Blue Skies Above Pellegrini Family...

A walk with Bill from Pellegrini - he took the group out to see and learn more about the beautiful vines of Olivet Lane Pinot Noir...check out the video below.

In the San Angelo News...

Wines dominate with fruity flavors -

by Vianei Robinson

If Susana Balbo's name is on your wine, you are in for a treat. After 22 years of winemaking experience, Susana Balbo has become one of Argentina's most acclaimed winemakers, standing out in a field dominated by men.

Fortunately you can sample her wine without breaking the bank. Balbo's value-priced wine label, Crios, offers fruit-forward enjoyment along with surprising complexity.

"Crios" means "offspring," an appropriate moniker for wines that are meant to be enjoyed in their youth.

Crios Rose of Malbec 2007 ($11) is bursting with ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. This dry rose has a lot of body and a clean crisp finish. It pairs beautifully with Mexican and Asian fare.

Another winner is Crios Torrontes 2007 ($16). Torrontes, the most widely planted white wine grape in Argentina, is reminiscent of viognier.

The 2007 Crios version is excellent, with layers of peach, pear and citrus flavors, and a beguiling floral quality. The ripe fruit flavors imply sweetness, but the finish is dry and refreshing. This versatile summer sipper is at home by the pool, alongside a cheese plate, or accompanying salads and seafood.

Susana Balbo also bottles reserve-level wines under her own name. My current favorite is Susana Balbo Malbec 2006 ($29). This deep purple wine has blackberry aromas, smooth black cherry and plum flavors, and hints of chocolate. The distinctive flavors of malbec, Argentina's signature red grape, are bolstered by 10 percent cabernet sauvignon. Enjoy this dense and aromatic wine with beef or wild game.

Vianei Robinson can be contacted at vlr@robinsonlawfirm.com. Her column appears on Wednesdays.

Featured in the Dallas Morning News - 7/30/08

Crios de Susana Balbo Rosé of Malbec 2007, Argentina

($11.99 to $12.99; Goody Goody, some Centennial stores, Pogo's, Central Market, Whole Foods Market in Highland Park)

This is the second time that the panel has fallen for this excellent, medium- bodied rosé with nice acidity (in May, it was a hit with our parmesan popcorn). It's from Argentina's famed Mendoza region, crafted by one of Argentina's first female winemakers. "It's got bright, expressive fruit," Mr. Pinnell said. Mr. Hendricks noted raspberry as well as strawberry flavors on the palate. Ms. Beck and Mr. Tidwell found it fruity without being too sweet. "It's great for a hot day," said Mr. Tidwell, who summed up the wine's rich berry profile as "yummy goodness," adding "the concentrated fruit will hold up to the heat."

A day with Medlock Ames and Pellegrini Family Vineyards

Just a few things we picked from the organic garden at Medlock Ames - stay tuned for a complete recap off the day a little later...Cheers - Ali

Skeet Shooting and Teira

A little down-home fun with Teira yesterday in the middle of Dry Creek. The new Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot were so fun to drink - nice hot day under a shade tree smack dab in the middle of 30 year old Merlot vines. Cool. - Ali

A funny beach...

Took the crew directly West on River Rd. which dead ends to the Pacific Ocean. Hooked a left turn and drove about a mile south and hit the most fabulous beach for the afternoon.
The temperature went from 90 degrees at the house located on Olivet Lane to 59 on the coast. We stayed for a few hours, playing paddle ball (I think the record was 35 hits between Daniel and Jen), collecting rocks and throwing back some great new beers from Hawaii and a nice little sauvignon blanc from the south of France given to us from my dear friend Mulan.


Here's a fun little shoot of the moment we all stuck our feet in the chilly water and black sands of the Sonoma Coast. Off to visit Teira today and do a little skeet shooting over the vineyards in Dry Creek!
Cheers - Ali

The Best of Burgundy

So doing a little planning this morning for Veritas Imports who represents the wines of Etienne de Montille in Burgundy and ran across an nice little write-up by Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator. Read up and watch the video here .

