2021 Fall Wine Club Release

This year's harvest of grapes is well under way.  For me, this year stands apart from other harvests for a number of reasons.  A light crop, perhaps resulting from the lack of moisture in the ground, combined with  consistent heat all summer, have brought most  varieties to maturity in a four week period, making us scramble to bring in the fruit.  People ask me "But is it a good year?" Too early to tell, is all I can say.

Here's a short rundown on the wines our committee selected for you this quarter.

2018 Voilá

This wine won twelve out of twelve votes for inclusion in this quarter's offering from the members of our blind tasting committee.  It is my blend of classic French varietals, made from 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% each of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. It has a deep rich color with a bouquet that hints of sage and leather. On the palate, it has pleasing spicy notes, dark fruit flavors and a full, rich texture that rolls around on your tongue, all followed by a lingering finish.  This is a wine you can enjoy now or set it aside to bring out down the road after it has aged a while

2018 Zinfidelity

In jest, I've always described Zinfidelity as our "adulterous" blend of Zin and Cab because the name implies that by blending these two varieties together I am doing something sinful. It's a stretch, I'll admit, but in truth, there is nothing wrong with blending these two grapes together. So then why doesn't anyone else do it? Good wine is still good wine.  The Zinfandel grapes bring in spiciness and red fruit flavors, while the Cabernet offers darker fruit flavors, tannin and structure.  Together they complete the whole picture.

You'll find this wine to have moderate density of color in the glass.  I'd describe the bouquet as slightly floral with a twinge of berry.  It has a firm texture with bright, red fruit expression, good acidity and subtle tannin that stays on as it finishes. In all honesty, the only reservation I have about this wine is that I'm reluctant to sell it to folks who are looking for something to serve at their wedding. How can you toast the future of the happy couple with something that's adulterous?

2017 Malbec (3+ Bottle Clubs)

We have been serving this wine in the tasting room since May of this year, and it has been thrilling the Malbec lovers who come through and creating enthusiasm in those who are unfamiliar with this noble variety. While popular in Argentina, it is not widely grown here in the US. Of the 468,877 acres planted to wine grapes in California, only 3850 are planted to this variety.  Mainstream or not, it is still a wonderful wine, going well with food while it sips nicely on its own, with a good potential for aging.  This wine is deeply colored with beautiful red edges.  I find suggestions of ripe plums on the nose. On the palate, it has dark fruit flavors, nice weight and a good acid, tannin balance. 

The Voilá and Malbec are the same price, depending on your club level discount.  We sell them both at the same $28 per bottle in the tasting room. The Zinfidelity goes for $18.56.  Like always, I recommend you try your wine soon so you can take advantage of the 30% discount window over the coming weeks.

Wine description & write-up by owner/grower/winemaker Tom Hoffman​

Short Video with Tom discussing the wines: 

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