Wine Walking in Tahoe City - Put on Your Calendar for June 20th

One of the nicest ways to enjoy the breeze off Lake Tahoe in late June is to stroll the streets of Tahoe City during the annual Wine Walk.

This year's line-up of wineries is really terrific, and my tasting glass is ready already!   If you want to attend, you can get tickets in advance at www.TahoeCityWineWalk.com

Downtown Tahoe City

Here are the wineries you'll have a chance to experience, all in a tidy 6 block walk:

A to Z Wineworks, formerly REX HILL Vineyards, a 25 year old legacy winery in the northern Willamette Valley, is known for their Pinot Noir

Arbios/Praxis Cellars, a small Sonoma County family wine business, is known for their Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Bent Metal Winery, located in nearby Grass Valley, features Barbera, Primitivo, and wonderful blends

Charlyn Zin is showcasing its Old Vine Zinfandel,  Lodi appellation, from a limited production of 10 barrels

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Cline Cellars, a family-owned vineyard and winery in the Carneros region of Sonoma County, sustainably farms and crafts Single Vineyard, Sonoma County, Ancient Vine and California wines.

NEW TO THE EVENT!  CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, is featuring its Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and its Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Fawnridge Winery is a small, family-run winery and tasting room located in the heart of the Placer and Nevada County wine trails,

HaGafen Cellars brings together the elements of “Old Napa” style so often missing from today’s world of wine.  They produce wines that they themselves drink and enjoy: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, White Riesling, and Zinfandel as well as Sparklig Wines.

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Handley Cellars, established by Milla Handley in 1982 in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, produces award winning Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

NEW TO THE EVENT!  J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery that focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris primarily from the Russian River Valley appellation. 

Madroña Vinyards, located near Placerville in El Dorado County, makes wines that are a pure and balanced expression of the land.  They have produced a Lake Tahoe Red (Zinfandel) and a
Lake Tahoe White (Chardonnay) for your enjoyment!   (for more information, search this blog for “Madrona”)

Nevada City Winery is a small production high-quality boutique winery located in historic downtown Nevada City, in Nevada County, CA  (for more information, search this blog for “Nevada City Winery”)

Pedroncelli Winery is a family winery that has been making wine in Sonoma County for nearly 90 years.  Enjoy their Zinfandel, white wines, and Rose’

Renwood Winery, located in Amador County, is one of the most respected wine producers in the Sierra Foothills, specializing in Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varietals.  (for more information, search this blog for “Renwood”)

Single Leaf Winery is the oldest continuously owned family winery in the Fair Play region for over 2 decades!  Enjoy their Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Barbera

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Skinner Vineyards and Winery produces hand-crafted Rhone-inspired wines in El Dorado, in the Sierra Foothills of California. (for more information, search this blog for “Skinner”)

Smith Vineyard produces exquisite wines from a 10 acre estate vineyard is in the Sierra Foothills near Grass Valley. (for more information, search this blog for “Smith Vineyard”)

Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards are a family owned and operated winery in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County, specializing in award winning wines that include Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Primitivo, and Zinfandel Port. (for more information, search this blog for “Sobon”)

Tank House Winery is a two generation family winery located in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, CA.,  with a tradition of creating premium wines, each with their own distinctive varietal character.

Twisted Rivers Wines is a winery created by the Heringer Family which has been farming the Clarksburg Delta for over 145 years. After selling wine grapes through the decades to many of the great wineries in California, they now produce a full range of wines from their grapes.

Vino Noceto is a small, family-run vineyard and winery, renowned for our premium Sangiovese wines and located in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County.  (for more information, search this blog for “Vino Noceto”)

Wilderotter Vineyard is a premier grower and producer of fine wines in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County, CA.  They are pouring Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Mourvedre and Zinfandel

A summer treat near Tahoe: the fabulous Wine Dinners at Atlantis Spa Casino in Reno

It is impossible to resist the lure of a wine dinner at the Atlantis Spa Casino in Reno.  One of the outstanding events of my summers at Lake Tahoe has always been to attend one of these dinners.  At only $125 per person, it is one of the best values in wining and dining around -- particularly as a wine lover when you consider the wonderful high quality wines that are served.

