There was something for everyone at July’s Crush Barrel Wine Market, from bubbly bruts to earthy Bordeaux blends. The event was set at Fort Mason, in San Francisco, where wine enthusiasts could try and buy, directly from the winery. Here are the top picks of the market:

Best of Show – Stein Family

A new discovery and overall best of show winner was Stein Family Winery. Josh Stein was on hand to personally pour his two wines— a 2009 Los Carneros Semi-Dry Gewürztraminer and his Just Joshin 2007 Tempranillo, from the Sierra Foothills. The Gewürztraminer was beautiful with honeysuckle and rose pedals on the mid-palate with a big of orange and lemon to round it out. A touch of residual sugar adds to this wine, kicking up the acidity a bit and making it a desirable wine for my next outing to a thai restaurant.

The tempranillo further illustrated that, to me, the grape is Cabernet’s baby sister. It ripe and ready to drink now, though you might want to wait a few years for the soft tannins to further settle. There’s a bit of blueberries and red berries mixed with a mocha aspect, further added by a dusting of dirt (terrior). Tempranillos have a higher bit of acidity, making it perfect for your next lamb shank dish.

Here are a few other noteworthy wines of the Crush Barrel Wine Market:

Aver Family Vineyard 2007 Homage (Syrah) – The wine is tasting beautifully right now. The tannins have somewhat resided and what you are left with is a medium spice coupled with a bit of vanilla and dark berries. It’s ready to drink now, though you could lay this down for another few years.

Ricardus Corculum 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Using a mixture of new French Oak as well and neutral, Ricardus Corculum has crafted a beautiful Cab. Blackberries can be found both on the mid-palate, along with a cedar plank spice and a bit of mocha. The wine is clean, with good, strong tannins. This is a wine that you’ll want to lay down for 10+ years.

R&B Cellars Fortissimo “Port” Desert Wine – A beautiful wine to finish off the wine tasting. I coupled this with a few chocolates from different tables to really get this port to shine. Tobacco, leather and plum can easily be found in this wine. It’s thick and leathery; simply beautiful.

Cheers,
Haydn

—————————-
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 (and at times, Napa Valley) looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com.

What could be better than sipping some of the finest wine currently being produced? Have it set in a room full of 150,000 orchids! On February 26th, the Pacific Orchid Exposition held it’s annual Gala with live music, orchids and wine tasting. The room was magnificant with every single imaginable color and style and orchid could come in. And interwoven between the flowers were 22 wineries, some award winners from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Here are just a few of the wines that I found noteworthy.

Best of Show– Montemaggiore

The Syrah & and the Cabernet Sauvignon from Montemaggiore were the overall winners. Young currently, they are going to be blossoming in the coming years. The Cab was the breadwinner of the night. Closing your eyes, you could easily picture ripe blueberries swirled together with a chocolate mocha—just on the nose. Yum. The wines were spectacularly clean, with a good amount of tannins, are sure to calm down in a matter of years.

Coolest label and coolest wine–
Steele Wine Blue Franc Lemberger 2008

This wine clearly had the lightest taste of all of the reds and yet had the biggest back story. The Blue Franc is actually made from BlauFrankisch grapes, which literally means “blue grape from France.” The winery’s owner discovered the grape while traveling through Austria. In America, you’re best bet is to find it in the Columbia Valley, where the latitude is close to what Austria’s is.

This wine is going to be awesome in the summer time. It’s light, very light on the palate. But excellently executed in a way that is still very balanced. There is a fair amount of fruit in this wine; think boysenberry & cherry pie, topped with a little spice. You can drink this wine at normal room temperature, but chill it about 10 more degrees and you’ll be in for a treat. Joy Merrilees, winemaker, concurred and added that it would be perfect for a backyard barbecue. She also added that this wine would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

At $12.50 a bottle, it ‘s a great light drinking red wine. The Blue Franc is on the same wavelength as Peju’s Provence, another red wine that can be served cold.

Best Chardonnay of the night– Perry Creek Winery

Located in the Sierra Foothills you’ll find a Chardonnay that has decided to take a soak in Austrian Oak barrels, a completely different departure than other Chards. I was taken aback when I assumed, when asking the oak style, it would either be French or American. The wine has about 66% ML, giving it a light & creamy oak texture. It’s more on the citrus side with hints of green apples. Simply, wow. I wasn’t expecting to find such a fine balance of cream / butter and apples in a Chardonnay. The finish is perfect, with the wine lingering for a good few minutes. Take time to savor this Chardonnay.

Honorable mention– Rockwall Winery

Like father like daughter. Winemaker  Shauna Rosenblum, has a great winery on her hands. Her wines are clean, balanced and focused. Her Zin from Sonoma County is comprised of deep berries mixed in with a hint of violet. Simply well-made wines.

