October 28, 2020

Past, Present and Future Journeys

One of the great things about “the journey that is wine” – which is definitely a lifetime journey — is its ability to transport us to another place or another time, or sometimes a combination of place and time, while offering something new, and perhaps even providing revelations to guide future travel and/or purchasing plans.

A recent rendezvous with traveling partners from past wine adventures for a quick getaway to the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains can provide a case in point.

In 2012 our gang traveled to South Africa on a trip that included a safari in Kruger National Park, a trek up Table Mountain, and, of course, visits to wineries and restaurants from Cape Town to Franshoek to the Grand Karoo to Stellenbosch.  Our final visit of the trip was a tasting at Ken Forrester Vineyards and a lunch at the winery's 96 Winery Road restaurant just up the road.  At the tasting our server asked if it was our first visit to the restaurant, and since it was, he told us that we should order any appetizers that we wanted to go with the flagship Chenin Blanc known as "The FMC."  Step two was to then ignore the rest of the menu and go straight for the signature dish, known as "Duck and Cherry Pie," which we did, paired with the winery's Grenache/Syrah blend known as "The Gypsy."

Now picture the intrepid travelers at the airport, completely sated and laid out at the gate waiting to return to the States, lost in the bliss of a truly sublime mix of food and wine.  We learned later that the "locals" travel from a wide radius around Stellenbosch just to partake of this dish.  It's not a complicated offering — roast duck, with cherries, marjoram, onions and garlic with a puff pastry crust — but it's a gorgeous mix of flavors that complemented the Gypsy perfectly…and vice versa.  The best pairings always seem to be a sort of “mutual admiration society” where each component elevates the other.  No doubt you've had a similar experience, in which the stars align and everything just works as we imagine that it should.

Next, fast forward a few years.  A friend that owned (but was closing) a San Diego wine shop sent out a list of wines to some fellow aficionados to give them a shot at some of the best offerings before the general public got wind of the closure.  In scanning the list, I noticed bottles of both "The FMC" and "The Gypsy" on offer, and snapped them up quickly, intending to save them for a stateside re-creation of the original event.  We had made the recipe (it's available online) once previously at home and served it with similar wines to our guests' delight, but procurement of these particular wines boded well for a future experience.

Jumping to the very recent past (last night) and the re-creation event, at altitude, with InstantPot roasted duck, the cherry sauce awaiting the folding in of the meat and a long simmer to perfection.  Then, the bake, and after a brief hiccup when we realized that 200 degrees in the recipe was listed in Celsius, not Fahrenheit, dinner was served, with a simple spinach and arugula salad with an avocado oil vinaigrette, and the 2009 FMC and the 2007 Gypsy.

The wines alone were stunning.  It's not often (read, never) that I get to taste an eleven-year-old Chenin Blanc, and to find a wine so fresh and elegant was a true delight.  Fresh stone fruit, citrus and pear were layered and lovely, with just a slight hint of bottle bouquet beginning to show itself.  It could easily age beautifully several years into the future — though I can tell you that this one didn't make it much more than an hour or two until it was consumed - much of it by me.  The Gypsy acquitted itself in similar fashion, with complexity of black, red and blue fruit, well-folded spice and oak, and full integration through the long finish.

Now add the food.  Some charcuterie with a glass of the Chenin, leaving enough to have another glass with the salad.  A perfect fit in both cases.  Then the main course with the Gypsy.  It's hard to imagine a more perfect union of wine and food, the flavors from a bite getting a lively elevation from a concurrent sip of the wine.  Bliss achieved once more!

So - what's next?  First, a newfound source for duck means that the dish will likely make more frequent appearances at our table.  Second, the search is on for more of the two wines so that more virtual trips back to South Africa can happen.  During these times, while we wait for travel to open back up, this sort of reminiscence is just what the psychiatrist ordered.
Posted by Rich Cook at 12:36 PM

October 7, 2020

A Rogue in Oregon

One definition of rogue is “something out of the ordinary.”  It is fitting, then, that the Naumes Family Winery is located in Oregon’s Rogue Valley, because they certainly do something out of the ordinary.  Ordinary, in terms of Oregon wine, is pretty clear: superb Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and notable Pinot Gris.  While Naumes produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, they also produce out of the ordinary wines, both in varietal composition—Barbera, Grenache, Syrah, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Tempranillo—and most importantly, in quality.

