Domaine de Sahari Vin Gris- Beni M’Tir, Meknes-Fes, Morocco
We’re starting this club off with a bang: Moroccan wine. French colonization was the primary catalyst for Moroccan viticulture, but the country’s independence in the mid-20th century gave way to an influx of influences from other prominent regions. This is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, but one that more resembles Spanish Garnacha Rosado, in taste, than any prominent rose-producing region in France. This wine pours a pale pink/ pale copper color, which is indicative of the vin gris style. The nose offers citrus peel, white flowers, and tart neutral fruit flavors such as cantaloupe. The palate offers subtle stone and citrus fruit, high acidity, and a surprisingly full body for the style. This is a quintessential grilled veggie or raw seafood wine.
Montinore Estate Borealis NV- Willamette Valley AVA- Oregon
When you think of Oregonian white wine, you likely think of Burgundy-adjacent Chardonnay or richer styles of Pinot Gris. However, much like some other cool climate growing areas, off-dry whites can be an immense success. The Borealis is a blend of Muller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Don’t be dissuaded by the NV designation; this is done intentionally to yearn different levels of ripeness and intensity from each individual grape. This is certainly an off-dry wine, but the level of expression from step to step is amazing. The nose offers a plethora of tropical fruits, lychee, peach, and the slightest hint of petrol. The palate has a fun, slightly oily texture, showcasing mouthwatering acidity and deliciously ripe fruit. Pair this with your next Thai meal or anything with a noted level of spice.
Lulumi Pinot Noir- Pays d’Oc IGP- France
When you think of the Languedoc, you likely think of spicy red blends made from Cinsault, Carignan, and Syrah; but probably not Pinot Noir. Pinot’s ubiquity is not limited just to Burgundy, as notable plantings can be found virtually anywhere outside of Bordeaux (And that’s just in France). This version is the epitome of easy-going, with aromas of brambly red fruit, earth, and potpourri. The palate displays light, spicy tannins, quaffable acidity, and a restrained medley of red berries. This is incredible versatile in terms of food and could even be the accompaniment to heavy seafood-based fare.
Pizarras de Otero Mencia- Bierzo D.O.-Spain
Spain might be the poster child for underappreciated, mostly indigenous, varieties. Chief among the red varieties might be Mencia, which can be compared to other medium-bodied aromatic reds like Pinot Noir and more delicate Cabernet Franc. Generally, Mencia showcases juicy, tart red and black fruit intermixed with earthy and spicy aromas. The Pizarras de Otero is very style-appropriate, pouring a medium ruby color and offering aromas bursting with juicy red and black fruits cut with anise. The palate is medium-bodied with mildly-gripping tannins and balanced acidity, which again accentuates the juicy fruit on the palate. This is an extremely versatile food wine and could be paired with just about anything.
Il Borro ‘Lamelle’- IGT Toscana- Italy
Frankly, I had not had a Tuscan Chardonnay that wowed me until this one; and did it ever wow me. The Lamelle, completely unoaked, strikes the perfect balance between Chablis-esque structure and focus and the beautiful fruit found in new world examples. The nose is clean and fragant, with green apple, citrus oil, and a slight flinty character. The palate shows off mouthwatering acidity cutting through a surprising amount of fruit for this style of Chardonnay. If you are a California Chardonnay-lover looking for an introduction into the wide, intimidating world of Burgundy, this is an excellent steppingstone.
Pedernales Viognier Reserve- Texas High Plains AVA- Texas
Viognier, unlike some of the other notable white varieties, can thrive in warm climate growing regions. Though some of the most noted Viognier-growing regions like Condrieu and Chateau-Grillet suffer from adverse conditions such as the Mistral, they rely on warm summers in order to facilitate optimal ripeness. Though no one will be mistaking the Pedernales for its Northern Rhone companions, the Pedernales shows off the grape’s potential for richness and affinity for warm climates. This is made with richness in mind, as some amount of new French oak is used. The nose offers subtle orchard fruits cut with citrus peel, beeswax, and aromatic floral notes. The palate is quintessential Viognier, with a creamy mouthfeel and comparatively lower acidity enveloping ripe, spice-accented tropical and orchard fruit.
Tenuta della Terre Nerre Etna Rosso- Etna Rosso DOC- Sicily
Though not necessarily an unknown wine for the region, Sicily as a wine-producing region remains a fairly large enigma in the US market. One of the gems of Sicily, well-known among those in the profession, is Etna; a small viticultural region (On an active volcano!!!) producing incredible red and white wines. The reds are made primarily from a grape called Nerello Mascalese; whose closest analog would be an incredibly savory Pinot Noir. This wine pours a medium red color with some garnet hues. The nose offers aromas of tart red berries, dried herbs, and a slight hint of ash (variety-typical for Nerello Mascalese). The palate is medium-bodied, with woody tannins and zippy acidity accenting a mixture of fresh and dried red fruits. High-acid red wine pairs with equally acidic foods, so a tomato-based dish would be excellent with this.
Stella Bella Shiraz- Margaret River- Australia
Shiraz from Australia? What’s weird about that? When we think about the premier Syrah-producing regions in Australia, we likely think of South Australian regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, or maybe some of the areas in the Limestone Coast. We probably don’t think of a region that is most well known for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Margaret River is the westernmost wine growing region in Australia, and as such experiences the most maritime influence of any region. This is a characteristic that makes for unique expressions of Australian Shiraz, which the Stella Bella displays extremely well. This wine looks the part, with a deep ruby color with purple hues. The nose offers plum, red currant, black cherry, licorice, and hints of oak via baking spice and cedar box. The palate is medium-bodied, with light-plus acid and medium tannin. The fruit profile is fresher than you would expect from Australian Shiraz, with bright plum, cherry, and orange peel notes. The finish is toasty and lengthy. This is a much more quaffable style of Shiraz for Australia and dispels the notion that Australian is only known for massive, alcoholic expressions of various red varieties.
