This is another edition of “what’s in my glass” or WIMG. Wines we have drunk and really enjoyed. Some are directly from the winery, and others we purchased locally. So let’s not delay and get into these wines.
WIMG
Suisun Valley Filling Station “Faith,”
2019 Sauvignon Blanc ($32.00)
Solano County Green Valley AVA, California
As I have said before, my palate for Sauvignon Blanc is specific. I like most citrus flavors but not grapefruit. I like mineral elements and some herbs but not grassy, and I am not a fan of the gooseberry flavor. As such, I stay away from New Zealand Sauv Blancs, although I am always willing to sample in hopes of finding a needle in a haystack. I will drink any French wines that fit icy palate parameters, but I seem to like California Sauvignon Blanc the best. This wine fits the bill and then some.
Suisun Valley Filling Station “Faith,” a 2019 Solano County Green Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($32.00), is a delightful wine. Renowned Goosecross Cellars winemaker Bill Nancarrow makes the wine. The fruit is sourced from Russo Family Vineyard in Solano County Green Valley AVA. This bottle is a #sample that we brought home from our May press trip to wine country.
Can you smell the body and texture of wine? With this wine, I feel like I can, and I love it. The most notable aromas are citrus, with a predominance of lime. The body is light but leans toward medium minus. There is a notion of creaminess that is countered by its acidity. Lime notes prevail on the palate, along with a bit of salinity. This is a smooth operator.
I would bring this wine to a Lowcountry oyster roast.
This wine sells directly from the Suisun Valley Filling Station winery and is not yet available online.
WIMG
2020 Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
(Montepulciano), Italy
As a huge rosé fan, I had Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo on my must-try list. I loved it. It’s a classic Rosato style with a bright red color. A hint of zest hits you on the approach, along with bold red fruit flavors. Midpalate shifts to more muted red fruits along with some earthy back notes and the introduction of mild tannins. The finish is a mix of a hint of the fruit and tannin followed by a flush of acidity. This was a happy sip last night. My fellow drinking clan felt it was too fruit-forward, so I got the whole bottle all to myself, which was fine by me.
Bright pinkish-red color. Fresh, pure aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry, and orange peel. Very juicy with outstanding definition, lovely acid to fruit balance, crisp, clean, floral finish with sneaky concentration. Made from Montepulciano massal selection grapes; vine age – 52 years average in 2015; grown on limestone soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in stainless steel, and aged for three months.
About the Region
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a proper Denomination and Appellation, not a rosè of some other wine or appellation. Created in October 2010, the title covers the cherry-red, brightly flavored wines formerly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo. Most other rosès and rosatos are made within an appellation as an addition to the other (classic) wines of that region. (Tavel is another exception. All Tavel is Rosé). Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo must have the specific characteristic of density (usually deeper than a rosé) and specific color intensity (deeper than rosé), with specific flavors of red fruits and light tannins in the palate.
In Abruzzo, many wineries produce a rosato outside the Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo appellation, that is lighter than Cerasuolo, made with 100% Montepulciano grapes.
Vineyard Profile
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Tiberio is made entirely from indigenous Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes, original and old clones in order to guarantee the identity and the traditional flavors of Cerasuolo wine. No press juice is used, just free-run juice. The fruit comes from one specific block within Montepulciano, where the temperatures are cooler than where the fruit for the regular Montepulciano grows.
I bought this wine at Edmunds Oast Exchange for $22.00. Unfortunately, they only get a few bottles each year, so you have to be a regular to catch it in stock.
WIMG
Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé 2020, Languedoc, France
No matter how many different rosés I try and love, one always resets my palate and brings me back to zero. For me (for us), that is Famille Guilbert.
Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé from Languedoc. It is consistently delicious year over year. It is made from a blend of Carignan and Syrah. The 2020 vintage is 60%-40%, respectively.
Our everyday rosé since 2015; you can get it at Seven Stars Liquor right here on James Island for $11.99 a bottle.
Bright, crisp, and clean. Mineral-driven and early spring red berries frame this light-bodied quaffable wine. Perfect party wine because it drinks above its price and never disappoints.
Seven Stars Liquors is in the Shoppes of Folly Road at 915 Folly Rd K2, Charleston, SC 29412 * (843) 795-5055 * Hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Saturday.
WIMG
ACORN 2017 Cabernet Franc, Alegria Vineyards,
Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Today was a super exciting wine day. Gary and I decided to drink the first bottle from our ACORN wine order that we had to here with friends because ACORN can not ship to SC. (Stupid liquor laws create huge barriers, especially for small producers like ACORN that include high fees that are not prorated based on the date of entry and only happen every other year like this is a game.)
But it got here, and so we chose ACORN 2017 Cabernet Franc. But before we dig in, it’s important to know that…
“Every ACORN wine is a co-fermented field blend of grape varieties we grow in our Certified Sustainable Alegría Vineyards in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Since 1990, our passion has been to carry on and expand the tradition of field-blending wines. Reviving our century-old field-blend vineyard inspired us to continue the practice when we planted our new vineyards.
Our farming is Certified Sustainable and is labor-intensive to honor the land and maintain it for future generations. Hand-tending each vine, ten or more times a season, ensures a balanced crop that produces flavorful wines reflecting the distinctive expression of each vintage in Alegría Vineyards.”
The 2017 Cabernet Franc is a blend of 92% Cab Franc, 3% Malbec, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Tannat.
Tasting this wine.
The nose is luscious with brambly herbs, dark chocolate, and bing cherry. In my mind, this is heavenly.
The palate flavors were woodsy, dusty, and a complex blend of dark red baked fruit. But this still frustrated me because my sensory memory could not piece together more precise flavors. The tannins were a bit grippy so for the next bottle I will be sure to decant it.
After the bottle had been open for several hours the tannins softened. They didn’t completely disappear, but they were much more elegant.
While I enjoyed this wine immensely, my favorite glass was my last more than three hours later. A tartness pulls through from the acid that creates a delicious mouthwatering cleanse. The flavors were rich and supple, but my brain could not put names to what I was tasting other than joy. Pure joy.
Side Note:
Somedays, my palate is on fire, and other days I am frustrated by the tastes and the textures that I can’t identify. It’s like they’re on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t quite put it into words. Today seemed to be one of those days, although it did not diminish my enjoyment and love for this wine. I have another bottle of this wine that I get to enjoy on another day. I hope my sensory memory is firing on all cylinders then.
WIMG
Whoa Nelly, 2019 Pinot Noir,
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Whoa Nelly is the value branded wine from Helioterra Winery in Portland, Oregon. There is a Rosé (sold out) and a Pinot Noir. The Pinot sells for $18.00 a bottle plus shipping. On price alone, this is a great value. But when you drink it… It is beyond worth every penny, making for an excellent QPR (quality to price ratio). So even with shipping costs, it is a great buy.
I have had many of Anne Hubatch’s wines, and I am a huge fan. But I was not expecting to love this bottle as much as I did. I’m definitely going to need to buy more, and I am mad I only bought one in the first place.
The color is a see-thru garnet letting you know that this wine has soft touch. It is a light-plus-bodied sip. The aromas of red berries and red cherry are also light but very enticing.
The lightly plush mouthfeel balances the initial red fruit flavors with the pleasing acidity. Hitting the mid-palate comes a morsel of earthiness and a sprinkling of spice that dances around the fruit. The final blended flavors on the finish make you smile with another wave of mouthwatering acidity.
I am a huge fan. HUGE! You can buy this wine online here.
WIMG is all we have for today. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Until next time…
Cheers,
Rick and Gary