The Hedonistic Taster: California Dreamin’ Wines Edition

The Hedonistic Taster

California Dreamin’ Wines Edition

by L.M. Archer

“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for sharing industry trade sample tasting notes with readers.

Please enjoy the start to the New Year with this selection of California wines.

Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Gris – Anderson Valley, CA.

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 35

Robe: Pale straw robe.

Nose: Starfruit and sandalwood aromas.

Bouche: Light body, lilting acids, grapefruit, pear and golden apple bouche.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley, CA.

Vintage: 2015

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 40

Robe: Dark garnet robe.

Nose: Pronounced cranberry, red currant and pomegranate aromas.

Bouche: Pungent black, sweet cherry and high-toned dark fruit notes; medium bodied, rounded tannins, full finish.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 55

Robe: Deep purple hue.

Nose: Aromas of bell pepper and ripe cherry.

Bouche: Notes of dark cherry and black currant on the bouche, moderate tannins, velvety finish.

More about Long Meadow Ranch here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Bonterra Viognier – Mendocino County, CA.

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 14.8%

Link to Producer Specs here. (Note: Made with organic grapes.)

Suggested Retail: $ 16

Robe: Clear golden robe.

Nose: Succulent aromas of apricot, ripe peach and honey.

Bouche: Light-medium body, firm acids, notes of white flowers, vanilla, and apricot, with a hint of botrytis on the finish. High quality, value wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Bonterra The Roost Chardonnay – Blue Heron Vineyard, Mendocino County, CA.

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here. (Note: Made with Certified Biodynamic grapes.)

Suggested Retail: $ 40

Robe: Clear yellow robe.

Nose: Vanilla, butterscotch, hint of lemon curd.

Bouche: More baking spice, butterscotch yellow apple on the bouche; medium body, firm acids. Another well-oaked California chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Bonterra The McNab Single Vineyard Cuvée – McNab Ranch Vineyard, Mendocino County, CA.

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14.6%

Link to Producer Specs here. (Note: Made with Certified Biodynamic grapes.)

Suggested Retail: $ 50

Robe: Deep porphyry hue.

Nose: Powerful aromas of black currant, fig, cedar and stewed fruit – prune, plum and fig.

Bouche: A medium bodied, well-structured wine with supple tannins and hints of raspberry, black plum, mushroom, and cedar.

More about Bonterra Vineyards here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay – California

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 10

Robe: Clear gold hue.

Nose: Kiwi, lychee, starfruit, and banana aromas.

Bouche: Light-medium body, bright acids, with hints of golden apple, apple cider, stone fruit, and herbal back note. Bargain wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Fetzer Flatbed Red – California

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 10

Robe: Dark blackberry robe.

Nose: Black fruits abound on the nose – blackberry, black cherry, damson plum.

Bouche: Medium-bodied, dark fruit and baking spice compote on the bouche, with a sprinkling of chocolate on the finish. Bargain wine.

More about Fetzer Vineyards here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Lloyd Cellars Prescription Chardonnay – Clarksburg, CA.

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 14.8%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 20

Robe: Clear gold robe.

Nose: Yarrow, mustard seed, sultanas, and toast aromas.

Bouche: Light-to-medium body, lemon curd, golden apple, ripe pear and vanilla notes, with a clean, mineral finish.

A promising wine that would do well without the oak chips to distract from its pristine fruit and mineral verve.

More about Prescription Vineyards here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Chalk Hill Red Wine – Sonoma County, CA.

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 14.8%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 53

Robe: Profoundly opaque, blackberry hue.

Nose: Exhilarating aromas of tomato leaf, blackberry, bell pepper, and spice.

Bouche: Light body, regal balance, lingering finish. Complex sour cherry, blackberry, black tea, bell pepper, plum and cocoa components make this a compelling wine from start to finish.

More about Chalk Hill here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Farmhouse Natural White Wine

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 12.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $15

Robe: Golden straw hue.

Nose: Acacia, tropical fruit aromas.

Bouche: For those who favor sweet white wine blends.

NOTE: I reviewed these wines out of respect for Fred Cline and Green Strings Farm, whom I featured in a previous article here on Sustainability for Foodable Network.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Farmhouse Natural Red Wine

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 14.0%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $15

Robe: Dense ruby-red.

Nose: Dark red and black fruits.

Bouche: For those who like full-bodied, uncomplicated red blends.

NOTE: I reviewed these wines out of respect for Fred Cline and Green Strings Farm, whom I featured in a previous article here on Sustainability for Foodable Network.

More about Cline Cellars here.

More about Green Strings Farm here.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Chardonnay – Sonoma Coast

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 14.1%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 27

Robe: Pale golden robe.

Nose: Aromatic notes of honeysuckle, nutmeg, and allspice.

Bouche: Light-medium body, well-balanced, with a well-rounded mouthfeel, and notes of ripe Asian pear and lychee. Exceptional quality wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 14.1%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 37

Robe: Brooding ruby robe.

Nose: Pomegranate, blueberry, dark raspberry nose.

Bouche: Elegant notes of cranberry, red currant, and a bit of baking spices, with a light body, refined tannins, and lingering finish. A well-crafted wine of high quality.

Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine crafted by Paul Hobbs, formerly of Opus One, from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County.

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TASTING NOTES:

Wine: Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County

Vintage: 2015

Alcohol: 14.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 55

Robe: Deep ruby robe.

Nose: Potpourri, bramble berry nose.

Bouche: Medium body, silky tannins, lush finish. Hints of blackberry raspberry, and black tea on the bouche.

Another exceptional, high quality wine from Paul Hobbs, former wine maker for Opus One.

More about Crossbarn Winery here.

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Posted in California wine Wine Wine TastingTagged Anderson Valley Biodynamic Mendocino Napa Valley Organic Sonoma Coast