Sep 1, 2021 at 8:58 AM
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We looked back on the last two years of our wine club wines and found several wines that were heavily favored on certain months. As we are in our Anniversary Month (5 years) since Steve's Wine Bar opened, we thought it would be fun to pick a few of these wines and revisit them with our club members. Since the re-opening back in March, our club has regained many members and grown with many new faces. We hope these wines will be equally as liked by all of our new members as well as those who had a chance to taste these wines in the past.
Cheers to a fun month of wine tasting!
Once maligned for being a style known for an abundance of asparagus and other unsavory green flavors, Marlborough is the undisputed king of Sauvignon Blanc in the US market. Orchard Lane provides an approachable style showcasing delicious soft citrus and herb aromas. The light body is carried by bright acidity and quintessential peach and grapefruit flavors.
A longtime staple of Steve’s, Aviary is a great representation of California’s most popular white variety made in its most popular style: oaked and rich. It pours a medium yellow with gold hues and offers aromas of baked tropical and orchard fruits cut with vanilla and butterscotch. The creaminess of the mouthfeel blends well with the rich baked, but bright, apple and sweet baking spice notes.
Argentina is currently acknowledged as the Malbec capital of the world, but there was a region focusing on this Bordeaux-afterthought well before. The ‘black wines’ of Cahors date back to the Middle Ages, and have long focused on rich, elegant concoctions of Malbec supplemented by Tannat and Merlot. Chateau Nozieres is a modern example that pays homage to traditional wine-making methods (No oak and extended maceration). As the vernacular would suggest, the wine pours a rich, opaque purple. The nose is filled with lovely fresh blue and black fruits, with pepper, roasted coffee, and cured tobacco. Supple tannins and acidity balance well with the tart plum and other black fruits on the palate.
Though not quite as famous as its counterparts in McLaren Vale or Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek has merit all its own when it comes to style-appropriate Australian Shiraz. The oppressively hot and dry climate suits Shiraz well with its hardy nature and high amount of anthocyanin (The compound that gives red wine a purple tint when exposed to sun). Heartland’s example displays all of the quintessential notes of AU shiraz sans the sky-high ABV. The wine pours a medium ruby with purple hues, and offers a medley of plum and reduced cherry accented with a slight hint of leather brought on by the age. The palate is medium-plus bodied with time-softened tannins lower acidity. A plethora of plum jam is accented by notes of cinnamon, black pepper and tobacco.
Once made from fruit sourced from Provence, the LVE has shifted its focus to Languedoc. This has resulted in a fresh, but fruity style that is sure to pair well with the Texas summer. Pouring a light pink hue, this wine offers aromas of cherry and cotton candy. The high acidity cuts through bright notes of watermelon, cherry, and strawberry.
This wine draws its name from both the range of the range of the Mayacamas the vineyard overlooks, and the two beautiful Newfoundland’s roaming the Dearden Estate. It pours a rich ruby with purple hues. The nose is intense, with black cherry, boysenberry, cola, and Chinese five spice. The palate is equally as intense, with the same rich fruit cut with vanilla; all being housed within velvety tannins and a silky texture. This has the heft to be put away for a couple of years, but it is delicious now.
This is a 100% single-vineyard Syrah from the Red Mountain AVA; an area producing some of the highest quality red wines in both Washington and the US. While being heavily-oaked, this wine showcases characteristics of both the New and Old worlds. The dark ruby color gives way to an inviting medley of red and blue fruit aromas cut with vanilla, smoked meat, and black pepper. The palate is full-bodied with robust tannins supplementing macerated blackberries, plum, and toasted oak.
No favorites list would be complete without arguably Steve’s most prominent cult classic. The Trainwreck is a classic rendition of a California Cabernet. This wine pours a medium ruby color with purple hues, offering aromas of red and black fruits, toasted oak, and crème brulee. The palate is velvety and creamy, with notes of crème de cassis, blackberry, and vanilla enveloped by medium, woody tannins and restrained acidity.
*="Baby Big Dog" - If you choose this wine you are able to pick one other non-"Dog" wine as a second bottle.
**= "Big Dog" - If you love it, it's the one you can pick to take home for your club wine. It's that special!
Aug 6, 2021 at 11:40 AM
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This month we decided to stay close to home and choose wines made in Texas. We have a fun line up from 8 different wineries with some great summer sippers, wines for your summer BBQ, and we'll show off a little of what Texas has to offer.. We tasted through a broad selection of wines from a variety of wineries to choose these 8 select wines. We hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.
This blend of Cinsault, Carignan, and Mourvèdre is a dead ringer for the quaffable, playful roses of the Languedoc and Roussillon. It pours a light pink with white hues, and offers aromas of ripe cherry, cherry blossoms, and a hint of cotton candy. The body is just above light, with medium acidity with a clean medley of cantaloupe, red berries, and a touch of minerality. This would be beautiful with an array of light charcuterie and fruit.
McPherson’s Chenin Blanc draws inspiration from the coastal-influenced version of the Western Cape. Seeing slight skin contact, this wine pours a light yellow to medium straw color and offers aromas of orchard and tropical fruits with fun tertiary notes of honeycomb and honey blossom. The palate displays a light-plus body, high acid, and an approachable medley of similar fruit as the nose accented with slightly yeasty notes and a tart finish.
Tempranillo typically is not vinified and bottled this young due to the famous tertiary flavors that are often developed with extended age in the bottle. This is not to say, however, that Tempranillo cannot stand on its merit as a younger wine, and Becker gives a great example of what that looks like. This pours a medium red color with slightly purple hues and offers a very ripe nose filled with red berries cut with a slight dill and brown sugar influence from the American oak. The palate is medium bodied, with medium acidity and features a medley of macerated red and blue fruit.
Pedernales truly leans into a decadent style of Malbec with the ‘Six Generations’ line. This wine pours a dark ruby with blue and black hues, and offers aromas of mocha, plum, and baking spice accented by sweet oak. The palate is full boded with low acid, and features supple, soft tannins enveloping ripe blue and black fruits followed by a sweet finish.
