Wine Talk
Wine of the Week, October 28, 2021
Gaderian Wines, Saint Helena, CA
En route to a dear friend’s Calistoga wedding last week we had the great pleasure to stop and enjoy a private tasting at Gaderian Wines in Saint Helena. Gaderian, meaning “to gather” is the partnership of US Swimming Olympic Medal Winner, Natalie Coughlin Hall and winemaker Shaina Harding. This small production collaboration, delivers interesting and lovely wines that include Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Understanding that wine is “made first in the vineyard”, Natalie and Shaina have partnered with vineyards in Napa Valley that produce beautiful fruit and therefore excellent wines!
Natalie invited us into the atmospheric wine caves that host their winemaking and barrel storage and guided us through an informative and delicious tasting. She walked us through the Gaderian story while we sampled the Chenin, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon and a bonus barrel tasting of their Pinot Noir. We LOVED them all.
The 2019 Chenin, from Henry Ranch (one of only 7 vineyards in Napa growing Chenin Blanc!), has just the right notes of citrus, pear, honeysuckle, and a touch of minerality all while maintaining a creaminess. It was bright and refreshing and I see it poured on my patio in the Spring….and Summer!
Reluctantly leaving the Chenin, we moved on to taste the 2019 Chardonnay, from the “invisible vineyard”, made from grapes sourced from a vineyard that retains its anonymity, but we were assured it was a “name” we would know. We tasted flavors of, caramel, vanilla and citrus fruit. The texture is creamy, not too “oaky”, but with a lovely long finish. This chardonnay gal gave it a big thumbs up!
We enjoyed the 2018 Pinot Noir, from Sunset Knoll Vineyard, with its flavors of chocolate, raspberry and baking spices and a lingering, velvety finish. Any wine that brings a chocolate flavor belongs on my table!
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, from Henry Ranch, knocked our socks off. This wine rivals any big-ticket Napa Cab. Flavors of vanilla, blackberry, blueberry and cherry with a touch of spicy oak and ripe fruit characters. This wine is well balanced with a structured backbone and lasting fruit finish. This may become on of our “go to” cabs!
Oh, and we bought a missed case!! Of course!! Cheers!
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
A warm winery welcome!
Natalie Coughlin Hall & Shaina Harding
Wine Talk
Wine of the Week, September 21, 2021
Belle Glos,
Clark and Telephone Vineyard
Pinot Noir 2019
Santa Maria Highlands, Central Coast, CA
"Wine brightens the life and thinking of anyone.”
- Thomas Jefferson
This week I digress from my usual “everyday wine” price point to rave about a Pinot Noir that hit every jammy desire of my palette! My good friend Mark introduced me to Belle Glos, Clark and Telephone Vineyard, 2019 Pinot Noir. Damn. It was delicious! A product of the Santa Maria Valley, where the grapes are cooled by wind and fog that snakes in from the Pacific Ocean, this wine exemplifies the Pinot Noirs that warmer climates produce… riper and fuller-bodied with higher alcohol. This wine is a beautiful, deep garnet in color and the nose brings an aromatic medley of black cherry, marionberry, ripe plum. When it hits the palate it explodes with flavors of wild berries, caramelized oak and chocolate with added notes of vanilla, cedar and a hint of lavender. Rich and unrestrained, this wine’s abundant fruit is beautifully balanced by layers of red and black fruit. And the lingering fruit finish is such a joy! Available for $49-$55 a bottle, but worth every penny for a special dinner or celebratory evening!
Wine Talk
Wine of the Week, August 4, 2021
My latest wine darling is Cabernet Franc. A big shoutout to Mike Dashe, owner and Rene Calderon, winemaker at Dashe Cellars, for creating the Dashe Cab Franc that launched me on the journey to explore more of this varietal! While loving the Dashe 2017 vintage, I am now on a mission to find additional Cab Francs to enjoy. And here is a beauty… Donati Family Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, 2017. This winery. located 27 miles inland from Monterey, CA in the heart of Paso Robles is family owned and produces a wine portfolio focused on Bordeaux varieties.
This wine screams dark purple fruit, mocha, with a nice oak bomb palate and huge mouthfeel. It is intense and has balanced tannins. The taste is reminiscent of blueberry cobbler, raspberry, black cherry, with hints of vanilla and a medium finish that leaves you with a chewy blueberry flavor on the palate. I really loved this wine! Pair this with, roast chicken, pork, roasted or grilled beef, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes and even hard as well as soft cheese. An excellent wine and great value, available for about $20 in wine stores. I am buying more! Cheers! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Wine Talk
Wine of the Week, January 4, 2021
Melee 2009 Red Wine, Tuck Beckstoffer Wines, St. Helena, CA
Welcome to 2021! May it bring us health, happiness, and reasons to toast each other with lovely wines! This week’s Wine of the Week is a beautiful find from my very own wine closet! (I started my New Year’s cleaning early!) Melee Red Wine, 2009 from Tuck Beckstoffer Wines in St. Helena, Ca is a lovely red blend of 95% Grenache and a hint of Syrah. This wine is luscious, with full fruit, and with a long lasting finish. For me, it was bursting with flavor! This might just be my favorite wine that I tasted in 2020! The 2016 vintage sells for $28 on the Tuck Beckstoffer website, and low $30’s at Total Wine. I plan to taste the latest vintage soon! Let me know if you do, and what you think! Cheers!
