I have put together a few wines for this month’s article that are sure to beat the heat and take you away if only for a few minutes to a cool, grassy knoll, far on a hill with gentle winds blowing through your hair. OK, not really but we can always wish. These wines are wide and varied. We start with Rolando Herrera, who was hired at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 1985 to build a stone wall at the home of Warren Winiarski. Look at the boy now! Rolando now makes wine for Paul Hobbs, Spotted Owl among several other prestigious wineries. Next are a couple of whites that are untouched by wood, adding purity of fruit expression and crisp clean elegance. Lastly we’ll feature a standby leader in my portfolio of wines using a Chardonnay from the Los Carneros region of California. This white is simply amazing as are all of these wines for the unrelenting heat.
SPOTTED OWL VINEYARDS, 2008 MOUNTAIN CUVEE, NAPA VALLEY - $34.99 – Jill and Michael Gishzky established this winery with daughter Alexandria to experience how nature, science, art and business come together to make a positive impact. With the help of Rolando Herrera’s masterful blending capabilities, this 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah from high atop Mt. Veeder straddling the Napa/Sonoma County line, is a jammy, earthy festival in your mouth. Unbelievable for such a young wine composed of grapes with high volcanic influences.
DOMAINE CHANDON, 2008 CHARDONNAY, CARNEROS - $13.40 – Primarily known as a Sparkling Wine house owned by Moet and Chandon, this is one of my top ten wines picks of 2011. Rich and luscious, this supple white expresses layered aromas of dried apricot, green apple and brioche. Accented by nutmeg and a hint of minerality that is characteristically the trade mark of Los Carneros. Tropical melon flavors mingle with ripe apple leading to an expressive yet subtle vanilla finish. Yumm! Yumm!
MER SOLEIL, 2008 SULVER LABEL “UNOAKED”, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS - $17.99 - “Silver Label” unites the crisp mineral essence of the classic Chablis style with the tropical elements found in Chardonnay from the Pacific coastline. This Chard has a mineral driven nose and palate from start to finish with a citrus core. This summer white is soft and round with an acidic backbone revealing the coastal influence on grapes grown in a cooler climate. Lemons, gooseberry and grapefruit round out the mid palate. Perfect for most grilled fish.
CHARLES DUPUY, 2008 SAUVIGNON BLANC, VIN d’ PAYS du VAL de LOIRE - $13.49 – By far my favorite wine for summer. An absolute home run in the glass, this wine is paramount in matching well with most any summertime fare that you can throw at this charming white. Full of mineral expressive fruit that is crisp with citrus and tropical fruit flavors with aromas of green chilies, grass, herbs, asparagus and gooseberries. Un-oaked whites allow the fruit to shine through highlighting what Sauvignon Blanc should be.
Hopefully you can find a wine or two here that will help you escape the summer heat and monotony of this Northwest Arkansas heat wave. If not, there are 3000 different selections at County Line from which to choose. I can be found at County Line Liquor Tuesday through Saturday for any of your entertaining or wine related questions. Riedel Stemware is on sale with a 25% discount off our already low prices
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
479.750.7575
mark@slausa.com
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