Summer Wine Recommendations

There is a lot of summer left and last month I had a unique opportunity to make a small contribution with Jon Jilg to a well known Los Angeles publication, Park La Brea News/Beverly Press. In the 2014 Dining Guide, we reviewed and recommended affordable summer wines from California.

We visited LA's famous Farmers Market and a couple of local wine shops to acquire our recommendations. I can't say more than you need to visit the website. The 2014 Dining guide can be viewed at

www.parklabreanewsbeverlypress.com

Central Coast Bargain

2013 Bishops Peak Chardonnay, SLO County

Produced by Talley Vineyards from various vineyard locations in San Luis Obispo County, this wine is lighter in color with a nice aroma of tropical fruit, apple and citrus. The flavor profile is crisp, with citrus zest flavors and a pleasant balance of youthful acidity with a touch of oak. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc you will enjoy this wine.

Light enough to begin a meal or serve with light seafood or chicken dishes.

This is a great buy at $14.00

Summer Refreshment

2013 Lucy, Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

This wine is produced by the Pisoni Family. A dollar from each bottle sold is donated to Breast Cancer Research. There is a touching back story at www.lucywines.com.

This is medium to dark in color for a Rose wine. For me the taste profile is between a young, light pinot noir and a dry rose. Bright flavors of raspberry, other red fruit and a bit of lime.

Great warm weather wine, enjoy with chicken salads, or any dish with mild spice.

Don't overthink it just drink it. Purchased at K&L wine at $17.

Worthy of a Special Occasion

2012 Melville, Pinot Noir Estate, Santa Rita Hills

Having visited this winery at least a dozen times in the past, I had to try the latest release of this wine. During one of the visits we were able to tour the barrel room behind the tasting room. It was there I was able to see the dedication and pride they put into their wines.

The 2012 Estate Pinot Noir is medium in color and very expressive in aroma and flavor. The palate is full of red fruits and spices. This wine is still young but very drinkable now. I have 2 more bottles that I will open over the 2014 holidays.

This wine should be readily available now in the $30 price range. The wine critic ratings are just being published and will likely cause this to sell out quickly.

Value Alert- Another winner from Spain

2012 Borsoa  "Tres Picos" Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Borsoa, Spain 

The current vintage of this Spanish Grenache is great. I want to thank my golfing buddy Dave Lunan for reminding me about this wine. Dave loves to find a great value wines and many times his choices come from outside the United States.

The 2012 Borsoa has aromas of flowers, berries and smoke/tobacco.The color is dark, the fruit is upfront. There is some heat but it's all balanced in my humble opinion. This is not a wimpy red wine enjoy it with BBQ, grilled meats or even a savory meaty flatbread or pizza.

Buy at $14.00 !!!!! It should readily available at many wine shops. I purchased mine at K&L in Hollywood. 

Debut Post- The Launching Pad

In my debut post I would like to thank all my wine drinking friends for sharing your enthusiasm, encouragement and good wine over the past decade. You know who you are! My goal is to find and share good value wines at all price points.

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $25.00

This is still a young wine with great balance of fruit acid and mild tannins at initial uncorking. This is not an overly ripe fruit bomb. I hope I will be patient enough to wait another year or two and try another bottle.

Day 2- after being gassed and refrigerated the youthful fruit and acid are still present. Great wine for a around $25.00, buy it now it will go fast. I purchased mine at K&L Wines and The Wine House.