Celebrate the Season with a Cabernet from The Devil’s Cellar

Halloween isn’t just for kids! It now ranks as America’s all-time favorite holiday. And 2016 proved to be the most celebrated Halloween ever – more than 171 million Americans (up 14 million from 2015) took part in the festivities. Of those, 34% hosted a Halloween party. Casillero del Diablo is promoting its Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon as the "Official Wine for Halloween" – and why not? With a name like The Devil’s Cellar, this Cab promises to entice every ghoulie and guy at the party.

Underground Cave

But a good ghost story is always appreciated this time of year and Casillero del Diablo comes through. Legend has it that when vineyard owner Don Melchor de Concha y Toro discovered his wines had been stolen from his ancestral home in Chile in the late 1800s, he spread a rumor that his darkest cave was haunted by the Devil himself. This added to the legend that the wines had been stored in hell but were made in heaven. The story spread, and today The Devil’s Cellar is the number one tourist attraction in Chile.

Wine Review:

The Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 pours dark red in the glass with black cherry, chocolate and tobacco on the nose. The wine is medium bodied with good tannins and a nice acidic balance. Cerise, plum and tobacco are on the palate with a hint of chocolate on the finish. Pair with grilled burgers, steak and some chocolate Halloween candies.

The Official Wine of Halloween comes in a HalloWine gift box that adds to the allure. Casillero del Diablo wines have maintained a steady following through the years for offering consumers dependable wines at good prices. Retailing for $11 nationwide, this Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 may be just the trick to make your Halloween guests feel that they’ve been given quite a treat.

~ Joy

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is out on bookshelves nationwide. Click here for book information.

Two End of Summer Wines

Nothing says summer like a well-chilled white wine served with a fresh salad and grilled seafood. These two offerings from Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône put the perfect examination point on the end of summer wining and dining.

History

Ferraton Père & Fils began in 1946 when Jean Orëns Ferraton purchased a vineyard in the Southern Rhone area of France. Ferraton’s son, Michel expanded the vineyards located in the appellations of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph Ferraton. He converted them to organic viticulture and had them certified in 1998. Michel Chapoutier purchased the estate in 2004 and oenologist Damien Brisset now crafts the wines. If you’re visiting in the area, the tasting room is located in the village of Tain-l'Hermitage, France.

Both Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns are grown in a vineyard soil comprised of limestone and clay, which adds a mineral component to the taste. The wines are cold stabilized after pressing for 48 hours and fermented in stainless steel tanks for bottling at the end of winter.

Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2016

This Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc is a crisp white wine that includes a blend of Roussane (35%), Viognier (30%), Grenache Blanc (25%), Clairette (5%) and Marsanne (5%) grapes. Light straw color in the glass, green apples and orange blossoms are heavy on the nose. Nicely acidic in the mouth with the flavors of citrus, fresh grass and minerals on the palate, and a fresh, lingering finish. We served it with fresh seafood and received rave reviews. (This was my favorite of the two wines.) Sells for $14 a bottle at wine shops in the U.S.

Ferraton Pere & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Rosé, 2016

The Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Rosé is a blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%) and Cinsault (20%). All three of the grapes are used in this classic rosé blend attributed to the Southern Rhone region. The bright coral color attracts attention in the glass, and the aromas of  cherry and red berries tempt you to taste. The flavor profile includes raspberry, strawberry, and flint with a hint of tea on the finish. Good acidity makes this an enjoyable late summer vino that pairs well with tacos or burgers. This wine sells for $14 per bottle in the U.S.

~ Joy

(Editor’s note: Both wines were received for media review.)

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide will be hitting bookshelves in September. Click here for book information.

"After Dark" Sips for the Summer Eclipse

The Great American Eclipse takes place this Monday, August 21. During the afternoon, the sun, moon and earth will line up to give some of us a rare glimpse at a total eclipse – in other places, we’ll see a partial eclipse, which still means a great show!

A total solar eclipse is a unique visual occurrence and not only is North America in the path, Western Europe, Northern and Eastern Asia, Northern and Western Africa, a large section of South America and the Arctic along with islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans will experience the eclipse in some form.

