Leap AVA (again, notice the (lack of) apostrophe), but Napa Valley and in fact, all of California. California wine from this point forward would be seen as wine that could compete directly with the best wines of Europe. It's a reputation that Napa Valley and the other excellent California wine regions have maintained to this day. On the wine, Stag's Leap produces four Cabernet Sauvignons, hitting price points from $55 to $195 on the winery's website. Cask 23 is at the top of the list and combines grapes from the Fay Vineyard and the S.L.V. While the winery makes a Cab that is 100% from each one of those vineyards (and a fourth that includes other Napa Valley vineyards), the Cask 23 is the pick of the litter so to speak. The best that the two main vineyards have to offer. The wine is takes the black fruit and chocolate flavors that are signatures of Napa Valley and gives hints of florals that one might associate more with a Cabernet Franc - yet there is none blended into this wine. The wine is 100% aged in French oak and also undergoes malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine and compliments French oak aging. Save your best steak for this one and have it with your best friend. Nothing less will do.

Discover California Wines * Governor's Proclamation * California Wine Map

California is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world (behind Italy, France and Spain), and as such, being a lover of California wine will expose you to some of the world's greatest vineyards and varietals. It's a challenge all to itself to try and learn the entire state. California is an amazingly complex area, and even compared to some of our European friends, the state possesses microclimates more intricate than most wine growing regions of the world. Wild experimentation, aggressive tourism and the top-notch program of viticulture and enology and the University of California, Davis, have made California a place to produce, enjoy and learn about wine and winemaking. Wine Month is a perfect time to revisit old wine favorites and venture out into new wine territory. Glad your're taking this journey with me.

I'm an Associate Professor of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration at California State University, Sacramento. Wine is not only a long-time hobby, but also an area in which I teach, having taught California Wine Tourism for several years at the university. Have a bottle of wine with strangers, and you'll soon be with friends. Talk about wine to a class of students, and you'll have everyone's attention. I love learning about wine almost as much as I love teaching others about wine.

I've got my wine. Now leave me alone.