We are so excited to finally have a ‘pet nat’ at Steve’s. For the uninitiated, petillant naturel is made via methode ancestrale, one of the oldest and minimalistic styles of sparkling wine production. The key difference from other styles of sparkling wine (Champagne, Crémant, Franciacorta, etc.) is that ‘pet nat’ does not go through a second fermentation. Rather, the first fermentation is interrupted, the wine is transferred to the bottle, and the fermentation is allowed to finish in bottle. While this sounds slightly volatile, ‘pet nat’ generally features half the bottle pressure found in Champagne. This style of bubbly is made from Australia to Slovenia to, as it happens, Texas! This version features Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Cinsault, and Trebbiano Toscana. This pours a medium pink hue, with aromas of mineral-laden red fruit, fresh blossoms, and a trademark yeastiness. The bubbles in ‘pet nat’ are less refined and wilder, making for a fun, quaffable beverage featuring delicate flavors of red berries, bread, and a refreshingly mineral quality.
This easy-drinking blend of Cinsault, Syrah, and Grenache is reminiscent of the red blends found in the Corbieres and other areas of Languedoc and Provence. The color is a pale ruby, and offers very delicate aromas of bing cherry, bramble, and earth. The body is medium minus to light, with mouthwatering acidity and little to no tannin. The flavor profile centers around juicy red fruits and earthy, herbaceous accents. Try this at cellar temp or below.
This blend of Malbec and Ruby Cabernet (ask us about this grape!) features Boredaux-esque structure with the approachability of the warm-climate reds we associate with Texas viticulture. Following time in 100% new French oak and extended maceration post-fermentation, it displays an inviting rich character that permeates everything. This wine pours a dark ruby with mulberry hues, and offers mocha, black pepper, and vanilla-enveloped red and blue fruits. The palate is rich, with dense but well-integrated tannins and medium minus acidity. This all supports a plethora of ripe blue and black fruits accented by oak-driven notes of crème brulee; all followed by a lengthy finish.
Aging wine in spirit barrels is a dangerous game. Though complimentary, the bold flavors of your favorite spirit can quickly overshadow any redeeming feature of the wine and turn it something closer to a dessert beverage than a balanced glass of wine. However, there are more than a couple successful examples, and we definitely have one here. This Tempranillo pours a medium ruby with purple and blue hues, and offers macerated cherry and strawberry accented tastefully by notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and malt. This understandably rich-bodied wine features soft tannins and low acid, doubling down on a rich, ripe combination of red fruits, bourbon-driven notes, and notable vanilla.
Jul 2, 2021 at 7:22 AM
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We have 8 wines from different regions you will be tasting. Your challenge is to identify the region and the grape you have in your glass. It's a fun and tasty experience. We hope you are up for the challenge!
#1: This wine displays a light pink color with white/orange hues. The nose offers a delicate blend of tart red berries, light smoke, and slate. The palate is light-bodied with mouthwatering acidity, with raspberry and cherry throughout followed by a brief tart, minerally finish. Hint: You might want to think of the grapes before the region on this.
#2: The wine displays a medium pink color. The nose is filled with various minerally notes interwoven with tart, crunchy raspberry. The palate displays considerable heft for a rose, with fleshy cherry notes and a touch of blue fruit cut by hints of tannin, medium acid, and tons of savory minerality. Hint: The grape will be hard on this one, think to the region first instead and go from there.
#3: This medium ruby wine displays garnet and orange hues. The nose is intensely savory, with notes of black pepper, cured meat, anise, and dried cherry. The palate is deliciously quaffable, with a medium body and zippy acidity enveloping juicy cherry and raspberry notes. Hint: This might be the first “gotcha” wine. Where does it get cold enough to make a red like this?
#4: This wine pours a medium-dark ruby with purple hues. The nose offers a medley of red and blue fruits accented by fresh herbs. The palate displays present, but supple tannins and medium-low acidity. Jammy plum and raspberry meshes well with the notes of earth, bramble, and warm baking spices. Hint: There are very few winegrowing regions in Europe that get hot enough to produce big, juicy reds like this. What are they and what are their native varieties?
Gold Club Members may taste through the Platinum Wines for $15 a person.
#5: This wine pours a medium straw-yellow color with green hues. The nose is very complex, offering notes of beeswax, aromatic herbs, and minerals. The palate is light-plus bodied with racing acidity accenting fleshy stone and citrus fruits, honey, wet stone, and a hint of yeast. Hint: This wine has some years on it. Which regions make for long-lasting, acid-driven white wines? What varieties do they like?
#6: This wine pours a deep ruby with purple hues, offering aromas of reduced cherry and plum accented by sweet baking spice. The palate is medium-plus bodied, with medium acidity and spicy, sweet tannin. The macerated fruit continues to the palate, with notes of licorice, hay, thyme, and earth accenting it all. Hint: This is a rich version of one of the most widely planted grapes in its native country.
#7: This wine pours a strikingly deep purple color with ruby hues. The nose is filled with new leather, cassis, blackberry, and intense floral notes. The palate is full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and medium acidity. Fleshy blueberry and plum notes are accented by baked earth, slight tar, black pepper, and Chinese five spice. Hint: There is only one grape can get this kind of extract and fruit, and it has its home in a relatively new winegrowing country.
#8: This wine displays a deep ruby color with lavender hues. The nose offers black cherry, cassis, graphite, and cigar smoke. The palate is rich in body and tannin, with restrained acidity. Cherry and cassis are blended with subtle plum notes, in addition to the heaps of savory baking spice, oak, and vanilla. Hint: This might be the easiest wine for some of you….or will it?
Jun 4, 2021 at 6:03 AM
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This month we dive into some incredible wines from the fastest growing wine region in California. With over 200 different wineries in the Paso Robles AVA, we picked some very fun 8 wines from 8 different wineries.
Typically people hear that Cab is King in Paso with over 49% of all planted acerage is Cabernet Sauvignon. But there are some great varities other than Cab to consider. We will taste two Cabernets this month along with a Sparkling wine, a Chardonnay, Merlot, Red Blend, Cab Franc, and a tooth staining Petite Sirah. So join us for a fun month of California wines.