Solar eclipse parties are planned around the world and Frontera saw the perfect opportunity to celebrate with their After Dark wines. Parent company Concha y Toro is Chile’s best-selling wine brand, and the company is now targeting directly to millennials with a new look on the shelf. The classy black and gold label is appealing and stands out in a sea of typical wine labels. In fact, the dark trend has registered an almost 30% sales increase over traditional white and cream labels, so look for store shelves to become more intriguingly mysterious with those darker labels. The new Frontera tag line says it all: “The day starts to come alive at night!”

My tasting panel, which included two millennials, sampled two of these newly released wines, both bearing names that befit the coming lunar event. 

After Midnight

This wine is a blend of Cabernet (55%) and Syrah (40%) with a hint of Merlot (5%), and is very approachable for the new wine drinker.

True to the name, the grapes are harvested after midnight when temperatures are lower to preserve the flavors of the grapes. The juice is aged in stainless steel and then put into oak barrels.

The wine is dark purple in the glass with berry and cherry on the nose. This medium-bodied vino was a bit sweeter than I expected, but appealed to my millennial tasters and that’s the market its targeting, so kudos. Dark berries on the nose with a flavor profile of cerise and elderberry along with a hint of vanilla and spice. A lingering taste of strawberry rounded out the experience. Great with burgers or pizza. Or plan to enjoy a glass during the darkest part of the eclipse.

Moonlight

This white blend is comprised of mainly Moscato with a small amount of other white grapes. (Possibly Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris?) Again, the grapes are picked at night when temperatures are cool.

Moonlight is a straw-colored semi-sweet wine with a fruity, floral aroma. The palate consists of ripe fruit in the mouth with a touch of honey and a citrusy finish. This was a bit too sweet for me, but the younger crowd loved the wine. Serve with a nice curried chicken to balance out the sweetness, or revel in it and enjoy with pork chops.

Another idea, pour a glass as the eclipse starts and watch the show unfold.

Both wines are very budget-friendly and retail around $6 a bottle, and are available at wine shops across the country.

~ Joy

And a note: My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide will be shipping out next Tuesday for early orders. Click here for more.
(Editor’s note: Both wines were received for media review.)

Reviewing the Chateau Carbonnieux 2015 Grand Cru Classé de Graves

 

Located in the Pessac-Léognan region of the Graves, Chateau Carbonnieux is known for its production of red and white wines. Thanks to the clay–limestone terroir, this area produces some of the best dry white wines in the Bordeaux region.

The chateau was built in 1380 during the Hundred Years War and overlooks one of the largest vineyards in the Graves region. The Bordeaux Hospices originally owned it. From 1519 to 1740, the Ferron family and then the Councillors at the Parliament of Guyenne resided there. In 1740, the Benedictine monks from Sainte-Croix abbey in Bordeaux purchased the property, renovated the estate, replanted the vineyards and began making wine.

Marc Perrin purchased the estate in 1956. He and his son Antony, who now manages it, have spent time restoring the Château, upgrading the vineyard and modernizing the working areas. The estate now grows 111 acres of red grapes varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc along with 106 acres of the white grape varieties of Semillon and Sauvignon grapes.

The Chateau Carbonnieux, Grand Cru Classé de Graves is a straw-colored light bodied wine. The “cru classé,” batches of Semillon and Sauvignon grapes are blended to create structure from the Semillon grapes, and the Sauvignon grapes provide the vivid floral notes. The Grand Cru Classé de Graves opens with a citrus and floral nose followed by a light fruity flavor profile and a hint of vanilla on the finish. The wine is barrel aged for ten months before bottling.

Legend has it that the wine was served to the Sultan of Constantinople’s palace in the 18^th century. In order to slip past Islamic law, the wine was called “mineral water from Carbonnieux,” which everyone could then enjoy.

This wine is a standout when chilled well and paired with fowl or seafood off the grill, or served with a fruity dessert. May be cellared from 4-7 years. Enjoy!

