Flat Top Hills - A Lot More Than Just Value

I recently tasted a selection of wines from Flat Top Hills with Head Winemaker Randy Herron and Consulting Winemaker Angelina Mondavi. We met over Zoom and discussed not only these specific wines, but also the project in general.

Flat Top Hills is named after a piece of property in the Dunnigan Hills that the Mondavi Family has owned for years. They supplement their Estate fruit with select purchases of fruit in other regions such as Alexander Valley, The Sierra Foothills and Dry Creek Valley.

Flat Top Hills is an environmentally friendly producer. Whether it’s Farming practices, Green facilities, or being Socially Equitable, their across the board their practices are consistent. That’s not something always seen in a brand coming to market with value driven wines.

A number of things impressed me about this set of wines. Across the board they’re full of varietal character. These wines are proportionate and they’re dry. Often when it comes to wines in the vast under $20 category, the offerings tend to be fit for palates looking for sweet wines. In speaking to Randy and Angelina it’s clear the goal is to create wines that are a step up in quality from the entry level wines many begin their drinking journey with. And while lots of wine lovers have started their journey with wines that have a little bit of residual sugar in them and moved on to other things eventually, there isn’t always a clear path forward. Having wines that are well made, dry, and well-priced offers a natural place for consumers to graduate to.

Flat Top Hills 2018 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)

The moment I sampled this Sauvignon Blanc my interest was piqued. Citrus notes abound from the first whiff to the last sip. This crisp and refreshing SB is balanced and food friendly.

Flat Top Hills 2018 Chardonnay ($14)

Green apple notes are the dominant characteristic here. Hints of spice are evident too along with wisps of Bartlett Pear. This is terrific entry level Chardonnay to pour for someone who thinks they don’t like Chardonnay.

Flat Top Hills 2019 Rosé ($14)

Composed of Dolcetto, Grenache, and Carignane, this Rosé is a bit darker hued than the “extremely pales Rosé” that lives in my minds eye. Don’t let the color fool you, this is an excellent example of Rosé and one of my two favorites of this lineup. Red fruit drives the aromatics and the flavors here. Red apple, cherry and cranberry are evident along with a touch of vanilla bean. I warn you it’s hard to stop drinking this once you start.

Flat Top Hills 2016 Red Blend ($16)

The under $20 Red Blend category is easily the most afflicted when it comes to sweet wines lacking character or depth. This blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah puts the lie to that notion. This wine is dry, balanced and eminently food friendly. Dark fruit, spice and dusty chocolate notes are all evident. If you’re looking for a house red to purchase by the case, this would be a fine choice.

Flat Top Hills 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Blueberry, plum and black cherry notes are evident here from the moment you stick your nose in the glass. Savory herbs, hints of vanilla and a dusting of cocoa are present as well. Crushed cherry notes drive the solid finish.

Four Distinct Zinfandels

There are quite a few reasons I not only drink Zinfandel on the regular but rarely turn down an opportunity to taste Zin if presented. Food friendliness and value relative to so many other grapes at a high level are among those reasons. But the biggest reason is how diverse it is as a grape. Zinfandel can vary so much based on where it’s grown as well as the winemaker’s choices. Here are four examples I’ve tasted recently that stood out.

Victor Hugo Winery 2017 Estate Zinfandel ($26)

I’ve long been a fan of this Boutique Paso Robles producer. This is entirely Zinfandel from the Templeton Gap section of Paso. It leans towards red fruit aromas and flavors tinged by darker fruits. Red raspberry and Bing cherry are buttressed by bits of boysenberry, black pepper, dusty cocoa and hints of toast. As with their portfolio in general this wine is impeccably proportionate and will reward those with the patience to cellar it for the next 5-8 years.

McCay Cellars 2016 TruLux Zinfandel ($32)

This bottle was my first time tasting a wine from McCay Cellars, a Lodi based producer and it certainly won’t be my last. Tasting this Zinfandel was eye-opening. If I had to use a single word to describe this Zin, I’d choose pretty. Everything about this Zinfandel from the beautiful aromatics to the lovely, gentle palate is just that, pretty. Ripe strawberry and red raspberry inform the nose. Those characteristics continue on the palate where they’re joined by savory herbs and bits of red apple. The finish shows off tart fruit and bits of black tea.

