WOW: Winery Feature--Paraiso Vineyards!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Winery Feature:  Paraiso Vineyards

Uncorked had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dave Fleming, Winemaker for Paraiso Vineyards in mid-March.  Dave has a naturally infectious personality and he wears his passion for his family's Estate proudly on his sleeve.

Currently two of Paraiso's Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs are distributed in the North Carolina market...lucky us!  What's even better is that Uncorked has slyly convinced Dave to return to the Charlotte market for a Winemaker Event in the Fall.  Stay tuned for details of this event to follow in the coming months.  For now though, quench your thirst for knowledge of the Paraiso Estate with their uncompromising product line.

Paraiso Vineyards Estate Overview

Paraiso’s 400-acre estate vineyard lies at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County, California. Winegrape pioneers of the region, Rich and Claudia Smith began planting this property in 1973. Today, Rich and his son Jason manage almost 150,000 vines in 16 different blocks. The land provides varying soils, elevations and microclimates, producing grapes uniquely expressive of their individual sites.
The Smith family’s winegrowing experience over the years has earned them a best-quality reputation, translating into high demand for their winegrapes. In addition to supplying fruit for the Paraiso Vineyards wine label, the family sells grapes under contract to several other ultra-premium wine producers.
Early bud break and fruit set, along with extended hang time, are big advantages of the Paraiso’s Highlands location. Spring is generally temperate, encouraging bud break as early as mid-March, and harvest typically begins in mid-September lasting through October. This fully ripened fruit of good color and flavor concentration makes for superior-quality wine in the bottle.

WOW: Wine of the Week!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Zocker Paragon Vineyard Gruner Veltliner 2009

Often times Pinot Noir is given the reputation of the most food friendly wine...and here at ShopUncorked.com, we are firm believers that it is quite appealing to pair with a variety of foods.  So too is Gruner Veltliner.  If it sounds like it should have a supporting role in the movie "The Sound of Music" you're right!  Gruner Veltliner is traditionally grown in Austria, Slovokia and the Czech Republic.  While it is less of a household name than Pinot Noir, it is made to be a very food friendly wine.  Zocker Paragon Vineyards is actually produced in California's Central Coast.  This wine is a cost effective, approachable, domestic introduction to this versatile varietal.

Product Description

The fruit for the Zocker Grüner Veltliner was grown in the Niven family’s estate Paragon Vineyard in the Edna Valley on California's Central Coast. Soils are generally made up of Diablo series, clay loam, rocky marine sediment, and volcanic remnants. In a few portions of the vineyard however, clay loam is more prominent, which allows for more water retention. This, along with the influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean and the extended growing season, makes the terroir here similar to areas in Austria where Grüner Veltliner reigns as the number one white varietal in the country.

Zocker Gruner Paragon Vineyard Veltliner 2009 Reviews

"A beautiful wine with a spine of steel and trenchant acidity that demands savory, spicy foods. It's brilliantly ripe in mineral-infused Meyer lemon and spicy green melon, and while it's technically dry, has a rich, honeyed sweetness. Editor's Choice." - 90, Wine Enthusiast

Zocker Gruner Paragon Vineyard Veltliner 2009 Tasting Notes

Rich and round but with great acid structure, this wine is steely and has good minerality. It has a bit of an earthy characteristic, a note of white pepper, and flavors of ripe melon and fruit cocktail.

WOW: Wine of the Week!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007

Do you need a conversation piece at a cocktail party?  Would you like to share a unique wine-related story with friends, colleagues, family around good food and great conversation?!

Maycas Chardonnay presents YOU with the perfect opportunity to share a wonderfully made wine with a story unlike any other.  While one may just enjoy the label for its aesthetic appeal, this label boast far more than just a "pretty face."  Each vintage is unique in that the journey from harvest to bottle is pictorially illustrated by the Inca Solar Calendar on the label.  Rows and columns demonstrate the wine's journey in a most artful form.

