Wine Each Week: 2013 Las Positas Vineyard Coccineous

The irony of the Livermore Valley is that it’s still an under-the-radar wine region, in spite of it being one of the oldest planted areas to vineyards in California. So it’s really no surprise that gems are hidden there. A case in point is this Coccineous (which translates as “scarlet”), a blend of 43% Tempranillo, 36% Petite Sirah, along with small amounts of Syrah and Malbec. Though currently on the market this 2013 defies its age and is drinking incredibly well. It offers mature notes of black berry, raspberry, cedar, black cherry, with back notes of mulberry, pomegranate and quiet notes of rhubarb. There’s a still vibrant acidity, and harmonious balance. Using a mere 30% new French and American oak, the balance between fruit and wood is impressive. This wine is also a rather unique look into a blend that seems it shouldn’t work on paper, but does work in the glass and on the palate, a wine that takes you off guard and makes you believe in small producers who toil away in the far reaches of the industry. It also shows how large distribution networks often overlook the little guy, ignoring intriguing wines with small production. Fortunately, Las Positas will keep making their wine.

ORIGIN: Livermore Valley, California

PRICE: $48/ 750 ML

www.laspositasvineyards.com

Limited availability, 290 cases.

Wine Each Week: 2013 Cuda Ridge Malbec Reserve

Little known, the Livermore Valley wine region is actually one of the oldest in California, with commercial plantings first starting in the 1840s, well before the Sierra Foothills and Napa. One of the grapes they have been successful with has been Malbec, an odd-ball grape, even by today’s standards. Malbec is often planted to blend into other wines, occasionally used as a stand-alone wine, but typically sold only at winery tasting rooms. With the exception of Argentinean Malbec, U.S. Malbec is not a successful category. Which is why it’s impressive that Cuda Ridge has made a commitment to produce Malbec.

This wine offers touches of plum, cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, with vanilla, cedar and herbal notes, a slight cola note, and a spicy pepper note accentuating the back palate. The result is a rather sensual and pleasing wine. Aged a staggering 32 months in American oak barrels (both used and neutral, not new), a mere 49 cases were made. Though on the pricy side (given its extensive barrel aging) it nonetheless offers a unique and intriguing drinking experience.

ORIGIN: Livermore Valley, California

PRICE: $55/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 13.7%

www.CudaRidgeWines.com

Ever More - Livermore

Cabernet Sauvignon is what people want to drink and the 2011 Concannon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Livermore Valley is what I want to drink. With notes of black cherry and sweet oak, this is a lively wine, not some deep robust Cabernet, but lighter, younger, with cherry, acidity, plumb, raspberry, and a cocoa finish - nothing off putting, or needing decanting. I hate the word “juicy” as a wine descriptor because it’s overused and frankly a rather meaningless term, but drinking this wine is actually like taking a bite into a ripe piece of fruit and the juices explode and run down your mouth (and in my case on my shirt). In short, there’s nothing pretentious about this very drinkable Cabernet. It’s a slight bummer this is a limited wine, only 300 cases (3,600 bottles) and it’s only available at the winery. Well, OK. Actually a visit to Concannon is a good idea as I included them on my list of the “25 Most Awesome Wine Tasting Rooms in California” list for IntoWine.com – so right there you have a motivation to check it out. This is that Cabernet Sauvignon that most people hope for - easy, fun, drinks like water, not tough to love. CONCANNON

ORIGIN: Livermore Valley, California

PRICE: $34 / 750ML

ALCOHOL: 13.8%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  89 POINTS