Red, White and Blue
July 04, 2009Saturday 2:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
2007 Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc $13.95
California, Sonoma CountyZesty flavors and aromas of orange blossom, grapefruit and lemon mingle with a subtle mineral note that is complemented by a lingering finish of guava and pineapple in the Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc. Aged partially in stainless steel and older French Oak gives this wine a crisp freshness and a subtle oak character that adds great complexity and depth.
Winemakers Notes:
When the Sauvignon Blanc grapes arrive at the winery, each lot is gently crushed, de-stemmed and pressed, and then moved directly to stainless steel tanks or older French oak barrels for fermentation. Individual lots are kept separate; the wine in barrels are sur lie aged and stirred every two weeks for four months, while the wine in stainless steel tanks remain undisturbed. Individual lots are selected to create the final Fume Blanc blend.
Appellation: Sonoma County
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Cooperage: 67% Stainless Steel; 33% older French oak
Pairing Notes:
The Fume Blanc pairs well with simple seafood dishes, and also holds up nicely with white meats such as veal and pork. The wine has lively flavors that go well with spicy and ethnic cuisines such as Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Mexican and Southwestern dishes.
2007 Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay $19.95
California, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County AVAABOUT THE WINE
Bright tropical fruit, fresh peach and green pear mark this fruit-driven 2007 Chardonnay. Subtle oak nuances add depth and round out the body with vanilla, caramel and nutmeg. The intricate interplay of lively fruit and barrel-influenced complexity develop across the palate and linger through the finish, leaving the suggestion of pineapple and coconut playfully dancing off the tongue. A perfect complement to chicken salad or fresh grilled salmon.
Fruit expression is paramount and to achieve this, winemaker Harry Hanson began by pressing grapes whole cluster and separating the free-run from the press-fraction juice, retaining the vibrancy and freshness of the flavors. This fine balance was further enhanced with partial barrel fermentation and minimal malolactic fermentation, which helped to build mid-palate structure and capture barrel nuances without overpowering the delicacy of the fruit. A majority of the wine was aged sur lie in small oak barrels for a weighty core.
ABOUT THE VINEYARDS
The gray, clay soils and unique position of the Parragon Vineyard create ideal conditions for the Edna Valley Chardonnay, imparting a bright minerality and lush fruit core. Cool marine weather funnels in through the east-west valley keeping temperatures low throughout growing season, lengthening hang-time and enabling development of rich, tropical and stone fruit flavors. Originally planted in 1973-1974, the vines produce inherently complex grapes rich in flavor.
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
2007 was a fantastic vintage in the Edna Valley. Absence of occasionally difficult Santa Ana winds allowed for a long, cool growing season, yielding ripe fruit with concentrated flavors and desirable balance. Chardonnay in particular benefited from these conditions as the fruit was allowed to hang on the vine and develop wonderfully tropical flavors. Overall, grape quality was high with ripe, lush flavors balanced with lively acidity.
APPELLATION
75% San Luis Obispo County
18% Santa Barbara County
7% Monterey County AVA
VARIETAL COMPOSITION
Chardonnay
BARREL AGING
66% French Oak
4% American Oak
30% Hungarian Oak
33% New Oak
AGEABILITY
2 to 3 years
PRODUCTION STATISTICS
Wine Acidity 6.6g/L
Wine pH 3.6
Alcohol 13.9%
2006 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir $19.25
California, Russian River ValleyMacMurray Ranch is quickly becoming known for producing world-class Pinot Noir. Whether from the Russian River or Sonoma Coast appellations, our Pinot Noirs express the legacy of the land from which they are produced.
DESCRIPTION:
This is a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, with concentrated fruit flavors of red and black fruits. Deep black cherry notes are complimented by subtle oak to add richness and depth to the finish. This is an earthy wine with nuances of brown spice that will pair well with rack of lamb, grilled salmon and Shitake mushroom risotto.
