The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
California produces an amazing 600 million gallons of wine a year (2.4 billion liters), which accounts for nearly 90% of the wine produced in the US. With an additional 1.6 million gallons (6 million liters) of mostly questionable quality assorted other imports, US consumption rounds out at 856 million gallons per year (3.4 billion liters). This leads to the fact that the average US citizen consumes about 9 liters of wine per year, giving you some idea of the scale & scope of California wine production & US consumption trends. Compare those statistics with your average Frenchie who merrily quaffs down a whopping 46 liters. While your Aussies' and Brit's post a mediocre 25 and 22 liters, respectively. Japanese, predictably conservative, come in at just 2 liters each. California's Central Valley a 300-mile stretch of land in the center of the state produces the majority of the state's box ad jug wine and is responsible for a vast array of supermarket brands. What about Napa & Sonoma you might say? Well, it might be fair to say they have priced themselves out of the market especially when considering by the glass offerings. The cult wine market with its huge price tags is perhaps not something well suited to todays need for good value for money. (Now for the good bit). So why does the Central Coast have wines that rock? Well, quite literally, it's the rocks. The whole Central Coast region lies west of the San Andres fault and is laden with incredible mineral content from what used to be ancient seabed's beneath the ocean millions of years ago. The region's proximity to the ocean provides gentle cooling maritime breezes to preserve and intensify fruit character of the wines while keeping acidity in check. Finally, the winemakers here are unabashed experimenters, delving deeply into the potential that this wine area has to offer working with a wide diversity of varietals. The chains are off here; we think you will find the wines of the Central Coast truly have a unique style of their own and also very importantly offer excellent value for money, a match made in heaven perhaps.
カリフォルニアワインを再発見 "ザ・セントラルコースト・ロックス"
今では年間24億リットルもワインを生産しているアメリカ。中でもカリフォルニアはその90％を占めるアメリカ最大のワイン生産地です。ナパやソノマと言った地域はカリフォルニアを代表するワインの産地で有名ですが、今シーズンROTIでは、その昔は海底だった地域、セントラルコーストに注目。この地域の気候、土壌、地形と生産者の熱意から生まれる素晴らしいワインを選定し、カリフォルニアワインの新たな一面そして奥深さを再発見できるリストをご用意しました。
Morgan Sauvignon Blanc 2011 G¥1,050 - J¥3,000 - B¥6,000
Monterey: Arroyo Seco & San Lucas: A proprietary blend of classic Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musk & Semillon, offers typical sweet grass flavors, the Musk is the prized cultivar that adds the aromatic intensity, citrus and tropical fruit flavors In true Bordeaux style the Semillon provides richness & depth. Made using grapes from two growing areas, the cooler Arroyo Seco, and warmer San Lucas. Lovely balance, aged 6 months in Taransaud French oak barrels, of which 7% were new.
Eberle Viognier 2010 G-¥1,200 - J¥3,750 - B¥7,500
Pasa Robles-Mill Road Vineyard: The extended hang time in 2010 produced a vintage with great varietal expression and excellent color extraction. Perhaps one of the most exquisite and complex vintages in California's history. Perfumes on the nose with aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms and apricots. Vibrant flavors of ripe pears, peaches, almonds and spice add to the lush mid-palate of this exceptional wine. The clean and refreshing citrus finish makes it a perfect partner for a variety of foods or a spectacular treat just by itself.
Morgan Metallico Un-Oaked Chard 2011 G¥1,200 - j¥3,750 - B¥7,500
Monterey: Arroyo-Seco-Santa Lucia Highlands: This Un-Oaked Chardonnay is made with-out an overlay of oak or malolactic fermentation to mask any of the fruit expression of the wine, giving us a lovely intensely fruited, aromatic chard with bright acidity. "Chardonnay is its purest form". Think peat, lime, pear & nectarine, bright crisp & very food friendly. Rock-On!
Pali Huntington Pinot Noir 2011 G¥1,150 - j¥3,500 - B¥7,000
Santa Barbara County: Fresh crushed berries, rock, raspberry, red peppercorn cherry & iron leap from the glass, a soft medium weight Pinot with a well rounded mid-palate of blackberries & plum held together by wonderful structure. 10 months in barrel, 35% new French oak, a wonderfully balanced wine.
Alta Maria Pinot Noir 2010 G¥1,350 - J¥4,000 - B¥8,000
Santa Maria Valley: Garnet red in appearance, this 2010 Pinot Noir's captivating aromas are spicy with ripe cherries and strawberries. A luscious mid-pallet comes through upon tasting, but lies well within the true character of this variety. Medium bodied throughout, with balance and a great fruit presence that is a classic mark of the vintage. 33% new French oak.
Barrel 27 Right Hand Man Syrah 2009 G¥1,050 - J¥3,000 - B¥6,000
Central Coast: Hinnrichs-Stockdale-Hampton & McGinley Vineyards: Nose of dark cranberry, raspberry & licorice notes alongside savory aromas of grilled meats, mint blackberry and sweet wood smoke, soft and rich in the mouth with flavors underlain by chocolate and espresso, rounded out with toasted vanilla bean and Asian spices. Simply the best Right Hand Man to date. Aged 20 months French-Hungarian-American oak barrels, 10% new. Simply an amazing wine.
Peachy Canyon Incredible Red Zin 2011 G¥1,000 - J¥2,800 - B¥5,600
Pasa Robles:this wine does live up to its name "trust me" with a rich candied cherry nose this vibrantly-hued red wine bursts with strawberry & cherry flavors, pleasing acidity and structure are balanced by softer fruits & leather nuances on the mid-palate, leaving you with spicy oak, fennel & mocha in a long lingering finish, "just incredible" as they say.
Eberle Winery Full Boar Red NV G¥950 - J¥3,000 - B¥7,000
Pasa Robles: Here is the show stopper, a blend of 48% Zinfandel, 35% Cabernet, 9% Sangiovese & 8% Barbera, kind of a Super Tuscan Zin with a bit of Bordeaux thrown in for good measure, may sound a bit off the wall, but wait to pass judgment till you have savored this amazing wine. 16 months in 100% American barrels, 25% new, very very juicy, robust & super rich, supple tannins & a hint of cola. Brilliant.
Tasting Flights 3 x 65ml¥1,500
Any 3 whites or reds (your choice) served as a set for side-by-side tasting fun.
