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    • Mattia Scarpazza
      • Jun 9, 2021
      • 3 min read

    CALIFORNIA AT HOME

    Updated: Jun 24, 2021

    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.

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