Looking up in Mendoza

February 2010

Bordeaux

An Epic Trip for the 2010 Primeurs this last Spring!  Had the great pleasure of traveling with Ralph Sands, the Bordeaux Specialist at K&L Wine Merchants.  Today he's leading a tasting - if you live anywhere near the Bay Area, I promise it'll be worth the trip! Details...

In the Redwood City store from 1-4pm with yours truly,  Cost is $20.00

The Lineup….

2010 Ch. Reynon Blanc- Cotes de Bordeaux

2009 Ch. de Macard- Bordeaux Superieur

2008 Ch. Lillian Ladouys- St-Estephe

2005 Ch. Larteau- Bordeaux Superieur

2008 Ch. d’Issan- Margaux 3^rd growth

2008 Ch. Lascombes- Margaux 2^nd growth

2005 Ch. Larrivet Haut Brion-Pessac Leognan

1997 Ch. Terry Gros Cailloux- St-Julien

1996 Ch. Langoa Barton- St-Julien

For desert…..1988 Ch. Suduiraut- Sauternes…great vintage!

Hope to see you there… Cheers! Ralph

Ralph Sands

Bordeaux Expert

Senior Wine Specialist

K&L Wine Merchants

Redwood City and San Francisco Ca.

1-800 247-5987 Ext# 2723

Direct Line 650-556-2723

Email- Ralph@klwines.com

Off Subject - Bon Iver

I woke up early to a very foggy morning in East Santa Rosa, Ca.  This was a pleasant surprise too - National Geographic debuts "Holocene".  What a peaceful video shot in Iceland. Enjoy!  - Ali

Wine of the Weekend - Tramonto

Tramonto 2010 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir. 

This is one of my very favorite California rosés this summer. Sunset Magazine recently highlighted the Tramonto as a perfect wine pairing with Salmon.  Found in your favorite happening restaurants and boutique wine shops around NorCal.  Texas just received the last batch made - this is the pink-wine that kicked off Bar Lamar at Whole Foods Austin too! (Distributed by Favorite Brands-formerly Avante Beverages)

The Pinot Noir  grapes for this wine are sourced from three of the most sought-after vineyards along Westside Road, in the northern Russian River Valley. The vines are mainly Dijon clones 115,667,777 with small amounts of Eden and Swan Clones. 

Color is light peach, a true vin gris. Aromas of watermelon rind, wild strawberries and jasmine. Flavors of peach, cucumber, citrus and a mineral, wet slate finish. Found both on tap and bottle.  $12-14 a bottle.

http://www.brackmountainwinecompany.com/

Back in Cali...

Loves.

The beauty, the land and the sea here, I missed it so much while away. Roses, thousands of bright blooming roses. Dungeness crab season. The sound of skateboards after the final school bell rings. The thrill of driving over the Golden Gate Bridge (every time!).  The TexaCali World Series.  Hosting friends from Texas, showing them the best places around. Tennessee Valley hikes.  Unconditional kindness, so many welcoming new friends, sharing their stories, their passions, their  strengths, their worries, their laughter. Growing fruits, veggies and flowers all year long in my own yard. The view over Dry Creek Valley.  Driving along HWY 280. Discovering the local wines of Grace, Brack  Mountain, Broc Cellars, Phillips Hill, Hamel, Nico, Arnot-Roberts, NPA, Michel-Schlumberger and the real people behind them. The Handal & Bellino gangs, my California Families.  Stuck in a snow storm and getting out while laughing. Falling in love. The biscuits made at Zin in Healdsburg. Flour Girl Cakes. 40 Days @ Three Dog Yoga in Santa Rosa, this changed my life. The smell of a winery, right when I walk through the doors - every single time. Bundling-up when the sun goes down. Old friends who are new again. Hot dogs a the Giants game. Walking to dinner. Anderson Valley - is every bit as lovely as I remember it every time I'm there. No mosquitoes. Rolling Fog. Happy Hippos. Shout-outs on the radio by my dear friend Ziggy the Wine Gal (thank you BGD). Seeing shows at the Great American Music Hall. Wine Country Connect, the entire staff inspires me each day. Bar stool dinners at ZAZU. Ecco Coffee. Trips to Half Moon Bay. Drinks at the AV Bar. Redwood Trees. Bright green landscapes in the winter. Rainbows over the vineyards. The sound of frogs - lots of frogs.  Crying from laughing so hard. Sundays with my best friend. Equanimity.

