Winery
of the Week:
Vasco Urbano - Livermore Valley, Ca
Just
in case you hadn't heard, California Rhone is
awesome. Yeah, the varieties don't get the same fanfare as Cabernet,
but that doesn't mean, they can't be a rich, deep, and flavorful.
And, just in case you hadn't heard, also, the Livermore Valley
is one of the best places in the state to grow the grapes.
There,
Vasco Urbano Wine Company focuses solely on
Rhone-Style wines, with winemaker Collin Cranor (and others)
working alongside their vineyard partners to source some of
the valley's most exceptional fruit. Visit them and taste just
how good Cali-Rhone can be.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Vasco
Urbano 2013 "The Sheriff" GSM Blend
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 61% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and
14% Mourvedre
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, plums, and blueberries interweave
with suggestions of pepper and earth on the nose. A sip
reveals flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, and strawberry,
which open up into traces of pepper and minerals. A bright
wine with welcoming fruit, it's a fine example of a Cali
Rhone-Style blend. 1,000 cases produced.
Rating: 92 |
|
Vasco
Urbano 2013 "Brunswick" Petite Sirah
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of blueberries, blackberries, dark chocolate,
and pepper greet the senses. The palate delivers flavors
of blueberry, plum, and blackberry alongside accents of
cocoa and spice. Rich and dark but still quite smooth
for a Petite Sirah, it's a perfect wine for anything barbecued.
1,700 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
 |
Vasco
Urbano 2013 "Norm" Grenache
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 100% Grenache
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Notes of strawberries, plums, and cherries meld with traces
of spice and vanilla on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of strawberry, plum, and pomegranate flow into highlights
of sweet spice, cola, and white pepper. A lighter wine
with vibrant flavors, enjoy a bottle with grilled chicken
or pork. 675 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
 |
Vasco
Urbano 2012 "H.P" Mourvedre
Winery:
Vasco Urbano
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, blackberries, smoky bacon, and
pepper rises up from a glass. Flavors of black cherry,
blueberry, and blackberry emerge on the palate, along
with suggestions of smoked meat, thyme, and pepper. Hearty
flavors and supple tannins make this wine a fine choice
to pair with lamb kabobs. 100 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|