By Robin Barr Sussman
twitter: @sussout

Don’t have lots of extra dough to woo that special someone with spectacular wine this Valentine’s? We’ve got tips on wines that will win him or her over and cost less than $25. So go celebrate all the silly sweetness in style!

WHITE

2008 Hop Kiln, “Thousand Flowers,” California (pictured)
Of course your lover deserves a thousand flowers! This trio of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Gewurztraminer with a pretty bouquet of orange blossoms is crisp, flirty and quaffable. You brought flowers, so you’re in.

2007 William Hill Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California
Winemaker Ralf Holdenried’s Chardonnay will make her swoon with its big juicy honeysuckle and peach fruit, creamy malolactic character and engaging mouth-feel. For a romantic outing, make an appointment to visit the tasting room perched atop a hill off the Silverado trail with stunning views of the treetops and mountains.

2007 Eberle “Mill Road Vineyard” Viognier, Paso Robles, California
Heidi Klum s-e-x-y and fragrant, with lush body and a kiss of spice. Think honeysuckle, apricot and candied ginger. Surprisingly, this lusty white hovers right at the $20 mark. Seize the moment.

2007 Chateau Graves de Liron, Bordeaux
White Bordeaux is a classy wine for the money. This graceful wine sports lip-smacking acidity and fruity melon-like fleshiness. Great with succulent seafood—and less than $10, sweetheart.

RED

2007 Vignerons de Caractere Vin De Pays de Vaucluse
This French Grenache-Syrah blend has earthy soulfulness. Flavors of blackberries and bright cherries, rose petals, and nuances of black pepper, licorice and lavender will warm things up right away. Grab the bottle with the sweet label displaying a tiny white dove holding a heart in its mouth, all for under $7! Take it on a romantic picnic.

2007 Murphy Goode Liar’s Dice Zinfandel, California
Oh how Zin tempts us to sin. Alexander Valley grapes display rich blackberry jam and black cherry flavors and the Dry Creek grapes contribute black raspberry and currant flavors. Passionately sweet and juicy with a shot of pepper, it will steal her heart.

2007 Brazin (B) Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California
Looking for an intense experience? Here’s a Zin sourced from vines that range from 35 to 80 years. Prepare for a deep, inky color, bold aromas of plum and chocolate, plus palate purring vanilla mocha notes. Then there’s that long, lingering finish, and a price tag around $17. It fires on all cylinders kind of like Johnny Depp. (They were also selected as “wine to watch for” from ZAP’s grand tasting).

2006 Field Stone Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California
He will adore you for bringing a robust Cabernet to go with grilled steaks for dinner. Here’s a sultry one with a nose of caramel, cream and chocolate-covered cherries and flavors of black cherry, cocoa and casis. Yes love, it’s under $25.

2008 Nova Wines “Norma Jeane” Merlot, California
Marilyn Monroe takes center stage on these various labels like the one with the starlet donned in cowboy gear. More fun than complex, this fruity Merlot is youthfully exuberant. Ride ‘em cowgirl!

2006 Cupcake Vineyards Merlot, Central Coast California
She has a die-hard sweet tooth so bring on the trendy cupcake. This easy-to-find, affordable wine has dark berry fruit, a touch of vanilla, and velvety texture, plus a fanciful label that will make your funny little Valentine smile.

Dow’s NV Port, Six Grapes Reserve
Classic reserve port will pair right up with your Valentine’s chocolates. Expect thick and grapey with black cherry, raisin, spice and mocha with a sweet finish. Perfect to sip in front of a roaring fireplace.

PINK

NV 2007 Francis Coppola Sofia Rose, Napa Valley, California
You won’t be able to keep your eyes off the feminine shape of this bottle and its gorgeous coral-hued contents. The romantic label even pulls you in. In the glass, it’s all fresh strawberries, rose petals, juicy cherry, raspberry and citrus zest. Think seaside café along the French Riviera.

2008 McDowell Grenache Rose, Mendocino, California
Bursting with red berry fruit and black pepper, this dry potent pink will put the blush in her cheeks. Perfect for white wine drinkers who “don’t drink red” and red wine drinkers who “don’t drink white.”

True Prosecco Pink Couvee Rose, Italy
Here’s a delicate pale pink and lightly sweet prosecco of Valdobbiadene for a Valentine’s tete-a-tete. Distinctively bright with stone fruit and red currant flavors, sip as an aperitif or enjoy with a lavish fish and shellfish dinner. Be true.

