Franco Costa
Three Wine Company
Spinelli Vineyard Mataro 2015
I used to order these wines through Wine Access years ago. I enjoyed them initially but then over time grew a bit weary of them because none of them weighed in at less than 15%. The fruit was impeccable. I love those old CC vineyards. But I prefer it when people like Ridge, Bedrock, and, to a slightly lesser degree, Sandlands, bring in and vinify those gorgeous old vine grapes at a slightly lower level of ripeness.
@Tom Casagrande, I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said, I wish these 3 Wines were more 14% than 15%, but I’ve way worse from some “name” southern Rhône wines (my favorite region in the wine world) — I guess it’s “climate change”??
If other wineries can source the fruit from the same CC old vineyards and come in under 15, that suggests that the difference is a conscious choice. But in the Southern Rhone, I think your point is more applicable. They’re primarily working with Grenache there, and, particularly in CDP and Lirac, it’s a real challenge to get phenolic ripeness without sugar levels that take you to 15 and beyond. I feel for those folks. Climate change is an existential challenge for them.
Gaja
Costa Russi Langhe Nebbiolo 1998
So good. Definitely has relaxed a bit - the tannins are pretty smooth, but the quality and depth of the fruit both on the nose and palate remains. Excellent with steaks off the grill. I think our last bottle. Opened for 3 hours and decanted for 30 mins. Very nice. — 2 months ago
Franco Serra
Barbaresco Nebbiolo
Super dry with mixed pepper, minerals, and herbs — 4 months ago
Sandlands
Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 2022
This really does live into the moniker “Red Table Wine.” 100 year old vines. Pure sand vineyards. 75% Carignane 35% Mataro. No one varietal stands out. It’s just gutsy and deep and balanced and good. Little bit of everything: ripe fruit, earth, spice, acids, tannin. — 2 months ago
@Tom Casagrande, OK, your math is “good enough for government work”!! 🤔🤷🍷
@Doug Powers - Makes sense since that’s my employer.
@Tom Casagrande, same for me (formerly), but since I was a tax lawyer, no way they woulda cut me that slack!! 🤷
Three Wine Company
Contra Costa County Old Vines Zinfandel 2019
Actually @Dave Clinton, it was more like 97-98, but “it’s a dry heat” — yeah, when I was 30-40 years old, probably true, but as I get older, much over 90 and I wanna curl up in the wine cellar!!
I hear that.
The humidity the last two weeks here in NoVa has been oppressive. I love me some old vine CC Zin.
Doug Powers
128-year-old Mataro vines from the Spinelli Vineyard in Contra Costa County, the dark black fruit aromas and flavors seem unmistakably Californian, quite ripe, still shows lots of structure and old vine intensity, long, lingering finish, last bottle but this is another outstanding wine from Matt Cline!! — 5 days ago