California Wines: Joseph Carr and Bogle Vineyards

This Thursday we will sample a variety of California wines from Joseph Carr and Bogle Vineyards. These producers are both known for quality-driven wines that deliver great value. Altogether there will be one white and five reds to sample including a Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and a red blend by Bogle that is brand-new to the market. Although this tasting is a bit “red-heavy” these wines offer great value (Joseph Carr = $16.99 and Bogle Vineyards = $11.99) and are very food-friendly. The reds are also on the fruit-forward side, so if you love robust, bold, spicy, full-bodied rouge wines, this tasting is for you!

Joseph Carr was an award-winning Sommelier and wine industry executive who, following his dream, founded Joseph Carr Winery in Carneros, California in 2005. They are a family-owned company dedicated to making hand-crafted wines of quality. Joseph Carr is a negociant producer, this means that they do not own vineyards but they work with small-estate growers, coopers and winemakers to produce their wines. The fruit is sourced from Napa Valley, Carneros, and the North Coast of California.

Joseph Carr wines are produced at Larson Family Vineyards in Carneros, bordering both Napa and Sonoma Counties. They receive the grapes then crush, barrel ferment, blend and age their wine at this scenic property that was built over a hundred years ago by Tom Larson’s grandfather. Joseph Carr says: “Tom owns over a hundred acres of vines in Northern California, as well as managing 500 acres of some of the finest boutique vineyards in the valley. It is a place where we can be creative, laugh a lot, and work together to produce handcrafted wines, unhurried, in a state of the art facility.

The Bogle family has been farming since the mid-1800’s, although it was not until 1968 that the father and son team of Warren and Chris Bogle planted their first 20 acres of wine grapes in Clarksburg, California. In this small farming community along the Sacramento River, the Bogle family’s operation has transitioned into an impressive grape-growing production and nationally acclaimed winery.

Today Bogle Vineyards farms over 1,500 acres, of which 1,200 are in the Delta region. The winery was founded in 1978, and since their success has grown tremendously along with the vineyards. Their driving philosophy involves day-to-day participation of the Bogle family in the hands-on effort to produce and promote quality wines.

Patty Bogle, wife of the late Chris Bogle, became involved in the winery when she and Chris planted fields together in the early 1970’s. Patty took over operation of the winery in 1989, and along with the help of her long-time team, can be credited for their success in the market. Today, Chris and Patty’s children, who are sixth generation of the Bogle family, oversee the business.

We hope you will join us this Thursday!

The specific wines for the tasting are:

Joseph Carr Chardonnay Dijon Clone 2009– Sonoma Coast, California. 100% Chardonnay that fermented in Burgundy oak barrels; lees were stirred by hand monthly to create a creamy finished product. The wine aged sur lie for 8 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Toasty, spicy aromas greet the nose, followed by gentle oak flavors and suggestions of vanilla and tropical fruits on the soft palate. This integrated Chardonnay is summed up with balanced acidity and lingering sweet oak notes. Less than 1,200 cases produced. Tasting $16.99

Joseph Carr Merlot 2009– Napa Valley, California; from Rutherford, Stags Leap District and Carneros. A Bordeaux-style blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine aged in 1 and 2 year-old French and American oak barrels for 13-16 months. Depthful and rich with a bouquet of ripe plum, cassis, crushed herbs and cedar/oak undertones. Flavors of ripe berry fruit such as cherry, plum and blackberries are complemented with savory suggestions of spice and smoke. An approachable Merlot with good balance and structure. Tasting $16.99

Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon 2009– Napa County, California; 75% Napa Valley, 25% Red Hills sourced from vineyards including Rutherford, Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill and Red Hills. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The wine aged in barrel for 16-18 months in 1 and 2 year-old French and American oak. The wine is deep purple in color with fragrant scents of ripe black fruits, smoke and hints of leather. Black cherry and ripe plum flavors are enhanced with vanilla, cocoa and toasty oak notes. The tannins are firm, yet approachable, and linger gently on the finish. Tasting $16.99

Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2009– Lodi and Amador County, California. From vines 60-90 years-old. Aged for 12 months in 1, 2 and 3 year-old American oak. A rich and intense red with vibrant, enticing aromas of sweet summer berry fruits. Briary black fruit flavors meet baking spices of clove and nutmeg within a juicy mouthfeel. It is full-bodied and gentle with soft tannins and a fruity finish. Tasting $11.99

Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 2010– Clarksburg and Lodi, California. Barrel aged in American oak for 12 months. Petite Sirah is considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal, produced there since 1978. It is very inky, purple in color with pungent aromas of boysenberries, blackberries, and berry jam. It is explosive and ripe in the mouth with flavors of blueberries combined with hints of spice, coffee and leather. Tasting $11.99

Bogle Vineyards Essential Red 2009– Clarksburg, California. A blend of Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah that aged for 18 months in American and French oak barrels. It is opaque in the center with maroon edges offering a rich, ripe, and juicy nose of raspberry, black cherry, vanilla and oak. The palate is full-bodied and mouthcoating with big, ripe fruits and a long finish of tobacco, cigar box, licorice and spice. Tasting $11.99