In addition to the food and wine, these dinners are a SPECTACLE not to be missed!  The service is exceptional, and I may have mentioned this before in past blogposts.  It is like a well-choreographed ballet, and the servers are as graceful and orchestrated as any performers can be.  All together, it's a treat.

Here's what is ahead for you, if you go.  And if you do go, you will see me there!   Thanks to Tracie Barnthouse, who does a great job with PR for the Atlantis, for the sneak preview below"


Atlantis Casino Resort Spa welcomes Paul Hobbs wines to Atlantis Steakhouse on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m.

The second oldest of 11 children, Paul Hobbs grew up on a farm near Lake Ontario in western New York, but moved west to study winemaking at the University of California, Davis. After working at and consulting for a number of prominent California producers, he started his own label with the 1911 vintage, eventually adding his own winery and vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Paul Hobbs wines produces around 23,000 cases a year of top-notch, vineyard-designated Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot from sites around Napa and Sonoma.

To complement the wines, Atlantis Steakhouse will be serving the following:

Amuse Bouche

Diver Scallop Crudo

Roasted Pear, Pickled Pumpkin, Honey-Almond Coulis, Micro Celery

Paul Hobbs, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

First Course

Pan-Roasted Alaskan Halibut Cheek

Citrus-Scented Blue Potato Spatzle, Roasted White Peach Compote, Fleur de Sel

Paul Hobbs “CrossBarn”, Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Second Course

Earl Grey Tea-Smoked Arctic Char

Hazelnut-Quinoa Salad, Cranberry Gastrique

Paul Hobbs, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Third Course

Lavender-Pepper Crusted American Kobe Strip Loin

Olive-Strewn Couscous, Wood-Grilled Black Fig, Natural Jus

Paul Hobbs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Fourth Course

Carpaccio of Bison Loin

Cocoa Oil, Smoked Walnut Salad, Flash-Roasted Wild Berries

Vina Cobos “Bramare”, Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

Dessert

Strawberry Tiramisu

Grand Marnier Soaked Lady Fingers

 

Dinner is $125 all-inclusive. Reservations are recommended and can be made at 775.824.4411.

About Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a world-class AAA Four Diamond resort destination, nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and ideally located in the heart of Reno’s restaurant, shopping and entertainment district. Atlantis is the only resort connected by a Sky Bridge to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, and boasts Reno’s only Concierge Hotel Tower. Atlantis is just minutes away from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, downtown Reno, pristine area golf courses and is a half-hour away from Lake Tahoe. Guests enjoy complimentary airport shuttle service, free valet parking and acres of convenient self-parking. Recognized for luxurious accommodations, eight award-winning restaurants, 10 captivating bars and lounges, a world-class spa and casino-wide action, Atlantis has all the options and amenities to suit your needs. For more information please visit www.atlantiscasino.com or call 800.723.6500.

The Wineries of Nevada County (California) Provide Exciting Tasting Opportunities

Spring has sprung, and tasting rooms are opening their doors a bit longer now.  There are many opportunities to taste the fine wines of the Sierra foothills, and some of the most interesting opportunities are less than an hour away.  The wineries of Nevada County beckon, and we were primed for more tastes by attending the Flavor of Nevada County event last fall.  Here are some of the yummy discoveries.

 

Avanguardia Rosata

I’ve always enjoyed the wines produced by Avanguardia, as winemaker Rob Chrisman so deftly blends over twenty Italian, Russian, and French varietals along with cross-varietals created by the  University of California, all grown in his estate vineyards..  

