Locals Favorites Blog

Rhone White Wines Rule the Locals House –2008 Eric Ross Marsanne-Rousanne, Sonoma County, Saralee’s Vineyard.

This is the second vintage for a newer white wine by Eric Ross Winery.  Winemaker Eric Luse has made a few adjustments this time around…his art and experience have turned this Rhone-blend wine into a delectable new contender.

On the heels of the upsurge in popularity of Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne are other up-and-coming grape varietals that are originally from the Rhone area of France, an area most known in the US for Syrah.  This year the wine is more balanced in its blending of the two varietals, at 48% and 52% respectively.

The 2008 Eric Ross Marsanne-Rousanne starts off with a fresh clean nose, and is rich and smooth in the mouth, brimming with delicious flavors of honeyed, spiced pear as it flows mellifluously across your palate.

Excellent with seafood.  Perhaps with oysters on the half-shell, followed by tortellini in a cream sauce or cheese stuffed shells.  Or just enjoy this refreshing chilled treat with a comforting fall macaroni & cheese!  $28.

Classic Vintage of a Timeless Wine –2008 Hawley Sonoma County Viognier

On the heels of five California State Fair Best of Class awards, the recent release of the 2008 Hawley Viognier turns their signature, white wine up another level.

The 2008 growing season was cool with a slow growing season and late harvest. The fruit was picked after a very strong heat spike, but only when sugar levels had dropped back down.  Winemaker John Hawley agrees with us here in the Locals room that the result is probably the best vintage ever!

A portion of the fruit in the three-vineyard blend used to make this wine comes from the Hawley Estate vineyard in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, where the warmer hillside climate develops more tropical and tangerine fruit flavor notes.  A second vineyard is located just 10 miles downriver in the Russian River Valley where slightly cooler temperatures bring up more citrus and apricot flavors in the grapes.  Finally, a small portion of the fruit comes all the way from the Sierra Foothills; this is the source of the Viognier clone that the Hawleys grow.  Thus these unique grapes are genetically matched, yet are grown in contrasting terroirs, though primarily from Sonoma County so it can say that on the bottle.

The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with a moderated acidity, thanks to the use of neutral (used several other times to make wine) oak barrels.  No flavor comes from the oak, it just softens the texture.  The nose is vibrant and awesome, with diverse flavors of peach and other stone fruit, pineapple & pear.  The soft, sweet flavors deftly flow across your palate on this dry white wine.  $23.

Notable New Wines This Spring at Locals

Ramazzotti Zin-Giovese Rosé, Dry Creek Valley - This popular wine offers a surprisingly big and fresh nose, it has been said that smelling this wine is like walking through a field of wild strawberries.  For 2008 the wine is drier than in prior years, a little hungrier for food perhaps.  Consider enjoying it with fried calamari, fruit and cheese, or an egg-salad sandwich; it is certainly a refreshing treat around the pool or patio as summer approaches and unfolds.

Ensueños Tropicales Pinot Noir 2006 Muñequita Linda, Russian River Valley - We are very excited about the latest addition to the Locals winery lineup.  The debut wine from this enticing new brand revels in the by-now classic Russian River flavor profile, built on brighter, red cherry flavors. Fruit-forward, it is also exquisitely balanced with solid tannins on the finish, and is eminently sippable today!

Peterson 2006 Sangiovese & 2005 Il Granaio Super-Tuscan, Dry Creek Valley - The first wine is a delightful expression of the lighter side of Tuscany's famed grape, made with 100% Sangiovese grape varietal.  Aromas of cherry with hints of earthiness offer an alluring entry.  With its firm acids and nuanced flavors,

Terra Rosa - Taylor's Pick for Extreme Value & Pleasure

Great Malbec is all about muscular mouthfeel, but this wine is also delightfully smooth and not overwrought...a real crowd-pleaser.  Taken along with its pleasant, slightly sweet flavor, this wine has it all.  Taken from four vineyard sources from south of the city of Mendoza, all of the vines are over 50 years of age, and one vineyard is pushing 100! Patrick Campbell's winemaking is hands-on and inspired, these wines are not made by remote control from another continent.  In the new world of cookie cutter, insipid, international style Malbecs, the Terra Rosa certainly stands out.

This luxurious wine also carries an extreme value price, so it is best thought of by the case, not the bottle ($129.60 / $12).  Its convenient screw cap and user-friendly attitude make it the perfect wine for leaner times...tri-tip beef is tasty anyway!  Or combine the versatile Terra Rosa with any beef - prime rib or plum sauce marinated ribs off the grill - you will enjoy a perfect liquid companion.

I especially enjoy this wine as a follow-up to a meaty Merlot or premium Cabernet Sauvignon, or for casual occasions with stout cheeses, or around the grill in the summertime...how about grilled portabella mushrooms and corn on the cob?!

Frizzante - Carolyn's Favorite Wine for Beach, Brunch or Bath!

Locals Favorite Wine is a new topic area here on our Blog; I could have called it Staff Picks.  As owner of Locals Tasting Room, I am starting things off with a wine that is new to us, the Ramazzotti's first-ever sparkling wine, the Blanc de Blanc Brut Frizzante .  This wine makes me think spring, and all of the great days and holidays ahead.

I like this wine because it is fizzy, fun, and full of frivolity.  As I take the wine in, its tiny soft bubbles swirl around in my mouth, surrounding a light and pleasing nutty flavor.  Dry but never austere, the wine is softer on the back palate; the Frizzante goes down easy and smooth.  Made with quality Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay fruit, this wine never disappoints me.

I would enjoy this wine equally at a gallery event or at a beach picnic.  And you?