Cheers - Ali

Summer Break in Sonoma County

 Cheers to my sweet friends Liane, Hollywood Sarah & Lovely Lauren in from Dallas chillin' out with me in Sonoma County this week.  - Ali

Davis Family Vineyards - National Feature on Rue La La!

The past 7 days FLEW by!  Slightly behind on writing, a lot of changes going on within the industry that will impact you as a wine consumer - many good, a few that are bad if we don't all make a stand.  More on this later in the week.   

Today and tomorrow is most exciting on Rue La La.  Here's a great chance to purchase a few winery-only bottles from Davis Family Vineyards and take advantage of a nice summer-sale on ones you've loved over the years too.  If you want an invite to join Rue La La - just shoot me a message. You know how much I love these wines, so very proud to see them and expose them to a new fan base on Rue La La.  Check out their Facebook page too,  the famous ZAZU offered -up a great lobster recipe that pairs perfectly with the 2008 Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Chardonnay.  Downed a bottle together with my dear friend Liane visiting from Dallas last night in fact! Cheers to good friends and good wine always! - TexaCali Ali

Napa Valley's Pine Ridge

...is featured today and tomorrow on Rue La La.  I'm personally excited about this one, my first trip ever (years ago!) to Napa included a visit to Pine Ridge - I still remember tasting wines out under their beautiful trees and garden at the winery. 

The Pine Ridge boutique is full of their legendary whites and reds, also includes a first-ever inaugural release Tessitura which is a Bordeaux style blend.  If you aren't a member of Rue La La yet - feel free to ask me for an invitation to jump on this great offering from Pine Ridge!  Cheers - Ali

Breaking Down "Wine Social Media"

My top post of the year in regards to "views"...going on approx. 4,000 so far.  Original post last January

Twitter = I need a glass of wine. 

Facebook = You gotta see this glass of wine I'm having!

Foursquare = I'm having a glass of wine here. 

Quora = Why am I having a glass of wine? 

Youtube = Check out the dirt this wine comes from &/or watch me drink this wine.

LinkedIn = I drink wine very well.

Simple...are you following, a fan of, joining me, watching me or linkin to me?  

Cheers, "TexaCali Ali" 

PS: "Google" me, I'm mostly socializing online about damn good wine.
 

Sonoma County Winecountry

...a gorgeous Russian River AVA view out of the west cellar door at Copain this afternoon.

Rue La La

After an exciting wine boutique this past week for Niner Estates,  I'm happy to report that Treana Winery from Hope Family Wines is in the spotlight on Rue La La.   As you may or may not know by now, I'm lending a hand in curating the weekly "wine boutiques" on the private sale website Rue La La.   It's so fun to be attached to the fashion and travel world, wine is the perfect pairing!  Rue La La has over 4 million members now and continues to be a very powerful national brand builder for wineries who would like to increase their direct to consumer sales channel.   

Here's a link to my first time behind the scenes in Boston while visiting Rue La La headquarters.  http://texacaliwinetrail.blogspot.com/2011/03/rue-la-la.html

The Treana collection goes live this Wednesday morning, take advantage of this premium offering, who's been one of my favorites from Paso Robles for many years now. Shoot me an email if you'd like an invitation to join Rue La La & see what all the wine-buzz is about! Cheers! TexaCali Ali

Westside Rd.

In the heart of the Russian River AVA last night @ 6pm.

Traveling along the TexaCali Wine Trail.

