Roth Estate Winery Visit

Posted on October 28, 2019 by admin

On my recent trip to San Francisco to visit my little sister and her newly expanded family, we took a day trip to Sonoma to visit two properties in the Foley-Sonoma portfolio: Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery.  Roth Estate Winery was our second tasting stop as it is conveniently located a stones throw down the road from Chalk Hill in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.  (For more on Chalk Hill click here).  Even though both of these wineries are owned by the same vintner, Bill Foley, there are stark contrasts to the tasting experience they offer.  Roth is the more laid back, hip little sister to the more upscale and elegant Chalk Hill.  Roth has been making highly acclaimed, affordable wines since 2001 and has been led by winemaker John Martin, who has worked at several Foley family properties, since 2017.  Bordeaux varietals from the Alexander Valley AVA as well as cool climate varietals from the Sonoma Coast AVA are produced.

The architecture of the tasting room at Roth lends itself to the casual, relaxing feel that runs through Sonoma.  It is surrounded by a large patio filled with comfortable seating perfect for groups of six to eight people, as well as your typical outdoor games.  Cornhole anyone?  We had the run of the place when we arrived and we were able to snag a prime table with an umbrella to block the mid-day heat.  Outside food is allowed here and my friends brought a fantastic meat and cheese platter to share.  Since my sister is a member of the Foley-Sonoma wine club, four of us were able to try their Reserve tasting for no charge.  For non-members the cost of this tasting is $30 but is waived with a bottle purchase, the majority of which cost less than $50.

The wines in the Reserve tasting were:

2017 Russian River Valley Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc

2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay

2016 Trenton Road Vineyard Pinot Noir

2016 Smokey Ridge Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Two bonus pours at the end of the tasting included the 2016 Red Blend and the 2016 Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  The pacing of the tasting was great until we were ready for the bonus pours.  The winery became extremely busy towards the end of our visit and we were told to come inside to the salon to receive our last pours.  There was very little space to stand and the staff looked overwhelmed so I wasn’t able to get much information on the last two bonus reds.  The standout wines for me during my visit to Roth Estate were the whites.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I am not the biggest fan of Sauvignon Blanc unless it’s from New Zealand or the Loire Valley in France.  That being said I really enjoyed the 2017 RRV Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc!  There is some Sémillon added which may account for why I liked it so much.  Zippy, with amazing acidity, it was the perfect wine to begin the tasting with.  My other favorite in the lineup was the 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay.  I purchased a bottle to drink the following night during our Catan marathon.

 

I am a huge Chardonnay fan, gravitating to many types from New World versions to Chablis, to Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs, oak aged or non-oak aged!  I love the Chardonnay grape!  The 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay is a very drinkable, everyday Chard.  Pale gold in the glass with medium body and great acidity.  On the nose are aromas of lemon and pineapple while the palette has flavors of creamy lemon curd with baking spices on the finish.  This Chardonnay is 14.5% alcohol and only 190 cases are produced.  This does have some oak aging but I wouldn’t say it’s overly prevalent for those who don’t like that style.

Overall we had an enjoyable visit to Roth Estate Winery.  We enjoyed the wines, time with our friends and family, and the scenic views of the surrounding vines.  I would like to go back for another visit to tour the cave as well as taste their Pinot Gris and Syrah.  As I finalize this post, fires are raging across California impacting hundreds of thousands of people.  The number of evacuees and structures being threatened are mind blowing. Many wineries, including Roth are closed.   Soda Rock Winery and Field Stone Winery have been destroyed in Sonoma.  I am completely in awe of the brave firefighters who are working around the clock to save lives and property.  They are true heroes.  My thoughts are with those effected and I hope these horrible fires are extinguished soon.

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Wine tastings/events | Leave a comment

Chalk Hill Estate Winery Visit

Posted on September 17, 2019 by admin

 

I just got back from a fantastic extended weekend in San Francisco!  A few years ago my little sister left me in NYC to relocate to the West Coast.  It’s been difficult not seeing her as often as I would like.   Now that my nephew has been born it was time to jump on a plane to see her and meet my new nugget!  Normally when I visit San Fran I would be spending several days in wine country, trying to cram as many wineries in per day as we could.  However, the focus of the trip this time around was on family time and sightseeing in the city center.  My sister is a member of the Foley Sonoma Wine Club.   With that membership you have access to sixteen of their sister wineries for tours and tastings in California, Oregon, and Washington State.  We decided to do one afternoon of tastings and drove to Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery (blog on Roth coming soon).

