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Californians like to be out of the ordinary, and many winemakers in the state are no exception to this mindset. Thus, whether it’s growing an uncommon variety, putting together a wine with grapes that traditionally aren’t mixed, or producing a varietal from a grape that’s usually reserved for blending, they love to offer people something atypical. Here are a few such bottles which our tasting panel sampled recently:
Hope Family 2012 “Treana” Blend
Grape(s): 70% Cabernet Sauvignon & 30% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Notes of bramble fruit, plum, and cherry are accented by nuances of spice and vanilla on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blackberries, plums, and cherries that unfold into traces of pepper, vanilla, and clove. A dark, hearty red with rich tannins, pair a bottle with your favorite red meat. 7,329 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Hearst Ranch 2011 Tempranillo
Grape(s): 91% Tempranillo & 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of cherries, boysenberries, vanilla, and sweet spice rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum that interweave with notes of clove, cocoa, and minerals. Fairly dark and lush for a Tempranillo, pair a bottle with mild Enchiladas.
Rating: 88
Fenestra 2011 Graciano
Grape(s): 95% Graciano & 5% Petite Sirah
Region: Lodi, Ca
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, and pomegranates are accented by floral and spicy hints on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry come together with suggestions of white pepper, vanilla, and violets on the palate. Hearty flavors and supple tannins make it a wine nicely suite for food. Open a bottle with a gamy dish, like buffalo burgers. 195 cases were made.
Rating: 90
Fenestra 2011 “Semonnay” Blend
Grape(s): 66% Semillon & 34% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of peach, apple, and apricot come together with traces of vanilla on the nose. Notes of tropical fruit, peach, and golden apple wrap around nuances of toasty vanilla and minerals on the palate. Bright and layered, it’s an out of the ordinary white that’s well worth a try. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 89
