Winery Notes
Tasting Notes
Deep, fruit-driven and jammy. Filled with ripe, rich fruit and a plethora of spices, this style is typified by Australian Shiraz, Sonoma Zinfandel and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Vintage Notes
Vineyard Notes
The Californea AVA is the largest and most important wine region in the USA. It accounts for the southern two-thirds of the country's west coast and spans almost ten degrees of latitude. With mountains, valleys, plains and plateaux, California's topography is as complex as its climate, offering winegrowers a bewildering choice of terroir. The principal varieties grown in California are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. A wide range of traditional European (Vitis vinifera) vines also flourish, including Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. Zinfandel can also be included in the list as it is genetically identical to Tribidrag in Croatia and Primitivo in Italy. These are grafted to hardy American rootstocks which are resistant to phylloxera. Less well known are American/European hybrids producing wines mainly for local consumption.
Winemaking Notes
Red Wine Blend Although typically complex, many rare red-wine blends do conform to certain patterns. Many are regional twists on the classic Bordeaux Blend; by adding their local signature grape to a basic Cabernet-Merlot blend, many regions have successfully broadened the appeal of their wines while maintaining a degree of regionality. In Italy, this is done with local specialties such as Sangiovese, Montepulciano and even Trentino's idiosyncratic Lagrein. In Austria it is achieved with Zweigelt or Blaufrankisch, and sometimes both.
