The Hedonistic Taster | № 15 | Ordaz Family Wines | Sonoma
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.
" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg" style="border:0;height:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;margin:5px auto 10px;border-radius:2px;vertical-align:middle;box-sizing:inherit;" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="Tastevin" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="size-full wp-image-13244 aligncenter" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" />“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of gorgeous, small-lot artisan pours in an intimate tasting format.
The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer. Santé!
Today’s Tasting:
Ordaz Family Winery crafts
single vineyard wines from sites In Sonoma, many managed for decades by vineyard manager turned winery owner Chuy Ordaz and his sons Chuy Jr. and Eppie.
A bridge bore Jesus “Chuy” (CHEW-ey) Ordaz to the United States from Mexico in 1972. A bridge he traversed 33 times before successfully crossing the threshold. In America, Ordaz reaped success in the grape fields of Sonoma, obtained citizenship, and catapulted wineries like Kenwood Estates to fame with his meticulous vine husbandry before carving out a career of his own in vineyard management – all while raising six children with wife and business partner Beverly.
But despite living ‘the American Dream,’ two dreams eluded Ordaz – making his own wine, and owning his own land. Until now.
Ordaz Family Wines offers single vineyards expressions crafted from some of Sonoma’s finest vineyards, all managed by Ordaz. Launched in 2009, son Eppie oversees the project, with a long-term goal of estate vineyard ownership.
The unique Ordaz Family Wines label epitomizes the family’s philosophy, “Native to Mexico (both the flower and our family), the Dahlia symbolizes the cultural beauty that continually shapes our lives. Universally, the Dahlia expresses diversity, elegance, dignity, personal expression, and the eternal bond between two people, all things that are inherent in any great bottle of wine.”
Thank you to taste maker and virtual wine community virtuoso Tina Morey for providing these samples used in the February #wineStudio wine maker immersion educational series.
Ordaz Family Wines was established in 2009 to showcase single-vineyard wines made from fruit sourced throughout Sonoma, vineyards managed by Chuy Ordaz.
" data-orig-size="771,1024" title="malbec-sandoval" data-image-title="malbec-sandoval" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/malbec-sandoval.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 924px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="924" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/malbec-sandoval.jpg?w=226" data-original-height="924" alt="Ordaz Family Wines 2012 Malbec is sourced from Sonoma's Sandoval Vineyard, a well-regarded site planted in 1990." data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/malbec-sandoval.jpg?w=640" /> Ordaz Family Wines 2012 Malbec is sourced from Sonoma’s Sandoval Vineyard, a well-regarded site planted in 1990.Wine: Ordaz Family Wines Malbec | Sandoval Vineyard – Sonoma
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 13.6 %
Suggested Retail: $25
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Deep plum hue.
Nose: Cocoa, black-red fruits, a bit of bramble on the nose.
Palate: Ripe red fruit, earthy mocha on the mouth. Medium body, medium acids, plush tannins, uncomplicated finish.
Suggested Pairings: This wine begs for a rich, luxurious molé and/or homemade tamales.
Named after Chuy’s grandmother and youngest daughter, this 9 acre vineyard sits in the heart of the Russian River Valley appellation. The selection of clones provides us with great fruit characteristics needed to create well layered and balanced Pinot Noirs.
" data-orig-size="771,1024" title="OrdazPN" data-image-title="OrdazPN" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/ordazpn.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 924px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="924" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/ordazpn.jpg?w=226" data-original-height="924" alt="Ordaz Family Wines 2014 Pinot Noir - Placida Vineyard, Sonoma." data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/ordazpn.jpg?w=640" /> Ordaz Family Wines 2014 Pinot Noir – Placida Vineyard, Sonoma.Wine: Ordaz Family Wines
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 13.7%
Suggested Retail: $38
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Rich garnet robe.
Nose: Red apple, cherry cola, red currant notes.
Palate: Cherry cola, red fruits on the mouth Light body, medium acid and tannins, soft finish.
Suggested Pairings: A quintessential Russian River Pinot Noir that compliments the usual suspects like grilled salmon or roasted chicken.
You can find more of The Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted 2017 L.M. Archer | binNotes | redThread™. All Rights Reserved.
