By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent
It’s year end again. Can you believe it ?!?
I make the effort to bring up some memorable wines for the year; which are some of the overall best; standouts! In the past the list was a little more comprehensive. Last year I started a ‘Lucky Seven’ list. This year we are a concise again nd it’s a great seven wines. So let’s get on with 2014’s top wines.
2012 Fess Parker Santa Rita Hills Ashley’s Chardonnay
A standout wine that’s full of life and minerality! Apples, Pears and Limes; streaks of chalk. This full bodied wine has a nice balance to it which makes a nice complement to probably all seafood you can think of; poultry or pasta dishes with lighter sauces, and makes and first-rate pairing with mushrooms. It is an graceful, elegant and complex wine that has this fresh feel too that cannot be ignored.
With a direct July ruby color; stone scented with a sexy floral nose. Firm blackberries with pencil lead break through, black currant, cherry and licorice; It’s a schist soil wine with a clean feel and this deep dark cherry and crème de cassis in the mid palate…plenty of flavors abound.
Just so much going on. This is what it’s all about. Deep black ripe cherries nose, fruits and herbs, jam and good acidity with concentrated layers at the center of this classic zin . Hints of cinnamon spice and toasted oak; full bodied tannins. It screams for stews, pizza, a big thick grilled steak with blue cheese or just bring out the cuisine!
The last few vintages of this wine have been spot on and this one is topper most. Rich in licorice blackberry and has these tangy citrus that hints flow through this rounded feel that’s truly earthy and stony. It’s a plush and long Bordeaux that’s located very near Petrus. So there is great acidity and structure here, to go along with it’s plushiness.
The heart of dark chocolate prevails on this lush supple integrated cherry pit and blackberry steeped wine that’s a focused effort with a glimpse of coffee notes and Asian spices. Think Duck and Lamb with fruit sauces or really strong cheeses and mushrooms. Wow!
Crisp and racy with the mouth-watering acidity which is that you would expect from flavorful Washington Riesling fruit. I beg to differ that only Alsace has similar terroir to do Riesling like this. But Hey! The core with hints of honey and minty lime combined with its layered citrus, peach and apricot stone fruits come across with a vibrant appeal…It goes the distance.
This is a blend of 3 Amavi vineyards… just about. There are actually six estate vineyards as I understand it! Not only do they make an outstanding Syrah; This Cabernet is the kind that you pair with a pan fried pork belly, grilled steak, earthy mushrooms; risotto… you get the picture. The aromas of sweet oak, blueberry cobbler and french style lavender seasonings. It is inviting yet challenging to the spirit with supple flavors of black plums which texturize the tannins to support the taste and the long finish.