This summer is full of adventures in Northern California for me and for many TexaCali Fans!   The calendar has been full  - 7 days a week Texans are exploring the California wine country and I am very honored to help point a few in a right direction.  I've been helping out folks for years now with their trips out here,  my wish is to make certain their time is spent wisely with the right wineries for a fabulous wine country experience.  This is how it goes down...

Oh Alison, this information is so incredibly helpful!! I just made reservations for River's End and couldn't be more excited! We would be honored to receive a "special tasting" if it's not too much trouble on your end. I'm just so thrilled to go to Davis Family Vineyards and Medlock Ames! They had a huge part in me selecting northern Sonoma over the other regions. I've read so much about them on your blog and I can't wait to visit and try their wines. I really appreciate the suggestions you gave us. With our time being somewhat limited, it's helpful to be pointed in a direction from someone who knows!

and after their trip....

I can't thank you enough for your fabulous recommendations! We were able to get to most of your winery selections and REALLY loved them all.  I really, I mean really loved Copain's wines. They were literally 4 minutes from the cottage where we were staying! I really loved all their wines and the facility was beyond gorgeous. Kenny at Medlock was our last winery of the trip and he was a blast! We thoroughly enjoyed him and would love to be included in any "launch" activities you might help him plan here in Texas... we got a lot of personal attention and a very nice wine/food pairing as well.

We also did the canopy/zip lining through the Redwoods that you recommended and that was fantastic. Such a great way to see the Redwoods and get some activity as well. Our last night there we went to River's End for dinner and WOW, you weren't kidding about the view! The food was fantastic as well. My husband had the Elk and it was fabulous, but I had the salmon and it was to die for. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us plan a wonderful vacation. I had no idea just how gorgeous it is up there. I was seriously in awe at every turn! 

Thank you again for everything!   - The Wilburns Traveling from Houston

I love it!  Wine like music for me evokes memories and I'm glad to have a part in creating a few for you all...Cheers - Ali

4th of July Firecrackers

Let's pay homage to great American wines this weekend! I've hit the TexaCali Wine Trail hard this summer out in Cali and can't wait to dive into some new discoveries.  A few you should consider too!

2010 Handley Cellars Sauvignon Blanc this bright beauty will be flowing in the kitchen during BBQ prep for sure.  A perfect compliment to fresh Guacamole and peach salsa. $18

2010 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc I've written about these in detail before, this one is for all you "red-only" drinkers to finally experience a white wine that will make you smile, I promise you.  $24

 

2009 Barrique Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Only a tiny amount of this super QPR was made and can be found at K&L Wine Merchants on the West Coast.  This is going to match up perfectly with lamb burgers with caramelized onions hot off the grill.

  

2007 Pellegrini Family Vineyards Cloverdale Ranch Merlot this red is for after the sun sets and when we're surrounded by homemade brownies.  Always a classic representation of Alexander Valley Merlot $20

2007 Davis Family Vineyards Zinfandel only one bottle left of this in my cellar and boy do I love this old-vine Zin produced from 100+ year old vines in the Russian River. It's wouldn't be July 4th without it! SOLD OUT.

2008 Mark David Cabernet Franc  I have been thinking about this bottle ever since I walked away with it after tasting at Arista Winery a few weeks ago.  This is "last bottle of the night" worthy. Outstanding wine.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Cheers - Ali

May & June

A Midweek Chill with Skipping Girl Vinegar

Summer Wines from the Anderson Valley

Porch Pounders, Camping Wines, Poolside Sippers, BBQ Reds - we all have our favorite summer wines and our favorite places to drink them.  I've found many new ones recently now that summer has hit full stride I must open. I'm calling these my "Hammock & Garden Wines" since my little backyard oasis is kickin' cool these days. 

On a recent trip to the Anderson Valley I came home with these beauties:

Toulouse Vineyards is always a must stop for many reasons...I love the owners, their dog Tess, the views and of course their beautiful wines.   I seriously like all their wines, but gathered a few bottles of their new 2010 Rosé of Pinot Noir up first.  Vern sent me home with a special bottle of Riesling as well.

