
Winery
of the Week: VIE - San Francisco

Vie
comes from the Old French word meaning "to invite"
or "to give occasion for". But, in French today, it
is simply translated "life". So if you're in San Francisco,
visit the winery's tasting room on Treasure Island and celebrate
life and wine, as the offerings we sampled from them were all
excellent.

Click
on labels to enlarge |
Vie
2016 Canihan Vineyards Pinot Noir
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Sonoma Coast, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, currants, and pomegranates mingle
with suggestions of brown spice on the nose. The palate
brings forth flavors of cherry, cranberry, and currents
that flow into expressions of all-spice and minerals.
A pleasant acidity combines with polished tannins to make
this wine well suited for lamb kabobs. Only 100 cases
were made.
Rating: 91 |
 |
Vie
2016 Las Madres Vineyards Syrah
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100%
Syrah
Region: Sonoma County, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
There's great complexity on the nose, with aromas of dark
fruit, bacon, spice, and floral earth blending together.
After a sip, one discovers flavors of blackberry and black
cherry that meld among nuances of pepper, leather, and
herbs. The tannins are balanced and there's a good acidity
that lifts this wine. Fans of hearty Syrah will find a
lot to like. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
 |
Vie
2015 "L'etranger" Red Blend
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 60%
Zinfandel, 35% Syrah, & 5% Petite Sirah
Region: North
Coast, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Elements of cherries, blackberries, and raspberries meld
among allusions of clove, white pepper, and caramel on
the nose. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry
play with accents of pepper, baking spice, and toasty
vanilla on the palate. Full-bodied and bold, it's a wine
that will hold up to spicy BBQ dishes. 150 cases were
made..
Rating: 90 |
 |
Vie
2015 Wynonna's Vineyards Syrah
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100%
Syrah
Region: Lake
County, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Notes of cherries, blackberries, and plums come together
with undertones of smoky spice, toasty oak, and forest
floor on the nose. On the palate, dark cherry, bramble
berry, and blueberry flavors emerge, unfurling into highlights
of cedar, dusty earth, and spice. Good structure and vivid
flavors make this a wine to open with carne asada.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Vie
2016 North Coast Pinot Noir
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot Noir
Region: North
Coast, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of strawberries, cherries, smoked meat, and
spice greets the senses. Lively flavors of strawberry
jam, boysenberry, and cherry harmonize with allusions
of white pepper, smoke, and cola on the palate. Offering
a good body, robust fruit, and just the right amount of
savory character, it's a fine Pinot Noir. 200 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
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
|