WINEMAKING NOTES:
The grapes were hand harvested, de-stemmed and cold soaked for approximately five days before primary fermentation began. We utilized a mix of natural and Burgundian yeasts selected to complement the terroir of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Upon completion of primary fermentation, the wine went through malolactic fermentation and a percentage of the wine received up to 7 months of oak contact during maturation. A variety of new Burgundian oak barrels with medium to light toast levels and 1-3 year old French oak barrels were used in order to complement the delicate, elegant Pinot Noir aromas and flavors.
VITICULTURAL NOTES:
The 2007 Sonoma harvest was smaller than normal, but produced excellent quality wine grapes. The low winter rainfall and mild spring affected the timing and overall size of the vintage. These climatic influences resulted in early budbreak and flowering, and also allowed the grapes to ripen evenly. The warm weather in mid-August initiated harvest and many varieties were being picked at the same time. As the tanks were filling up quickly, fog and cool weather arrived in early September and harvest slowed. The rest of harvest was characterized by sun and cooler than average temperatures which led to a long, drawn out harvest. Low humidity in the second half of harvest helped to prevent disease and allowed the growers to pick the grapes at ideal ripeness. The mild and even growing season, combined with the cooler weather toward the end of harvest, assisted the grapevines in producing small berries to deliver exceptionally concentrated fruit flavors.
TASTE PROFILE:
The Russian River Valley is one of California's most celebrated sources of world class Pinot Noir. The region is blessed with strong maritime influences, specifically, a cool climate defined by the fog that follows the river valley to blanket the vineyards. Warm days and cool nights encourage distinct varietal characters in the ripening grapes. Early winegrowers planted Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane, to make hearty, simple wines. Since the 1960's, however, the Russian River Valley has been home to the pioneers of New World Pinot Noir.
FINISHED WINE:
Grape Source: Russian River Valley
Varietal Content: Pinot Noir
Titratable Acidity: 0.6
Residual Sugar: 0.04
Alcohol: 13.97
pH: 3.65
2007 Cape Diamond Merlot (Ken Wright) $21.95
US, OregonThe Rogue River traverses the Siskiyou, Cascade and Coast Range Mountains on its 215-mile journey from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean. Rowing through Oregon's southernmost reaches, it nurtures the grapes harvested to bring you this outstanding premium wine.
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels for over a year and bottled without filtration or fining, it has a lush texture that reveals itself layer by layer. Tantalizing rich black fruit aromas lead you to an exotic floral bouquet. Full-bodied on the palate, it possesses a beautiful balance of fruit and spice that make for a long, lovely finish. With Cape Diamond Merlot, your love of wine is just a sip away.
2007 Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel $18.95
California, LodiThe vineyard
The Van Ruiten Family has been growing grapes in the Lodi area for more than 50 years. What started out as a table grape community slowly transitioned into the growing of wine grapes in the early 1900's. Among the flourishing vines was the legendary Lodi Zinfandel. John's first acres of Zinfandel still remain as part of the estate today. These Zinfandel vines are among the oldest, most historic and shyest bearing vines. Our newest addition in 2007 was the planting of our 40 acre Primitivo vineyard. This red varietal, also known as Zingarello, is genetically related to California's Zinfandel. It originated and is still mainly grown in Southern Italy, but it is starting to make its way around the world.
Throughout the last five decades the farming practices have changed with the introduction of new technology and eco-friendly farming techniques. In an effort to move in the direction of Sustainable Farming Practices we erected nesting boxes for owls throughout our vineyards. The owls that reside in these boxes help keep the rodent population down without the use of poisons in the soil. Over the course of the last few years, thanks to the owls, the rodent population is under control without the use of pesticides. Though farming practices have changed, the motto has stayed the same. The family has prided itself in the uncompromising commitment to producing top quality grapes and passing knowledge down from generation to generation, while sharing newly learned growing practices.