Rombauer 2018 Zinfandel ($35)

This Zinfandel combines fruit from Amador County (42%), Lake County (32%), Napa County (17%), and Lodi (3%). In addition to Zin there’s 3% Petite Sirah blended in. Amador County is the largest contributor by percentage and it’s apparent to me when tasting this offering. This a a deeply favored Zin loaded with deep, dark and lush flavors. Black Raspberry, Blackberry and Boysenberry are all in play here. Bits of vanilla bean, chocolate sauce and pepper spice come along for the ride too. It’s bold and somewhat bodacious but still balanced.

Peterson Winery 2015 Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel ($40)

Zinfandel is one of the signature grapes of Dry Creek Valley and Peterson Winery makes a handful of distinct examples. This offering from their Bradford Mountain Estate is consistently among their most impressive and age-worthy. The nose is stuffed with spice and dark fruit. Black plum, blueberry, and black raspberry flavors are all evident. Pepper spice, earth and bits of chicory are evident on the finish. A firm vein of acidity keeps things mouthwatering and simply delectable.

There’s a wide world of interesting Zinfandels out there to taste. Here at four delicious and well priced examples to put on your short list.

This Thanksgiving, Drink Zinfandel!

It’s often said that Zinfandel is the most American of grapes. The same could be said about Thanksgiving when it comes to Holidays. As it happens Zinfandel is a perfect choice for your Holiday table for a number of reasons that include, it’s ability to pair with a wide range of favors, the tremendous value it offers, and how delicious and crowd pleasing it can be.

The typical Thanksgiving Table is filed with dishes that are savory and sweet, spicy and sometimes gooey. Zinfandel is primed to hold serve on all of those, and quite frankly more. Depending on site, picking choices and winemaking techniques well-made Zinfandels can be structured and spicy, big and boisterous, or fruity and earthy delights.

Zinfandel has crowd appeal. They most often feature lots of eager fruit of various shades. Those flavors can go down easy and please the various palates of those you’re enjoying your meal with. They can also have the depth, structure and persistence to keep the more wine savvy of your friends happy.

Even many of the higher priced Single Vineyards out there offer a tremendous amount of value for your purchasing dollar. But if you want a real steal of a deal, look no further than the better Zinfandels available in the $25 and under tier. These are often (but not always) broader in scope. Sometimes appellation cuvees for example.

I always drink at least my fair share of Zinfandel, but this year I’ve dug in a bit deeper and tasted every example I’ve had the opportunity to sample. If you want to read about some of the great Single Vineyard Zinfandels from Legendary Vineyards I tasted over this year, just click here. Today though, I present nine $25 or under Zinfandels that are all well made, incredibly delicious and terrific values. In several cases, which I’ll note, the wines are Zinfandels that I’ve been drinking for many years with consistently satisfying results.

Pedroncelli 2018 “Mother Clone” Zinfandel ($19)

This Dry Creek Valley Zin comes from the hills surrounding the winery. The name is derived from the fact that when they replanted this site in the early 80’s they used Clones from the same vineyards, originally planted in 1904. Some of those vines still exist and are part of the wine. An early 90’s vintage of Mother Clone was the first Zinfandel to knowingly pass my lips some 25 plus years ago. In the time since this wine has in so many ways become my benchmark for Zinfandel. It’s always approachable, affordable and just so delicious to drink. I’ve bought cases of it, had the opportunity to try older vintages of it and I’ve shared it with way too many friends and family to count. I’ve probably pulled the cork on more bottles of Mother Clone than any other specific wine. I keep coming back because it always makes me, and anyone I pour it for, happy. The 2018 is no exception. It has 10% Petite Sirah blended in which provides good backbone. Dark berries drive the aromatics. Blackberry, raspberry and a core of spices are evident on the palate. Those characteristics continue on the above average finish alongside hints of vanilla bean.

