Rubicon Estate 2007

To most Americans Francis Coppola is the legendary director of films such as The Godfather and Rumblefish, in the wine world Coppola is the instrument of an historic vineyard being returned to greatness.  If you were a connoisseur of California wines in the 1960's you were aware that some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon's were made by Inglenook winery.  Yes, that Inglenook brand that now produces solid quality but generic and inexpensive bag in the box wines at one time was a luxury estate.  In 1975 Mr. Coppola purchased the vineyard in Rutherford with the intent of returning the estate to prominence.  The backbone of the 235 acre property now known as Rubicon is the "Garden Vineyard", home to the unique Cabernet Sauvignon clone founder Gustave Niebaum brought to California from France in 1882.  Over the last decade Rubicon Estate, a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend and the winery's top wine, has consistently received rave reviews and and has become known as one of California's great gems.

Rubicon Estate 2007 is certainly representative of this wonderful vintage.  The wine is rich, powerful and opulent, with dark cherry notes on the palate and a a nose full of violets and hints of tobacco.  While this wine is delicious right now, the balance of fruit, natural acidity and tannin all lead one to believe Rubicon Estate 2007 will continue to improve with age.

Francis Ford Coppola (Rubicon)

Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 2009

This year is going to be wonderful for passionate Burgundy fans with the release of the heralded 2009 vintage.  Many of the white wines are now in the market and the reds will soon begin to arrive.  2009 in Burgundy was one of those years the growers hope for; a cold winter at the start to hold down pests and disease and then sunny, dry weather starting in August and going right through harvest to yield small berries with thick skins.  These conditions combine for a classic vintage and wines with great flavor and aging potential.

I tasted one of the iconic White Wines of Burgundy, Maison Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 2009, and it did not disappoint!  In the late 19th century the Latour family took the lead post phylloxera and after ripping out the dead Pinot Noir vines became the first to plant Chardonnay in Corton.  This now historic decision was very controversial at the time but lead to Corton Charlemagne becoming regarded as one of the great white wines of the world.  The Latour 2009 is rich and beautifully balanced with fruit and acidity, hints of mango and sweet spice, great mouthfeel and aromatics of almonds.  I look forward to more of this great vintage!

Louis Fabrice Latour

Wine Cocktails

Summer is coming, Memorial Day weekend is approaching, what to serve at the BBQ or sitting on the porch?  This is total heresy to some of my wine geek friends but I really like wine based cocktails, especially when it starts getting warm out.  I starting seeing (and consuming) some of these creative concoctions a couple of years ago at restaurants with some creative bartenders and the trend has caught on!  Here are two of my favorite recipes;

Sandeman Sangria

1 1/2 parts Sandeman Ruby Porto

2 parts margarita mix

1 part orange Juice

1/2 part grenadine

Orange, chopped to taste

Ice Cubes

Prepare in a large glass jug.  Add the chopped orange.  Pour the other ingredients and top off with ice, stir well.  Serve in a tall cocktail glass and garnish with an orange wedge.

Iniskillin Ice Wine Martini

2 oz Iniskillin Pearl Vidal ice wine

2 oz Double Cross vodka

frozen green grape for garnish

chilled martini glass

Place frozen grape into bottom of the martini glass.  Pour ice wine into glass, top with vodka and stir gently.

Nickel and Nickel Winery

I recently had the opportunity to visit Nickel and Nickel Winery in Napa, great time and incredible wines!  The whole concept of single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons is exciting.  Vineyards that are near each other or in one case actually contiguous and made by the same winemaker have such different flavor profiles!  Here is a great clip produced by the winery;

http://www.youtube.com/user/nickelandnickelwines

New Book "Voodoo Vintners" by Katherine Cole

If you have an interest in Viticulture there is a great new book out by the well respected Pacific Northwest wine writer Katherine Cole called "Voodoo Vintners".  There is a whole chapter devoted to one of my favorite wineries, Montinore!

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press/e-w/Voodoo.html