Paso Robles has certainly made a name for itself with its Zinfandel, but there are few regions that can rival their Petite Sirah, either. Thanks to Clavo Cellar...
"We make wine we like, because we might have to drink it" explained Judi, who serves as vineyard manager and assistant winemaker. It's advice they took to heart from Wes Hagen from Clos Pepe Winery. He told them early on to only grow and produce what they really like. Wine is really hard to sell if you're not passionate about it, he explained.
Tony said "Oh my! That's a good one. My fav of the night" and gave it a perfect five-star score. Brian called it an excellent Cab with dark fruit, earth and spice.
This has just about everything I like in a sparkler, a soft, strawberry nose, beautiful pale salmon color, soft fizz. I really loved it. Carol called it a great holiday Brut. Jean loved the delicate bubbles and the color. Brian said it was "really jolly nice."
Brian loved the bouquet, found it dry and very pleasant and thought it was a great $20 wine. Jan said it was very complex for a rosé and liked it quite a bit. Jake enjoyed the rich flavors. It averaged nearly four out of five stars. Score? Texas 1, skeptics 0.
From Argentina we moved on to Croatia and the 2012 Vinarija Zdjelarevi? Graševina. Tough to pronounce, but easy to drink, It had a soft nose with hints of honey. Another fruit forward wine, I loved its round mouthfeel and flavors of golden delicious apples.
It's red wines this afternoon, 1st up is 2012 J. Lohr Estates Falcon's Perch Pinot Noir. Award winner at California State Fair, named after a falcon on top of t...
Mambo #5! Cornerstone 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Craig Camp from Cornerstone says it's one of the best growing grapes in Napa. Chardonnay does not grow well there. $30 sourced from Howell Mountain and St. Helena, older vineyards. Very soft for a Sauvignon Blanc. Would be extremely food friendly, nice and crisp.