 

The Avanguardia 2012 Rosata “Cara Mia” is a Rose vinified in the style of Provence.   Rob makes his Rosata from Sangiovese and other red varieties,  vinified as if they were white wines. The small amount of residual sugar in this Rosata leaves a dry impression on the palate. 12.7 per cent alcohol, $16/bottle.  Visit Avanguardia at their tasting room at 13028 Jones Bar Road,  Nevada City, CA.  Call 530 274 8200 for hours.  www.avanguardiawines.com

 

Sierra Knolls Primitivo

Sierra Knolls Winery presents a 2011 Primitivo that is definitely worth tasting.   It has a bold rich flavor, and opens with bright notes of cherry and blackberry.  I like the taste of toasted almond and dark chocolate on the close. This Primitivo is  13.4 percent alcohol.  $24/bottle.   The Sierra Knolls Vineyard & Winery Tasting Room is open by appointment only on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm. at 19635 Kingswood Court,  Grass Valley, or at their new and conveniently located tasting room "Bear River Wine Tasting" at 10024 Linnet Lane, Auburn.  Call 530 269-2327 for updates on hours   www.sierraknollswinery.com

 

 

Mrs Lucchesi pours at
Flavor Nevada County event

Lucchesi Winery produces its wines from its lovely southwest-facing estate vineyards in Grass Valley.   The beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada mountains enhance the taste of the wines when you enjoy the hospitality of their tasting room at the winery at 19698 View Forever Lane, which is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or weekends by appointments.  Or go to the downtown tasting room at 128 Mill Street, Grass Valley.  

 

Luchessi produces
white wines too...

I enjoy all the Lucchesi wines.  You might want to try the Lucchesi Masque  is a blended red wine made from Sierra Foothill grapes. It has fruity aromas of cherry creme brulee, mocha, and a hint of tobacco with a soft, fruity medium body and a jammy, nut accented finish.  14.8 percent alcohol, $12/bottle.  www.lucchesivineyards.com

 

 

Smith Vineyards Christina's Blush
(on the left)

Smith Vineyards produced a 2012  merlot dessert wine “Christina’s Blush” that was delicious.  It is light and fruity with aromas of rhubarb and strawberry with bright flavors of cherry leading to a fresh, clean finish.  13.5 percent alcohol, $16/bottle.  Try it at their tasting room at 142 Mill Street, Grass Valley.  530 273 7032.  www.smithvineyard.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This review was published in my May 2014 Wine Time column for The Tahoe Weekly

NEVADA WINE and the New Commercial Vineyard at UNR

Several years ago, I started following the progress of Dr. Grant Cramer of UNV-Reno as he encouraged the wine industry in Nevada via his classes and wine tastings.  There is now even more reason to get involved:  the new venture to build a commercial-scale vineyard at the Main Station Field Laboratory.

UNR’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources is providing the land, water and equipment, and a newly formed non-profit, Nevada Vines and Wines, is raising funds for vines, trellising and vineyard care.

The UNR program has been gaining momentum since 1995;  thirteen varietals of 90 vines each  have been successfully maintained to date at UNR’s experimental vineyard.  Wine made from these grapes is tasted twice-monthly.  To get a sense of what’s ahead for Nevada wine and the venture into a bigger vineyard, put a Tuesday tasting on your schedule. Contact Professor Cramer at cramer@unr.edu to get on the list for what’s-being-discussed-and-tasted.   Tastings are held at 5:30 p.m. at either the Greenhouse Complex on Valley Road at the UNR Field Station or at Studio on 4^th, 432 E 4^th St. and a small donation, usually $10 or $15, is requested to support the program.

Danny Hopper, UNR Student

If you are fortunate, you’ll run into some of the other movers-and-shakers behind the new commercial vineyard at the tastings, all of whom are enthusiastically involved in the Nevada Vines and Wines initiative.  Look for Professor Cramer’s students Ryan Ghan and Danny Hopper, and William Coplin, an avid local winemaker. 

The plan is for a 3-acre vineyard that will produce 10 to 15 tons and make upwards of 2000 cases of wine.  The ultimate goal is 7 acres that will produce 20 to 35 tons.  Both a Kickstarter campaign and an IndieGoGo campaign brought funds to the venture in the past few months.  One acre of 1800 Riesling vines has already been planted, and a grant from the Nevada Department of Agriculture is enabling a second acre of Lemberger grapes to be planted.  The crowd-sourced funds are earmarked for planting a third acre with 1500 Chardonnay vines, a trellis system, and tanks that will hold 400 gallons of juice.  The hope is for even more funding to buy Pinot Noir vines and additional wine making equipment.

