Wine on the Radio - October 7, 2004

Carneros                                           Recommendations

 

Los Carneros.  The Ram.  Not a new truck, but an area that straddles both Napa and Sonoma Counties.

 

Carneros is a wide area with San Pablo Bay as the dominating influence and it's home to wind swept hills, great conditions for the cooler climate varieties like chardonnay and pinot noir . . . and acidic, crisp wines.  

 

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Carneros are birthed on the wind.  Cooling winds off the Bay push the vines and grape clusters to hang on!  

 

The leaves turn away from the wind to shield the moisture on their underside.   The result is grapes with less developed sugar content.

 

Carneros region wines are leaner than those from the more protected parts of Napa and Sonoma .

 

It's more like France's Burgundy than California .

 

So if you like your chardonnay crispy and tart, or prefer pinot noir that has a clean bright strawberry flavor, then look for Carneros on the label.  

 

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Carneros - Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - Our Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

 

2002 Beaulieu Vineyard Pinot Noir Carneros $12    
Medium ruby-violet in color. Scents of ripe black cherries, spice and a light earthiness are very pronounced

 

Acacia 2003 Carneros Chardonnay $18
Carneros, California
Winemaker's Notes
Fresh aromas of pear, apricot and honey are supported by savory oats, ginger and nutmeg spice. Rich with pleasant weight on the palate, this Chardonnay shows sweetness up front and spice in the middle

 

Beaulieu - BV 2002 Carneros Chardonnay $15
Carneros , California
Winemaker's Notes
Fine yellow-green gold color. The opulent, forward fruit strongly manifests itself with rich, pear-honey and vanilla extract aromas, with overtones of fresh herbs and marzipan

 

Flora Springs 2002 Carneros Chardonnay $20

Carneros , California
Winemaker's Notes
The 2002 Carneros Chardonnay is packed with lots of tropical pineapple fruit flavors, with aromas of clove and spice

 

Cuvaison Winery 2002 Chardonnay $22
Carneros , California
Winemaker's Notes
A big and bold Chardonnay with the ideal balance of fruit, oak and structure. Intense and full-bodied with vanilla wafer, pistachio and mineral overtones

 

2000 Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir Carneros $26   
A very refined and somewhat shy wine. Great cherry fruit and a slightly velvety feel make for a perfect match to fowl, veal and other white meats. Another Sinskey classic

 

Saintsbury 2002 Carneros Pinot Noir $26
Carneros , California
Winemaker's Notes
The wine is concentrated and full, with classic Pinot Noir character: cherry and berry flavors dominate both nose and palate with some deeper tones contributed by our new vineyard

 

2001 Etude Pinot Noir "Heirloom" Carneros $90   
WS 90 points, High-toned toasty oak aromas fold in nicely with ripe, rich, intense flavors built around a core of mineral, black cherry, plum and wild berry