Chalk Hill Estate Winery is a picturesque 1300 acre property located close to Healdsburg in Sonoma County.  This highly acclaimed winery has been making wine for over forty years and was purchased in 2010 by Bill Foley, who since 1996 has been snapping up wineries both here in the US, and also in New Zealand.  For any hockey fans reading this (like my hubby) he is also the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights.  Last year his youngest daughter Courtney Foley was promoted to Head Winemaker at Chalk Hill, continuing the focus on sustainable vineyard practices and producing wines that truly exemplify their place.  There are approximately 350 acres dedicated to growing grapes for their Estate wines and they also source many other grape varietals from various vineyard sites around Sonoma County.  Chalk Hill is known for their Chardonnay but they also produce wines with many other grape varietals, some of which include: Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris.  Indigenous yeasts are used and the wines see both new and used French oak (stainless steel for the whites).

Our tasting experience was the Chairman’s Reserve Tasting Flight for $30 per person and is waived with membership or a bottle purchase.  The tasting began with a welcome glass of 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé followed by:

2017 Sauvignon Blanc: 65% French Oak (14% new) / 35% Stainless Steel/ barrel aging: 7 months

2017 Wright Creek Chardonnay: 100% Chardonnay / 14.9% alcohol /100% French Oak (73% new) / barrel aging: 12 months / 250 cases

2015 Syrah: 100% Syrah / 15.4% alcohol / 100% French Oak (80% new) / barrel aging: 21 months / 380 cases

2015 Clara’s Vineyard: a Bordeaux style blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot / 100% French Oak (89% new) / barrel aging: 21 months

As a bridge between the Chardonnay and the Syrah we went off menu and tasted a Pinot Noir which I didn’t take notes on.  The standouts for me in this tasting were the Rosé, Wright Chardonnay, and the Syrah.  I purchased half a case consisting of these three wines.  I really enjoyed the Pinot and was planning on buying a bottle, but I changed my mind at the last minute and added more Syrah to my order.  My least favorite wine in the tasting was the Sauvignon Blanc.  I didn’t dislike it, I just prefer French and New Zealand expressions of that grape.

 

I was very impressed with the service we received at Chalk Hill Estate Winery.  In May they changed to an appointment only format of which we were unaware.  They were somewhat busy even though it was early, and they accommodated our large group without making us feel awkward or unwelcome.  If you are looking for quality wines, attentive service, and stunning vineyard views for your tasting experience then I recommend a visit to Chalk Hill!

 

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Wine tastings/events | Leave a comment

Masi Rosa dei Masi

Posted on August 30, 2019 by admin

Last weekend we traveled to Sherbrooke, Quebec for our second family party we have dubbed Canada, Eh?  This gathering brings together both sides of our family to celebrate the birthdays of my step-daughter and mother-in-law. Activities include: water volleyball, badminton, beer pong (wine pong for me), poutine and Tim Horton’s runs, and general eating and drinking day and night! The first stop upon arrival in Quebec is to Saq Dépôt to stock up on wine for our fun filled weekend.  Since we had a large group with varied preferences when it comes to wine, I tried to choose producers and varietals that I felt would please most palates. Two of the wines I purchased were from Masi, a well known producer from Northern Italy that has been making wine for over 200 years.  My selections were Campofiorin, a red blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, and Rosa dei Masi, a Rosato made from the Refosco grape.  Refosco is a dark skinned grape variety and is native to Northern Italy.

 

 

Since it is technically summer for a few more days I am focusing on Rosa dei Masi for this post.  Prior to making this purchase, I saw this Rosato pop up several times on my Instagram feed over the past several weeks.  I had the opportunity to taste Campofiorin several years ago and really enjoyed it so I was very curious to taste their version of a Rosé.

 

 

Masi Rosa dei Masi 2018 is produced in the appellation Trevenezie IGT in the Veneto.  The wine is made using the Appassimento technique which involves drying a portion of the grapes on bamboo mats to concentrate the flavors and impart more body to the wine.  Upon pouring, this wine is a pretty translucent salmon color in the glass.  After a few swirls I perceived aromas of raspberries and dried green herbs.  This Rosato is dry and medium bodied with medium plus acidity.  On the palate I tasted red berry flavors of red currant and strawberry candy. I was reminded of the old fashioned strawberry candies with the liquid center that were always in my great-grandmother’s candy dishes.  As I was sipping this, the words zippy and refreshing kept coming to mind.  This wine is labeled as 12.5% alcohol and has savory notes on the long finish.  Due to the higher acidity I think this would be a stellar food pairing with bbq meat.  Rosa dei Masi Rosato is a great value at under $20 and if you are like me and drink pink all year long, it’s not too late to snap up a bottle… or two!