The chances of building a good and reputable wine industry in Nevada are excellent.  Many factors come into play of course, but climate is an important one.  Northern Nevada’s climate is very similar to that of eastern Washington State.  The arid climate of Nevada means warm days, cool nights, and relatively disease and insect-free conditions. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for Tahoe-Reno wine lovers to add to the success of a nearby wine industry.  Contact the Nevada Vines and Wines organization by email at uncorkingnevada@gmail.com  to get on the list for updates.  See you at UNR on Tuesdays!

 

 

This information appeared in Wine Time, my Tahoe Weekly column, in April 2014

 

Petra Wine Bar at Northstar Village, Lake Tahoe, features Unique Wines

Kali talks about Pride Mountain Wines
at luncheon at Petra

Kali Kopley has enlivened the Tahoe wine scene for several years now, with her Uncorked wine bars in Truckee, Squaw Valley and Tahoe City.  Petra, in the Village at Northstar, is a wonderful part of the group, with its selection of great food to match an equally great selection of wines.  The wine-dine events there are excellent, featuring small production wineries with interesting stories to tell.

Pride Mountain Vineyards, recently featured, produces award-winning wines famous for their concentration and richness. All Pride Mountain wines are sourced from 86 vineyard acres at 2100 feet elevation straddling the Napa/Sonoma county line.  This small family vineyard was originally planted in 1989. 

2012 Viognier introduced
by Stuart Bryan,
National Sales Director

The 2012 Pride Mountain Viognier features Sonoma grapes.  It is an expressive Viognier, with intense fruit and a bright acidity.  There is an enticing aroma of apricot, orange blossom and a waft of acacia that leads to a zing on the palate.  The stone-fruit flavor is enhanced by floral and mineral notes.  It was paired with a pea shoot, melon and basic salad.  14.3 percent alcohol.  $42 the bottle.

2011 Vintner's Select
Chardonnay, paired with
moussaka

The 2011 Pride Mountain Vintner’s Select Chardonnay, Sonoma, features a complex range of flavors including melon, green apple, pear and jasmine.  The winemaker notes that “The cool 2011 vintage provided the perfect growing conditions for ripening our estate chardonnay to a beautiful richness while maintaining a crisp, distinct acidity.” This wine is bright and expressive on the palate.  14.8 percent alcohol.  $48 the bottle.  It was perfectly paired with a moussaka of potato, eggplant and chevre. 

The 2010 Pride Mountain Merlot contains two-thirds fruit from Napa and one-third from Sonoma.  This is a Cabernet-lover’s merlot, with chocolate and raspberry/strawberry flavors that coat the top of the mouth with a lush and intense taste that is not tannic.   Personally, I am not a great fan of overly tannic wines, so I loved this Merlot!  Aroma of bright plum, cherry, mulberry and walnut are a wonderful introduction to this nice tasting Merlot. 14.5 percent alcohol.  $60 the bottle.   It was well paired with short ribs and heirloom tomatoes.

The 2011 Pride Mountain Syrah, Sonoma, will please the tannin lovers among you.  “Plum, blueberry, rhubarb, bacon, sweet black raspberry, white pepper, Alsatian spices, wild thyme and smoky embers are some of the intriguing flavors that lurk within this blue-black wine,” notes the winemaker.  14.2 percent alcohol.  $60 the bottle.  The pairing was a cheese-pear-honey 

dessert trio. 

Petra is located in the village at Northstar, 3001 North Village Drive, Suite 3112.  Winter hours are noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 530.562.0600.  http://teloswine.com.   For more information on Pride Mountain wines, go to http://www.pridewines.com

Great Sommeliers in the Tahoe Area: Christian O'Kuinghttons, Bistro Napa, Atlantis Casino Resort, Reno

Looking for a special gift?  How about a dinner with wine at the Bistro Napa fine dining restaurant in the Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel in Reno.    I’ve had the pleasure of dining in Bistro Napa a few times, and the experience of service is like a well-choreographed ballet.  

