Winery
of the Week:
Crooked Vine - Livermore Valley, Ca
California's
Livermore Valley, located just southeast of the San Francisco
Bay, has a long history with wine, dating back to the Ruby Hill
Vineyard which was established in 1887. The the Corbett family
joined in that storied history about ten years ago when they
purchased Crooked Vine with a dream of producing top quality,
100 percent estate-grown wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Crooked
Vine 2013 Syrah
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 98% Sryah & 2% Petit Verdot
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, currants, dark chocolate,
and spice rise up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors
of bramble fruit, cherry, and cassis that open up into
suggestions of dark chocolate, pepper, and toasty oak.
A wine with rich tannins, it will develop nicely in your
cellar over the next five years, or you could enjoy it
now with a roast lamb shank. 125 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Crooked
Vine 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, plums, and boysenberries interweave
with traces of vanilla and sweet spice on the nose. Flavors
of boysenberry, dark cherry, and red plum unfold into
elements of toasty oak, licorice, and all spice on the
palate. Supple tannins and inviting fruit endear this
wine to a juicy NY steak. 439 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Crooked
Vine 2014 Fume Blanc
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Mangoes, apricots, and passion fruits aromas combine with
notes of brown spice on the nose. An array of tropical
and stone fruits emerge on the palate, accented by traces
of all-spice and toasted, dried coconut. Six months in
french oak help give this wine a rich, round mouth-feel
that makes it well suited to pair with a roast chicken.
128 cases produced.
Rating: 87 |
|
Crooked
Vine 2014 Viognier
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
20144
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, cherries, vanilla, and baking
spice rise Notes of peach, apricot, and green apple mingle
with expressions of spring flowers and barrel spice on
the nose. Flavors of peaches, golden apples, and orange
peal combine with allusions of honey, white blossoms,
and spice on the palate. A full-bodied wine with a fruity,
floral balance, enjoy a glass next time you have swordfish.
115 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Crooked
Vine 2013 Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
The nose offers aromas of ripe red berries and a slight
floral note. With a sip, flavors of raspberry, dark cherry
and strawberry flow into a hint of fresh bread. Ample
fruit and a light mouth-feel make this an ideal picnic
wine. 600 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Crooked
Vine 2012 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Crooked Vine
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and dark cherry interweave
with allusions of clove and anise on the nose. With a
sip, flavors of bramble fruit, cherry, and dark plum open
up into accents of sweet spice and earth. Offering compelling
dark fruit and mellowed tannins, enjoy a glass with BBQ
pulled pork.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|