The Indefatigable Etienne de Montille

Originally Posted: 10:14 AM ET, February 06, 2008

One of my last visits in Burgundy was with Etienne de Montille of Domaine de Montille, Deux Montille (the négociant business he runs with his sister Alix) and Domaine du Château de Puligny-Montrachet, where he is the estate manager.

De Montille has just finished reorganizing the domaine, where he and Alix are now the owners. He is in charge of vinifying the reds, she the whites for both the domaine and the négoce business.

None of the reds had been bottled. One group had been racked into tank in early November for bottling in March. Two cuvées were just racked two weeks prior to my visit for bottling in April. The third group was still in barrel and yet to be racked. They are scheduled for bottling in May or June.

De Montille’s insight into winemaking is fascinating to hear (see video). “I adapt every year,” he said. “With white wine, people are more careful, but with reds, people are more systematic each year. But I think it’s just as important to adapt the maturation for reds too,” he added.

For example, he will bottle the 2006s earlier than the ’05s, which saw 21 months in barrel, two months in tank and were bottled just before the 2007 harvest.

The Beaune Grèves, with 40 percent of the stems retained, was closed on the nose, but long, rich and fruity, offering cherry, mineral and spice notes (88–91). Also with 40 percent of the stems, the Pommard Pezerolles showed elegance for the appellation. It was dense and solid, with cherry and iron flavors. Perhaps a tad less complex than above today (88–91).

The Volnay Mitans revealed aromatic floral and red currant aromas and elegance. Its tannins were just a little coarse on the finish from the racking and filtering, but this was very Volnay (88-91). The Corton Clos du Roi, an approximate blend from barrel, was more stern, with wild garrigue scents, yet pure, mineral and racy with a long, cherry and spice aftertaste (90–93).

“There was a big gap between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits at the beginning, but the Côte de Beaune is catching up,” de Montille said. “They won’t have the structure, roundness and profundity of the Côte de Nuits, but they will have the complexity and character.”

From the Côte de Nuits, the Nuits-St.-Georges Aux St.-Juliens is a new wine for the domaine in 2006. It offered blackberry and black currant flavors in a fresh, elegant, charming way (87–90). Its premier cru big brother, the Nuits-St.-Georges Les Thoreys, from further up the slope, was still in barrel. It featured blackberry and black cherry notes in a classy, refined manner (89–92).

There are two Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts chez de Montille, as of the 2005 vintage. The “normale” dished up a huge nose of black pepper, cinnamon, rose and red currant, with elegance, depth and length (90–93). The Christiane, from older vines, was deeper, sappier and more silky, a backward red with more structure and mineral than the regular bottling (91–94).

Several 2006 whites stood out. From the Deux Montille range, there was a fresh Meursault Tessons, showing honey, citrus and mineral flavors (88–91) and a riper, peach-, lemon- and mineral-tinged St.-Aubin Les Murgers des Dents de Chien (88–91). Under the Domaine Montille label, the Puligny-Montrachet Caillerets was full of passion fruit and mineral notes. It’s a linear white, very long and complete (90–93). The Corton-Charlemagne, from the first commercial release after grafting from Pinot Noir, displayed great intensity and mineral character, along with lemon, floral and apple flavors. A tensile white and very long in the mouth (92–95).

We then drove over to Château de Puligny-Montrachet, where we tasted a range of 2006s from tank and a few 2007s from barrel. “This [2006] is the first vintage since I have been here that we are close to what we want to do in the vineyards and cellar,” said de Montille.

The ’06s are impressive. I particularly liked the Puligny-Montrachet, a lively, straight-laced, hazelnut- and mineral-infused white (88–91). The St.-Aubin En Remilly was richer, with floral, peach and pear notes and a chalky, mineral finish (88–91).

The Puligny-Montrachet Chalumeaux was round and honeyed, with floral and peach flavors and a hint of orange blossom on the fresh finish (89–92). The Folatières also had floral and orange blossom notes on an elegant, harmonious frame (89–92). The Meursault Perrières was cut from different cloth: Stone, apple and chalk elements were coiled tightly in the lean, tensile structure. It was very intense and long (91–94).

