The Honest Pour with John Lenart

Andrea Cecchi leads the fourth generation of his family in the wine business. Not only is Andrea dedicated to making wines of outstanding quality and value, but he also is the pioneer of the Maremma growing area. The coastal area of Maremma was traditionally a farming area of crops other than grapes. But today, under the guidance of Andrea, some fabulous vermentino is being grown.

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                                   Andrea Cecchi, CEO Cecchi

2016 Cecchi La Mora Vermantino

Explosive aromas of tropical fruit and white flowers. Luscious flavors of papaya, banana and pear anre backed up by limestone minerality and bright acidity.

SRP: $15

 2014 Cecchi Chianti

Nose of violet and fresh cherry. Straight forward flavors of cherry, tobacco, and hints of leather. Silk smooth tannin and good acidity

SRP: $14

2014 Cecchi Chianti Classico

Complex nose of cherry, earth, and violet. Earth flavors of dried cherry, tobacco, dried herbs and bold tannins with solid acidity make for a well-balanced wine.

SRP: $15

2013 Cecchi Chianti Riserva di Famiglia

Elegant nose of violets, herbs, earth, and red berries. Complex and silky on the palate. Flavors of bing cherry, cedar, earth, combine with wonderfully bright acidity and bold tannins. Drink now through 5 years.

SRP: $28

The history of the Pellegrini family in the California wine industry goes back to before prohibition. Today, that heritage and history is fostered by Fred Reno, President of Olivet Lane Estate and Pellegrini Wine Co. We sat down to talk with Fred about the heritage of the company and its special vineyard in Russian River Valley, Olivet Lane.

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Fred Reno, President Olivet Lane Estate and Pellegrini Wine Co.

2014, Pellegrini “Unoaked” Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Medium yellow to clear rim. Nose of cream fraiche, dried apple and white flower. Medium full body with a round medium acidity. Flavors of red apple are followed by lime leaf, chalky minerality and a long finish.

SRP: $24

2014 Pellegrini Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Pretty light ruby color to a pinkish rim. Nose of fresh cherry and strawberry followed by violets and earth. This light bodies=d wine has delicate tannins that let the delicate under-ripe berry and earth flavors play harmoniously with earthiness and acidity.

SRP: $35

2014 Olivet Lane Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Star bright light golden color. Delicate, elegant nose of apple, chalk and lemon peel. This full bodied wine has mellow acidity, with flavors of apple, and a touch of citrus on the finish that highlights wonderful acid which is integrated with perfume and minerality. Super long and luxurious finish.

SRP: $45

2014 Olivet Lane Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Bright ruby color. Aromas of violet, cherry, leather, funky earth and mushroom and cocoa. Lush velvety texture. Flavors of bright over-ripe cherry, tobacco, earth, cocoa, with a spicy exciting finish that is long elegant and integrated.  Drinking nice now but 3-5 years of aging will pay off.

SRP: $65

For a long time wine from South Africa suffered a reputation of low quality, mass produced jug wine. But a group of young wine makers are out to change all that. People like Donovan Rall are searching the growing regions of South Africa for old, high quality vineyards, that produce high quality fruit that was once blended into bulk wine. Today, Rall is making some of South Africa’s most dynamic wines.

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Donovan Rall, Winemaker, Rall Wines

2016 Grenache Blanc, Rall Wines

This wine shows a very complex nose of apricot, pear and apple along with hints of minerality. Flavors of apple and pear are balanced with a lush mouth-feel and bright lemony acidity.   The finish is long and complex. Perfect for grilled fish!

SRP: $27

2015 Rall White, Rall Wines

A slightly funky nose blends with tree fruit and notes of minerality. The balanced flavors show fresh citrus, hints of oak and cream fraiche all combining in a complex and long finish highlighting lemony acidity with good weight.

SRP: $26

2016 Old Vine Cinsault, Rall Wines

A spicy nose gives way to fruity and floral aromas. Flavors of raspberry and cherry are given structure by bright acidity and grippy tannin.   Great summertime red that will pair wonderfully with barbecue!

SRP: $27

2014 Rall Red, Rall Wines

A wonderfully integrated nose of earth, fruit and spice. Flavors of dark cherry and plum lead to some savory notes. The wine is balanced with silky tannin, bright acidity, integrated with hints of spicy wood and a long finish showing off black pepper flavors.

SRP: $25

Without the name Mondavi Napa Valley would still be a world class wine producing region, but it certainly wouldn’t be the same as it is today. In 1966, after the much publicized split with his brother, Robert Mondavi and his son Michael started the Robert Mondavi Winery.  The rest, as they say, is history. And what a history it is. After the family took the company public in 1994, then selling the winery to Constellation Brands in 2004, Michael Mondavi left the boardroom and returned to the vineyard when he purchased property on Atlas Peak. Today, Michael, along with his wife and children, continue the family tradition of making wine in Napa Valley. I sat down with Michael to talk about his family’s colorful history and what that legacy brings to the wines he makes today.

