Locals Favorites Blog

Three New Value Sensations, Shot Out of the Dark Horse Stable

At the intersection of Geyserville Avenue and Highway 128, in Locals Tasting Room, a new Dark Horse red wine shootout is underway.  Character and strength at an honest value is the mantra of both these wines, offered while they last at only $20 retail!

Sauntering down from the north end of Geyserville Avenue is the new release Sonoma Gunfighter 2008 Third Notch.  This appealing blend of Sonoma County zinfandel, syrah & cabernet sauvignon (60/30/10) is poised and confident.  Light and airy, its rosy red zinfandel fruit deftly slips across the tongue, then falls into a prickly  patch of syrah and cabernet flavor complexity.  Its moderate alcohol and firm tannins aim this wine directly on target for any winter feast.

Riding up from the south end is the surefooted 2007 Napa Peacemaker.  This intriguing stranger is composed of 100% Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon.  An appealing, fresh varietal nose is complemented by an elegant, balanced mouthfeel and slightly sweet fruit, with lots of flavor to savor.  Its spicy finish and firm acidity also make it an adept complement to hearty seasonal comfort food.

Bring on your favorite winter roast to spark the contest!

And lurking on the side street by the volunteer fire station, a white wine from the Dark Horse Stable, the Andrew Peacock 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, is composed and cool-headed as he holds his chardonnay sidearm un-perturbed in the shadows.  With grapes from a cool spot in the southern end of the Dry Creek Valley, this smooth and easy-drinking wine shows nice fruit up front and classic, food-friendly citrus and minerality on the finish...a perfect match to shellfish, ceviche or freshly cracked crab.  Only $14!

A Tasty Trio from Saracina Winery

Saracina is Locals most recent winery addition.  A joint project of John Fetzer, the oldest of 11 children in this famous wine family, and his wife Patty Rock, Saracina and its associated Rhone-style brand Atrea produce outstanding wines with grapes sourced from organically farmed vineyards in Mendocino County.  These wines ably display the high quality of fruit in this under-appreciated appellation.

The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($23) is a wine showing a real difference, made in a style more typical of the Loire Valley in France than that of New Zealand.  There's no grass or grapefruit, though you'll enjoy lots of zippy lemon up front, with a pleasing rocky, crushed stone flavor on the finish.  It also shows excellent acidity mid-palate, making it all-in-all a very food friendly liquid companion.

This Sauvignon Blanc receives its fermentation in neutral oak barrels–that is to say those used several times before, with little flavor coming from the wood, but giving the wine a soft fullness on the palate.  It is then aged in steel barrels, so it is not too creamy or flabby either.  The wine becomes juicier with exposure to air, and tastes even better the second day open, a real plus if you enjoy a glass or two of a stellar white wine here and there...it's "Carolyn's Refresher" at the end of a long day pouring, explaining, expounding and tasting.

The 2005 Syrah ($32) is sourced from two outstanding vineyards in the Ukiah Valley.  The first is in the Talmage Hills, the second is farther up on the mountaintops to the west side of the valley, above the fogline that pushes east from the ocean.  This big, lush even quirky wine shows impressive richness and depth, with a sweet nose suggesting its intense blue and black fruit, and followed by a muscular mouth filled with smoke, bacon and dried herb notes.  Wine Spectator 92 points!

The 2005 Petite Sirah ($38) is the antithesis of a wimpy wine.  The grapes come from an old-vine planting in the McDowell Valley dating back to 1919, augmented by a partial replanting in 1948.  Fruit-forward Zinfandel in the mix (9%) accentuates the wine's pleasing spicy black pepper character.  Excellent now, or stow it away for a generation, aerating this wine will also bring its flavors up.  Try it with a Stilton or Blue Cheese and a baguette for a superlative taste experience.