We tasted a Chevalier-Montrachet 2006, but it was in an awkward stage and compared with the Perrières, difficult to see where it was going. Judgment reserved.

I will post some current tasting notes very soon - Cheers - Ali (Etienne de Montille and Jasper Russo dining at Fearrings in Dallas together last fall).

eat drink and be merry

Ahhh, what a great way to kick-off my stay in Sonoma. Quick trips to purchase fresh produce, seafood, wine and of course cheese (from The Cheese Shop in Healdsburg).

The house is lovely, complete with a chef's kitchen, comfy decor and a sparkling pool to cool off. Here are a few snaps from my FLIP camera, I'm working on "getting better" with the videos...so stay tuned.

Wine of the Trip so far: Selected from the wine list at Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa last Friday night.

Hirsch Vineyards 2006 BOHAN DILLON:Produced for the first time since 2003, this pinot noir expresses the complexity of the site. It is a blend of seventeen fermentation lots containing the fruit of thirty-four discreet farming blocks. All five of the pinot noir clones farmed here are fully represented. Ninety-seven percent of the fruit is estate; the balance is from the adjoining Hellenthal ranch. Thirty per cent is from the older fields; the balance from our newer plantings. It is important to note that this wine is made in exactly the same way as the Hirsch and from the same fruit. In other words, it is a true ‘village’ wine and represents exceptional value.

Tasting notes: Ruby-garnet colored. Exotic spice box aromas give way to Seville orange and bergamot. With air, subtle earth and leather notes emerge. On the palate, flavors of plum, tea, and tobacco vie for attention, braced by an inherent minerality that marks this as a typical expression of the site. A complete wine made with all the exacting care and site-specific attention to detail we bring to all our wines. - 2568 cases bottled 8/20/07; Cheers - Ali

Just a few days away...

ahhh yeah! the weather for area code: 75401

Friday through Monday: Clear. Highs in the 80s to lower 90s. Lows in the 50s.

While in California later this week, I'm holding camp in the middle of a Gravenstein Apple orchard surrounded by Olivet Lane Pinot Noir Vines. Here's a little on the Gravenstein Apple:

Among thousands of California apple varieties, the heirloom Gravenstein is widely regarded as one of the best eating and baking apples. A fine balance of sweet and tart, its full-bodied flavor intensifies when made into sauce, juice, cider or vinegar. The apples also hold their shape beautifully in pies and tarts.

Warm, dry days, cool nights and Northern California’s mellow loamy soil provide ideal growing conditions for Sonoma County’s historic Gravenstein apple trees. The twisted trunk of a mature Gravenstein supports a 30-foot canopy laden with perfumed blossoms in the springtime. Some trees produce a prolific 2,000 pounds of fruit each.

Aficionados flock to Sebastopol during the Spring Apple Blossom Festival and again at the Gravenstein Harvest Festival in August.

As it ripens, the standard Gravenstein undergoes a pronounced change in color; from yellow or lime green, an intermediate light orange with red stripes, and finally to a medium orange with dark red stripes. Other apples oxidize after slicing, quickly turning an unappealing brown. Cut into a Grav and an orange tinge almost immediately blushes over the ivory flesh.

The Gravenstein was introduced to South Jutland, Denmark, in 1669, which is where it gained its name. German migrants brought the apple to North America in 1790 and Russian fur traders planted the first West Coast Gravenstein orchards at their outpost in Fort Ross in 1820, where the trees survived despite inhospitable conditions such as intense winds and salt air. It is likely that cuttings from theses trees were used to start the orchards in Sebastopol.

By the early 1900s thousands of Gravenstein orchards were established and the apple had become the heart of a major industry in Sonoma County as dryers, canners, apple cider and apple brandy producers took advantage of its suitability for processing. During World War II American troops were provided with applesauce and dried apples from Sebastopol Gravensteins, and this made the apple into an icon for the town.

An Apple a Day! - Ali

off subject...

but look at this Kid! My nephew is showing off his new Cubs "Fukudome" shirt. Look at those cheeks. He just turned one, oh the bottles of wine my brother and sister in law went through during those first 12 months! Cheers - Ali

Wine of the Night!

