Prior to our trip to Hungarian and Austrian wine regions, we received two wine from Winesellers, Ltd. Both wines were from Vinum Cellars. Vinum Cellars sources grapes from multiple AVAs in California including: Napa, Sonoma, Clarksburg, Monterey and Paso Robles.

Vinum Cellars CNW Cuvee Chenin Blanc Clarksburg AVA

The 2017 Vinum Cellars CNW Cuvee Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg AVA helps celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Vinum Cellars. The CNW stands for “Chard, No Way!” A statement that shows the passion that winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos have for the grape variety Chenin Blanc. California can produce wonderful wines crafted with Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is also planted in France, and has made a home in South Africa where it is the most widely planted white variety.

The yellowed colored wine explodes with an intense aroma of tropical fruits. The taste reminds me of peaches, melons, pineapple and mango. The soft mouthfeel is accompanied by a racy crispness. The finish is fruity, then yields to mineral. The wine has a hint of lemon grass.

The wine would make a good aperitif or use to just cool down on a warm spring or summer day. We decided to have the wine on a Lent Friday paired with fried salmon in an iron skillet. We also fried some potatoes and had a side of corn. The wine matched well with the salmon dish.

Vinum Cellars Pets, Petite Sirah Clarksburg AVA

The 2016 Vinum Cellars Pets was a Petite Sirah from the Clarksburg AVA. The front of the bottle has a picture of a dog named Tanker. Tanker is Ken Wilson’s dog, the vineyardist from Wilson Farms that supplied the Petite Sirah grapes for this wine. Winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos commented on the back of the bottle, “This wine has the potential to be your best friend.” 

The wine had an opaque dark purple color with a ruby hue, and 14.5% alcohol. The aroma reminded us of a dark fruit salad. The taste included black raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, baking spices and a hint of licorice. The wine had a full body with very bold tannins. The finish was fruity and lingered for quite awhile.

Having this Petite Sirah reminds me of how much I enjoy wines made from this grape. During earlier visits to California I came across PS I Love You a Petite Sirah advocacy group. Kathy and I enjoyed visiting different Petite Sirah producers.

Cheers,
Terry