To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the eighth vintage of our To Kalon Vineyard-designated Reserve. Each year our blend reflects the First Growth quality of this singular vineyard. The Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within the To Kalon Vineyard, and meticulously crafted by keeping each block or sub-block separate through fermentation and aging, until we create the blend the following year.
The wine is deep, vivacious, juicy, and flows beautifully from start to finish. Very enjoyable now, but with a long future ahead.
This is the eighth vintage of our To Kalon Vineyard-designated Reserve. Each year our blend reflects the First Growth quality of this singular vineyard. The Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within the To Kalon Vineyard, and meticulously crafted by keeping each block or sub-block separate through fermentation and aging, until we create the blend the following year.
The wine is deep, vivacious, juicy, and flows beautifully from start to finish. Very enjoyable now, but with a long future ahead.
Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search
Best Books of the Year
Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world & dash a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.
The Financial Times of London
There are very few people in the wine world who “get it” and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.
Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV
Wine Of The Week: St Francis 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County
Tasting Room: Zinfandel
St. Francis, 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County, 14.8%, $22, 4.5 stars. With layered notes of high-toned raspberry, cherry and a hint of cranberry, this zin has a lively tap dance of spice. It has soft tannins and a supple texture. With gorgeous aromas and generous fruit, this zin is impressive.
Pellegrini, 2019 A.V. Old Vines Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 14.5%, $35, 4 stars. Weighed to red fruit with a streak of tart cherry, this tasty zin is jammy yet balanced. Firm tannins and nice length.
Head High, 2021 Zinfandel, Sonoma County, 14.5%, $28, 3.5 stars. Layered notes of blackberry, black cherry and cola. Concentrated flavors and supple texture.
Husch, 2020 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino, 14.7%, $28, 3.5 stars. With aromas and flavors of cranberry, raspberry and clove, this zin finishes with a kiss of vanilla.
Katie Madigans favorite book is Postmodern Winemaking by Clark Smith.
I still refer back to it all the time, said the winemaker at Santa Rosas St. Francis Winery. It feeds my desire to be creative in winemaking and always gets me thinking out of the box to try new things.
Madigan is behind our wine of the week winner the St. Francis, 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County, 14.8%, $22. With layered notes of high-toned raspberry, cherry and cranberry, this zin has a lively tap dance of spice. It has soft tannins and a supple texture. With gorgeous aromas and generous fruit, this zin over-delivers for its price.
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St Francis Chardonnay Wine
Wine, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
Flavor: Medium bodied, displaying fresh flavors of pineapple and citrus, followed by crisp acidity and a rich, lingering finish. A certified sustainable winery. A classic Sonoma Chardonnay, picked at night to preserve delicate flavors and aromas. Grapes: Chardonnay, night-picked at the peak of ripeness, then whole cluster pressed. www.stfranciswinery.com. Winery & Vineyard tours and tasting available daily at our beautiful Sonoma Valley Visitor Center. Call 888.675.WINE or visit www.stfranciswinery.com. Chardonnay 14.1% Alc. by vol. Origin: Produced from premium fruit sourced from our Sonoma Country Estate Vineyards and a family of top growers throughout the region’s finest AVAs.
Contains: Contains sulfites.,Government Warning: . According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. . Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
Pairing: Sip chilled, with chicken, crab, salmon or creamy cheeses and pasta dishes. Also ideal with salads and appetizers.
Which Wine Regions Are In California
From North to South, the main regions are Mendocino, Lake, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Livermore Valley, Lodi, Sierra Foothills, Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara.
California is a vast region that consists of several smaller wine-producing areas. Although Napa Valley and Sonoma are what California is most known for, the states other regions produce equally outstanding wines.
Napa Valley and Paso Robles are renowned for the bold reds of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, as well as the scenic wine route which offers unique experiences to wine lovers. On the contrary, Santa Barbara and The Russian River Valley, with conditions more suited to delicate grapes, produce outstanding expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Each of these regions offers a unique take on the wines of California allowing for a greater expression and experience of what the Golden State can truly offer.
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The Soul Of Napa Valley
Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the worlds finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Where In California Is The Wine Country
The Californian wine country is in the North San Francisco Bay area, with over 800 wineries located all along this scenic route. The Bay area encompasses some of the world’s most famous wine regions, including Napa Valley and Sonoma.
The success of these famous regions within the Bay area is largely to do with the sound soil composition and ideal climatic conditions. Each region is fortunate to have a wide range of temperatures and soil types, allowing the brilliant variety of grapes to thrive here.
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What Is The Famous Wine Region Featured In The Movie Sideways
Thats Santa Barbara.
The greatest attribute of Sideways is that it promoted Pinot Noir, which became very popular because of the movie.
The region of Santa Barbara offers a great variety of unique tasting options with over 120 different wineries to choose from. This region is off-the-beaten-track, but should not be underestimated. Sideways drew much-needed attention to this region and all that it has to offer.
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