JESSICA'S PORCH POUNDERS ARE LAUNCHING THE SUMMER!
Warmer weather is coming, masks will be coming off, barbecues, picnics by the lake, trips to the beach and lazing by the pool. All these summer activities call for fresher tasting, more casual wines from California. Jessica Martinez selects several wines to get you in a lighter, summery mood.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
These Sauvignon Blancs are some just damn good wines. Seriously perfect summer porch pounders. Calluna, made in the Bordeaux blanc style, has a bit of body from Semillon. Le Petit is light, crisp and refreshing, with round tropical fruit and bright lively acidity.
Calluna 2019 Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon Estate Blanc, Sonoma County
From Calluna’s estate vineyards, a blend of 74% Sauvignon Blanc and 26% Semillon. Made in the tradition of the dry white wines of Bordeaux--barrel fermented and barrel aged in neutral French oak barrels. This is a wine of bright acidity, moderate alcohol and great depth of flavor. These varietals complement each other as the rounder and honey-like tones of the Semillon are a counterpoint to the citrus, mineral and brighter tones of the Sauvignon Blanc. The barrel fermentation and barrel aging further harmonize the wine, giving us a graceful wine which belongs at the table and will potentially age for many years
$26.99 per bottle
Le Petit Coquerel 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Le Petit Sauvignon Blanc is pure, fresh and delicious. The nose is expressive and powerful with lemon and guava fragrances. The palate is crisp with a round mid-palate and a long finish of exotic fruit. It will pair perfectly with fish dishes, Asian food or with a cheese plate. This wine
$14.99 per bottle
OTHER INTERESTING RED WINES
These wines are what I am going to categorize as OTHER… A big bold blend from Cruse Wine, a bolder side of Grenache from Babcock, a savory Syrah from Samuel Louis, a super easy drinking red blend from Gundlach Bundschu. Just a few wines for the people who want to try something new and different!
Cruse Wine 2019 "Monkey Jacket" Red Blend, North Coast
Our Taste of Northern California in 2019, this blend is 53% Valdiguié with the remainder old vine Carignan, a red field blend, Petite Sirah, and Tannat. It is a wine of impressive vibrancy and brightness on the nose, but with a palate of late summer in California, sunny, dry, and serious. This blend has a great balance between grapes that can be high in acidity and grapes that are big, bold, and full of tannic structure, which makes for a really cool, well-balanced wine that will take your taste buds on a ride.
$25.99 per bottle
Babcock 2018 Grenache "Love Among the Ruins", Sta. Rita Hills
This wine is very delicate with beautiful notes of cranberry, raspberry and spice. In the mouth, it’s really succulent, and it packs a bit more of a wallop than you might think it’s going to, based on how the wine appears in the glass. As to whether the vineyards represented in Love Among the Ruins will produce darker, more structured wines in the future remains to be seen. But if this is what Grenache wants to be in the SRH, then I‘m fine with that. This is an absolutely classic rendition of Grenache and its fruit is super-fresh and tantalizing.
$22.99 per bottle
Samuel Louis Smith 2019 Syrah, Sandstone Terrace, Santa Cruz Mountains
A 50/50 blend of two personalities of syrah: the extremely cool-climate and coastal Gali Vineyard, and the warmer, high elevation Zayante vineyard. These components come together to exude the spicy, floral, and feminine side of syrah. Gali is located in the Corralitos sub-district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. At the low elevation of 400 feet and approximately six miles from the ocean, this is one of the coolest sites in the Samuel Louis lineup. Soils are clay loam weathered from sandstone and shale, formed on ancient submarine terraces. Own-rooted, dry-farmed, and certified organic, this is a true mountain site. Soils are Lompico clay loam- material that was weathered from sandstone, shale, conglomerate, and granodiorite. Deep magenta and medium bodied. Aromas of red plum, leafy herbs, pepper, and candied violet are supported by Asian five spice, potpourri, and purple fruits on the palate.
$29.99 per bottle
Gundlach Bundschu 2018 Red Wine Mountain Cuvee, Sonoma County
Crafted to satisfy the contemplative connoisseur, yet approachable for the casual imbiber, and, affordable for all the above. Refreshing aromas of black cherries and blackberries lifted by vanilla and warm baking spices lead into a light-to-medium bodied palate of more dark fruit, savory cocoa and earth, while dusty tannins and mouth-watering acidity leave a lingering freshness. As with previous vintages, this wine is ready to pair with a myriad of cuisines and occasions, or enjoy on its own, knowing it will leave you clamoring for more.
$14.99 per bottle