The Rogue Valley, located in southern Oregon, bordering California, is named for the river that runs through it.  (French fur traders supposedly named it La Rivière aux Coquin [rogue] because they regarded the native tribes located there as coquins.)  Although the Willamette Valley is currently Oregon’s best-known wine producing region, the Rogue Valley was home to Oregon’s first official winery, Valley View Winery, established in 1873 by Peter Britt, according to the Oregon Wine Board.

The east-west orientation of the river and the surrounding valleys could explain the diversity of plantings because cooling Pacific breezes in the western-most part of the appellation allow varieties that prefer cooler climates, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to thrive.  The warmer and drier environment in the eastern areas are well-suited for varieties that need warmer conditions to achieve full ripeness.  But that broad generalization doesn’t explain the plethora of varieties of grapes Naumes Family Winery grows and wines it produces.   The varying elevations of the valleys’ hillsides also give growers flexibility for adopting plantings to local climatic conditions.

Corey Schultz, Naumes’ Winery Director, explains that it not as simple as the east-west orientation suggests.  They’ve been able to plant new varieties, Malbec, Barbera, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Viognier, Tempranillo, in addition to their existing ones, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grenache and Pinot Gris, all within a 15-mile radius because of the variation of elevations, temperatures, and wind flow patterns, according to Schultz.  As an example, he told me that one day in August the temperature on the valley floor hit 106ºF while at the same time it was 64ºF in the vineyards on the slopes.

Naumes Family Winery Syrah 2017 ($35):  This big, bold Syrah has beautiful balance and bright acidity that keeps it fresh and lively.  It conveys a splendid combination of savory, almost bacon fat-like nuances, spicy black pepper notes, and dark fruitiness. Though youthful and forceful, it is not overdone or boisterous.  Instead, there’s an appealing elegance to accompany all that muscle.  93

Naumes Family Winery Malbec 2017 ($35):  Full disclosure: Malbec is not my favorite wine because too often it is just a big monotonic red wine.  So, I was shocked when I tasted this one.  There’s lots going on—fruit, to be sure, but smoke-y and earth-y nuances peek out as well.  Uplifting acidity keeps you coming back for more. Glossy tannins are especially appealing and allow you to enjoy it now.  93

Naumes Family Winery Tempranillo 2017 ($30):  As much as I liked their 2016 Tempranillo, their 2017 struck me as even better.  Its firmness and minerality presents a great contrast to the fleshy and fruitier Malbec.  It’s structured without being aggressive or hard.  Its stature is apparent in the long and attractive hint of bitterness in the finish.  With air, its focus on minerality rather than fruitiness becomes more apparent. You could sip the Malbec by itself.   This serious Tempranillo needs a grilled steak.  94

Naumes Family Winery, “Tanto Manta” 2017 ($40):  This fifty-fifty blend of Tempranillo and Grenache marries the two beautifully.  The Tempranillo provides structure and minerals while the Grenache contributes a floral fruitiness.  More approachable than the straight Tempranillo at this stage, it would be a good choice with a hearty pasta dish tonight.  92

Naumes Family Winery, Pinot Noir, 2017 ($40):  Captivating herbal notes are immediately apparent in the nose and later on the palate. A blend of several clones of Pinot Noir, this is a delicate and airy example of the varietal, displaying a wondrous mixture of savory and fruity flavors. Its focus is on elegance, not power or concentration. A perfect choice for grilled salmon.  92

Naumes Family Winery Pinot Noir “Clone 667” 2017 ($40):  I won’t get into the scientific definition of a clone as it relates to grape varieties.  Suffice it to say that in this case it’s a Pinot Noir with unique qualities.  The wine certainly is very different from their blended Pinot Noir, showing more fruit, more concentration and fewer earthy flavors.  In short, those who prefer more muscular Pinot Noir will embrace it.  90

Naumes Family Winery Pinot Noir “Pommard Clone” 2017 ($40):  If the Pinot Noir Clone 667 was the weight-lifter, this one is the ballerina.  Light in color and on the palate, it dances on the palate. It’s a captivating lighter style of Pinot Noir.  If you prefer the Clone 667, you won’t be enthralled by this one and vice-versa.  I’m enthralled by both because it shows that clones matter.  90

Naumes Family Winery Viognier 2018 ($30):  The Viognier grape is tough to translate properly into a wine.  Ripeness is necessary to release its inherent floral character, but over-ripeness results in a heavy wine.  Naumes strikes the balance. Lovely floral apricot aromas predict the stone fruit flavors that follow.  In a less well-crafted version, those stone fruit flavors would be heavy.  In this one, they’re bright, despite the 14.5% stated alcohol.  92