8 January 2020 Tasting the Wines of Cline Cellars Sonoma Coast

Tasting the Wines of Cline Cellars Sonoma Coast

January 8, 2020 By

Cline Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery in Sonoma, California founded by Fred Cline, one of the original Rhone Rangers, in 1982 in Oakley, California. Cline’s original vintages from Mourvedre, Zinfandel and Carignane vines dating as far back as the 1880’s.

Nancy & Fred Cline. Photo credit: Cline Cellars Inc

In 1989, the Clines acquired a 350-acre horse farm in Carneros and moved the winery to Sonoma County. While the original vineyards were focused on Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, Fred and his wife Nancy have continued to plant vineyards in Sonoma County with Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Cline Cellars is grounded in sustainability through its natural and sustainable Green String farming methods.

Cline Cellars’ Sonoma Coast wines are produced from vineyards in the region known as the Petaluma Gap and are exposed to morning fog from the nearby Pacific, with a combination of shallow clay and deep loam blocks that make this area much sought-after for Pinot Noir and other finicky varietals.

2018 Cline Cellars Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

This Sonoma Chardonnay packs big flavors of ripe juice tropical fruit, pear and apple with oaky/vanilla notes on a long, rich finish.

Looks: Pale golden in the glass

Smell: Vanilla, peach, ripe red apple, caramel

Taste: Juicy papaya, ripe pear, caramel and vanilla on the finish with oaky notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, medium acidity and long finish

Pairings: Roast chicken, lobster/monkfish, chicken wings, buttery risotto

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 98% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Gris

Price: $20

2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast

Refreshing, thirst-quenching and approachable California Pinot Gris that’s both food-friendly and a perfect sipper on a warm afternoon. Great price for a lovely wine.

Looks: Palest yellow with hints of green in the glass

Smell: Pink grapefruit, tart apple

Taste: Bright flavors of apple, pear and Meyer lemons

Texture and Finish: Light-bodied, bright acidity and light, crisp finish

Pairings: Grilled fish, lighter salad, as an aperitif

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Gris

Price: $15

2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has silky texture and the cherry cordial/raspberry flavors I enjoy/expect from this region.

Looks: Medium ruby red in the glass

Smell: Ripe raspberry/strawberry, chocolate notes

Taste: Chocolate-covered cherries, raspberry

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, nice level of acidity, smooth tannins and long finish

Pairings: Duck, roast chicken, grilled salmon, game

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Gris

Price: $20

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding them to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
13 June 2018 Sokol Blosser Farm and Forage Experience

Sokol Blosser Farm and Forage Experience

June 13, 2018 By

On a recent trip to the Willamette Valley, I had the pleasure of visiting Sokol Blosser, one of Oregon’s oldest and largest wineries. To add to my first time visit, I reserved the Farm and Forage wine-paired luncheon and highly recommend the experience.

About Sokol Blosser

Founded in 1971 by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser, the popular winery saw its first vines planted in the Dundee Hills when there was literally no established Oregon wine industry.

The Sokol Blosser family set out to grow and produce the finest Pinot Noir and soon became pioneers in modern-day Oregon wine country. Now, the second generation of Sokol Blosser, Winemaker Alex Sokol Blosser and sister Alison Sokol Blosser, CEO, is at the helm keeping the ‘good to the earth’ mantra of the winery which practices certified-organic farming on 86 planted acres. The family’s commitment towards sustainability, biodiversity and sustainable business practices are felt throughout the winery, including its LEED-certified underground barrel cellar.

The winery’s 128 acres provide fruit to produce 80,000 cases of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling under the Sokol Blosser brand name. White blend, red blend, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine are crafted under the brand name Evolution (see https://evolutionwine.com for complete details).

About the Farm & Forage Lunch

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My Seat at Kitchen Table

With his Farm & Forage culinary experience, Sokol Blosser Executive Chef, Henry Kibit, creates six bites to be paired with six wines. This is a great way to fully appreciate the wines whose flavors are heightened with food. The fun part, our group of five diners/wine tasters sat at a counter in the kitchen to watch the magic happen. The experience is available for up to eight guests.

The kitchen staff follows the winery mantra, “good to the earth” and sources ingredients for the various winery menus from local purveyors and also forages on the property for mushrooms, nettles, salad greens and much more.  

Farm & Forage is currently offered every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:00pm. During the busy summer months, July through October, Sokol Blosser offers a second time slot on Saturdays, so the experience is available at 11am and 2pm.

The cost of the lunch including wine is $75 per person or $60 or 1,800 points for Cellar Club members. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Sokol Blosser. 

These are the lovely wines we tasted along with the food we enjoyed. Note that the menu changes based on the products available to Chef Kibit.

Evolution Brut Sparkling ($20)

Creamy texture, juicy green/Fiji apple flavors with a bit of lemon on the crisp finish. Just a perfect summer sparkler and I couldn’t keep from ordering a case for patio parties.

