Straighten Up and Fly Right

Classic Bordeaux blends hailing from Napa are not uncommon; what is uncommon is to find one that truly represents a traditional blend, but also promises compatibility with food and, quite simply, is a pleasure to drink. The 2012 Canard Vineyard Vintner’s Blend nails it. As a wine writer I have written about Canard Vineyard in The Hollywood Reporter; as a wine buyer I carry their Reserve Cabernet in my wine department at PierreLafond Market in Montecito, so yes, I am a fan. Their Vintner’s Blend is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (36%), Cabernet Franc (21%) and Petit Verdot (1%). Grown in Calistoga and aged 19 months in both new and neutral French oak, the result is a wine that is seamless and graceful with nothing out of place, sort of like a restrained opulence. The nose offers typical blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry hints, but it hits the palate with soft tannins and lingers in the mid palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar and a wisp of mocha and mint. The under current of acidity allows tremendous food pairing options and the oak treatment is judicious meaning this wine will not overpower your meal. Canard turned out just 517 cases of this wine, which not only provides a stellar value at this price, but allows you bragging rights since Canard wines are not easy to get your hands on.

ORIGIN: Napa, California

PRICE: $45/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 14.9%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  92 POINTS

Ram the Gates!

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of Sauvignon Blancs out there? Ready for a change to another wine white wine? I understand and I would have agreed until I had the Ram’s Gate 2012 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma. There’s lime, grapefruit, and lemon on the nose, a slight caramel and vanilla followed by a clean smooth and subtle finish with the acidity filling the mouth without electrifying your gums. This is one of those wines that smells exactly as it tastes throughout – it’s not one of those wines that jukes you out: smells like something, tastes like something else! It is a solid, impactful wine, completely avoiding the herbaceous, wet grass, cat pee and/or astringency of other versions - not that there’s anything wrong with that. So if you prefer a more restrained, elegant and structured Sauvignon Blanc, here it is. As the wine warms in your glass delicate honey notes begin to emerge. This is a beautifully balanced wine, and far too easy to consume, so you’d better pick up several bottles. The wines are not readily available outside of the winery, but fortunately the winery itself is cool hip, trendy, comfortable, impressive AND the wines are terrific. Stop in, visit the facility, get lost in their food and wine pairings and give some love to the Sauvignon Blanc. RAM'S GATE

And check out a mention of Ram’s Gate I wrote for THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

ORIGIN: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

PRICE: $28 / 750 ML

ALCOHOL: 14.2%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  90 POINTS