 

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Sixto Uncovered Chardonnay 2014

Posted on July 30, 2019 by admin

 

“Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years”.  The opening line to my favorite LL Cool J song and how I am feeling about my return to blogging.  Due to demands at work I just didn’t have the mental capacity for writing.  I have still been posting on Instagram however, as it is quick and easy to highlight what I am currently drinking.  Now that I am starting a new chapter and have left big city life behind, I am looking forward to getting back to writing and expanding my wine knowledge.

 

 

For my comeback post I thought it would be fitting to feature a wine from my favorite winemaker, Charles Smith.  When I think of Washington wine he is at the forefront.  Known for deliciously edgy, in your face, and unconventional wines, there is a reason he is referred to as “Superstar” and “Rockstar” regularly in the industry.  I had the pleasure years ago of having Charles pour his wines for us at a Zagat tasting and have always made a point to buy wines under his numerous labels.  Sixto is his sixth wine label, focusing only on Chardonnay, and is made with fellow winemaker Brennon Leighton.

 

 

I recently purchased Sixto Uncovered Chardonnay 2014 for two reasons: 1. It’s from Charles Smith so I have to check this out cause it’s going to be impressive. 2. I drink A LOT of Chardonnay.  From my tasting notes: In the glass it is a true golden color with aromas of crème brûlée and vanilla sugar.  On the palate this wine has fine acidity without being overly tart. Think ripe, juicy pineapple with a fresh mineral finish.  For those who don’t like butter bomb Chards this is a solid choice.  This is more medium bodied with an alcohol content of 13.5%.  Sixto Uncovered is reasonably priced at under $40 and earned 94 points from Wine Spectator as well as a spot on their 2017 Top 100 Chardonnay list.

 

The other Chardonnay wines under the Sixto label are from designated vineyards of Frenchman Hills, Moxee, and Roza Hills.  I am looking forward to trying these in the future and seeing what the differences in place will add to each wine.  Check out this Chardonnay and tell me what you think in the comments.  Additionally, try some of my other favorite wines from this winemaker including K Motor City Kitty Syrah, Kung Fu Girl Riesling, and Boom Boom Syrah.

 

Posted in Chardonnay, Washington State | Leave a comment

Triennes Rosé

Posted on May 27, 2018 by admin

My obsession with Triennes Rosé  began last summer on a rooftop bar in Jersey City called The Iron Monkey.  It was a gorgeous summer afternoon and we were hanging out enjoying the weather and their amazing chicken wings.  For the record my family and I are all about chicken wings.  They must be proper and once we deem an establishment as having proper wings we will be customers for life.  I digress.  I ordered a glass of rosé without seeing the wine list and thus began my quest for Triennes. A nice Triennes Rosé I photographed the receipt and upon my next trip to my local Super Buy Rite I was delighted to see my new favorite pink drink was in stock.  I purchased two bottles with the intent on going back to replenish.  That my friends turned out to be a huge mistake.  Fast forward to the end of summer.  With a single bottle of Triennes left my husband made a grave mistake.  It is a rare night that if it’s just the two of us we will open a second bottle of wine, however we were relaxing on our boat and with the season coming to an end we figured why not?  As he went into the cabin below I said, “open anything other than the Triennes”.  Well what do you think he opened??  I had wanted to savor the wine and I always find when you open a second bottle of a wine that is much different than the first it just doesn’t taste as good as it should.  You lose the essence of what that wine is because the remnants of the first wine still pervade.  It’s late at night on our boat and I’m not thinking about palate cleansing.  Well we drank the Triennes and I was enjoying it but not a happy camper.A bottle of Triennes Rose on a boat  The next day we went to restock and of course the bins were empty.  No Triennes!  My love for rosé spans all seasons but most wine shops don’t restock the same selection heading into fall/winter.   For almost a year we have been traveling to different wine shops doing “the search”.  No luck.  Instagram photos of it seemed to taunt me.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago.  My husband wanted to give me my birthday present early.  There they were-four beautiful bottles of that much sought after salmon hued Triennes Rosé!!  The excitement is real folks.  Needless to say I didn’t waste any time getting one in the cooler and cracking it open.  Is it as good as I remember?  Absolutely!Bottles of Triennes Rose

Triennes Rosé  is a dry French rosé from Provence.  In my opinion this is where the majority of the pink wine that I really enjoy is produced.  I find the palate of French style rosé to be more complex and they pair exceptionally well with food especially BBQ.  This particular rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Merlot grapes.  Minimal skin contact gives it a light salmon color.  One the nose there is a slight floral aroma and a touch of ripe strawberry.  On the palate there is strawberry initially but the flavors change giving way to citrus on the finish.

As I am writing this post I am already concerned as to how I am going to ration my last three bottles.  Triennes Rosé is a bargain at under $20.  A quick internet search turns up minimal sites on which to purchase and a dreaded out of stock banner.  It would seem I’m not alone in my love for Triennes Rosé!

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