2006 Handley Gewürztraminer "There's a hint of rose if you search for it, but this is not aggressively floral. Instead, it's fresh, chalky, crisp and clean, like biting into a fresh litchi. Firm acidity drives the wine, cutting right through the fruit to deliver its flavor into the meat of whatever is for dinner." 93pts Wine & Spirits Magazine.

A couple of friends from San Francisco are in town this weekend, so after a big night out on Friday with all the mapema wine and sake2me sponsored events, we settled in last night over some tremendous wine, food and new friends.

Whole Foods - the downtown Austin location just bought the last of the 2006 Handley Gewürztraminer so I put a few bottles in my cart while shopping for dinner yesterday. This gorgeous wine was the perfect complement to Red Snapper Vera Cruz and all the fixings. I'm going back to Whole Foods to grab a case before it's all gone - I suggest you do the same if you live in the Austin area and want a real treat to sip on this summer! Cheers -Ali

Off Subject

Just returned from 2 days in Chicago ... Cubs, Views, Pizza and a little shopping - so fun! I posted all of the pics on www.texacaliwine.com

Yes, this one is for the foodies...Bacon infused Vodka found at Murphy's Irish Pub just outside of Wrigley. Yes, it was interesting, maybe better in a nice penne pasta sauce than straight down the hatch!

Cheers! Ali

on EPARKER today!

2006 Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep crimson colored, it has an excellent bouquet of cedar, spice box, cassis, and black currants. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture, intense dark fruit flavors, and excellent depth. There is enough silky tannin to support 2-3 years of bottle age although it can be enjoyed now. Although Susana Balbos’s Crios offerings are the declassified lots from her more expensive “signature” wines, they need make no apologies. They rank among the best values from my Argentina wine tastings. All of the Crios wines are outstanding values. Importer: Vine Connections, Sausalito, CA; tel. (415) 332-VINO
Rating: 90 Estimated Cost: $12-$18

Food & Wine Magazine / The Cause: Wildlife Protection

Medlock Ames

Green Initiative: Rather than building fences, Sonoma’s Medlock Ames created wildlife corridors to allow wild pigs, deer, bobcats and mountain lions to pass through its vineyards without damaging the vines or themselves.

Wine to Buy: 2006 Chardonnay ($30) Though full-bodied, this creamy Chardonnay is elegant and focused, with lemony flavors that end on a mineral note. www.medlockames.com

Product Placement

Nice props for "Star Filled Sky" Sake on this July 4th Holiday...these triplets are just too cute and send a big Happy Holiday out to all fans of TexaCali from Colorado this weekend - their Daddy is the biggest fan of Vine Connections Sake I know! Cheers - Ali

July Cleaning?

SIGH. So I literally put the brakes on traveling over the past few weeks in order to dig out from months of packing and unpacking my bags and wine boxes. Knocked out my office yesterday - well, almost - everything that was placed on my desk needs to be filed and put away. No fun whatsoever. ARGH.

On a more positive note - I'll post a complete tasting recap soon about the wonderful dinner and wine experience I had last Saturday night...Fearings at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas. People - do whatever it takes to make a reservation in the 'Gallery Room", ask for Paul and Hunter to assist with your wine selection and MAKE SURE YOU ORDER A SLICE OF THE BANANA CREAM PIE! More on this evening later...an incredible culinary treat.

In the meantime, do me a favor - select a few wines listed on www.texacaliwine.com today and go buy them from your favorite wine shop! Cheers and Happy 4th of July- Ali

Handley Cellars and Teira

Value Brands 2008

Top 9 American Value Brands

Handley

What: Cool-climate whites from one of the benchmark names of Anderson Valley.

Standout: The '06 Anderson Valley Pinot Gris is layered and complex, easily among the best pinot gris made in California. Likewise, Handley's '06 Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer is an Alsatian rock star hiding out on California's north coast. Both run $18.

Where: Milla Handley owns vineyards in Anderson Valley and Dry Creek Valley, and her winery is located outside of Philo, CA.

