Wines Of the Week 08/29

Three Delicious domestic Wines for celebrating Labor day weekend

Melville Estate Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills California 2020

Melville brings us a bright and beautiful expression of Chardonnay, perfect for the end of summer and the transition into

tailgate season. Light yellow in the glass with aromas of stone fruit, smokey citrus, and coastal air. Fresh on the palate, the notes of green apple, salted watermelon rind, and a lingering jasmine finish shine through. The electric acidity and marine minerality provide a youthful and refreshing quality that pairs beautifully with shellfish and anything grilled over an open flame. Fermented from a whole cluster press and aged on the lees for 10 months in neutral oak for an intriguing texture. No malolactic fermentation here.

Bow & Arrow Rhinestones Johan Vineyard Oregon 2020

Bow & Arrow’s Rhinestones, a tribute to the storied wines of the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley, is a great way to get back into reds as the days cool down. Per the traditions of Cheverny, this elegant yet exciting blend is comprised of exclusively of Pinot Noir and Gamay. While the vintage and the whims of mother nature dictate the percentage of each, the grapes stay the same. The Gamay is aged in concrete while the Pinot spends its time maturing in old barriques, allowing the true character of the fruits to tell their tales. Both varietals are sourced from the well-established Johan Vineyard in the Van Duzer Corridor of the Willamette Valley. Bright red fruit leads the charge on the palate with spicy black pepper and earthy graphite following close behind. Approachable overall but still rewarding the serious drinker with complexity. Serving this with a light chill makes for an exceptional wine for warm September evenings.

Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine 2020

From the genius duo of Tegan (Director of Winemaking at Turley) and Olivia Passalacqua’s Sandlands comes their Lodi Red Table Wine. This highly allocated bottle is a must-buy when you can find it! This is a well-constructed blend of Cinsault from the Bechtold Vineyard, Carignane from Spenker Ranch, and Zinfandel from Kirschenmann Vineyard in equal parts. Opulent floral aromatics of violets, black tea, and raspberry leap out of the glass. Vibrant orange zest and black cherry are followed by an earthy and herbaceous balance to the finish. Silky and well-integrated tannins keep things light and easygoing. Super versatile when pairing with food, from weeknight pizza to steaks on the grill for the late games, especially when brought down a few degrees in temperature. This juice will ease the end of summer blues and bring you back into the swing of things as the kids head to school and the seasons change.