Subscribe to RSS
San Francisco doesn’t necessarily come to mind as part of California’s wine-scape. While clearly none of the grapes are grown in the city, we recently sampled a few wineries producing some very notable bottles from their locations on Treasure Island. Sourcing their fruit mostly from the North Coast, Vie, Sottomarino, and Sol Rouge made a rather good impression with our tasting panel.
Vie Winery 2013 Roussanne
Grape(s): 100% Roussanne
Region: Lake County
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of pears, peach, honey, and citrus blossoms greets the senses. The palate reveals flavors of pear, peach, and apricot that unfold into nuances of vanilla bean, white flowers, and minerals. A bright wine with a welcoming acidity, fans of rich, floral whites will enjoy this bottle. Just 165 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Vie Winery 2011 “L’Intruse” Mourvèdre
Grape(s): 84% Mourvèdre 15% Syrah, & 1% Grenache
Region: North Coast
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of cherries, plums, and raspberries open up into earthy and herbal suggestions on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of blackberry, cherry, and raspberry that interweave with traces of pepper, herbs, and anise. A lively red with plush tannins, pair a bottle with a spicy lamb dish. Only 110 cases were made.
Rating: 92
Sottomarino 2013 Pinot Grigio
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Lake County
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of honeydew, pear, and lemon are accented by a hint of herbs on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of lemon, melon, and pineapple, along with suggestions of minerals and thyme. Clean and crisp, if you like Pinot Grigio, then give this bottle a try. 300 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Sottomarino 2013 Muscat Canelli
Grape(s): 100% Muscat Canelli
Region: Mendocino County
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Notes of pears, peach, and dried apricots mingle with nuances of perfume and citrus candy on the nose. Flavors of pear, apricot, peach open up into traces of citrus blossoms and orange spice on the palate. Light, bright, and slightly sweet, pair a bottle with a spice cake. 200 cases were made.
Rating: 90
Sottomarino 2013 Sangiovese
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese
Region: Mendocino County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of plums, cherries, raspberries, and cedar greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of red currant and black cherry along with notes of cedar, cocoa, and floral earth. It’s a darker more opulent Sangiovese than you might be use to, but it’s quite tasty. 400 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Sol Rouge 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of cherries, currants, and blackberries mingle with suggestions of creamy oak and fennel seed on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cassis, blackberry, and cherry that unfold into notes of anise and vanilla on the palate. A rich Cab with expressive tannins, enjoy a bottle with a portobello mushroom burger. 150 cases were made.
Rating: 91
Sol Rouge 2011 Cabernet Franc
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc
Region: Lake County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Black cherry, plum, and boysenberry aromas open up into traces of dark chocolate and herbaceous notes on the nose. Flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, and black cherries are accented by hints of coffee and fresh herbs on the palate. A supple Cab Franc, open a bottle with your favorite lamb dish. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 89