Peachy Canyon 2017 Westside Zinfandel ($20)

Primitivo, Alicante Bouschet, and Petite Sirah are blended into Peach Canyon’s flagship Zinfandel. Black raspberry and a core of spices drive the aromatics. The palate leans towards red fruit with strawberry, rhubarb and hints of raspberry. The spiciness continues on the long finish along with hints of black tea and vanilla. This is an approachable and impeccably proportionate example of Zinfandel that represents a terrific value one vintage after another.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2017 “Old VInes” Zinfandel ($22)

14% Petite Sirah and 5% Mixed blacks are blended with 81% Zinfandel in this Sonoma County Wine. The fruit comes from Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley. At a production of just under 39,000 cases, this Zin will be on a lot of shelves. The nose brings to mind a bowl of fresh berries sitting on the counter. That continues on the palate where juicy red and black fruit are joined by cranberry and sour black cherry. Cardamom and peppercorn are evident on the solid finish. Bottom line here is that it’s tasty, readily available and priced to move.

Bear Flag 2017 Zinfandel ($24)

This is largely Zinfandel with small amounts of Petite Sirah and other varieties blended in. The fruit was sourced from a number of AVA’s within Sonoma County. The screen painted bottle looks glorious on the shelf and the wine looks and smells great in your glass. This is approachable, easy drinking, juicy Zinfandel with dollops of richness, and more than sufficient depth. The red fruit on the nose and the darker leaning fruit on the palate are joined by scores of spice and wisps of minerality on the finish. All of it adds up to a wine with lots of Curb Appeal.

Mettler Family Vineyards 2018 “Epicenter” Old Vine Zinfandel ($25)

Epicenter is entirely Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi. First and foremost the Mettler Family are farmers. It’s something they’ve done for over 100 years and 6 generations. They utilize a tiny portion of the fruit they grow to make some wines too. I’ve had the last couple of vintages of their Zinfandel, as well as other Mettler wines and have been quite impressed with the quality in the bottle at the price point. The latest vintage of their Zinfandel epitomizes their ability to overdeliver. Dark and brooding fruit aromas as joined by bits of leather and chicory. The palate shows off blackberry, boysenberry and savory herbs. It all leads to an above average finish studded with spice and bits of toast. This tasty Zin benefits from about 30 minutes of air, so decant if possible for best results.

Easton 2015 Zinfandel ($25)

This 2015 Zinfandel is an Amador County Cuvee. The fruit is sourced from mountain sites. Red fruit aromas jump from the nose alongside white peppercorn. The palate shows off cherry, strawberry and rhubarb. It’s stuffed with eager and delectable red fruit flavors. The finish is lengthy and persistent. Two things impress me the most here. There’s a lightness on the tongue when you sip this that simply invites you back for additional sips. There’s also a vein of acid running through that keeps things fresh and vivacious.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel ($25)

I’ve been drinking and recommending Rodney Strong wines for many years and there are a few reasons for that. They’re always well made, delicious, and represent their place (Sonoma County) well. And on top of that there is nearly always more value in the bottle than whatever the sticker price says. This 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel tows the line on all of those points. This offering combines fruit from their Russian River Valley Vineyard planted in 1904 with fruit from both Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. The result is a Zin loaded with fresh red berries on the nose and darker fruits such as blackberry on he palate. A triumvirate of black, white and green peppercorn are evident on the finish along with vanilla bean and a final kiss of black plum.

