CALAVERAS WINE REVIEWS

Verdejo is a white wine grape that originated in North Africa and was transported to the Rueda region of Spain around the 11th century. Today approximately 47,000 acres (converted from hectors) are planted in Spain. The grapes are generally harvested at night with cooler temperatures to provide less oxidation or browning of the juice to provide the wine clarity.

It was by happenstance I noticed a new (for me) winery called Above the Rush in village of Vallecito on Highway 4 on my way to Murphys in the Sierra foothills. On the return trip, I took a gander to see what Above the Rush Wines was about. I was greeted by a welcoming Sheri Hendriks who owns the winery with Rob, her husband. It turns out it is a second label from Aloria Vineyards located in Murphys.

Quite sweet and relatively soft, this broad-textured wine is mouth-filling and luscious. It’s stuffed full of blackberry jam and black cherry syrup flavors that linger on the jammy finish.

This wine on eyes was a deep purple coloration and medium heavy body. On the nose, distinct blackberry aromas arose to awaken the drinker. Once on the palate, the dark black fruits were included black cherry, black pepper and a light smokiness. On the finish oak and a hint of mocha were present along with the mid-level tannins...

The brilliant coral color and engaging fruity aromas of this light-bodied sparkler lead to a rich, rather soft palate of cherry and strawberry flavors soothed by an off-dry, frothy mouthfeel. It's simply delicious.

This wine on the eyes was not as dark as some of the Italian Negroamaro’s but don’t let it fool you. It possessed a purple and crimson hue and was medium to medium heavy viscosity. Aromas of plum, dark cherry were prevalent. In the mouth, besides dark fruits, licorice and tobacco, a tinge of green pepper...

Sometimes you grab a bottle that is due up in the cellar with little expectation. Tonight this 2014 Black Sheep Cinsaut from Calaveras County blew our socks off! On the eyes a bright crimson hue and medium viscosity. On the nose blackberries and plum dominant. On the palate, raspberries, cranberries...

Treixadura (Trajadura) is dominant grape varietial found in Portugal’s Northwest region. Treixadura often a blending wine, it adds body and alcohol, as well as crisp, citrus (lemon) characteristics with some stonefruit, peach and apple traits. Gary Grant, winemaker at Gossamer cellars, decided to make a this a stand alone wine...

2017 Instigator a 100% Syrah from Shake Ridge Vineyard, Amador County is the real thing! Prospect 772 is located between Angels Camp and Copperopolis just off Highway 4. They received 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. On the eyes such a dark deep purple and heavy viscosity. On the nose blackberries, perfume...

A mix up with a vineyard proved to a great thing for Frog’s Tooth Winery located in Murphys, California in the Sierra Foothills. They were expected to get close to two tons of fruit from a small vineyard in Healdsburg, California (Sonoma Valley). Instead they received less than a half of ton of grapes...

The 2018 Hovey C2 is their white blend which changes year to year. This year they used 50% Albarino, 40% Viognier and 10% Chardonnay. This is one refreshing dry patio wine on a warm summer afternoon or evening. The C2 is their acknowledgement of Albert Michelson, the 1907 Nobel award winning physicist...

Last night a 2012 Jazz Cellars Rhapsody from a Saralee’s Vineyard in the Russian River, this wine is an equal blend of two mouthwatering grapes- Marsanne and Roussanne. On the eye, the wine is a medium-heavy viscosity and golden straw in color. The wine exudes flora and honeysuckle notes on the nose...

Gary’s Tannat has the notable features of very dark red and maroon coloring with a medium viscosity in the glass. On the nose, you are met with a rustic sense of the wine that includes dust, plum and black cherry. Not a very aromatic wine, but this is just the beginning. Once in the palate, you are greeted with the black cherry...

The winery in Vallecito (Sierra foothills) started with the purchase of the land in January 2002 by Jeff Stai and his wife Mary. Jeff, previously an electrical engineer in Southern California had spent a lot of time in the Calaveras and Alpine foothills.

One of my personal favorites is the Spanish varietal Tempranillo. The name comes from the Spanish word temprano, which means “early” as it ripens earlier than other grapes in Spain. If you have visited any town in Spain, Tempranillo is available ubiquitously as Starbucks coffee shops here in the USA. On the eyes this wine is a brilliant purple color with medium to medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, it starts out fresh and with black berry fruit.

This Primitivo was pulled from the cellar, knowing it would play well with the meal. On the eyes, the deep color and medium viscosity beckoned the first sip. On the nose, dark fruit, an earthy quality reigned supreme. Once on the palate, plum, raspberry, vanilla pipe tobacco and tart cranberries rose up to greet your taste buds.

This is a deep-red sparkling wine that backs rich but dry black-fruit flavors with a fine bead of bubbles and good acidity for a bracing effect on the palate. It makes a fun escape from the ordinary.

Pulled this from the cellar last night, a Jazz Cellars (located in Murphys, Calaveras County) and they source their grapes from around the state from 6-7 AVA’s. This Pinot Noir came from the Lone Oak Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands on the California Central Coast. For those not familiar with the Central Coast...

Allégorie Wines is a sister winery to Val du Vino in Murphys, California. Here winemaker Jonathon Phillips crafts some small batches of wine with “creative genius”. One of my personal favorites is the Spanish varietal Tempranillo. The name comes from the Spanish word temprano...

Barbera, the red-headed step child of Italian descent! Yes that is how many people view Barbera wine. Yet the pedigree goes back to the 7th century as compared to the relatively “new comer” Cabernet Sauvignon which dates only to the 17th century. The production of Barbera is primarily in Italy boasting about 83% of worldwide vines...

Tempranillo means “little early one” a name that the Spanish wine growers observed since it ripened earlier than their Garnacha in the vineyards. Tempranillo claims a heritage based on DNA with Rioja and Navarra grapes in Spain. Tempranillo is a thick skinned red grape that makes for intense dark colored wines...

At the National Cabernet Franc Wine Competition held December 2nd, 2020, Mineral Wines earned a Silver Medal Award by both the Professional and the People’s Choice Judges for their 2017 Cabernet Franc. This was Mineral Wines first year entering the wine competition and this is considered a solid showing....

The Rolleri Vineyard is located on the Murphys Grade Road, just outside Angels Camp on the way to Murphys. Having had some wine which Rolleri personally made (that was top notch), I was anticipating some unique and flavorful wines. The vineyard is on a south facing hillside and the grapes picked up some of the earthiness...

Gary Grant continues his quest to produce every varietal on the De Long’s Wine Grape Varietal Chart. Gossamer Cellars is located in Murphys in a small wine tasting room. His goal is to go wide and not deep in producing varietals to challenge everyday consumption of red and white wine presuppositions..

Two of the wine varietals which thrive in the Sierra Foothills are Tempranillo and Grenache. Gossamer Cellars through the creative genius of Gary Grant, combined these two grapes to form their 2018 Mariposa Roja. The growing climate (diurnal temperature swings) are more akin in Calaveras County to Spain, Portugal...

This wine had some great characteristics of a “Spanish” Mourvèdre with dark coloring, strong tannins, smokiness, black pepper yet more than sufficient fruit on the nose and palate of blackberries and blueberries. On the finish a gravel / rocky intertwined with the fruit provide a long and enjoyable finish...