New Arrivals - Red Blends

June 2016 News from Gillette Ridge Wine & Spirits

New Arrivals - California Reds
One of the benefits for those of us in the shop is that we get to taste a lot of wine - sometimes too many wines. In fact, one of the challenges we face is trying to pick the right wines. This involves picking wines of great quality, at the right price, and not too many of any one type or style. Keeping a balance on inventory is the requirement of all good retailers. With this though comes the need to keep things fresh with new items, new producers, interesting regions and wines coming in for you, our valued customer.

This week we are highlighting a few new additions to the line-up, and with focus on reds. This week we have some great blends from northern California. This is definitely one of the new trends over the past few years - Blends. The thing is though that many people do not realize that many (if not most) wines are actually blends, of some time or another. American wine law require only 75% of a single varietal in a wine to use the name of that varietal on the label. This means 25% of another grape or grapes can be in the wine, and this is often done. There are many reason why this done - usually to create a certain style or feel in the wine that cannot be achieved with a single varietal. Other reasons include economics (some grapes cost more than others), weather (some grapes ripen differently than others), marketing (some grapes are more popular than others). This is not a universal requirement in all wine regions, of course. There are regions where 100% of the stated grape varietal is required, but often these regions have traditional wines that are based on blends.

Take a look through these great wines we have selected this week. The weather looks great for Saturday ad these wines will all make great choices if you happen to be cooking out on the grill. And if you are not outside, these drink great in-doors as well.

Cheers!
Anand

Peterson Winery
Zero Manipulation Red Blend, 2014

Mendocino Valley
Carignane, Grenache, Syrah

Peterson Winery has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley for over 25 years and, like most wineries in the Valley, produces Zinfandel as well as other wines. Yet a closer look shows that is where the similarities end.

Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old world wine-making philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul. The evolution of Peterson wines and wine-making accelerated when Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002. In 2006, after moving from the tiny red barn on Lytton Springs to Timber Crest Farms, Jamie was given the overall responsibilities as winemaker.

Winery Tasting Note:
This easy-quaffing blend has just enough kick to please a hearty red drinker and the smooth edges and delicious forward fruit to keep the mellow red drinkers happy, too. The nose offers a balance of rustic aromas and dark toned fruit, hinting at the wine’s structure. The smooth entry quickly reveals dark cherry, cranberry, plum and goji berries wrapped in a luscious layer of spice. The easy-going tannins and subtle oak merge effortlessly with the spicy fruit to create the perfect “go-to” wine. Ideal to open when making dinner, calming down after a day at work or chilling with friends, Zero also pairs well with everyday fare like burgers, pizza and food out of a box or take out container. The perfect no-hassle, no mess dinner companion.

Gillette Ridge Wines price - $14.99 / 750ml

Peterson Winery
Primary Red
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, 2012

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma

Dry Creek Valley is one of the best paces in Sonoma for growing warm climate grapes, such as Zinfandel. There is a rich history for these grapes in this region, which is a small valley on the northern side of Sonoma. Its an area that is protected from heavy influence from the Pacific, and as such the grapes tend to get really ripe and juicy in the heat. We love wines from this region as they are fairly limited in production but have a big flavor profile.

What we like about this wine:
A limited release wine from Peterson, this wine is only made in years when there is enough fruit outside of the standard Zinfandel bottlings. As such, you get a great amount of juicy fruit, the full-on Dry Creek Valley flavor profile, but in a value package compared to the regular Peterson Zinfandel bottlings. This is a sleeper wine.

Gillette Ridge Wines price - $17.99 / 750ml

Z Alexander Brown
“Uncaged” Red Blend, 2014

North Coast, California
Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon

The owl is a guardian of the vine, and myths say it is present when the spirit is set free. A powerful symbol, the owl carries meaning on many levels for Zac Brown, a GRAMMY Award-winning artist whose creative spirit knows no boundaries.

Inspired by homegrown values and a lifelong connection to the land, Zac’s passion for bringing music, food and people together ignited a natural gateway to wine – and a freedom to create. Bold and uncaged, Z. Alexander Brown unleashes a new palate-provoking wine rooted in the heart of California wine country.

WINEMAKER’S NOTE
Dark garnet in the glass, commanding aromas of blueberry, caramel and toasted oak preview a bold, mouth-filling palate stacked with concentrated layers of blackberry, ripe plum, black cherry and milk chocolate. Robust and full-bodied with excellent weight in the mid-palate, this complex wine leaves a lasting impression with a smooth, round and full finish.

Gillette Ridge Wines price - $14.99 / 750ml

Bell Wine Cellars
Big Guy
Red Blend, 2014

California (Specifically: Napa Valley, Lodi, Sierra Foothills and Central Coast)
Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (39%), Petit Verdot (2%), Mixed Reds (1%), Malbec (.5%),
Merlot (.5%)

Winery Note:
Deep ruby in color, our 2014 Big Guy is a blend of our two favorite varietals, making up 96% of the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi lays the firm foundation, with Syrah from the Sierra Foothills and Central Coast lending ripe, luscious fruit to the nose and a juicy, delicious palate. On the nose the wine opens with sweet oak notes of vanilla accompanied by perfumed, dusted raspberries, underlain with hints of dried cranberry. Well balanced, with a lovely structure, the soft tannins and sweet vanilla oak carry the red fruits, delivering flavors that gently expand on the palate. The result is a wine with plenty of pleasing dark fruit character, notes of sweet wood, moderate tannins and sweetly spiced, juicy fruit that begs for the next sip! This is a wine for every day drinking, whether on its own, on the patio with barbeque, or in the dining room with roasted duck.

Gillette Ridge Wines price - $14.99 / 750ml