Joy

Grab a Bottle (Any Bottle) Of JaM Wine for Summer

Reviewed by Joy Neighbors

If you're looking for an affordable wine that flaunts exceptional aroma and flavor, then JaM Cellars is a great go-to.

John and Michele Truchard

John Truchard grew up in the wine business. His parents, Tony and JoAnn Truchard developed Truchard Vineyards in 1974. It was 2003 when John and his wife Michele started John Anthony Vineyards. From there, the Truchard’s, along with winemaker Rob Lloyd created JaM Cellars in 2009. They wanted to offer wine drinkers something enjoyable, and affordable, and it appears that they have succeeded. Today, Jeff Kandarian is JaM's winemaker.

The 2007 JaM Red Blend was the first release in 2009 with Butter Chardonnay hitting shelves in 2010. In 2014, JaM Cabernet Sauvignon was released, and now, non-vintage Toast Brut Sparkling is available. For this review, I tried all three.

2014 JaM Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2014 JaM Cabernet is, well, jammy. This medium bodied Cab is crafted from Napa Valley grapes, and it does not disappoint. Aromas of berry, cherry and leather lead into a flavorful explosion of cerise, blackberry, and a hint of elderberry. Although I would have liked the apple and tobacco finish to linger, this vino was a hit when served with burgers, and with venison steaks.

 

2015 JaM Butter Chardonnay

Suffice it to say, this is buttery! If you’re into rich Chards (and I am), this will be a top pick. The nose is stone fruits with hints of toasty oak. Get ready for BUTTER on the tongue with an exceptional creaminess and a long vanilla finish. JaM cold ferments the grapes with a unique blend of oak for a luscious Chardonnay. I served it with grilled chicken. Nice.

 

Non-Vintage Toast Brut Sparkle

There’s always a reason to celebrate and Toast makes it fun. It may be crafted with traditional Champenoise techniques, but there's nothing stuffy about this wine Pop the cork and inhale notes of melon, lemon and cheddar. The flavor profile includes pineapple and melon with a toasty finish. This light crisp sparkle is great for a celebration, (We toasted the New Year with it!), or for no reason at all.

Kudos to JaM Cellars! Rarely do I find all of the wines from one producer to be something I'd purchase, but your wines hit all of the marks.

Joy

JaM Cellars wines can be purchased from a variety of stores, from small wine shops to your neighborhood grocery store. The wines are available in all 50 states and Canada.

Here’s just a sampling of grocery stores carrying these wines:

Cost Plus World Market

CVS

Food Lion

Fry’s

Giant Eagle

Hy-Vee

Kroger

Publix

Safeway

Super Target,

Trader Joe’s

Whole Foods

And more

Reviewing Noble Vines

By Joy Neighbors

The vinos of Noble Vines come from family-owned vineyards in Lodi and the San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey, California. Sustainable farming practices are adhered to for each vineyard, and a talented team stands behind the brand.

Nobel Vines offers six wines including Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a red blend. The Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot are reviewed here.

 

242 Sauvignon Blanc

Noble Vines Sauvignon Blanc is named for block 242 of the San Bernabe AVA vineyard in Monterey, California. The grapes are harvested and pressed before the juice is transferred into stainless steel tanks. Special yeasts are then added to enhance the aromas and flavors of the wine.

The 2014 242 Sauvignon Blanc has great balance and acidity. The aromas of light honeysuckle and citrus lead you to the mellow flavors of melon and green apple. The finish has a slight minerality. Drink now, cellaring is not advised. (Pairs well with fish.)

181 Merlot

 "Moderate summer weather and warm temperatures just before harvest allow the grapes to ripen gently, delivering outstanding fruit. The juice is fermented at moderately cool temperatures to balance the acidity with big fruit flavors."

 I love a good, classic Merlot and the 2013 181 is exceptional. The aroma of black cherries and warm spices captures you at the start and leads to a robust, tannic wine that is well balanced. The flavor of lush red berries and cherries slide across the tongue followed by a hint of cedar and tobacco. My only disappointment was in the finish – it didn’t linger nearly as long as I would have liked. Cellar at least one more year. (Pairs well with venison and mushrooms.)