Paydirt 2018 “Going For Broke” Zinfandel ($25)

81% Zinfandel, this wine also has Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Mourvedre, Barbera, and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This is a bit of a California Cuvee with fruit coming from Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, Amador, Lodi, and Marin County. This was my first time having this wine, and it won’t be my last. The heady aromatics lean towards dark jam with an undercurrent of citrus zest peeking through. The flavors here are an immediately appealing burst of red and black fruit. Red and black raspberry are of particular note. The persistent finish shows off bits of chocolate sauce, spice and hints of chicory

Three Wine Company 2016 Old Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel ($25)

Having recently tried Three Wine Company’s “Live Oak” Zinfandel, I was eager to sample another of their selections. 8% each Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet are blended with 76% Zinfandel here. The average age of the vines is over 100 and they’re dry farmed. Everything about this wine impresses. It has depth, precision, length and oodles of proportionate fruit. This Zin is like a well oiled machine with every part running perfectly. Up front there’s dark fruit in the form of blueberries and blackberries, they’re buttressed by bits of violet. The palate is stuffed with red and black cherries and peppercorn. A sprinkling of spice and hints of espresso and chicory all appear on the long finish. Textbook Old Vine Zin.

Autumn, A Perfect Time to Fill Your Glass with Zinfandel

It’s not as if there’s a bad time to drink Zinfandel, but the Autumn chill in the air make my taste buds crave this grape just a little bit more. I recently participated in a Zoom Tasting of Four wines from Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards. This was just the latest example of several delicious experiences I’ve had throughout this year drinking and chatting about Zinfandel with Winemakers, Owners, Sommeliers, and other Writers. You can read about my other recent Zinfandel tastings here. And for further reading about Zinfandel please read my story Excellent Zinfandel Begins with Legendary Vineyards.

There are three particular characteristics of Zinfandel, which are among the things that I value most in many of my favorite grapes.

1) Zinfandel is particularly suited to influence from the characteristics of the site it’s grown on. Slope, sun exposure, and soil type are some of the factors that make one site unmistakable from another. Add them all together and it begins to explain why Single Vineyard Zinfandels from Legendary Vineyards are so distinct and sought after.

2) On the list of grapes whose bounty pairs with the widest array of food styles, Zinfandel must be counted. Whether you’re eating Pizza, Tacos, Pulled Pork, Pasta with red sauce, Grilled Eggplant or an entrée Salad dotted with blue cheese (to name a handful) a well-made Zinfandel will provide excellent results.

3) Within the field of carefully grown, thoughtfully produced Zinfandel exists a number of styles that will provide a myriad of nuanced flavors and characteristics. From picking choices, blending components (hello Petite Sirah!) to fermentation and aging vessel decisions, the final flavor of the Zinfandel in your glass is impacted by them all.

All of those factors come into play when we’re talking about Zinfandel from Legendary Vineyards. The quartet we tasted on our Zoom Event represented Sonoma County, Napa Valley, and El Dorado County, all famously fantastic places with the opportunity to grow great Zinfandel.

Robert Biale Vineyards 2018 R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel ($62)

This vineyard, planted in 1905, represents the only Zinfandel in all of Coombsville. Raspberry and rose petals are evident aromatics here. Flavor wise this Zinfandel is a study in sweet, dark fruit such as plum, blackberry and cherry. Mineral references, and Breyer's Black Cherry Ice Cream are in evidence on the long, beautifully dry finish. 888 cases were produced. This is simply one of a long list of distinct, vineyard specific wines from the folks at Biale.

Ridge 2018 Lytton Springs ($45)

Composed of Zinfandel (72%), Petite Sirah (18%), Carignane (8%), and Mataro (2%) this offerings hails from Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. Ridge has been producing a Lytton Springs wince since 1972. Black and red cherry as well as savory herbs dot the alluring nose. Dark fruit dominates the palate with has depth and elegance to spare. Wisps of spice and a dusting of chicory emerge on the long finish. Racy acid and firm tannins lend to the excellent structure.

Louis M. Martini 2017 Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard ($75)

When speaking of Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards, Monte Rosso would be on any well considered short list. This wine is composed entirely of Zinfandel. As the name would suggest the vines are both old and gnarly. Black and Red Raspberry Jam lead the powerful and intoxicating aromatics. Berry fruit continues once you take a sip. Black pepper, dark echolocate and sour black cherry are present as well. Dollops of minerals appear on the persistent finish alongside a complementary drove of spices. Make yourself some Lasagna and pair it with this Monte Rosso Zinfandel for incredible results.