Christian O'Kuinghttons,
Bistro Napa, Atlantis
Resort Casino, Reno NV

Christian O'Kuinghttons is the brilliant sommelier there.  Following is some insight to his wine philosophy.

“In the evolution of the American palate for wine styles, we are moving from simplicity to complexity,” he said, and what’s going on in the American wine scene now is being guided by this generation of millennials.  “They are looking for a depth of characteristics.  They like a fruity wine with a long finish, and have a “more the merrier” attitude about flavor and aroma in a wine.”

Since 1996, Christian has been developing the impressive wine list.  “That work has been like a ladder reaching up and up, and that is consistent with my temperament as I reach toward a joyful wine experience,” he said.  “Our wine program receives awards all the time.   We believe in 8 ounce pours, so that two glasses of different wines are generally sufficient to take a diner through a great wine experience with his meal. “

The four wines

Christian searches for wines that come from small producers of beautiful grapes.  “I meet winemakers and walk their vineyards.  The winery that produces between 150 and 300 cases is of most interest to me,” he said.  We tasted four such wines.

Evolution White, from Oregon, vintage 2011-2012. This is a blend of 9 different grapes: Pinot Grigio, White Riesling, Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Muller-Thurgau, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Chardonnay.  It has a lush tropical yet crisp finish, and some flintiness.  Taste is of dried fruits, like apricot.  12 percent alcohol.  $15/glass.

Four Graces, Willamette Valley, 2011 Pinot Blanc    “This is a misunderstood wine,” Christian said. “ It is a bridge between Sauvignon Blanc and an oaked Chardonnay.”  13.3 percent alcohol.    $14/glass

Christian pours CMS

CMS 2009 from Hedges, Columbia Valley, Washington.   This 2009 red blend is 39% Cabernet, 45% Merlot and 15% Syrah.  “So much fun!” he said. 13.5 percent alcohol.   $12/glass, $34/bottle.

Stratton Lummis, The Riddler Lot 3, a Napa Valley Red Wine.  It has a Tempranillo base (Sierra Foothills fruit), some Zinfandel, some Petite Syrah.   The blend changes every year.  The flavor and aroma is of dark fruit.  15.2 percent alcohol .  $15/glass.   “This is an excellent wine to demonstrate the 21^st Century palate,” says Christian.

Stratton Lummis

The Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel is located at 3800 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502.  Telephone (775) 824-4430.

Thanksgiving Wines - in Tahoe and Beyond

Tahoe House on the West Shore offers “everything but the turkey” for Thanksgiving on an advance-order/take-out basis, and their wine selection to go with Thanksgiving foods is as well thought out and varied as their Thanksgiving menu.

I’d opt right away for a bottle of the Seaglass 2011 Monterey County Riesling.  This is a great wine as an aperitif, light and refreshing.  Flavor of peach and pear, with aroma of honey and fragrant flowers are what greet you in the glass, with a sweet fruitiness.  The vibrant blue bottle in which it is packaged also sets a festive mood for the feast to come.  13 percent alcohol.  $16.99 the bottle.

The 2011 California Pinot Noir from Mark West is a tasty and affordable wine for those who like red wine with turkey.   This is a delicate and juicy red wine with medium body.  Flavor and aroma of  raspberry, sweet cherry, and nutmeg spice makes this Pinot Noir a great pairing with turkey.  It is complex, fruity and silky.  13.8 percent alcohol.  $9.99 the bottle.

If some of your guests will want a white wine with your turkey, that’s a good choice too.  Reach for the 2012 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley.  Turkey, specially the basted and infused preparations so popular at Thanksgiving, will pair well with the minerality of a Sauvignon Blanc.  The color is a straw yellow, and aroma is grapefruit, tangelo, quince, mint, basil and pear.  The winemaker notes a taste of kiwi and lime zest, and, on the mid palate, more flavor of lemon, peach, honey and a touch of grassiness.  The finish is bright and clean. 13.2 percent alcohol.  $17.99 the bottle.