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                      Michael Mondavi and John Lenart (Photo Credit Ann Cooper)

2015 Animo, Heritage Sauvignon Blanc

Made from vines grown from cuttings from the historic I-Block of the Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard.

The rich nose shows restrained notes of tropical fruit, flowers and honey with a hot rock minerality. The mouth feel shows good weight and elegant structure with mouthwatering citrus acidity, flavors of lime, herbs, and complex minerality make for a long intriguing finish.

SRP: $65

2015 Emblem Chardonnay, Carneros

Lush and expressive aromas of melon and  toast, but not in an over the top way. Flavors of baked apple, pear, honeysuckle intermingle with good minerality and a balanced oak backbone. Great acidity and limestone like minerality.

SRP:  $35

2013 Animo, Cabernet Sauvignon

A pronounced nose of dark blue and black fruit yet with nicely balanced earthiness, graphite and a touch of anise.  A silky mouth feel leads the way to flavors of blackberry and cassis, cola, green olives, backing spice, and cedar. Bright acidity and grippy tannin make this young wine age-able for 10 to 15 years.

SRP: $85

Charter Oak Winery is a gem of Napa Valley. Like many other wineries in the valley it began as a small family operation. While it’s grown since its founding in the early 20th century by Italian immigrant Guido Ragghianti, Charter Oak is still family run, by Guido’s grandson Robert Fanucci, who continues to use much of Guido’s original equipment and techniques today. The tiny winery is located in a house, just off of Highway 29, at the end of Charter Oak Avenue, in St. Helena. It’s a place I highly recommend you visit and get to know Robert, his world renown artist wife Layla, and their delicious wines.

 Robert Fanucci, in the cellar of Charter Oak

2014, Charter Oak, Roberto Fanucci, Zinfandel

Pretty, almost delicate ruby color. Nose of fresh raspberries, rose petals and a hint of smokiness. On the palate fresh red berry flavors are backed up by hints of tobacco, spices and black pepper. Balanced acid makes for a long mouthwatering finish.

SPR: $50

2014, Charter Oak, Zinfandel Mind, Estate Zinfandel

Vibrant color, a touch purple. A bright spicy nose leads to aromas of blueberry and violet. The fruit forward flavors of this medium full bodies wine feature blue and dark red fruit with bold, balanced tannins, and harmonious acidity.

SPR: $60

2014, Charter Oak, Matilda

Bright garnet color without being extracted. A nose of currant and cranberry, and earthiness. Fresh red fruit flavors are balanced by bright acidity, silky tannin finishing with a hint of green bell pepper. The luxurious mouth feel, high acidity and delicious complexity make this wine scream to be served with food.

SRP: $75

2014, Charter Oak, Monte Rosso Zinfandel

Sadly this is the last vintage of Monte Rosso that will be made by Charter Oak. The bright ruby color of this wine is a bit delicate and very pretty. The bright spicy nose leads to fresh red fruit. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, fresh herbs make for a very elegant zinfandel. Complex and integrated acid and tannin make for a lovely wine.

SRP: $75

2014, Charter Oak, Guido Ragghianti, 

A deep ruby color that’s very bright. The nose starts with notes of blueberry, leather and pepper. Flavors of dark fruits, think bing cherry, blueberry, and black currant are backed up by spiciness, great acid and tannin, making for a wine with lots of finesse.

SRP: $75

2014, Charter Oak, Uncle George, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap

Delicate garnet color. This wine announces itself to your nose saying “Hello, I’m Napa cabernet!” Classic nose of red fruit, baking spices, a bit of mint.  Big bold flavors of fruit are backed up with gripping tannin and ripping acid. This one is enjoyable now but will improve greatly and become more integrated over the next 10 years.

SRP: $145

Chris Howell is a wine grower who marches to his own beat. Many of his practices vary from just about any other winery in Napa valley. Relying more on blending than single grape varieties, multi-vintage blends, even using brettanomyces, the yeast strain often feared by others, Howell’s wines are unique, thought provoking, and truly expressions of  his philosophy about what makes great wine.  I enjoyed our interview so much this episode runs a little longer than most. Be patient though, what Howell has to say is worth listening to.

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Chris Howell, Wine-Grower/General Manager Cain

1996, Cain Five

This wine still shows a lot of youthful color. Medium Garnet, with just a hint of brick around the rim. The nose is lively with integrated notes of red berries, earth, and cocoa. Flavors of red berries are backed up by bright acidity and silky tannins with a hint of baking spices on the long elegant finish.

SRP: $320 on the secondary market

2012, NV12 Cain Cuvée

Very pretty, but not quite delicate garnet color. An earthy nose shows violet, mushrooms and a bit of funkiness. The lush, velvety texture leads to flavors of cassis, raspberry, leather, and cocoa, finishing fine acid and tannins. This is the Bordeaux lovers Cali wine!