1 (4) Opolo Sparkling Wine- General California Appellation- CA (First for Gold, Fourth for Platinum)
Sometimes, simplicity is a virtue. This is the case with the Opolo Sparking Wine. This 100% Colombard is put through the Charmat or ‘Tank’ Method and results in a clean, playful aperitif. This wine pours a pale straw color with green hues. The nose offers almond, lemongrass, gravel, and green apple. The palate features fine-grained bubbles with an off-dry collection of apple, peach, and almond supplemented by high acid a medium-sweet finish. This is an excellent palate cleanser prior to jumping into a tasting of larger reds.
2 Callaway Cellars 2018 ‘Ely’ Chardonnay – Paso Robles AVA- CA
Warm climates like Paso Robles are oft maligned in the eyes of Old-World Chardonnay afficionados, as the results often are anything but subtle. For lovers of rich, fruit-driven renditions however, Paso Robles represents a budding force in their production. Given the amount of sun and general lack of rain the region receives, Chardonnay-based wines from Paso are plump and often oaked to double-down on the richness factor. Callaway’s ‘Ely’ is no exception, being a 100% variety wine put through 100% Malolactic Fermentation and time in 50% new oak. The result is a medium gold-colored wine with yellow hues. The nose offers ripe tropical fruits supplemented by notes brought on by the oak such as vanilla and Crème Brule. The texture is creamy, with notes of baked orchard fruits, caramel, butter, and toast. This would do well with fish or poultry accompanied by a cream-based sauce.
3 Broadside 2018 ‘Margarita Vineyard’ Merlot- Santa Margarita Ranch AVA-CA
The Santa Margarita Ranch is likely a familiar name to many of you, as it is the AVA popularized by one our favorite Paso producers: Ancient Peaks. This southern-most growing region of Paso features a , comparatively, cool growing season given its proximity to San Luis Obispo and its surrounding bodies of water. That doesn’t take away from the fact that these indeed Paso-grown Bordeaux varieties in this case, which means you are getting some ripe and rich. The Broadside ‘Margarita Vineyard’ Merlot is 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, pouring a medium ruby color with black-blue hues. Aromas of reduced black cherry, plum, mocha, and sweet tobacco make up the nose, while the palate features supple tannins enveloping plush blue and black berries. This could be a steak wine, but a more decadent version (short ribs, braised renditions) would be preferable.
4 J & J Cellars 2019 ‘Two Tradesmen’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Paso Robles AVA-CA
Paso Robles’ historical significance lies in its emphasis on Rhone varieties and its part in introducing them to the California viticultural scene. It’s current significance, however, rests in its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Virtually every part of Paso Robles’ climate, from the abundant sun exposure, diverse soils, and winemaking precedent (Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, etc.), Generally, Cab’s from this area are characterized by heavy extract, sweet tannins, and profiles centered around fruit and baking spice, much like the ‘Two Tradesmen’. This Cabernet is blended with small amounts of Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot, both of which add to a lusciously dark ruby color with blue and black hues. Aromas of vanilla, cherry, crème de cassis, and sweet baking spice make up the nose. Sweet velvety tannins and low acid outline the full body, with cherry and blueberry cobbler notes throughout. This wine might be best as a rich accompaniment to a rich red meat-based dish, or as the pairing to a selection of various chocolates.
5 Hearst Ranch 2018 ‘Lone Oak’ Cabernet Franc-Paso Robles AVA- CA
Cabernet Franc, perhaps more than any other red variety, can vary heavily based on the terroir. As a blending grape in St. Emilion and the rest of the Right Bank, it offers acidity, structure, and earth tones. As the star of the show in Saumur, Chinon, and Bourgueil, it’s a nuanced, acid-driven bomb of savory flavors. As for the new world, it becomes something else entirely; something displayed expertly by Hearst Ranch’s rendition. This Cab Franc is supplemented by Merlot and Petit Verdot, pouring a medium ruby color with purple hues. Aromas of dark chocolate, cherry, raspberry, espresso and forest floor arise from the glass. The palate is medium+ bodied, with elegant, dusty tannins and medium acid supplementing mineral-driven notes of graphite, tobacco, and reduced red fruits.
6 DAOU 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon- Paso Robles AVA-CA (Big Dog)
Daou has experienced a meteoric rise to being one of the faces of Paso Robles in the last decade, competing with other monster Paso Robles brands for market visibility. The impressive thing about this rise is that it has largely been done with a concealed hand, as the vast majority of the wines in their catalog never see retail. Having had personal experience with the winery and the reserve lot, most of these wines represents a different member of their family or a significant piece of history with names such as ‘1740’ (After the bell on the logo) or Soul of A Lion (After the Daou brothers’ father). However, the most tamely named reserve wine might showcase the winery the best of all. This Cabernet is blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc to add structure, and is aged in 50% New French Oak for 15 months. The result is a deep ruby-colored wine with purple hues, offering aromas of humidor, baker’s chocolate, anise and cassis. The palate is full-bodied with present, subtle tannins and restrained acidity. Globs of dark chocolate and dark berries dominate, supplemented by subtle spice, minerality, and vanilla.
7 Vina Robles 2018 Petite Sirah- Paso Robles AVA-CA
Though perhaps not quite as notable and accomplished as Zinfandel, there are few grapes quite as synonymous with California as Petite Sirah. Petite Sirah, or Durif, is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin that often displays an intense inky-dark color, black fruit flavors, and ferocious tannins. As such, they often face elongated stays in oak in order to encourage softening of said tannins, much like Vina Robles’ example, which sits in oak for 20 months. This wine pours a near impassable purple with blue and black hues, offering aromas of cassis, savory baking spice and smoked meat. The palate is full bodied, with intense, dusty tannins surround a savory blend of soy sauce, blueberries, and roast game, finishing with a lengthy sweet finish of coffee and vanilla. Petite Sirah is difficult to pair with food, but one of the classic pairings is chicken mole.
8 Nelle 2017 ‘Bedlam’- Central Coast AVA- CA (Baby Big Dog)
A decadent multi-AVA blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, this small production red from Nelle expresses all the hedonistic, rich tendencies of its varieties. Pouring a deep ruby with black/blue hues, this wine offers aromas of bacon fat, macerated berries, black pepper, and herbs de Provence. The palate is rich, with formidable tannins and balanced acidity. The monstrous 15.8 ABV is obscured by the wine’s structure and fruit, consisting of reduced raspberry, cassis, and blueberry, earth, and spicy, concentrated oak.