Rombauer 2018 El Dorado Zinfandel, Twin Rivers Vineyard ($42)

In addition to Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah is blended in. Hedonistic dark fruit along with wisps of licorice drive the inviting and somewhat ostentatious aromatics. The flavors are rich, robust, and incredibly juicy. Blackberry, boysenberry, and black raspberry are all evident. Cocoa and white pepper emerge on the finish. This Zin is a study in grace under pressure. It’s big, bold, and bodacious without straying over the top. Brisket with a Honey Siracha glaze would be an inspired pairing.

It’s worth noting that all four of these Zinfandels, not only held on during the second day, but were more expressive and giving. So decanting them is certainly advisable and laying them down for a handful of years will also provide great results. That said each of them has 10 useful drinking years ahead, at bare minimum.

Summer Grilling and Zinfandel: A Perfect Match

We’re right in the middle of National Grilling Month. But really anytime you can fire up your grill without wearing a winter coat, is a terrific time to throw lunch or dinner on the grill. If you really want to do it right, pair that grilled goodness with Zinfandel.

Well made Zinfandel is eminently food friendly and incredibly delicious. I’ve participated in some terrific Virtual Tastings with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) recently. You can read about both Zinfandel, America’s Favorite Grape to Grill With and Zinfandel A Perfect Foil for Every Flavor you Grill through these links. A couple days ago I took part in ZAP’s first Facebook Live tasting which included three wineries and a Zin Loving Chef. The whole thing is archived and viewable through ZAP’s Facebook Page.

I gathered with a couple of friends and we enjoyed a cookout of salad, grilled vegetables, grilled potatoes and steak. All of those flavors worked beautifully with the Zinfandel. The trio of Zins that were lined up for the tasting all have engaging winery stories. Three Wine Company is a project from one of the Founders of Cline Cellars, a terrific producer of Zin in their own right. Rock Wall Wine Company is Shauna Rosenblum’s winery. As the daughter of Legendary Zinfandel producer Kent Rosenblum she has Zin in her blood. Martinelli in the Russian River Valley is a highly esteemed multi generation Sonoma County producer, most famous for Zinfandel.

Three Wine Company 2016 Live Oak Zinfandel ($36)

This Contra Costa County Vineyard dates back to 1885. In addition to Zinfandel (77%), there’s also Petite Sirah (12%), Carignane (9%), and Alicante Bouschet (2%) in this wine. Red and black raspberry, bramble and plenty of black pepper spice are in evidence here from the first whiff to the last sip. A kiss of toast show up on the finish. Acid and tannins are both firm, portending a long life ahead for this Zin. If you’re going to drink it now a couple of hours in a decanter will allow it to more readily express its charms. It’s a sure fire match for that Burger topped with hickory smoked bacon and blue cheese you’ve been meaning to grill for yourself.

Rock Wall Wine Company 2018 Maggie’s Vineyard Zinfandel Reserve ($50)

This Sonoma Valley Vineyard was planted in 1901 as a Field Blend. In addition to Zin there’s Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Palomino inter-planted. From the word go this wine impresses. It starts with boisterous and incredibly pleasing aromatics. Due no doubt, in no small part to white varieties that are part of the picture here. Red raspberry, cherry and plum are all evident along with savory herbs, white pepper and bits of red currant. The finish is long, persistent and incredibly pleasing. This was my first time having this wine and it won’t be my last.

Martinelli Winery 2018 Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel ($58)

The Russian River Valley is one of the great AVA’s for Zinfandel. And as it happens, Martinelli is one of its renowned producers. The vineyard itself was planted about 100 years after their famous Jackass Hill plot which dates to the 1880’s. The vines were grafted with bud wood from that old Vineyard. If you like cherries you’re going to love this wine. Red and black cherries drive the aromatics. More cherries on the palate are joined by red raspberry. Bits of espresso and kirsch liqueur emerge on the long, lingering finish. The friends I was tasting with opened a bottle of the 2013 vintage as well so we compared them. Visually the 2013 was showing some age. But on the mouth and nose similarities were apparent. In both cases the wines opened nicely over the evening.

