Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon
We’re approaching Independence Day- a great American holiday- as we celebrate our country on the 4th of July with fireworks and back yard bar b que. I am looking forward to a wonderful day at the store with Dad, Ed and Uncle Perry, because of the HUGE sale we are having!
This year we are featuring a new wine from the Michael Mondavi Winery of Napa, CA, called Emblem. Emblem was first released a few years ago as a boutique Napa Cabernet, it is limited in production, and is made by Rob Mondavi, Jr., iconic winemaker Robert Mondavi’s grandson. When the Robert Mondavi family sold their winery, son Michael held on to a few acres in Napa Valley, to make wine, and call his home. Nearly 50 years ago, Michael and his father Robert began what became one of the most recognized wineries in California, at the center of the Napa Valley. Today, the fine winemaking tradition continues with Rob, Jr. at the winemaking helm. The vineyards lie at the foot of Atlas Peak near Howell Mountain. The grapes for the Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon are hand harvested from vineyards in Oak Knoll, Suskol Ranch and Southern Napa, legendary for producing world class grapes. Emblem is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Rob and his winemaking team blend a small amount of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel in this, the 2010 vintage. The wine boasts rich dark cherry, berry and cassis flavors with subtle nuances of toasted vanilla and toffee. It will cellar for several years, but can be enjoyed now. We will be sampling it this Fourth of July. I give it 3 bones!
A great red wine blend we have in the store, made by another trusted, family owned and run operation from California, is Bogle Essential Red. This wine never disappoints every time we try it. Warren Bogle is a sixth generation farmer who is vineyard manager for the winery, which has property in several appellations including Lodi, Mendocino, Clarksburg, Monterey and even San Luis Obispo. The varying terroir of these vineyards allows the best fruit to be sourced from where it grows best to make some of the finest value wines. Bogle Vineyards practice sustainability in farming and hold many organic and green certifications for their vineyard sites. The Bogle Essential is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. The winemakers blend is smooth and velvety, with hints of vanilla, intense sweet cherries and black licorice flavors. It gets three bones from me too! Enjoy your 4th of July weekend, come give me a pat on the head and get some bargains at our annual sale.
By Brunello Giancola as told to CRBrown