SRP: $36

2012, Cain Five

This wine shows a fresh, vibrant youthful garnet color. The complex nose presents violets, juniper, and a touch of green peppercorns. Flavors of fresh currant and blackberry integrate harmoniously with earthy notes of forest floor. Fine smooth tannins lead to a long thought provoking and graceful finish.

SRP: $125

2012, Cain Concept

This wine shows a star bright, deep ruby color. Aromas of ripe red fruit lead to a bit of herbs. Flavors of bright fresh cherries and cocoa, lead to earthy notes of mushrooms. A touch reductive at this time. Decant for an hour or more before drinking this finessed, lovely wine.

SPR: $75

Steve Matthiasson is what I call the anti-Napa, Napa winemaker. More farmer than winemaker, Matthiasson looks beyond cabernet and chardonnay, also growing ribolla giala, refresco, scioppettino, and tocai fruliano. He is always looking for what grows best on his land. His farmer’s mindset leads to wines of restraint and elegance.

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       Steve Matthiasson, Matthisson Wines

2014, Matthiasson, Linda Vista Chardonny

Bright pale yellow with a touch green hue. Aromas of green apple, grapefruit, and creamy cheese rind. The tart apple flavor gives way to lime and structured minerality and bold acidity, finishing with cream fraiche and a long complex finish

SRP: $29

2013, Matthiasson, Napa Valley White Wine

This blend is made with sauvignon blanc, ribolla gialla, and tocai friulano. It’s shy nose shows stone fruit, lime zest and sour cream. Lean flavors of pear, apricot, lime zest, pineapple, hay,  and bees wax provide a complex flavor with a touch of bitterness on the finish.

SRP: $40

2013, Matthiasson, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This medium garnet colored wine presents aromas of currant, red flowers, and a bit of green olive. The flavor of this full bodied yet elegant wine start with cranberry with layers of blackberry, ripe dark cherry. cola, cocoa, and graphite. The papery tannins, are backed with good acidity and minerality. You can drink this wine now but waiting five years or more will yield pleasing results.

SRP: $60

One of Piemonte’s most adored producers, Vietti, was sold last summer. What does that mean for the brand and for the wines of this historic, family-run winery? This week John talks with Elena Penna Currado, wife of wine maker Luca Currado, to discuss the history, sale and to taste the wines of this dynamic and important producer.

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           Elena Penna Currado, Vietti

2014, Vietti Barabera D’Asti, Tre Vigne

This ruby red wine starts with aromas of fresh cherry, earthiness, and floral notes. The medium bodies texture gives way to bright fresh cherry flavor with touches of vanilla. The solid tannins are backed up by bright acidity.

SRP: $20

2013, Vietti “Perbacco” Nebbiolo

I’ve always been super-excited about this declassified Barolo. This light red wine looks like a classic nebbiolo. The floral smell bursts from the glass revealing red fruit, earthiness, sweet herbs and leather. The elegant mouth-feel reveals flavors of plum and fresh cherry. The gripping tannin and bold acid make this a wine to lay down for another 3-5 years. At this price you’ll be happy you hung onto what’s sure to be a gem. One of the best values from Piemonte, if not all of Italy.

SRP: $25

2012 Vietti, Barolo Castiglione

This delicately colored wine jumps out of the glass with rip red cherry, floral aromas and sweet spices. Flavor of slightly sweet cherry and blackberry notes are backed up by bold tannin and bright, long lasting acidity. This wine needs 3-5 years for optimal drinking but is pleasant enough to drink now.

SRP: $50

Do you have an idea of what New Zealand sauvignon blanc is all about? Kevin Judd, a pioneering New Zealand winemaker, shatters that mold with his Greywacke sauvignon blanc, particularly with his wild fermentation bottlings. Join John as he talks Kiwi sauv blanc and more with Kevin Judd.

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Kevin Judd, Winemaker, Greywacke and Dixie

2015 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc

This greenish yellow star bright wine has a touch of sliver color. The nose starts with grapefruit followed by passion fruit and fresh herbs. This medium bodied wine is packed with creaminess and flavors of lime stone fruit and a good bit of minerality and crisp acidity.

SRP: $23

2014 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc

This wine leads with a savory nose of cream fraiche, dried herbs and a touch of vanilla.On the palate the wine is creamy with a deep complexity. Flavors include lime, papaya and cheese rind along with a chalky finish with crisp acid. “It’s sauvignon, but not as we know it.”

SRP: $25

2014 Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir

 A floral nose follows with bright red berries ending with spicy cinnamon notes. The medium bodied wine has flavors of strawberry jam, fresh black cherries balanced by bright acidity and a good hit of tannin.

SRP: $28