There are so many stories when it comes to Zinfandel. The number of well known, old vineyards is impressive to say the least. It’s always fascinating to taste these wines from historic vineyards, particularly when they’re still growing wine as compelling as this trio.

Throw something on your grill, drink some Zinfandel, repeat. It’s good for you!

Zinfandel, a Perfect Foil for Every Flavor You Grill

Last week when I grilled with Zinfandel I went the most classic of routes; a burger. Zin and grilled burgers are about as American a meal as there is. One of the many beauties of Zinfandel however is it’s versatility with most any kind of cuisine. More specifically though, great Zinfandel will pair well with nearly anything that comes off of your grill. So when I started planning a meal to pair with the Zinfandels below I wanted to incorporate flavors further away from home than a burger.

Inspired by myriad meals over the years at Turkish, Greek and Georgian Restaurants, to name a few, I came up with a wet rub (recipe below) for meat, though it would work with veggies too, that incorporated many of the flavors I associate with those cuisines. I rubbed it on Skirt Steak and let it do it’s thing in the Fridge for 24 hours. On the side I made Baba Ganoush using my favorite recipe, found over at Cookie + Kate. I made a couple tweaks to it, adding in 2 teaspoons if Merquen (a Chilean Spice Blend) and grilling the Eggplant instead of cooking it in the oven. I also served Grilled Sourdough Bread and a Dip of Dukkah and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. There’s a broad range of flavors in this meal, many of them bold, which have plenty of connective tissue between them and paired impeccably well with this quartet of Zinfandels from Legendary Vineyards. Those vineyards represent four distinct growing regions.

Robert Biale Vineyards 2018 R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel ($62)

This vineyard, planted in 1905, represents the only Zinfandel in all of Coombsville. This Zinfandel is a study in sweet, dark fruit such as plum, blackberry and cherry. Hints of gingersnaps as well. Breyer's Black Cherry Ice Cream on the finish. 888 cases were produced. Not a surprise that this is another distinct, vineyard specific wine from the folks at Biale. It paired particularly well with the Baba Ganoush.

Peachy Canyon Winery 2017 D Block Zinfandel, Mustang Springs Ranch ($85)

A mere 68 cases of this Paso Robles, block specific Zinfandel were produced. D Block is a red fruit lovers paradise. Raspberry, cherry, plum and currant are all accounted for alongside spice, sweet dark chocolate, and wisps of tangerine. The heat in my wet spice rub really complemented the bright red fruit in this Zin perfectly. It turned out to be a next level pairing.

Mount Peak 2017 Rattlesnake Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard ($40)

Small amounts of Syrah and Petite Sirah are also blended into this wine. 525 cases were produced.Monte Rosso is among the most famous vineyards in Sonoma County. The highest point of the vineyard is called Rattlesnake Hill and this wine is named in tribute to that area. Rattlesnake Zinfandel is layered with red and black jam fruit, Bosco Sauce, and oodles of plum pudding spices. This Zinfandel is decadent and delicious. It paired delightfully with my meal, but was perhaps the most keenly attuned of the quartet to drinking on it’s own.

Rombauer 2017 El Dorado Zinfandel, Twin Rivers Vineyard ($42)

In addition to Zinfandel this wine has 15% Petite Sirah Blended in. Twin Rivers Vineyard Zinfandel has the big, nearly explosive dark fruit you should expect from an El Dorado Vineyard. It also has a prodigiously long, spice laden finish and enough acid to keep everything honest. It’s dark, delicious and goes well with bold flavors so my meal paired fabulously with it. This vineyard in El Dorado County is featured in my recent story, “Excellent Zinfandel Begins with Legendary Vineyards.” I encourage you to check it out if you’d like a deeper dive into the relationship between Legendary Vineyards and Great Zinfandel.

