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At Occasio Winery, winemaker John Kinney lives by the old Latin phrase Occasio aegre offertur, facile amittitur – know that the right moment comes along rarely and is easily lost. Thus, they are meticulous at every stage of the winemaking process, hoping to for each of their wines to achieve their “own most perfect nature.”
Here’s what our tasting panel had to say about half-a-dozen of Occasio’s current offerings:
Occasio 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of blackberries, currants, vanilla, and floral notes greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry, dried cherry, and cassis that flow into hints of rose petal, earth, and oak. This is not your run-of-the-mill, fruity Cab. Fans supple, rich, and earthy reds will enjoy this wine. 125 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Occasio 2010 Merlot
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of blackberries, plums, and black cherries meld with notes of herbs and earth on the nose. Flavors of currants and bramble fruit are accented by suggestions of green olive, cocoa, and earth on the palate. A rich Merlot with plentiful tannins, enjoy a bottle with food now or give it some time in the cellar. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Occasio 2010 Petite Sirah
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries mingle with notes of dark chocolate, creamy oak, and earth on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of raspberry and blackberry that unfold into suggestions of cocoa, baking spice, and floral hints. A rich, hearty red with a mouth-filling structure, enjoy a bottle with your favorite gourmet BBQ or lay a bottle down for a few years. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Occasio 2010 “Heritage” Malbec
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 45-50
Tasting Notes:
Notes of bramble fruit and black cherries meld with suggestions of vanilla, sweet spice, and herbaceous hints on the nose. On the palate, flavors of blackberry and cherry come together with nuances of earth and all-spice. A Malbec that delivers on varietal character with rich structure and earthy overtones, fans of the variety will enjoy this bottle. Just 48 cases were made.
Rating: 88
Occasio 2011 Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of baked pear, fresh bread, and vanilla rise up from a glass. With a sip, flavors of lemon and pear come together with floral, toasty, and creamy notes. A rich, mouthfilling wine, it’s not your run-of-the-mill Chardonnay. If you’re looking for something a little different, give this a try. 125 case were made.
Rating: 89
Occasio 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Livermore Valley
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Notes of rosemary and dusty earth meld with lovely fruity aromas on the nose. Flavors of tropical and citrus fruits emerge on the palate accented by suggestions of minerals and herbs. An easy-going white, with minerally backbone, try a bottle with your favorite white-fish. 145 cases produced.
Rating: 87
