Over the past year regional bodies have looked at way to bring consumers and
specialists to taste their wines and keep on delivery education. Delivery turned out
to be the solution, delivery of samples or bottles of wines.
Samples of wines are done in anaerobic condition, a sort of vacuum, where the
wines are funnels into sterile flasks of 100ml, the wines should last about a week.
Many other alternatives are been experiment with but the glass tubes or flasks are
the most commons Wine Logistic is an example of this services -
https://winelogistics.co.uk/virtual-tasting-packs
For California wine Institute UK was Essential California at home the solution, with
selection of over 200 wines which you could get a samples of at home, as well as a
two days of masterclasses on different themes, I enjoyed following 'Other Varieties'
Masterclass where Barbera, Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Fiano where discussed, other
region and interesting talk was given by Francis Ford Coppolla, on inclusion and
diversity in the wine industry.
Truly a monumental effort from wines of California UK, which also has taken the
occasion to launch Capstone California https://capstonecalifornia.com/ a certification
to become a California wine Expert.
Here is the list of my favourite ten wines of the lists of wines that I tasted.
Rigde
Gayserville – 2018
An alluring wine, it has deep aromas, with spices, Cherries, Whole spice, cherry
blossom and black tea. On the palate is mellow, with soft and verdant tannins and
deep. The wine is precise, robust and distinctive.
Donelan
Cuvee Christine – Syrah 2015
On the nose, it’s enticing, with spices, dark fruits, plum, chocolate, clove and
distinctive aromas of Black Pepper.
The Palate is refreshing, the tannins are soft and carry through in the aftertaste, it
invites to have another glass, the spices come back on the aftertaste.
Daou
Soul of a Lion 2017
Opulent and intriguing, aromas of Cherries, raspberries, clove, vanilla, plums,
chocolate. The palate is rich and with soft tannins, the oak influence is felt more, but
the fruits and primary aromas still manage to come fourth, tannins are kept at bay,
The finish is long and defined. Could have less of the oak primordial influence but
exquisite none the less
Bonny Doon Wines
Vin Gris de Cigar
One of the first Dry rose of California, is vibrant with peach, lime, strawberries,
ginger, refreshing acidity, clove vanilla, dry fresh and fragrant, fresh, inviting,
persistent with great body.
Varner Wine
Upper Picnic Block – Pinot Noir 2014
Ripe Red fruits hints on vanilla and grass its delicate and elegant. It presents itself as
elegant in the palate with superb freshness, tannins as well integrate and soften, the
finish is long and defined can improve with age
Silver Oak
Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016 Napa Valley
The wines come in with a jab, it’s rich and direct. The nose has complexity, with
plums and Morello Cherries but then the secondary aromas come through chocolate,
clove, vanilla, nutmeg.
The palate is refreshing, flavourful and the tannins show and in the aftertaste, with
the coffee, toffee cocoa aromas coming through.
Are concentrate and outreaching
Lieu dit
Chenin Blanc 2017
Inviting, red apple, pear, marzipan, honeysuckle, ginger, fresh and complex.
The body is fresh with great acidity, medium, orange and medium, refreshing finish,
almost like a grapefruit.
Gamay 2016
The nose is savoury, leather, bloody, red cherries compote, black pepper. It quickly
shows red fruits the palate is soft and round, with very good harmony. The finish is
precise and compose.
Four vines
The Biker Zinfandel - 2018
Concentrated and well defined, it springs to the nose with red berries, plums with
dark fruits and whole spice.
On the palate, is uplifted with fresh acidity the tannins are present at mid-palate and
gives the wine vibrancy. With fruits carrying through on the after taste.
Au Bon Climat
Nuits Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay – 2017
Good colour intensity golden hue
Nutmeg, ginger, yoghurt and vibrant and fresh wine, with complexity, Yellow peach,
pear and bread
Medium body with Great intensity, complex with white peach aromas, acidity is
steely, butterscotch
The finish is fresh and persistent but not overly powerful
Great respect for Jim Clendenen the wonderful mind behind Au Bon Climate, I had
the occasion to meet Jim in 2020 at the live tasting of the California Wine Institute in
London.