I know that Zinfandel pairs with lots of different flavors, especially bold ones. So in planning my meal, I not only wanted to grill as much of it as possible, I wanted to push the flavor boundaries and make sure I was going outside the typical pairing. Not only did it worked, it was absolutely phenomenal. Even something as simple as grilling a few slices of Sourdough bread elevated it and helped it complement the wines so well. So yes, whatever you enjoy cooking on your grill, Zinfandel is the correct wine choice.

Gabe’s Mediterranean Inspired Wet Rub

4 Cloves Garlic

6 Fresh Mint Leaves

2 Tbsp Sumac

2 Tbsp Harissa

2 Tbsp Coriander

1 Tbsp Cumin

½ Tsp Allspice

4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Strong Red Wine Vinegar

1 Tsp Salt

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until everything becomes a thick wet paste. Rub on steak, cover and put in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill. Optimally at east 24 hours, but 4 hours at minimum.

GabesView Video #5 -Tasting California's Ironstone Vineyards

The Kautz Family has been involved in the wine business since planting their first vineyards in 1968. Over a couple of decades their plantings expanded to over 5,000 acres between Lodi and the Sierra Foothills. Today they have more than 6,000 acres and they’re a second generation winery.  In addition to the Ironstone range of wines they also produce a line of value driven offerings called Leaping Horse.

Today I’m taking a look at two of their wines.

Ironstone 2017 Cabernet Franc $14

Ironstone 2016 Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel $25

Click below to hear all about them and keep in mind they’re just the tip of the iceberg of what Ironstone produces.

Wines are available to order through Family Wineries Direct

Gabe tastes a couple of releases from Ironstone Vineyards, 2017 Cabernet Franc ($14) and 2016 Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel ($25) gabesview.com ironstonevineyar...

Tasting Raeburn Winery 2019 Russian River Valley Rosé

I tasted the Raeburn Winery 2019 Russian River Valley Rosé. Head over to Youtube to hear all about it.

Gabe tastes the 2019 Raeburn Winery Rosé from the Russian River Valley #Rosé #PinotNoir #Grenache #Zinfandnel http://raeburnwinery.com/

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2015 Upshot Red Blend

Sonoma County’s Rodney Strong Vineyards is well known for a strong portfolio of wines that check a lot of important boxes. The wines they offer have a strong sense of their Sonoma County origins; sometimes as wide as the county, others as specific as a small parcel. If your budget is $10 of $75 they have something of quality for you. More often than not these wines deliver more in quality than the price tag would suggest. Every once in a while; seemingly more often in the last few years, they add something new to their lineup. I’m always eager to taste anything they’ve produced because the wines in their lineup tend to be not just good, but also a boon for wine consumers. So when their latest entry, Upshot, showed up on my doorstep I was excited to twist the cap off and get it into my glass. Considering that Symmetry, their Red Bordeaux inspired blend, is one of the best wines (and values) in their portfolio, one vintage after another, I was immediately intrigued to learn that they added another red blend.

Rodney Strong Vineyards 2015 Upshot Sonoma County Red Blend ($28)

This new offering from producer Rodney Strong is an unconventional blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Riesling.  Looking at the blend and the modern packaging it’s clear that Upshot is a completely different wine, with a likely different audience than the venerable Symmetry. Things open up here with a lifted nose showing off dark berries and a hint of white flowers. The flavors are equally dark with blackberry, plum, and raspberry joining oodles of spice, and bits of cocoa. Savory herbs, black olive, chicory and dried black fruits are all evident on the solid finish.

There are so many red blends from California on shelves these days. The vast majority of them though are in the more casual supermarket wine category. They're also often sourced from all over the state, not just Sonoma County. Don’t let the screw-cap, contemporary label and name fool you, Upshot is several classes above those. It’s both a serious and very drinkable wine that combines a bit of curb appeal with substantial structure. Whether you’re pouring it for casual wine drinkers or more discerning winos, they’ll all find something to like here. The suggested retail price is $28 but you’re likely to find it on the shelf for right around $20. At that price you might want to grab a case and up your house wine game. The real Upshot is that Rodney Strong Vineyards have added yet another terrific wine to their portfolio.