Since 1986, Paso Robles Wine Country has experienced a true renaissance. From boutique wineries producing less than 1,200 cases per year to high-production facilities boasting 100,000 cases or more annually, Paso Robles winemakers are cultivating distinct, high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux wines that earn national and worldwide recognition each and every year.
Working alongside well-respected Central Coast winemakers, many of whom boast multiple generations of rich, winemaking and wine grape growing heritage, this new crop of rebel rousing vintners share an independent spirit, dedication to quality and immense passion for crafting the best Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux varietals in the world.
Creating the best wines in California
When it comes down to it, Paso Robles Cabernet producers are indeed preoccupied with a lofty goal: Capturing the terroir, or specific sense of place, within each bottle. When carried out successfully, Paso’s bold Bordeaux wines reflect the land — and no two Paso Robles vineyards are the same. In Paso Robles Wine Country, geological diversity abounds, and a single vineyard block may contain a multitude of soil types. Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals flourish, as the climate, long growing season and soil work together to promote consistent physiological ripeness season after season.
May 7, 2021 at 7:08 AM
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Join us for a trip through New Zealand and Australia with 8 different wines from the region.
Australia, the land of surfing, kangaroos, and Christmas barbie (barbeque) and New Zealand, known for its wool and sailing prowess as two time winners of the America’s Cup, are also home to some of the world’s best vineyards. Despite the friendly rivalry between these two southern hemisphere countries they can both boast of an increasingly more prominent role in producing some of the world’s finest wines.
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The one and only, NZ Sauvignon Blanc has been, and continues to be, among the fastest growing wines in the US market. This is primarily based on its combination of value mixed with characteristics of some of the world’s luxury Sauvignon Blancs like those found in Bordeaux and Sancerre. That being said, it has suffered from oversaturation, with many examples doubling down on ripe, uncharacteristically one-dimensional version of the grape. Babich is a true throwback, focusing on delicate aromas and clean, bright flavors. The wine offers aromas of gooseberry, grapefruit, and mango cut with hop-like herbal notes. The palate is light bodied with high acidity, mixing juicy citrus and stone fruits with clean minerality. This is unequivocally a grilled seafood wine but would also find success with light charcuterie.
Made from fruit sourced in South Australia, unoaked and fruit forward in style. Though not entirely sourced from here, the ‘Third Generation’ brings much of its crop from this region. The wine pours a medium gold color with white hues, offering aromas of vanilla, honeycrisp apple, pineapple, and fresh-cut herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with medium acid laced among ripe pear, kiwi, and green apple notes. This would go with a plethora of seafood dishes, from sushi to seared snapper.
One of the pervading unsung gems in the world of Pinot Noir, New Zealand is responsible for some of the most delicate and nuanced current examples of the variety. Largely planted to the cooler regions on the South Island, Pinot planted in this region benefits from largely temperate weather mixed with ample sun exposure and the protection the Southern Alps provide from winds that blow in form the West. The Orchard Lane is a style-specific version of NZ Pinot, and displays typical characteristics. The wine pours a delicate pale ruby hue with pink hues, offering aromas of bing cherry, rhubarb, potting soil, and spice box. The palate displays a medium-minus body with medium plus acidity, blending fresh juicy red fruits with a balanced astringent medley of cedar and cinnamon. This is an extremely delicate red, and is a prime candidate for salmon-based dishes.
Though not quite as famous as it’s counterparts in McLaren Vale or Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek has merit all its own when it comes to style-appropriate Australian Shiraz. The oppressively hot and dry climate suits Shiraz well with its hardy nature and high amount of anthocyanin (The compound that gives red wine a purple tint when exposed to sun). Heartland’s example displays all of the quintessential notes of AU shiraz sans the sky-high ABV. The wine pours a medium purple with ruby hues, and offers a medley of black cherry, blackberry, and cassis cut with pronounced earthiness, peppercorn, and bramble. The palate is medium-plus bodied with medium acidity. A plethora of blackberry jam is accented by notes of cinnamon and black pepper. You could certainly pair this with steak, but it might be more advisable to go with venison in this instance.
We have served warm climate NZ Pinot Gris at the bar before, but this is the first time we have had Marlborough Pinot Gris in some time. Huia’s example displays an Old World hands-off approach, using native yeasts and no fining prior to bottling. This wine pours a light gold, with aromas of white blossoms and brown pear, which leads into a delicate palate of peach, mandarin orange, and spice box. This is an exquisitely aromatic and delicate wine that would work best with a medley of spiced nuts and cheeses.
While GSM’s can be found in every imaginable appellation at this point, Australia, in my humble opinion, is on the shortlist of regions you should look out for. Everything points to success, especially when in one of the cooler regions, as that is necessary to bring structure to what can otherwise be a flabby, over extracted mess. Tellurian’s example might be slightly lighter-bodied than you would expect, but it is a style-appropriate example of what the region can offer. This blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvedre pours a medium ruby with plum hues, and offers aromas of various red fruits grounded by earth and herbal notes. The palate is medium-bodied, with medium acid accenting plum, tart cherry and strawberry. This is very much the requisite BBQ wine on the list.
There are not many names in viticulture more synonymous with larger-than-life, hedonistic wines than Mollydooker. Famous for their “Marquis Fruit Weight” measurement (mindset?) system, Mollydooker is famous for their massive ABV reds, which often translate into decadent, delicious wines named after various Avatars (The Boxer, The Blue-Eyed Boy, Carnival of Love, etc.). ‘The Scooter’ is no exception, offering a massive rendition of Merlot while incorporating the style-appropriate characteristics found in cooler climates. This wine pours a medium ruby with purple hues, and offers aromas of blackberry, plum, and herbs de Provence. The palate is full-bodied with a surprising amount of structure, balancing fresh tea leaf and black pepper against a medley of blue and black fruits. As I’ve mentioned in the past, Merlot has become my new favorite steak wine, so that is what I would go with here.