 The Team

Winemaker James Ewart

Winemaker James Ewart was the son of an Australian winemaker. He is only a handful of winemakers to receive a graduate diploma in grape growing from the University of Adelaide in 1999. Ewart's experience includes Mountadam Winery and his family’s estate in the Adelaide Hills. A brief stint at Noble Vines in 2000 turned into a career thanks to his vineyard-based philosophy.

Viticulturist Charlie Hossom

Viticulturist Charlie Hossom joined Noble Vines in 2012. Hossom is developing groundbreaking water saving technology for sustainable farming. Prior to Noble Vines, he managed vineyards for Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Ste. Michelle Estates and the Inglenook vineyards.

Have a wine you’d like me to try? Contact me here. I’m always looking for a new favorite to share.

Moonlight Becomes You (With Frontera Moonlight Wine)

 

By Joy Neighbors

There’s something about wine and moonlight. Now, Frontera has combined the two to create an intriguing wine for after-hours.

Concha y Toro Winery

Concha y Toro

Established in 1883, Concha y Toro is the number one wine producer and exporter in Chile. The winery offers Fine, Premium and Varietal wines, and holds tours and tastings seven days a week. The facility is also home to a wine shop and a wine bar with light meal offerings. With eight wine brands in their portfolio, the Frontera label has again been highlighted as the most sold Chilean wine brand in the world, with a presence in more than 120 countries. The company owns over 26-thousand acres of prime vineyards in Chile, Argentina, and the United States.

Frontera Moonlight White Blend

Semi-sweet

With a golden hue that is reminiscent of a reflection of moonlight, the nose opens up to floral notes and a hint of butterscotch.  The palate is bright and fresh with a flavor profile fruit-forward on peach and apricot before ending with a touch of cherry on the tongue and a lingering pineapple finish.

The Night Harvested Blends are, as the name indicates, picked during the nighttime hours when the temperatures are cooler and the flavors will be more robust.

Pair this wine with appetizers, salty nuts and cheeses, and light entrees like roasted chicken and pork. And don’t forget to enjoy a glass after dark in the whirlpool or on a long evening walk in the country - just let the Moonlight lead you to adventure …

True Myth – Truly Delicious

By Joy Neighbors

With autumn comes our desire for heavier meals and wines with more structure. True Myth offers two wines that can make those earthy, substantial meals sing.

TrueMyth is part of the Niven family legacy located in Edna Valley in Paso Robles region of central California.

Paragon Vineyard

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown in the warmer Paso Robles region and showcase the diversity of San Luis Obispo County.

The Niven family owns and farms 50% of all Chardonnay grown in Edna Valley. Paragon Vineyard was established in 1973, and is home to the oldest continually producing Chardonnay vines in the region. This vineyard has been producing for more than 40 years.

True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Earthy berry aromas tempt you to take a sip, which leads to the full flavors of blackberries, cherries, and cola with a hint of cocoa. Hints of cedar and smoke linger in the mouth – a perfect autumn wine. This full-bodied Cab pairs well with steak, meaty ribs, or venison. Suggested retail - $24

True Myth Chardonnay 2014

This classic Chard opens with apricot and peach on the nose. The wine is well-balanced, and crisp. Tropical fruit and a hint of vanilla tease the palate while the finish is reminiscent of salted caramel. Serve with roasted chicken or grilled fish. Suggested retail - $18

Wine Review: Masút Pinot Noir 2014

If there is a red “It” grape, Pinot Noir is, well, it! You will find wine drinkers who are passionate about the grape. Me? Not so much. I like a wine that’s a bit more “dark and brooding.” Pinot always seems too perfect, but thanks to Masút Vineyard and Winery, I have discovered that Pinot can also put forth that tantalizing dark and brooding nature that I love.