To end the meal with the classic pies and other goodies, I recommend two choices:  a rose or a dessert wine.  The Stags’ Leap 2011 Napa Amparo Rose, Napa Valley, is a vibrant pink that leads you to expect its aroma of raspberry and then melon.  Flavor is of wild strawberry and a touch of pomegranate, with some creaminess and a hint of caramel.  It is refreshing with a nice finish.     14.1 percent alcohol.  $23.99 the bottle.

A classic dessert wine, one of my favorites is the Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2006.  It has a wonderful mouth-coating flavor of dark berries, strawberry, coffee and chocolate, with a vanilla smoothness, soft tannins and a long lingering finish.  14.5 percent alcohol.  $10.99 for a 375 ml bottle.

Oh, by the way, Tahoe House does offer the turkey too – free range Diestel turkeys have to be ordered well in advance and cooked at home.  Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet is located at 625 W. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City.  530-583-1377.

And, if you have turkey leftovers, making a salad with cooked turkey chunks, celery, grapes and walnuts, with mayo or sour cream, is a great treat.  I suggest you pair it with an Italian Chardonnay.  Pomino Bianco 2012, from the Marchesa de’ Frescobaldi estate near Florence, is a recently-promoted Italian white wine It will, of course, accompany a Thanksgiving feast magnificently!  A few notes from the winery:  “Pomino Bianco comes from one of Tuscany’s most renowned areas for the production of high-quality wine; it is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes that have been at home in Pomino for many years.”  l liked its intense yellow color, and the aroma of white flowers like lily of the valley and jasmine, with apple and pear.  It is a balanced and fresh wine, with delicate minerality, and a long and lovely finish.  It was fermented primarily in stainless steel, with the riper grapes fermented in French oak.  The winemaker tells an interesting story about the exciting harvest of the Chardonnay in this wine:  “without precedent … gathered during an extremely prolonged stormy period of weather that gave us a thousand and one inflections.” 12..5 percent alcohol.  $17.99 suggested retail price.  Available at GetWineOnline.com

Tasty Wines by the Bottle and also on Tap at Moody's - a Well-Known Truckee Destination

Moody’s Bistro is practically an institution in Truckee, always jammed with diners and music lovers.  It has a busy bar as well as dining room, and you’ll find many interesting wines by the glass, served from a bottle or on tap, as well as full bottles. 

JJ Morgan, the owner and wine director, chooses his wines both for affordability and uniqueness.  “I want to offer my customers a nice selection of wines that can’t be found in the supermarket, and I like to find wines from many appellations,”  he said. 

One of the white wines-on-tap  is the Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2001, a blend of four Rhone varietals:  Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Fruit from eight vineyards in Paso Robles is selected for this blend, and it has a rich mouthfeel and crisp acidity.  The aroma is both floral and fruity, with taste of peach, lemon and a creamy texture.  13.3 percent alcohol.  The wines-on-tap list changes, and prices range from $8-13 per glass.



2011 Napa Slingshot
Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2011 Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, is  a wine crafted by winemaker James Stewart, well known for his high-end Cabernets.  I got a kick out of the label, which cited the wine as “irreverently made in Napa Valley”. Its ripe aroma of berries,  currants and dried herb with oak is classic, and the mouthfeel shows a tannic and medium-body.  Flavor of berries, dark cherries, currants and herbs follow on, with a bit of astringency in the long finish. 14.5 percent alcohol.  $12 the glass.



2012 Luli Pinot Noir,
Santa Lucia Highlands

My personal favorite in this tasting was the 2012 Luli Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands.  I might be looking on the internet to acquire a few bottles; it is that good.  Luli Wines are made by the famous Pisoni family, who partners in this brand with Master Sommelier Sara Floyd.  It is a fruit-driven wine, with typical Santa Lucia Highlands flavor of juicy dark cherries, cola, sweet spices and mint.  The aroma is vibrant, and the finish is long with firm tannins.  14.7 percent alcohol    $14 the glass.