After five decades the family farms an estimated 1000 acres of wine grapes, with only their best fruit destined to carry the family name. All of the fruit that enters the winery for Van Ruiten Vineyards has been picked by hand at its perfect ripeness and gently pressed to preserve the delicacy and purity of the fruits rich flavors. Three generations of the Van Ruiten family now work together tending the vineyards, managing the winery and envisioning a future for their ever growing cellar and tasting room.
84% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah
Fermentation: 12 days on the skins
Aging: 8 months in American oak barrels
These grapes are hand-selected from the first vineyard John Van Ruiten planted in 1952. The grapes are hand selected and sorted again before going into the fermentation tanks, this allows for only the best fruit to go into this wine. The wine is then aged 8 months in American oak barrels to mature before bottling.
The 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel is packed full of blackberry, cherry and blueberry jam with barrel flavors contributing aromas of coffee, cedar and finishing with licorice anise. A big finish age worthy tannin and its full body suggest pairing with a robust meal or your finest cheese.
California's BEST Zinfandel — officially
Soon after placing in the Annual Dozen, the family saw their 2007 voted California's top Zin at the 2009 Lodi Wine Show (no mean feat in Lodi, the center of great Zin). From John Van Ruiten's original 50-year-old plantings. Blueberry, coffee, cedar and more. 14.1% Vol. To 2016. Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2007, Lodi
Wall Street Journal:
The WSJwine Annual Dozen 2009
Top judges reveal America's 12 best wine buys; Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 included.
Blue Mountain Brewery Beers
Virginia, AftonThe Beauty of Virginia. The Bounty of Nature. The Art of Brewing.
The Team
Taylor Smack has been brewing beer professionally since early 2000 after receiving the Certificate of Brewing Technology from Chicago's Siebel Institute, the country's oldest school for the craft of brewing. He was the head brewer of both Goose Island brewpubs in Chicago and has spent the last six years as the brewer for Charlottesville, Virginia's renowned South Street Brewery.
Mandi Smack has spent most of the last seven years in the publishing business, working for Hoyt Publishing in Chicago, and C-ville Weekly newspaper and Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine in Charlottesville, Virginia, in capacities ranging from marketing to sales to Business Manager.
Matt Nucci has spent most of his last seven years working with Greenberry's Coffee and Tea company, based in Charlottesville. He was in charge of production and new franchise developments and helped the company grow to a multi-state gourmet coffee business by the time he left in early 2007 to help found Blue Mountain Brewery.
Blue Mountain Lager
13° Plato, 22 IBU's and 5.3% alcohol by volume*
This authentic Continental-style beer is brewed with 2-row malts and noble hops, then cold fermented and lagered for six glorious weeks. Experience the full, balanced malt flavor.
Evil 8°Belgian-Style Dubbel Ale
19.3° Plato, 50 IBUs and 7.7% alcohol by volume*
A truly spiritual ale, Evil 8° will blur the lines of what you think you know about American beer. Brewed in the Belgian Abbey style using caramelized Biscuit malt, Goldings hops and a unique strain of brewers' yeast.
Full Nelson Pale Ale
15° Plato, 60 IBU's, and 5.9% alcohol by volume*
Bursting with local hop flavor, our flagship Strong Pale Ale features our own farm-grown Cascade variety hops as one of the key ingredients. A strong malt backbone gives this ale a rich taste and vibrant copper color, while the generous addition of hops contribute a pronounced bitterness and floral, citrus aroma.
*Plato: The Plato (oP) scale a measure of the sugar levels in the wort (the sweet liquid that comes from mashing grains) prior to fermentation. Due to the process of fermentation the sugars are then converted to alcohol.
*IBU: The International Bitterness Unit is a system indicating the hop bitterness in finished beer. An IBU is one part per million of isohumulone, an acid derived from hops. A typical light American lager may have around 10-15 IBU's, an English brown ale around 20, an India Pale Ale 40-60, and some barley wines reaching up towards the 100 mark.
*Alcohol By Volume: Most massed produced American beers weigh in around 5% alcohol by volume.