Seeing that this is an Australia-focused month, it would not be right that we did not visit what is largely considered to be its preeminent growing region. Barossa Valley displays a Mediterranean climate, which lends itself to high-quality new world-style Syrah production. This wine reflects the up and coming Shiraz vineyards of the Barossa, rather than the battle hardened old vines that make up the core of our other cuvées. But like all Torbreck wines, Woodcutter’s Shiraz receives the very best viticultural and winemaking treatment. Fruit is sourced from hand-harvested and hand-tended, low-yielding vines, then open fermented and gently basket pressed before ageing on fine lees for 12 months in large format seasoned barrels and foudres. Although this wine is constantly praised for its succulence and richness, there is also a complexity and texture.
Located 1250 miles southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand is comprised of two main landmasses (North Island and South Island) and numerous small islands. The latitude and position of the islands and their distance from any land mass provide moderate to cool but variable maritime climate. The central ranges of mountains that run through the length of both main islands generate marked contrasts between higher rainfall, cloudy, windward west and the milder, sunnier, leeward side.
Most of the vineyards in the North Island are located on the eastern side of the mountains where there’s a drier, sunnier climate. The South Island possesses about two thirds of the vineyard area, with the Marlborough area alone growing 52% of the country’s vines.
Sauvignon Blanc, the country’s best-known variety, makes up nearly 40 percent of New Zealand’s 60,000 acres of producing vineyards, as well as 78 percent of its exports to the United States. Practically all of the best Sauvignons come from Marlborough, a region on the northeastern tip of the South Island. The vast majority of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel tanks at very cool temperatures, which preserves maximum vibrancy and highlights freshness. However, a growing number of estates are making small lots of Sauvignon fermented at least partially in oak barrels, some of which are new. Although styles vary according to vintner preferences and vineyard location, Marlborough Sauvignons tend to be especially crisp, aromatic and food-friendly, with baseline flavors of tart lime and grapefruit, along with grass, fresh herbs and crushed stone. Some wines have tropical guava and passion fruit character, and riper versions can feature peach and apricot.
Recently New Zealand Pinot Noir is grabbing a lot of attention. It’s the second most widely planted variety in New Zealand, with 11,000 acres currently in production. In general, New Zealand Pinot Noirs have more affinity with the wines of Burgundy than those of California. Cooler growing conditions impart bright acidity and taut tannins, and the wines show a wide range of lively fruit flavors, including berries, plum and cherry, with the better versions often featuring intense spiciness as well as crushed stone and mineral accents. Nearly all of the top bottlings come from three regions: Central Otago, in the southern third of the South Island; Marlborough; and Martinborough, near the southern tip of the North Island. Red wines other than Pinot Noir deliver mixed results. The most promising variety is Syrah, which, along with Cabernet and Merlot, does best in Hawkes Bay.
Australia produces an amazingly diverse range of wines, from mass-market wines to dessert-style nectars that wow you with their richness and refinement. Recent export figures place Australia as the fourth largest exporter of wine, selling to more than 100 countries around the world. With more than 2,000 wineries spread across a landmass that’s nearly the size of the United States.
A wide range of climatic conditions, from the cool highlands of Tasmania to the hot and arid Murray Valley provides many opportunities for producing distinctive wines from premium European cultivars. Viticulture is concentrated principally in the southeastern portion of the continent, with some vineyards located in the southwest and the island state of Tasmania.
South Australia produces about 50 percent of Australia’s wine. The area includes both high-profile appellations and vast interior vineyards that make more anonymous bottlings. The warm region of Barossa Valley typically makes rich, dark, full-bodied Shiraz and is gaining a reputation for Grenache as well. Nearby Eden Valley is a bit cooler and is one of the best spots for Riesling. Clare Valley, a charming string of hills north of Barossa, also makes some of the very best Riesling, along with delicious Shiraz, and McLaren Vale, to the south, produces distinctive Grenache and Shiraz. Coonawarra, where Cabernet does particularly well, is the best known of the cluster of cooler regions near the border with Victoria that includes Padthaway and Wrattonbully.
Victoria, with 15 percent of Australia’s vineyards, contains some of the coolest appellations in the country. Located near Melbourne, the regions of Yarra Valley, Macedon and Mornington Peninsula make some high-profile Chardonnays and, increasingly, Pinot Noirs. Central Victoria, closer to the hot interior of Australia, does better with Shiraz. The other prime zone for Australian wine is Western Australia. Although it makes only 4 percent of Australia’s wine, several of the country’s best Chardonnays come from the coastal region of Margaret River. The vineyards of New South Wales, including Hunter Valley, owe much of their popularity to their proximity to Sydney. The wines generally do not compare favorably to those of South Australia, Victoria or Western Australia. The southern island of Tasmania is gaining a reputation for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.
Apr 2, 2021 at 11:37 AM
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Have you ever had something described to as “greater than the sum of its parts”? I’m not sure if there’s a wine I’ve tried that better embodies that than the ‘Protocolo’. This is a blend of Macabeo (Primary grape in Cava) and Airen (Grape used primarily for brandy); which are grapes with an inherently “cheap” reputation. However, combined they are a lovely, floral, and tropical white with no end of porch-pounding potential. The pale straw colors give way to a nose filled with aromas of banana, peach, and slightly herbal notes. The palate has a surprising weight while still maintaining balanced acidity. The banana and peach notes carry through with slight aloe notes on the back end.
Generally speaking, white wines are overlooked in the grand scheme of Spanish wine in the United States market. Even within this decreased scope, Verdejo is niche, finding virtually all of its acreage in Rueda. This is Spain’s answer, among many, to Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet/Melon de Bourgogne, and Gruner Veltliner. It is often characterized by bright notes of lime and other citrus essence cut with ripe, spicy fennel notes. This rendition by famed vintner Marques de Riscal is very style-appropriate, with aromas of lime, orange peel, peach, and ripe crunchy vegetal notes. The palate is light bodied with racy acidity, combining the aforementioned citrus with fennel, aniseed, and fresh cut grass. Probably the best analogy I have seen for Verdejo is that it is the “lime” to your fish taco dish. This is to say that if your dish is benefitted by the presence of lime, it will benefit from the presence of Verdejo.