Product Description

"Located 250 miles north of Santiago, in the rapidly developing Limari Valley, Concha y Toro has developed an exciting new project, Maycas del Limarí. Maycas, means "croplands" in Quechua. This land was the foundation of the Inca Empire, the most powerful civilization in South America. Limarí takes its name from the Franciscan monk who first planted grapes here in 1548. The Limarí valley benefits from a strong coastal influence - more so than Chile's other coastal areas such as Casablanca, Marchigüe and San Antonio, as the coastal range of mountains which hugs the shoreline starts in Limarí, and features lower elevations than the rest of the range as it heads southward. That means more of the ocean breezes make their way up into the valley. The wines produced here reflect the luminosity of the zone, the minerality of the rich marine soils and the extraordinary coastal breezes. The Limarí area represents one of the longest growing seasons in the world for wine grapes.
Maycas del Limarí Reserva Especial wines draw their inspiration from the Inca solar calendar, prominently displayed on each label." - Winery Notes

Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 Reviews

The 2007 Chardonnay Maycas de Limari exhibits even more aromatic complexity, serious depth, and gobs of ripe, mineral-accented Chardonnay fruit."- 92, Wine Advocate

"Beyond the initial limestone impression lies a rich, velvety white with note of guava, peach and pineapple, though it never lets go of that severe saline acidity that marks white from Limari. Serve with seared scallops." - 92, Wine & Spirits

"A very clean, pure style, offering nice cut to the yellow and green apple notes, with hints of fig and pear as well, all offset by a bright, minerally finish. Really opens nicely in the glass. Drink now through 2010." - 90, Wine Spectator

Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 Tasting Notes

"Brilliant light yellow in color, Maycas Chardonnay offers great citrus aromas mixed with notes of toasted almond and hazelnut leading to a distinct minerality. Full-bodied, this wine offers great freshness and density. Citrus flavors echo on the palate and end with a crisp and persistent finish." - Winemaker Notes

Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 Pairings

Enjoy with seafood and poultry dishes. Marries well with salmon, oysters, shrimp, and is excellent with rich sauces.

WOW: Wine of the Week--Pre-sale on 90+ Cellars "Lot 33" Rose 2010

WOW: Wine of the Week

Pre-Sale: 90+ Cellars "Lot 33" Rosé 2010

 

Now is the time to start thinking about Rosés!  I know, I know, "friends don't let friends drink pink wine," is a common school of thought.  But if you have not tried a Rosé lately, pink wines have changed (or we have found better pink wines!).

Rosé is the ideal wine for spicy foods, think Thai and pairs perfectly with most Sushi as well.  As our fare lightens with the warmer weather, a well balanced Rosé is the perfect compliment to any Spring or Summer day.

This is a pre-sale item and likely will ship out May 1, 2011 (if not before) at the latest.  Place your pre-order today to lock into this deal...ShopUncorked.com has the exclusive on this pre-sale, take the opportunity to capitalize on Uncorked's partnerships!

Product Description

This is a real deal Rosé, not that sweet pink stuff. Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre are hand harvested from several vineyards planted on windswept slopes along the foothills of the Cévennes, and then fermented and aged in tanks for seven months. Perfect for picnics and other outdoor festivities.  Cases available: 3,600.

90+ Cellars "Lot 33" Rosé 2010 Reviews

Source label pedigree:
2008: Wine Spectator 89 (TOP VALUE 2009)
2007 : Stephen Tanzer89

90+ Cellars "Lot 33" Rosé 2010 Tasting Notes

I love the color pink especially when it tastes like this! Aromas of ripe strawberries fill the glass accompanied by mild notes of Provençal herbs, white pepper, and cotton candy.

90+ Cellars "Lot 33" Rosé 2010 Pairings

It’s the ideal choice for washing down prosciutto and roasted red pepper sandwiches, niçoise salad, or crispy fried chicken.