California in a bottle

California in a bottle

The Sunshine State came to Jacobs on the Mall on Monday. No sunshine but an array of classy wines, everything from white and red Zinfandel to a Ménage a Trois (a blend of Zin, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).

Fionn Little (l) and Paul Kiernan at Bubble Bros.

 Cork’s own Bubble Brothers, represented by Paul Kiernan and Fionn Little, didn’t have a big line-up but did have a very strong one, including some terrific Cabernet Sauvignon.

Having enjoyed their Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir 2009, I moved into food wine territory with the same producer’s 2008 Cab Sauv, smooth and spicy, retailing at about €15.00.

Then up another notch to the smooth and velvety Hahn Estates 2007 Cab Sauv (€22.00) before finishing off here with the excellent Smith and Hook 2006, a fantastic wine priced accordingly at €38.00.

Met Paul O’Flynn and Mark Redmond at the Fevre stand and they introduced me to a set of excellent Chardonnays, including the Parducci, Mendocino County 2006 and the top Cakebread Cellars 2010, from the renowned Napa Valley, retailing at about €30.00.

Stephen Morrissey (Barry and Fitzwilliam)
and Laura McGlynn (Findlater)

Also called to the popular Classic Drinks stand. Their entry level Round Hill Oak Free Chardonnay and Spirit Hawk Pinot Grigio were impressive as was the Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2009. The highlight for me was the classy Scott Family Pinot Noir 2008, rich and fruity with  smooth tannins and long finish.

Stephen Morrissey of Barry and Fitzwilliam was, as always, friendly, helpful and courteous. He had a couple of beauties on the stand. For me the best of the whites was the Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Chardonnay 2009 while the Mondavi Pinot Noir 2008 was one of the very best overall. It weighs in at a powerful 15.5% and sells for something just over twenty euro. One to watch out for.

Nice also to meet up with Laura McGlynn of Findlater.  Must say that the Marimar Estate Chardonnay from the organic Don Miguel vineyard in the Russian River Valley was perhaps the best white in the room. It is named the Acero, the Spanish word for steel, and is their way of saying it is unoaked. It is bright, fresh and vibrant and so easy to drink but will set you back around €35.00.

Findlater’s reds weren’t half bad either and a favourite was the Ménage a Trois, which has seen French and American oak. The wine maker’s notes: “...exposes the fresh, red, ripe, jam like fruit that is the calling card f California wine. Forward, silky and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for frilled meats or chicken.” Couldn’t put it better myself.

Fevre's Paul O'Flynn (l)
and Mark Redmond.

There were a couple of terrific wines on the Tindal stand where the quality of information was top notch as usual. Enjoyed a couple of high class whites here, starting with the terrific perfectly balanced Baileyana Grand Firepeak Cuvee Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2008.

Thought that was good but then followed the five star Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2009, “one of the few California Chardonnays that behaves like a Grand Cru Chablis”. Intense and rich, but with matching acidity. Wow!

Last year, worked my way through many Zins but didn’t touch one this time. Think I’ll be drawing up a shortlist of Californian wines and the sub headings for 2012 will be Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Thanks to Justine Adam and her crew and all the exhibitors for a very enjoyable afternoon and if I missed out on any of your star favourites – I probably did - just let me know and I’ll keep an eye out for it.