When: Open a bottle of the Pinot Gris with grilled weisswurst, while the Gewurztraminer, with its spicy citrus flavors and bright acidity, is the choice for Thai curry.

The Pinot Gris received 94 points and was one of only 2 California wineries selected in this category.

Also noted... Handley 2006 Anderson Valley Hein Vineyard Pinot Blanc (89 points): This bright white has pale apple and grape skin flavors, with a sweet hint of bee pollen in the end. A fine, summery, aperitif. (340 cases)

Critic's Picks 2008 BRIGHT RED: Handley 2006 Pinot Noir Mendocino County...

TEIRA 2006 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 87 points: Green scents of mint and mexican peppers give this plump wine a clean edge. It finishes on the flavor of grapefruit pith. Serve with raw clams. (1,490 cases)

For a detailed recap of the tasting wineandspiritsmagazine.com

Perfect Summer Wines...

from the South of France! Ffind these beautiful wines at the big downtown Whole Foods Store.

Domaine Lafage Côté Est Blanc VdP des Côtes Catalanes 2007

65% Grenache Blanc, 28% Chardonnay, 7% Muscat. Super crisp and tank-fermented, this racy white is bursting with citrus, white flowers and minerals. Juicy on the palate, dry but ripe with good apricot and yellow peach fruit character.

Domaine Lafage Côté Sud Rouge VdP des Côtes Catalanes 2005
60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon A bright, high-toned medium weight red wine. Fruit forward on the palate with dark berry fruits - black berries, blueberries, cherries and a pepper spice note with a touch of tannin on the finish. Cheers - Ali

Today, before my attempt at Ashtanga Yoga at 4:30

I'm at Whole Foods downtown Austin talking up the beautiful wines of Domaine Lafage! Stop by the wine department to taste and say hello from 12:30 - to 3pm today.

www.domaine-lafage.com

From the Lafage website - gorgeous! "

A mosaic of catalane terroir.
To represent the quintessence of a region which is said to be a world on its own… that is what Lafage Estate aspires to. It is a region of contrast that has been moulded between the crafty hands of the catharian wind and the Spanish mist, nestled between « mar i muntanya », where the Pyrenees Catalane offers diversity that can hardly be equalled elsewhere.

It is thanks to this heaven-sent eclecticism, and its exposition to the favourable rays of the fervid sun, that a vineyard of excellence has sprouted from the soil of the Lafage Estate . From the marble-and-limestone foundations of the towering Canigou, to the time-smoothed pebbles on the Mediterranean’s edge, progressing through the clay-limestone of the planes to the schist of Agly and situated merely a few yards from the viticulture village Maury, the Lafage Estate was established around the precipitous edges of the Roussillon valleys, on rich and alluvial soil, betwixt the tepid heights and the salty fresh spindrift. A sundry of influences, that ever as much adds to the redolence of the Lafage wines, concordant with the fruit, the unique character of the land and its grape-varieties.

As far as our desire for authenticity is concerned, the Lafage Estate is always on the lookout for new land of character. « We are looking for parcels of altitude, North-facing plantations that can fill up on freshness ». A perpetual quest in this multifarious region that has a sole goal: that of obtaining the perfect harmony in each Lafage Estate wine!"

I'll post tasting notes today - though my mouth is wrecked from tasting, swishing and spitting over 60 wines this week along with Eric Solomon in North Carolina. Tough business this is!! Happy Sunday Afternoon to all... Ali

TexaCali is Hiring!

So I'm great at a lot of sales and marketing things - not so great at keeping my office organized and record keeping these days. It's hard enough right now to keep my voice mail cleared out so when I arrive home after being on the road the amount of US Mail, Fed-Ex and UPS piles just about send me over the edge.

The time has come to ask for help - I am hiring YOU if you honestly have a favorite Champagne and can keep my life organized back in Austin while I'm driving all over the Lone Star State weekly and traveling the world occasionally. Here's the job posting - please contact me or forward it along to anyone who fits the job description. Possibly the coolest part-time gig for anyone who loves wine & being organized. SNAP! Cheers to a great weekend! Ali