Four from California, Two from Australia

This Thursday’s tasting promises to be a good one, featuring wines from California and Australia; four reds and two whites altogether. The majority of these wines are brand-new to Spirits as well as some that we are quite excited for you to try!

Vina Robles is a family owned producer in the Paso Robles AVA, owned and operated by two Swiss gentleman who bring a European approach to California terroir; we will try a white and red blend, each made from four varieties. David Bruce is a highly-esteemed California producer that was founded in the 60s and is known for Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; for the tasting we will sample their entry-level Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. From Australia we will try wines from two different producers, Woolundry Road and Turkey Flat Vineyards. Woolundry Road’s value-priced Cabernet Sauvignon will be $11.99 for the tasting. Turkey Flat is one of the most reputable Australian producers; we look forward to your response to their GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre- a.k.a. Mataro in Australia) called the Butcher’s Block Red- it is basically the same blend as the Vino Robles Red, it will be fun to taste these two side-by-side.

How about our local Champions the Crimson Tide? ROLL TIDE ROLL!! Let’s Celebrate! Hope to see you this Thursday night!

Vina Robles Winery and Vineyards– “Here, proprietor Hans Nef and managing partner Hans R. Michel bring their Swiss heritage to California’s Central Coast, where they aim to unite the best of both experiences. “I want Vina Robles to express a unique balance of European heritage and American opportunity. As individuals, we are rooted in the Old World. As winemakers, we are empowered by the New World. But both worlds bring value to what we do, and we endeavor to capture this distinction in our wines.” -Proprietor Hans Nef

We first discovered Paso Robles in the early 1980s and became enamored with this emerging wine country. Along golden slopes, where the Pacific coastline unfolds into rugged ranchlands and cowboy ambiance, a new generation of California winemakers was turning Paso Robles into one of the world’s most dynamic winegrowing regions. In the mid 1990s we planted our first estate vineyard and established Vina Robles as a family winery specializing in varieties that excel in the region’s diverse terroir. The vision for Vina Robles is summed up by our motto: European Inspiration – California Character.”

Vina Robles White 4* (*the power of 4) 2010– Paso Robles, California. A blend of Vermentino, Verdelho, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc (“Each variety was kept separate, aging 6 months sur lie. The Verdelho aged in stainless steel tanks while the other varieties aged in neutral barrels and blended together right before bottling.”). “This wine is an Estate blend combining grapes from prestigious Huerhuero and Jardine vineyards located in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. The varieties used in this blend are unique to Paso Robles and California’s Central Coast. Intended as a trial, the Vermentino and Verdelho have responded extremely well to the terroir of Huerhuero Vineyard.” Aromas of peach and orchard fruit with floral hints and mineral undertones. It offers a textured mouthfeel within a dry and lean framework with gentle acidity that creates nice balance. A food-friendly white. Tasting $14.99

Vina Robles Red 4* (*the power of 4) 2009– Paso Robles, California. A blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre; aged for 15 months in neutral French oak barrels, once and twice used. Estate-grown grapes are from the Huerhuero Vineyard, located in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. This red “blend showcases the structure of Petite Sirah, the forward fruit of Grenache, the spice and cherry qualities of Syrah, and the rustic character of Mourvèdre. Aromas of dark fruit and dried prunes with notes of clove and allspice. Opens with juicy ripe fruit, hints of oak and spice; medium bodied with elegant tannins and a strong finish.” Opaque purple in color with sweet, dark fruit scents of blue and black berry fruit and spicy suggestions. Flavorful and rich on the mouthcoating palate with some sweet berry fruit notes and a long finish. Tasting $15.99

David Bruce Winery– “David Bruce Winery has earned an International reputation throughout its nearly four decades for its dedication to producing [what they believe to be] the greatest Pinot Noir in the world. In pursuit of this goal, the winery has adheared to traditional European winemaking practices that trace their lineage back to the early pioneers of winemaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley. David Bruce Winery has also been at the forefront of efforts to develop innovative new methods that have changed the face of winemaking in California.

