WOW - Old world Chianti

We all fall for great labels sometimes and this 2005 Fattoria Monsanto Chianti Classico really pulled me in. Looks like a postcard someone sent from Italy 40 years ago. Nice wine too - big dose of sangiovese like a good Chianti should have with 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino for those of you keeping score at home. Here in Austin pick it up for $24 at Tony Mandola's (along with some great Italian groceries or takeout).

wine with gravitas

Here we go draining free run wine by gravity from a bin of Anderson Valley pinot noir. By separating free run from press wine we can later bring together the mix that makes the best wine after seeing how the flavors, acidity and tannin levels settle out.

it was a dark and chilly morning...

Starting at 6am (and 40 degrees - brrr) we are picking Russian River pinot noir today. Well, the pros are picking it and I am taking pictures and driving the truck. Dijon clones 115 and 667 today, more next week. More pictures later of the truck assuming I survive the Friday rush hour ride to the custom crush through downtown San Francisco in a 13+ ton 24' diesel rig. Gulp!

Hey, syrah syrah

White Hawk Vineyard down in Santa Barbara County picked yesterday and we destemmed the fruit today. Well most of it - as we did last year we will do some whole clusters of grapes still on the stems. A little nod to France's Rhone valley approach to syrah. And see those brown patches in the bin? Another French touch is to include a couple percent viognier grapes in the mix, so we will do likewise. Did it last year and the results (still in barrel) are promising.

vineyard news and views

For you serious wine geeks here is some great information direct from the vineyard manager about La Encantada pinot noir vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills near Santa Barbara. We should be getting grapes next week for our second rockroom vineyard-designated wine from this organically farmed vineyard.