This was the welcome wine when I arrived for the lunch.

2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir

100% Pinot Noir, 100% from estate-grown, organic grapes. Wild strawberry on the nose. Strawberry continues on the palate with pink grapefruit on the finish. Vibrant acidity that’s screaming for food.

Paired with: Purple sprouting broccoli, oil cured olive, roe, Belper Knolle.

2016 Dundee Hills Pinot Blanc ($22)

On the palate are green apple and peach flavors with a bit of Meyer lemon on the finish. Great minerality – nice pairing with the halibut.

Paired with: Halibut, ramp, nettle, chervil.

2014 Thistle Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir ($38)

Good transition wine between white and bolder reds. Medium red with pale pink on the edge of the wine glass rim. Bright cherry on the nose with earthy, chocolate notes. Red fruit/berry flavors with earthy notes and firm tannins on the finish.

Paired with: Raab, turnip, egg.

2014 Big Tree Block Pinot Noir ($70)

100% Pinot Noir, 100% from estate-grown, organic grapes. Bright acidity on this wine – cherry on the nose and palate with citrusy finish.

Paired with: Lamb, Za’atar, spinach, cattail.

2015 Twelve Row Block Estate Pinot Noir ($60)

This is much bigger Pinot Noir than I’m accustomed to and really enjoyed it. It’s bold with chocolate-coated ripe cherry flavors and tobacco notes.

Paired with: NY Strip, yellowfoot, hazelnut, brown butter.

2014 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir ($50)

100% pinot noir. What a treat this pale pink rosé bubbly was with our dessert. Fine mousse-like bubbles, light strawberry flavors and a crisp, dry finish. A nicely-made, method Champenoise sparkling wine.

Paired with: Chocolate (dark/milk), flowers.

If you’ve not been to Oregon wine country, Sokol Blosser is a must-visit and the Farm & Forage experience is not to pass up.

About the Location and Tasting Room Hours

Tasting Room hours: Daily from 10am-4pm.

5000 Sokol Blosser Lane, Dayton, Oregon. www.sokolblosser.com

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Food & Wine Events, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
9 May 2018 Van Duzer Vineyards

Van Duzer Vineyards

May 9, 2018 By

I recently had the opportunity to sample some of Van Duzer Vineyard’s wines at a festival and really enjoyed the Willamette Valley wines. The two affordable wines I tasted were the 2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Rosé and the 2016 Van Duzer Pinot Gris.

About Van Duzer

Carl and Marilynn Thoma, owners of Van Duzer Vineyards (www.vanduzer.com), were among the first visionaries to select the Van Duzer Corridor to establish their family estate in 1998. The 80+ acre estate is planted in the direct path of cool marine winds that help moderate the temperatures over the vineyard.

I don’t typically buy wine based on labels, but the Van Duzer labels are beautiful and were designed by acclaimed illustrator, John Martinez, whose work can be seen in the collections of the Library of Congress and Museum of Modern Art.

About the Winemaker and Wines

Van Duzer’s winemaker is Florent Merlier whose career in wine began in Burgundy. His background helped him understand how to capitalize on the flavors in the thicker-skinned grapes that thrive in the Van Duzer Corridor and around the Willamette Valley.

Van Duzer Vineyards is LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology)-certified as well as Salmon Safe and IOBC.

2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Rosé

I was really impressed by this rosé – true summer in a glass. Would be perfect as a summer sipper or paired with appetizers an outdoor party. For those into that sort of thing, this wine received an 86 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Looks: Medium salmon-colored in the glass

Smell: Big, ripe strawberry aromas with some floral notes just screaming for me to take a sip

Taste: Flavors of raspberries/strawberries/ with some juicy watermelon notes

Texture and Finish: Bone dry on the finish with great acidity

Pairings: Grilled fish or seafood

Style: Rosé Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Price: $20

2016 Van Duzer Estate Pinot Gris

Worth getting a case of this lovely Pinot Gris for summer get-togethers. This wine received an 87 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Looks: Medium salmon-colored in the glass

Smell: Tropical fruit bouquet – peach, mango, pineapple

Taste: Flavors of juicy apple/pear with some peach and Meyon lemon notes

Texture and Finish: Creamy mouthfeel that with great acidity and minerality on the finish

Pairings: Oysters, sautéed scallops, white-flesh fish

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Gris

Region: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Price: $18

Happy drinking,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Rose, Blush Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
14 May 2013 2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

May 14, 2013 By

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D'AlsaceWarmer weather’s among us and for me, that calls for bubbles. If you like French Champagne but not the cash outlay, try Cremant D’Alsace.  This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, pasta with light creamy sauce, or as an aperitif

Style: Sparkling wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $20

Filed Under: By Country, France, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,