I generally feel that when you go wine tasting, it’s a good idea to either start your wine tasting with Sparkling Wine (Champagne) or finish your day with the bubbly. I headed the later of those two at Domaine Carneros last week. Domaine Carneros is located right off of Highway 12/121 on your way home from both Sonoma and Napa (depending on where you’re coming from). It’s also a great place to end up due to it’s closing hours of 6:00 in the evening.

The holidays are sparkling at Domain Carneros (no pun intended). A beautiful Christmas tree stands fully decorated in the corner of the main sitting area. The fresh smell of pine drifts through the room tingling the senses of Sparkling Wine aficionados. Around the room, gold trimmings and wreaths adorn other walls and hallways. With the fire on and the weather dancing near freezing, there was no other place I wanted to be that evening then sitting with a good friend and drinking Sparkling Wine.

The atmosphere at Domaine Carneros is relaxing. My tasting partner and I shared two flights that included 6 different Sparkling Wines and two Pinot Noirs from the Carneros region. The staff was extremely friendly and very attentive with whatever request we asked. While the staff continually asked and inquired about how we were doing, the lingering time we had to simply discuss the finer points of the wine all the while gazing endlessly into the fireplace seemed to be hours. The mood of the room was joyful and jubilant (how can it not be with the bubbly flowing around like water?).

There is something Norman Rockwellian about walking in from the cold, crisp evening air, taking your scarf and jacket off and sitting next to a fireplace all the while sipping an amazing flight of Sparkling Wine. And Domaine Carneros further captured that feeling by beautifully adorning their tasting room with the holiday smells and sights.

The next time you’re in the area, stop in to Domaine Carneros, if only to take in the sights and ambiance of their facility. The aromas of the season are sure to envelop your senses which are surely completed with one of their many Sparkling Wines and Pinot Noirs.

Cheers,
Haydn

—————————-
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

One of my favorite things to do while wine tasting is to discover wineries that I’d never heard of before. I admit that it is slowly becoming harder and harder to do, being around this industry, but I know they are out there (just waiting to be discovered by me, I’m sure).

So out on the Silverado trail I drove, with my tasting partner, Nicole along with me. We had no real plans except to be back at a set hour for dinner at Peju Winery, so we were basically free for a few hours. We tried getting to Joseph Phelps, whom we had heard of, but had yet to go to. Upon arriving, they alerted us to the fact all the tasting times were prior yet offered a splash of wine as a consolation prize. And so off we went to another winery.

Being late in the day, we unfortunately ran into more and more wineries that were closed. That is until we found William Harrison Winery, tucked back off of the road. The road sign was present and nicely visible, complete with hours that were within our time frame. Having never ever hearing about them prior, we decided to give it a shot.

The sign out on the street, in smaller letters, read, “An American Winery”. The unoffical motto seemed to be taken to heart when you step inside. The building, though only built some 20 years ago, seemed like it was erected nearly a century a go. Pseudo wood beams line the ceiling, and a boar’s head and full-sized stuffed Grizzly bear could be seen off to the side of the tasting room. Taxidermist’s rejoice, you’ve come to the right spot.

While the winery has it’s roots firmly planted in American, or rather Rutherford, soil, the winemaking traditions of the Perelli-Minetti family (William Harrison is the nephew of Mario Perelli-Minetti run all the way back to Italy. The father of Mario, Antonio Perelli-Minetti (can you tell this is an Italian Family yet?) was first winemaker in California to hold a winemaking degree.

The degree from Italy. Click on the image to see it full-size.

So how’s the wine?

Great. Their wines truly showcased the terrior and AVA to which they came from. It’s that simple. I’d also say that they are distinctly Californian. The Chardonnay was a small butter bandit, with a little Oak peeking through, but the Apricot shined more than the oak and butter did.

The Cabernet Franc did not dissappoint either. I was simply excited to get my hands on this rare single varietal wine. The deep black berries and spice mixed in with the standard smells of black currant were all there on my palate. The part that I found especially appealing was the light to almost no tannins on the tongue.

But the piece dé resistancé was their Cab. At first smell I noted the dirt that was present in it. Harking on it almost smelling almost like a Bordeaux Blend than a Cab, Andrew Perelli-Minetti mentioned that was due to the volcanic soil of Rutherford, or the “Rutherford Dirt” as it was more commonly  referred to. In addition, pieces of dark cherry and a bit of tree bark could also be found.

The winery also produces a Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast as well as a Rutherford Red, which is comprised of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot and 8% Malbec.

The tasting is $7.50 per person, but the experience is priceless. Old California is brought back to life (or at least stuffed in the case of the bear and boar) at William Harrison. Family winemaking is still alive and thriving here.

Cheers,
Haydn