Monastrell…. what is that again? It’s one of the many aliases of our favorite blending grape: Mourvèdre! While Mourvèdre grown in other Old Word regions like France (Bandol anyone?) tend to be decidedly meaty and savory, Monastrell grown within the comparatively warm region of Alicante blends these meaty aspects with decadent fruit. Even odder is the demonstrably lighter style that the ‘Mo’ demonstrates, more reminiscent of certain crus of Beaujolais. Aged exclusively in steel to soften Monastrell’s inherently fierce tannins and other phenolic compounds, this pours a purple with violet hues. The nose offers some of the meatiness, smoke, and graphite you would expect while supplemented by additional aromas of violets and blueberries. The palate yields a full body, juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins enveloping blue fruits, white pepper, and concentrated floral components. Try this with a rich pork tenderloin or even braised lamb.
An appellation typically known for whites; this Cabernet Sauvignon displays atypical New World characteristics. It pours a medium ruby with purple hues, offering aromas of cherry, plum, cassis, vanilla, and cedar box. The palate is medium-plus, with balanced acidity and soft, woody tannins complementing macerated red fruits. While an eligible steak wine, this is likely better served with something that benefits from its new world flair, such as short ribs or lamb.
Albarino on the Platinum List? What gives? First off, ouch; second off, what if I told you Albarino can be as complex and structured as any other heralded Old-World white? Enter the ‘Vicius’ Albarino. This avant-garde take on this traditionally lean grape utilizes oak-aging to draw out tertiary notes from the grape. The nose offers bready, yeasty notes supplemented by apricot and salinity. The palate is slick and oily, substituting the typical acidity for increased tertiary notes of wood, snow pea, and citrus. This is an off-the-wall, but delicious white that would be suitable with richer sea food.
We are all likely familiar with the Rioja DOCa, but we are all going to get very familiar with its primary competition. Ribera del Duero represents the muscular yin to Rioja’s yang, offering rich, extracted, and structured reds more influenced by New World winemaking practices. For a fresher, young example, the ‘Hito’ displays all of these characteristics in stride. Unlike other notable preparations of Tempranillo, this example substitutes aromas of strawberry and leather for rich cherry, fig, and tobacco aromas. The palate is full-bodied, with fresh acidity and supple tannins accented rich globs of red fruit, earth and baking spice. This wine screams tri-tip (prepared CA-style) and demands to be at your next BBQ.
One of the most commercially and critically acclaimed estates in all of Spain, Marques de Riscal is responsible for saturating the market with some of the most consistently high-quality Rioja available. This is done in spite of massive production, with the RR in particular accounting for upwards of 300,00 cases per year. 2015 was a particularly hot and dry year in Rioja, yielding higher than normal alcohol levels and wines with particular ripeness and velvety tannins. Pouring a rich ruby color with garnet streaks, this wine offers dried cherry, strawberry, dried tobacco, and leather on the nose. The palate is full-bodied, with fresh acidity and supple, velvety tannins. The red fruits are concentrated and spicy, accented by hints of vanilla and black pepper. This a textbook example of Rioja and would go exceptionally well with ham or roasted pork dishes.
Continuing along our tour of Ribera, we come to a richer, aged example. The ‘Seleccion Especial’ contains mostly Tempranillo in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. Following a rigorous oak program in a combination of French and American oak, the wine pours a rich, opaque ruby with purple hues. Muddled blue and black fruits dominate the nose while being accented by streaks of vanilla, iron, bramble, and anise. The palate is very full-bodied, with bracing acidity and chewy, lengthy tannins. This is all to balance the massive plethora of fresh blue fruits and vanilla. This wine has amazing length and can be enjoyed now or allowed to develop for an additional two to three years in the cellar.
Mar 5, 2021 at 7:30 AM
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Argentina is first and foremost known for its love of Malbec and its status as its leading global producer. So it only makes sense that if the mountainous, valley-laden terroir of Argentina is amenable to Malbec, then other Bordeaux varieties would thrive there all the same; including Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes used in the Black Cabra label come from some of the most commercially and critically successful vineyards in Mendoza; responsible for brands such as Tapiz and Zolo. Following an extended cold-soak maceration to extract the rich shades of ruby popular in Argentinian reds, the juice is aged in French oak for 8 months, resulting in an approachable, style-appropriate version of Argentina Cabernet. The wine pours a rich ruby color with purple hues and minor rim variation; offering aromas of dark red and blue fruits accented by granite and black pepper. The palate is full-bodied with well-integrated tannins, offering crunchy dark cherry and blue fruit notes supplemented by cassis and vanilla. There will be a number of steak wines on this list, so alternatives are needed. Think a rich, spicy beef stew that plays well with the fruitiness and structure of this wine.
Though Bordeaux is most prominently known for its producers listed under the 1855 Classification such as the first growths of Château Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion, there are a plethora of lower-designated producers making wines that demonstrate some of the key features of Bordeaux-based wines at a significantly-friendlier price point; with Mission ‘St. Vincent’ among them. This a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced primarily from Entre-Deux-Mers, an area of Bordeaux primarily known for dry whites and a universal focus on all Bordeaux varieties. This blend is aged in a combination of stainless steel and oak to maintain acid and freshness. This wine pours a medium ruby with purple hues, offering notes of fresh, acidic red and blue fruits laced with toasty wood and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied with appropriate overall structure, offering a mixture of red and blue fruits, herbaceousness, and slight hints of spice.
When we think of Australia, we think of Shiraz; and when we think of Shiraz, we think of dry, hot, sunny regions like Barossa that yield massively fruity and powerful wines respected the world over (Think Grange, Carnival of Love, etc.). Lesser known are the ‘cold-climate’ regions of Australia, particularly when it comes to red varieties. Victoria contains acclaimed sub-regions known for Australia’s lesser known wine gems, like the Muscat a Petit Grains-based dessert wines of Rutherglen. Shiraz, however, has a small, but respected place here as cold-climate variations are created. Mount Langi Ghiran specializes in these unique iterations of Australian Shiraz, and the ‘Billi Billi’ is no exception. This wine pours a garnet hue; lighter in contrast to its counterparts in Barossa, offering aromas of cherry, black plum, and blackberry accented by notes of violet and black pepper. The palate offers medium, but well-integrated tannins accented with lip-smacking acidity; all enveloping a core of blue and black fruits. Pair this with braised meats in order to create a dichotomy of controlled and hedonistic richness.
