| The next
stop is Cosentino,
and they’re pouring two wines – the first is the
"Il Ciaretto" – labeled as Classico
California Table Wine – 1997 vintage – a blend of Sangiovese,
Nebbiolo, Cabernet and Zinfandel. Dark garnet in color – very forward nose of ripe
and sweet red stone fruits – lovely melange of fruit flavors on the palate. I’m
sometimes dubious of these mixed blends, but this one works very nicely. Clean attack
– strong on the midpalate, and a very nice finish. Retail is $15. Next is "The Neb" – 1995 Nebbiolo
from Sonoma County – 80% Nebbiolo, 20% Merlot. Dark color – moody, mysterious
nose of plum and smoke – very smooth entry – and a lovely medium weight –
the aromas follow through on the palate. A very impressive offering at $18 retail. A very
strong showing from Cosentino!! (And thanks to Julie Harrelson
for her courtesy and interest.)
Dalla Valle –
renowned for their Cabernet and the proprietary blend Maya,
they also produce Pietre Rosse. The 1997 is
100% Sangiovese. Medium garnet color – very pretty, but somewhat restrained nose of
interesting strawberry and pomegranate (precisely as described in the winery’s
literature) – this is a young wine that clearly needs more time in bottle – it
has a clean entry and somewhat dusty, cocoa-ish notes on the palate that compliment the
medium weight red and purple plum flavors.
Ferrari–Carrano – 1996 Sienna, which is 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet,
and 5% Malbec (interesting blend). Appealing dark ruby color – somewhat shy nose -
predominantly black stone fruits with dusty and smoky aromatics – lush fruit flavors
across the mid-palate – a hit of fruit tannins in the mid-palate also – should
evolve and develop into a lovely wine.
Il
Podere dell ‘Olivos – this is Jim
Clendenon’s foray into Italian varietals. I asked him what his involvement was
with this winery, and he said "I kept it simple. I’m the only owner, and
I’m the only winemaker."
The first wine is the 1997 Arneis Central
Coast – one of the few white varietals grown in the Piedmont. Pale
yellowish color – shy, but pleasant nose of sweet fruit – light flavors –
finishes a bit short – a pleasant quaffer.
1997 Tocai Friulano Santa Barbara County
Estate – Pale color – a little more sweet and floral in the nose
– faintly reminiscent of Muscato.
1997 Barbera California – a
very pretty plum color – off-putting notes of burnt rubber on the nose – smooth
entry, but short and tart on the palate – not very much in the way of fruit –
disappointing.
1996 Barbara Santa Barbara County Reserva
Buon Natale – Now, this is more like it! Dense purple color. There’s
a gush of pretty plum fruits up out of the glass – just lovely – smooth entry
– broad spectrum of Barbera fruit – long clean finish – this is a very
delicious wine.
1996 Terol Dego Central Coast
– Deep dark color that reminds me of a California Petite Sirah – fascinating
complex nose of beautiful but difficult to identify fruits – medium bodied on the
palate with a smooth entry that is stopped on the mid-palate by some unresolved fruit
tannins. I only hope that with a little time the flavors will fulfill the promise of the
absolutely beautiful aromatics of this wine.
1994 Pronto – California Aleatico
– slightly pale ruby color – effusive floral, honeysuckle, melon and apricot
notes in the nose. 10% residual sugar. If you were wearing a blindfold, you would never
guess this was a red wine. Opens on the palate very smooth and sweet – lovely complex
of fruit flavors – finishes with a very pleasant light astringency. A very
interesting wine. |
