Delta Explorer - Spring 2008 - (Page 37) DELTA WINE REVIEW by Edwin Okamura I begin this review by strongly recommending that you do not drink the night before touring the winding roads of the Delta— especially not the day following emptying over 90 bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau (and a potpourri of other wines from around the region and world) with friends and family. For those of you that may not be familiar with Beaujolais Nouveau, it is a French wine produced from the Gamay varietal and is released globally on the third Thursday in November each year. Nothing fancy, simply pressed, fermented, bottled and released. While this release date has changed throughout the decades, it wasn’t until 1985 that it settled to its current date. From a marketers perspective it’s by no means startling the release is exactly one week before Thanksgiving, and coincidentally pairs well with turkey! So back to the winery I visited on that somewhat “foggy” drive up the Delta—Bogle Vineyards. Founded in mid-1800, the Bogle family did not begin planting wine grapes in the Clarksburg region until 1968. Since those early days, they have expanded from their initial 20 acres to well over 1,200. Now, six generations later and a nationally recognized brand, they continue to stay at the forefront of trends in the industry under the tutelage of Patty Bogle, her son Warren and daughter Jody. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Muscat Blanc, Petite Sirah Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Zinfandel they currently have 10 releases. With the exception of their 100% Clarksburg Petite Sirah Port, all of their wines are blended from multiple California appellations. Not surprisingly, Petite Sirah grows well in the region and is a treat for anyone that is a fan of huge fruit and berry. The lineup At a glance At restaurants I quickly become overwhelmed by any menu with more than 10 items—one of the primary reasons I most enjoy restaurants with Prix Fixe menus. The same applies to wineries. Call it Menu Attention Deficit Disorder. This is neither a criticism of restaurants or wineries, merely a disclaimer for not tasting every wine on their list. Across 14 vineyards on the Delta—take a deep breath— visit our online version at www.thedeltaexplorer.com Their Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, Petite Sirah and Phantom all are blended with Clarksburg grape and therefore are the focus of my attention. I’ll begin with Bogle’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 16 months in American oak to create this well-balanced wine. The predominant flavor on the palate is cherry with hints of leather and tobacco. Sound “manly?” It is. Pair this with a rib-eye steak. Their refreshing 2006 Chardonnay is crisp, with fresh pineapple, green apples and toasty oak on the finish. I, as well, did pick up on hints of butterscotch and caramel when suggested of this. Drink this bottle now. Despite the movie “Sideways” killing merlot sales globally, I don’t shy away from this varietal, even if Pinot is my varietal of choice. Their full-bodied, big-tannin 2005 Merlot has cherry on the nose and palate with an oaky finish. This wine will suffice on its own—if you like a big wine—or pair nicely with hearty stew. Bogle’s “heritage” varietal— Petite Sirah—like many of the varietals of the region—is huge, fruit-forward with tons of boysenberry and pepper. This deep purple wine lingers on your palate (and teeth) with nice herbs and oak on the finish. This, like their merlot will pair nicely with some red meat or other rich foods. Drink this bottle now, or hold for a few years. I’ll fess up. I didn’t try their 2004 Phantom, but from their description, my mouth watered. By combining Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Mourvedre, these varietals create a full-bodied wine with lush berry and fierce spice. If you like fruit forward wines, this combination will certainly be appreciated by you with aromas of blueberries, violets and chocolate-covered cherries, dusted with touches of black pepper. From the deep dark depths, subtle notes of spice, clove and mocha emerge and compliment the concentrated fruit characters of this wine. Wow! And finally, Bogle’s ruby-style 2005 Port is perfect as dessert. No need for chocolate cake. 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Pride of Ownership shows in this well maintained home located by elementary school. Fresh paint, newer carpet, 2 replaces, built-in china hutch, modern kitchen with lots of cupboards, tile countertops, lg. family room, carport, fenced backyard with beautiful roses. Covered decks on many of the rooms for a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the private yard. Storage shed & other outside storage. Great home and priced right! 2nd owners of the home 241 Main Street Distinctive Open the door and an awesome view awaits! Priced to sell @ $450,000. this waterfront parcel has a new well, new septic, 2/1 co age right on the water, literally sh from your back deck. Room to build your dream house on the land side. Circular drive already in all utilities in. Rio Vista, C A 94571 spring 2008 / 37 http://winelistguru.com http://www.thedeltaexplorer.com
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