The result of Rich Salvestrin’s vision for an accessible, but overachieving California red, ‘The Cult’ is a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Sirah sourced from Lodi. The deep ruby color offers aromas of black cherry, vanilla, cigar smoke, and bittersweet chocolate. Globs of milk chocolate and raspberry make up the palate, with sweet tannins and a lengthy, complex finish rounding the experience out. This is a versatile food wine that could easily go with a multitude of cuisines.
Does the name of this winery look familiar? It should! We featured Chateau Nozieres’ base Cahors on the Gold Club back in June and it was a smash hit! As such, we decided to feature one of their premier products on the Platinum list, and wow, is this a stunner! As a quick recap, Cahors is the original champion of Malbec, with its ‘black wines’ dating back to the 16th century. All Cahors must be at least 85% Malbec, with Merlot and Tannat being the only legal options for blending. The ‘Ambroise de L’Her’ is 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot, and goes through 14 months of aging in French Oak. The nose is INTENSE, with crunchy black fruits cut with coffee, hints of vanilla and herbs. This wine is immensely structured, offering dense tannins and bright acidity around a core of plum and blackberry. If there is any wine that could be singled out on this list as ‘steak-friendly’, it is undoubtedly this. Pair with a ribeye and enjoy!
If you have ever asked Brian about Zin, you have likely heard him drone on about how it differs drastically from area to area; wishing the whole way he would stop talking. Some point during these monologues, you have likely heard that Napa-sourced Zin’s are generally more structured in comparison to its various counterparts; which is true! Oakville is quickly becoming a favorite, with Michael Pozzan’s version being an excellent style-appropriate example. This Zin sees an impressive 18 months in a combination of French and American Oak, yielding a decadent, dark ruby hue. The nose offers plush raspberry, hints of stone fruit, and pungent black peppercorn. The palate is very full-bodied, with supple, sweet tannins and toasty oak accenting reduced raspberry, juicy cherry, and milk chocolate. I’ll say it once, I’ll say it again: Zin and BBQ is beautiful, and this pairing will serve you well!
For the first time since last year, we have a bonafide ‘old vine’ blend in SWB! This is a blend from winemaker Katie Carter of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, and Carignan sourced from some of the most respected appellations in CA for all of these varieties. This blend is aged 15 months in a combination of Hungarian and American oak. This pours an inviting blend of ruby and purple, offering aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, black-tea and spicy mesquite. The palate is predictably rich and full-bodied, with Petite Sirah’s quintessentially dusty tannins showing through, along with macerated raspberry, black pepper, and bramble. This is an upscale, juiced version of the ‘old vine’ style, and shows its increased nuance and care in spades.
J. Lohr?!? Hear us out! This is a restaurant-only offering from Paso Robles giant J. Lohr, but one that goes much beyond its reputation as grocery wine producer. This blend takes everything unique to Paso and recklessly turns it up to 11, offering a wine deserving of its namesake. This blend of Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Malbec is aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American Oak. The look is decadently ruby, completely opaque in quality. The nose offers a combination of fruitcake, bright cherry, and vanilla supplemented by subtle spice. The palate is rich, creamy, and full-bodied with velvety tannins and balanced acidity. There is a decadent core of mocha, vanilla, and fruit that deftly rides the line between acceptable and overkill, offering one of the most decadent reds I have seen here in my time at Steve’s. Food pairings? You need something ridiculously decadent to stand up to this; think braised short ribs.
Dec 4, 2020 at 12:00 AM
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...the natural path to go down might be lighter-bodied Pinot Noirs and Gamays, or grill-friendly, rich reds like Zinfandel or Rhone-Blends. These are tried and true options, but there is a new wave of organic and biodynamic reds made from traditionally-rich varietals that check both the light-bodied and grill-friendly boxes. In order to expose people to some fun products, Steve’s is currently featuring two organic/biodynamic reds to pair with your next BBQ or day on the porch!
The first of these is Mother Rock’s 2016 Force Celeste, a blend of Pinotage, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvedre sourced from the Swartland appellation of South Africa. This wine is made via spontaneous fermentation before being aged in concrete for 9 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The first thing you notice is the intense, cloudy ruby tint of the wine. This aesthetic richness is subverted by the nose, which is moderately intense, with notes of bright, tart cherry and strawberry with subtle hints of soil, flint, and game. On the palate, this wine is bone dry, with medium tannin and medium plus acid. This acidity, paired with a modest 11.5% abv, makes for a bright, tart, and refreshing wine with notes of fresh cherry, five spice, cinnamon, and subtle minerality. The liveliness of this wine paired with its spice notes makes it a prime pairing candidate for rich BBQ, meat-based or otherwise!
The second wine, Azienda Agricola COS’s 2018 Nero di Lupo comes to us from the Terre Siciliene IGP (Sicily). This wine is 100% Nero D’Avola and also goes through spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts before being aged in concrete prior to bottling; an unorthodox method for a grape that is traditionally produced in a rich, ripe style. This does not have the untouched look of the Mother Rock, as the wine is unfiltered, but not unfined, The nose is moderately intense, with dark red fruits like black cherry being mixed with tertiary notes of spice and violets. The palate has medium plus tannin and acidity; retaining the dark red fruit and spice while adding subtle notes of game and leather. This wine is tailor-made for foods roasted on an open flame, whether it’s pork, vegetable kabobs, or even pizza.
For a limited time, we are extending our traditional club member discount of 15% on these wines to everyone! These are two delicious, and well-crafted wines that will reward an adventurous palate and those truly committed to the potential of a perfect food/wine pairing.
Stop by and pick up a bottle or two before they are gone.
May 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
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