Sunday, June 25, 2017

2014 Waxwing Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains Lester Family Vineyard


My first thought as this juice danced around my mouth, "Am I in Pinot Heaven?" It's these small production gems that Cellar Angels unearth which makes me smile as a devoted "angel."

Waxwing Wines founded in 2006 by Scott Sisemore  ironically during a period when he chose to be a stay at home Dad. He wanted to focus on small lot wines as well as favorite varietals Pinot Noir and Syrah from the beautiful Sonoma Coast. This was not Scott's first rodeo as he was already making wine for some highly respected California producers. He has even made wine in Chile and India. As you can guess yes the name of the wines has a direct correlation with the north american songbird who can be seen eating berries in spring or winter.


Grapes were harvested from the Lester Family Vineyards located just 2-3 miles from the Pacific at an elevation of 600 feet. Sandy, loamy soil (sand particles with clay and sediment which provides structure and fertile growing) greet these Pinot vines along with that cooling fog so key to cool climate wines. The vineyard has never seen a herbicide so kudos to vineyard manager Prudy Foxx.

The nose so exquisite with ripe red cherries and a bouquet of fresh cut roses followed by an attractive aromatic spice note. The mouth is so bright and juicy with inviting red fruit. Juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of spice and a touch of strawberry. Classic pinot character and I especially love the finish. If you love cherry and you love pinot then by the wino power vested in me buy this now! Well done winemaker.

Thanks Martin for finding this gem and allowing we angels to purchase. Scott you keep making these wines and I'll keep treating my palate.

Cheers
Dan
 




Saturday, June 17, 2017

2016 Martin Ray Rose of Pinot Russian River Valley On National Drink Rose Day


*Sample Received*

National Drink Rose Day a day devoted to drinking a wine that many think should only be sipped in hot months or on sweltering days. Wrong on all accounts. Your mentality should be "Rose Any Day Anytime" including cold holidays. Have you ever tasted rose with turkey or ham? How about with pork? Yes it's very versatile my friends and this one from Martin Ray Winery is one to grace your table. I'll bet you didn't know that when they moved the operation to the Russian River Valley the new home is one of the "oldest continually working wineries in California."

 The 2016 Rose Of Pinot with it's price point of $25, is definitely a keeper. The grapes were harvested from vineyards in the RRV and Green Valley which coincides with the winemaking philosophy "wines of place." Both in aroma and palate you immediately sense the ripeness of the berries and how this fruit must have been harvested at the perfect time from some well kept vineyards. The wine is produced by the saignee method where the winery "bleeds" off the juice with limited contact with the skins. In this rose, the winery allows skin contact for 6-8 hrs which gives them the beautiful color and an abundance of flavor on each vintage. Once completed, the juice finds it's home in steel tanks where it's allowed to ferment until bottled.

The nose is inviting with red cherries, strawberry, a splash of fresh sliced melon with a hint of orange peel. The mouth is so crisp with red berries, strawberry rhubarb, hints of peach and melon giving this refresher an almost tropical feel. Love how the flavors intermingle as they roll across the palate and keeps you filling the glass with more juice!

Swing by for a tasting, tour or even a picnic with friends by booking a reservation HERE. A place where you and your friends will enjoy.

Cheers
dan