 



Turley 2012 Napa
White Zinfandel

The Turley 2012 White Zinfandel, Napa is a bright dry rose. Aroma of orange blossom and raspberry lead to a refreshing light wine.   11.4 percent alcohol     $12 the glass.



Decoy 2012 Merlot,
Sonoma County

We ended the tasting with Decoy’s 2011 Merlot, Sonoma County.  Winemaking notes cite “aromas of strawberry compote, plum and cherry wood, supported by hints of clove and cinnamon from the well-integrated oak. The red fruit continues on the palate with layers of fresh strawberry and raspberry. Bright acid lengthens the finish, which concludes with soft, mature tannins.” Decoy is a secondary label of Duckhorn.    13.5 percent alcohol   $15 the glass. 

 

Moody’s Bistro is located at 10007 Bridge St Truckee, CA 96161.   www. Moodysbistro.com. (530) 587-8688


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This review appeared in Wine Time, a column written for The Tahoe Weekly, on October 31, 2013. You can find this and other Wine Time columns in the online edition of The Tahoe Weekly.

Spectacular Service and Wines to Match at Martis Camp's Cliff Room in Truckee CA

I rarely start off a wine review with “those lucky people at…”, but the spectacular wines and service-to-match at The Cliff Room at Martis Camp merit that statement.  Joshua Plack is the talented Wine Director who constantly revamps the wine list at this private residential club to match the fresh and inventive creations of Executive Chef Shaun King.  This truly is wining and dining at its best at Lake Tahoe, but in case Martis Camp is not on your agenda, don’t worry.  I found all of the wines reviewed below on the internet.

Commanderie de la Bergemone,
Rose 2012 from Provence

The 2012 Rose, Commanderie de la Bergemone, Provence, France, is a pale salmon-pink sparkler with flavor of melon and pineapple, and a floral and strawberry aroma. It is rich and fresh, and was a wonderful pairing with Sashimi.  Bargemone is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d'Aix, a small fine wine district inside the larger Appellation of Provence.  Provence is famous for dry rose. 12.3 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing was around $15 the bottle.

Domaine Huet 2011
Chenin Blanc, Vouvray

2011 Chenin Blanc, Domaine Huet, Le Haut Lieu  Sec. Vouvray, France, is a crisp and clean wine with a nice acidity that paired well with the scallop dish.  Aroma of citrus and exotic fruit, with a touch of grapefruit to add to the favor of nectarine and peach makes this a lively dry wine.  13.5 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing was around $25 the bottle.

La Follette 2011
Pinot Noir, North Coast

The 2011 La Follette Pinot Noir, North Coast, California, was a taste treat of red fruit, chocolate and black cherries in the glass, with an earthiness that helps you remember why coastal Pinot Noir is so good.  The acid and tannins are well balanced, and there are notes of rosemary, sage and rose petal to add to the complexity of this wine. 13.7 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing around $25 the bottle. The Cliff Room pairing was a grilled Matsutake Soup.

 

Louis Martini 2010
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
 

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Louis Martini, Napa, was a great pairing with braised short ribs.  The dark berry and ripe cherry flavors in this smooth and drinkable wine led one wine critic to term it “an inexpensive beauty”.   I liked its medium body, soft tannins, and cherry and blackberry aroma too.  14.5 percent alcohol.  Internet price around $12 the bottle.

 

Left: 2008 Royal Tokaji
Red label Aszu 5 Putonyos

Finally, a wonderful dessert wine, the 2008 Royal Tokaji "Red Label- Aszú 5 Puttonyos" from Hungary.  I loved this Tokaji, a honeyed and fruity treat with fruit flavors of citrus, apricot, and pineapple.  A nice minerality leads to a long finish.  11.5 percent alcohol.  Internet price around $35 for 500 ml bottle.

 

Lucky Me! Enjoying being a guest 
 at The Cliff Room

The Cliff Room in the Lodge at Martis Camp is a key feature of this elegant private residential community located in Truckee. www.MartisCamp.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This review appeared in Wine Time, a column written for The Tahoe Weekly, on October 16, 2013. You can find this and other Wine Time columns in the online edition of The Tahoe Weekly.