Wine: 2009 Grenache Rose
Appellation:  Sonoma Valley, Kunde Estate
Alc: 13.6%
Price: $13.00
Haydn gives it: 88pts
You can purchase this wine at:  Kune Estates

With the exception of San Francisco, it seems like summer is in full swing for most of America. And with summertime comes warm nights and cool drinks. At least for me, my whites department get a bit thin come August. And while I enjoy good crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc like the rest of the kiwis, it’s the rose which is my go to drink this summer for cool wines.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of discovering a new Grenache rose, from Kunde Estates, located in the heart of Sonoma. The rose is comprised is close to being called a blend, with it being made up of 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, and 3% Viognier.

The first thing you’ll notice about this wine is it’s color. It almost glows with a deep and bright red, pushing a bit into the purple-violet area a bit. All of the a sudden, the Pinot Noir rose I had next to it seemed to turn more of a salmon color, but compared. For such an overall subtle grape, the Grenache, the color did not hold back.

This wine will make you smile. It speaks to summertime; fresh strawberries, a touch of raspberry along with a little watermelon. The wine is a tad sweeter than some of it’s dryer Grenache rose cousins, thanks in part to a bit of residual sugar.

Summertime and Kunde’s 2009 Grenache Rose are a perfect compliment. It will cool you down and delight your taste buds without breaking the bank with the beautiful price.

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com

2007 Moon Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma County
Appellation: Sonoma
ALC: 13.9%
Haydn gives this wine: 89pts

I will admit that I preach what I teach when it comes to wine in the saying, “Drink what you like”. And such is  the case for the 2007 Moon Mountain Chardonnay. It’s a very well made wine, has a bit of structure to it, and comes in right around $10.

The common features of a Chardonnay are nowhere present here. You won’t find mouthfuls of butter and oak. What you will find is a more creamy texture to it. There is a bit of acidity, but more cream, like a dessert style cream, then anything near the butter realm.

I feel this wine’s success comes from the 1/3 stainless steel fermentation, instead of entirely oak aged. Yes, it did touch oak (even I was surprised upon reading that) as you really can’t tell that the wine even hit a hint of oak. But such is the case.

The creaminess lies in the 1/3 malolactic fermentation which the winemaker did to soften the sharp acidity. For a wine priced well below $20, this bottle is a true gem and a real find. For a different take on a common grape, the Chardonnay, check out Moon Mountain’s 2007 Chardonnay.

Cheers,
Haydn

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com

The beautiful winery that is Matanzas Creek.
by Haydn Adams | Beyond Napa Valley Blog

Deep inside the heart of Sonoma lies the town of Glen Elen. Comprised of more stop signs than stop lights, it’s a town that a tourist would probably just brush off as a mere inconvenience in order to get to some of the larger wineries. But one winery does call Glen Elen home. While it is not within the immediate city limits, it is still one of the only wineries that 1) picks grapes out of that area and 2) is located as close to the main stop sign as possible. The winery I’m referring to is Matanzas Creek.

There are two plants which Matanzas Creek is known for—wine and lavender. No, they don’t mix the two together (hmmm, wonder what that would taste like?). But they do boast a considerably large square footage of lavender. During the late spring and summer, a sea of purple overwhelms all other colors along the drive up. The smell surrounds the senses and feels you with a great sense of joy. It’s as if the winery literally “springs” to life during the two seasons.

Mantazas Creek’s winery feels almost like a rustic house that has been re-modled upon first glance. A balcony that wraps around two sides allows for beautiful vistas of the surrounding vineyards. The best part about looking out on the balcony is that all you hear is very light car noise and the sound of a fountain off to the side. Large trees act as a canopy over your head, providing a good deal of shade. The ambiance outside is tranquil. The plants are well-manicured and the sculptures along the steps up to the winery feels a bit out of place, but still in the same sentence feels right at home in a way.

Inside, you’re hit with a traditional winery tasting room. The house is much bigger inside than you would assume judging by just the front. I haven’t explored all of the square feet, but I’d venture a guess that back rooms are reserved for private events and offices.

Ira, the person pouring, was extremely friendly and courteous. He kindly bragged about various wines and explained not just about their makeup, but also the reason why he was serving wines at different temperatures.

One way he showcased was a Chardonnay, but he had brought it out very close to a red-wine temperature (red wines should be served at wine-cave-temperature, not “room-temperature” which are entirely two different things). The wine did show different characteristics, with a bit of acidity and a light about about of oak. The Chardonnay has to be one of a handful of that varietal that I actually enjoyed the quantity of oak on the wine. Kudos to the winemaker for adding the correct amount.

The merlot also showed very nicely, with a few deeper berries coming out on it. It was fruit forward, as you would expect a Merlot to be, but more boysenberry and blackberry. Other wines to give thumbs up to were the Syrah, Rosé (dry, not sweet) and the Meritage (rhymes with heritage).

Overall, the winery’s location help seal the deal. The extra 10-minute route you have to take to get here is very fulfilling when you set foot onto the property. The casual atmosphere of Matanzas creek make it a must for future tourists that want to dive a little deeper into the heart of Sonoma.

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Haydn is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems of the region. He also writes for vinvillage.com. When he is not teaching, or working in his office, you can find Haydn somewhere in Sonoma spitting out wines (that’s a good thing for the record).

One of my least favorite places to shop for wine are large grocery stores. It seems that all they stock are the generics, the BV’s, the Sutter Homes and of course, the Beringers. I have nothing against them, but they are all boring wines (don’t get me started with the white Zins).

I figured that they would have a good Syrah lingering on the shelf. However, much to my sadness, the Syrahs ranged from the tip of Napa to the most Southern. I figured there had to be a wine that was not from Napa nor from Australia.

Lastly, and probably the most important, the price— $19! It is rare these days to find a pinot under twenty, yet alone to find a yummy pinot that is drinkable under $20. Aside from Pedroncelli’s Pinot, this is one of the top Pinots I’ve had in that price point.

I discovered this budget wine while tasting at Woodlands Market. Sandwiched between a Cakebread Cellars and a few Bordeauxs sat Frontier Red.  It’s a powerful wine, at 15.5%, but a wonderful value at $10 or under (Woodlands had it listed for under $7).