Masút Vineyard and Winery was established in 2009 by Ben and Jake Fetzer, sons of Robert Fetzer, one of the most experienced grape growers in Mendocino County, California. Their grandparents, Barney and Kathleen Fetzer moved to the region in the 1950s and established Fetzer Vineyards in the late 1960s. The family produced certified organic wine in the Redwood Valley for over 20 years with the boys growing up among the vines.

Ben, Robert and Jake Fetzer

After Brown and Foreman purchased the Fetzer brand in 1991, Robert Fetzer began a new wine chapter for the family. In 1994, he purchased 1,200 acres of coastal mountains and named it Masút Ranch. Pinot Noir was his grape of choice, thanks to the prevalent hillsides, sunny location, and the fast draining soil. Tragically, Robert Fetzer died in a river rafting accident in 2006, but his two sons are carrying on the family legacy.

Jake Fetzer

Ben Fetzer

After petitioning for a new viticultural area to be called Eagle Peak Mendocino County, the brothers converted a barn on the property into a winery, and began winemaking in earnest. The vineyard is closely tended with all pruning, canopy management and harvesting done by hand. Masút Vineyard and Winery was launched in 2009 with its prime focus on certified organic estate grown Pinot Noir.  The first release was in 2011.

The flagship wine is the Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir. According to the winemaker’s notes, the grapes were harvested early, hand-sorted and whole-berry destemmed into open top fermenters. After 14 to 18 days of fermentation, the wine was aged for 15 months, on the lees, in French oak.

Promises! Promises!

That’s what you’ll get with the Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014. This wine puts forth a cherry nose with hints of oak. The intense berry, cerise, coke flavors hit mid-mouth leaving traces of anise that gives you pause – pause to consider what could happen if given a bit more time to age. The term masút is an Indian word that means “dark, rich earth,” and you get a suggestion of that alluring earthy flavor with each sip.

Pair this Pinot with lamb, beef, game meats or grilled salmon. (I served it with a venison roast and veggies that played well with the earthy tones of the wine. Nice!) Priced at $45 a bottle, it is available at Masút Vineyard and Winery.

~ Joy

(If you have a wine you’d like me to sample and review, message me on Facebook or email for an address.)

Three Stunning Wines For the Holidays

The holidays are upon us! If you’re still searching for a great gift idea, or something stunning to serve with the meal, consider the following wines. Any of them would add an elegant statement to your holiday gathering.

Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 

Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2013

Chateau Carbonnieux is one of the largest vineyards in the Graves region with the first chateau built around 1380. The grapes are cultivated near Bordeaux on clay-limestone slopes in deep gravely soil, which gives this wine a nice minerally base. Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc is crafted from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon grapes. The nose is an intricate bouquet of floral and apricot nectar. The rich, juicy flavors of peach and apricot cling to the palette followed by a tart orange-peel finish that delightfully lingers on.

Chateau d'Esclans 

Rock Angel Rosé 2014

This is not your mama’s blush! Rock Angel is, in a word, elegant. The rebranded estate-bottled rosé comes from Chateau d’Esclans, located in France’s Provence region. The Grenache (and Rolle) grapes rock this wine! The nose is composed of floral and herbs: pleasant, hinting at something special to come. The bright flavors of peach and cherry, with just a hint of pear, makes Rock Angel seem more refined than most rosés, and wonderfully balanced. The smooth, slightly honeyed finish is captivating. At $35 a bottle, it is definitely time to rethink your pink for the holidays.

Baron de Chirel 

Rioja 2010 Reserve

Crafted from Spain’s most famous native grapes, the Tempranillo, the Baron de Chirel Rioja is made from grapes that are 80 to 110 years old. This “new era” Rioja is aged between 18 to 24 months in Allier oak barrels to produce a distinctive “old world” wine. An appealing aroma of spicy blueberries and leather develops into the wonderful flavors of elderberry, cherry and tobacco. Well balanced on the palate with soft tannins and a long, pleasant finish, this wine suggests opulent living and graceful dining.

Any of these wines would make exceptional holiday gifts for friends, family, or simply as a treat for yourself.  Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Warm Kwanza Wishes, and A Blessed Yule. Cheers!

~ Joy