Handley Cellars as you know has been near and dear to me for years.  I only tasted wines that are not available in Texas.  The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc-Semillion,  2008 Viognier & the 2007 Ranchhouse Red were standouts.  So of course, I love their pink wine too. The Handley 2010 Pinot Noir Rosé is made with organically-farmed grapes from Handley’s Estate Vineyard. DELICIOUS!

Not much to say about Navarro Vineyards that you don't already know - just buy the stuff.  They have the best winery direct to consumer program and wine club in all of California.  I walked away with a mixed case  - this was my favorite for the Garden wine for this summer: 2010 Edelzwicker

Meyer Family Cellars was such a new treat for me.  I was turned onto wine years ago after reading Justin Meyer's "Plain Talk about Fine Wine" and haven't stopped since.  They are known for their hand-crafted Reds (love their Syrah!) and fantastic Port which I couldn't resist buying...but for the Hammock and Garden selection I loaded up on their new 2010 Rosé of Syrah.  The bottle after drained I shall keep around and use as a cold water bottle too, gorgeous.

Big surprise of the day was the Drew Family Wines bottle of Albarino. I had no idea Albarino was growing in Anderson Valley.  What a kick!  I've had at least 100 bottles of Albarino in my lifetime and this one was spot-on.  A fun discovery  - who knew?

Last stop of the day, minutes before closing time was at Phillips Hill Estates. And am I glad we made it!  Toby Hill is an artist and has now taken his "art" to an entire different form - winemaking.  BRAVO!  I liked every wine and that rarely happens.  His 2009 Valenti Vineyard Pinot Noir made the hair on the back of my neck standup after sipping.  I also walked away with bottles of Gewurtraminer and unoaked Chardonnay.  

I have a feeling I'm a lifer for this winery now too.  His dog "Jackson" sat on my feet while I rubbed his head...yeah, I love that about good dogs. 

Cheers to some Hammock time this weekend...what are your favorites places to sip your favorite wines?  -  Ali

In the trenches...

On the road through the Anderson Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley over the last week.  Details on my visits coming soon, for now, check out these old shoes that are displayed at Jordan Winery. They were worn in the vineyards...yikes. Latah - Ali

Époisses with Pinot Noir tonight.

Wine of the Week

Whew. one more day for me before I can take a break from a jam-packed week of work and projects.  The last few nights a chilled glass of Michel-Schlumberger 2010 La Bise Pinot Blanc has been a welcome and tasty light at the end of the daily tunnel.  

I had the pleasure of visiting the winery a few weeks ago (they were the star feature on Wine.Woot! for National Chardonnay Day on May 26) to pick up samples for a photo shoot.  If it weren't for the total sell-out on Woot! that day, their gorgeous Lu Brume Chardonnay might have beat out their new La Bise Pinot Blanc as my best friend this week. Maybe.

I've said it a thousand times over the years, I am a closet Pinot Blanc junkie.  When I get my hands on a good one, I just can't seem to open much else until the stash is depleted.  I've paired the Schlumberger Pinot Blanc with simple meals this week of king salmon, sweet potato fries, turkey burgers and veggie risotto.

Notes from the winemaker (I love their clever tasting notes):

Poor Blanc, her cousin Noir continues to make headlines while Blanc consistently works hard every day and raises a family every year…all this without the glory and fame of Noir’s life. Don’t worry Blanc, we at Michel-Schlumberger are here for you.

2010 allowed us to craft another vintage of Pinot Blanc that again showcases the dynamic nature of people, product and place. Fermented in stainless steel at a cool average temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit, the nose is delicate yet complex with hints of starfruit and light jasmine while the palate is as consistent as you’ve come to expect from Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc. A distinct place with distinctive wines…this Pinot Blanc is no exception. Best enjoyed with croissants in a hot air balloon. Cheers!

Winemaker/Vineyard Manager ~ Mike Brunson 

Off to the Anderson Valley tomorrow to visit Handley Cellars and discover some new bottles.   Cheers - Ali