One of the nicest things about enjoying wine in a Lake Tahoe
area restaurant are owners that sit with you and chat. Bric Haley of The River Ranch is well known
for his friendliness, and tasting through his good wine list with pairings from
Chef Julia Walter’s kitchen was an absolute delight.
The by-the-glass list at River Ranch are wines carefully
selected from many California areas: Paso Robles, Monterey, Napa, Sierra
Foothills, Mendocino, Livermore Valley. The diverse bottle list features
California, French, New Zealand,
Italian, and German wines.
Bric and his wine
team change the list twice a year. Beginning
each June, lighter wines prevail.
The Louis Mel
Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Estate Grown in Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay area is
produced by winemaker Karl Wente. Aroma
of guava, melon, gooseberry, citrus and pineapple foreshadow this wine’s crisp
acidity. Flavors of honeydew and
pineapple contribute to the creamy finish.
13 per cent alcohol. $8/glass or $35/bottle. The pairing was butternut squash risotto.
I love the “Eroica” Riesling from Columbia Valley, and
enjoyed it with the Ahi Poke chips appetizer.
This 2009 vintage (from Chateau Ste Michelle’s collaboration with Dr.
Loosen of Germany) lives up to other vintages…maybe even a bit better. It is young, fresh, and with flavor of lemon,
orange, grapefruit with a hint of such fruits as papaya and mango. 12 per cent alcohol. $35/bottle.
The Santa Cristina Sangiovese 2009, Toscana, has hints of
red fruit like cherries and raspberries, a smoothness on the palate, and gentle
tannins on the finish. It is a blend of
85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, imported by Ste Michelle
Wine Estates. Paired with a portobella
mushroom napoleon. 12 per cent
alcohol. $7/glass, $24/bottle.
Known for its game dishes, River Ranch presented two with
great pairings. The wild game meatloaf
was paired with 2008 Zinfandel MontevinaWinery, Amador County, Sierra Foothills. This zinfandel has aroma of
raspberries, strawberry and a hint of clove and cinnamon, with a juiciness we
expect from Foothill zins. 13.5 per cent
alcohol. $6/glass, $21/bottle.
The 2009 Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, paired with
pan-roasted Duncan Ranch elk. Produced
by the Michael Mondavi family, this finely tuned wine has cherry, blackberry,
licorice and spice flavors, a rounded mouthfeel, and a toffee note on the
finish. It is a blend containing 86%
Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.7 per cent
alcohol. $12/glass, $41/bottle.
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant is located on Highway 89
at the intersection of Alpine Meadows Road overlooking the Truckee River. Operating
hours change seasonally but it’s open for dinner year-round.
www.riverranchlodge.com Toll Free: 866.991.9912 / Local:
530.583.4264
