Quickie: Kalin Cellars Sauvignon Reserve 1995
Full-bodied Graves, not that sharp Kiwi style Savvy Blanc. With a California sumptuousness.
And without the semillon, thank God.
Rich golden color. So complex as it keeps changing in the glass, better as it warms. Butterscotch-y oak held in check by a balancing acidity. A rich tropical aroma and flavor, but not pineapple or whatever people attribute to Sauvignon Blanc. Something fatter than that: cocoanut, which happens to be one of my favorite flavors, intoxicating on its own. Yet underneath it all a (figuratively) grounding earthiness.
This is an artisanal wine that gracefully represents the Golden State. Wasn't "mellow" the big California word of the 60s and 70s? This beautiful wine is mellow, ageing beautifully, with just a hint of the autumnal about it. Wine to think about and savor.
Why aren't there more like this?
That was a rhetorical question.
This lovely wine was a Christmas gift from a well-known wine writer and blogger. And, obviously, a damn fine friend. Thanks, as they say, for sharing.
BTW Kalin makes also a Semillon I have in stock the 1996, wonderful balance between oxidation complexity and fruit. I respect the winery a lot as they are capable to do old wines in the new world.
Once again California has the best winemaking condition in the planet thank god they didn't realize that yet, so the trend is still cellar made wines.
Look also at Ridge their Montebello rivals (and wins) against the First Growth Bordeaux.
Ciao Terry or should I called you your Highness... :)
Posted by: Gabrio Tosti | January 13, 2007 at 10:46 PM
The guys from the winery will come and visit me on their next trip I'll let you know in case you like to meet them.
Ciao
Posted by: Gabrio Tosti | January 13, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Let me know...would love to talk with them...hope to see you tomorrow afternoon...
Posted by: Terry Hughes | January 13, 2007 at 10:53 PM
will do.
I'm going home now another day is gone...I'll see you tomorrow
Buonanotte
Posted by: Gabrio Tosti | January 13, 2007 at 11:04 PM
What Gabrio says in his first response is profound: "Once again California has the best winemaking condition in the planet thank god they didn't realize that yet ... " That perfectly summarizes the wonderful advantages and grave disabilities of the Golden State's wine industry.
Posted by: Fredric Koeppel | January 13, 2007 at 11:42 PM
... and i'm happy that you liked the wine!
Posted by: Fredric Koeppel | January 13, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Thank you Frederick
Posted by: Gabrio Tosti | January 14, 2007 at 02:19 PM