Facts about David Bruce: Bonded in 1964, the winery is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and consists of 16 acres, 9 of which are planted to Pinot Noir. The Estate Vineyard is in the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation at 2,200 feet. Total production is 60,000 cases per year, including Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chardonnay.”

David Bruce Chardonnay 2011– Santa Lucia Highlands, California. “Aromas of mangoes, white peaches, apricot, and and pineapple caress the mind into believing it was a summer day on the ocean beach. Follow that with flavours of toasted walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, apricots, peaches, caramel, and toasted bread. This wine is clean and as crisp as a Sauvignon Blanc, enjoy with a variety of foods from Asian cuisine, salads, soups, and even creamy dishes.” Tasting $15.99

David Bruce Select Petite Sirah 2010– Central Coast, California. The grapes for this wine “come from several vineyards in Paso Robles and southern Monterey. The resulting components display notable differences, some exuding bright, spice-tinged fruit while others are jammy, earthy and dense. The blend in many ways exceeds the sum of these parts, offering blackberry, blueberry and white pepper aromas, with a supple and balanced feel coming from our gentle handing of the fruit. Limiting the influence of new oak allows the fruit to shine through, making this wine versatile with foods and ready to drink now.” Tasting $20.99

Woolundry Road– The Woolundry Road wines are “sourced from the cooler regions of Southern Australia, offering character and depth of flavor whilst ensuring unrivalled value for money. This wine has been hand-crafted and meticulously engineered by our winemaker Steve Grimley to ensure a soft, approachable and easy drinking wine that has great character and depth of flavour.”

Woolundry Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2011– Southern Australia. The fruit was “sourced mostly from the cool Limestone Coast. It offers a grape-y nose with notes of black cherry, plum, and blackberry. Supple-textured and tasty, it has some underlying structure and a lengthy finish. Drink this well-balanced effort over the next 3-4 years. It is an excellent value.” Tasting $11.99

Turkey Flat Vineyards– “The birth of Turkey Flat took place in 1847 when a far-sighted Silesian refugee Johann Frederick August Fiedler planted Shiraz vines in the rich alluvial soils adjacent to the Bethany Creek. Fiedler was the brother-in-law to Pastor August Kavel, who led the German emigrants to Australia’s Barossa Valley, and he settled on one of the first parcels of land to be surveyed in the area.

Turkey Flat is the local name for the vineyard property and is believed to be so named by the original settlers in the late 1840’s after the large flocks of native bush turkeys (Australian Bustard) in the area.

The Turkey Flat vineyards and winery are now situated on the historic Section One property in the centre of the Barossa. The Schulz family became owners of the Turkey Flat property in around 1865 and while they continued to tend the ancient vineyard, they also developed a thriving butchers business.

The sensitively restored bluestone butchers shop is now the wine sales and private tasting room referred as ‘The Butcher’s Block Room’ for the company. In 1990 the Schulz family created Turkey Flat, building a winery and cellar door on their Bethany, Barossa Valley vineyard.”

Turkey Flat Butcher’s Block Red 2010– Barossa Valley, Australia. A blend of 53% Shiraz, 31% Grenache, and 16% Mourvedre that aged for 18 months in French oak hogsheads & large oak vats. “The Butchers Block is a traditional Barossa blend made with grapes selected from the Turkey Flat vineyards [Bethany, Stonewell and Koonunga vineyards], including some from the original old vine plantings.” 88 Wine Advocate- “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 Butchers Block Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre offers pronounced nose of warm black plums, kirsch and blackberry preserves with hints of mulberries, spice cake and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and packed with spicy black berry preserve flavors, it has a medium level of chewy tannins, crisp acid and a long finish. Drink it now to 2016+.” Tasting $19.99

vina robles white vina robles red David Bruce Chardonnaydavid bruce petite sirahWoolundry Cab Turkey Flat red

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