The Heritage Club - April 2022
April features a return to the states and two wines that are perhaps more known to us domestically, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. While these wines hail from France originally, these Californians shine and show what wines grown outside of Napa can be when met with perfect climate and skilled winemakers.
MORGAN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019
PRODUCER: Morgan Winery
REGION: Salinas, Monterey County, California
WINEMAKER: Dan Lee
GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
VITICULTURE: Sandy, shale loam soil in a cool to warm climate in the Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey County.
METHOD: 5 months aging in French oak, 7% new oak preserves the wine's acidic freshness.
SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve cold with seafood, shellfish, or any light summer foods.
AGE: Drink now on a warm day, a giant twisty straw could be fun.
TASTING NOTES: This wine features aromas of passion fruit, key lime, and white peach. Flavors of lemons, limes, and quince are refreshing. The small touch of oak accents the bright acidity by adding elegant texture.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
This wine features another up-and-coming region in California that delivers great wine at a steal. Sauvignon Blanc and the types of notes it typically feature scream spring and summer. Refreshing fruit with hints of grass are typically what one looks for in a young Sauvignon Blanc and the Morgan delivers.
Napa wines are getting expensive for several reasons. As a wine team, that has us focusing on other California regions. Monterey, about three hours south of Napa, has conditions ideal for wines not typically grown in Napa, such as Sauvignon Blanc. Great wines can come from all kinds of places and while these wines are from a traditional state, their locations are a bit less stereotypical. As wine prices from major areas keep increasing, being mindful of quality-to-price ratios will be key. Have an open mind to areas outside of Napa, Burgundy, and Bordeaux and your palate will thank you, not to mention your wallet.
SCHUG 2020 SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR
PRODUCER: Schug Winery
REGION: Sonoma Coast, California
WINEMAKER: Johannes Scheid
GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Predominetly clay soils with Pacific wind swept wines produce wonderful terroir for Pinot Noir.
METHOD: 10 to 12 days in stainless steel punch-down fermenters, with cap immersion up to 3 times daily. Neutral oak cask aging, stainless steel, and neutral 60-gallon French oak barrels.
AGE: Enjoy now or hold on to this bottle for up to five years.
SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve slightly chilled with grilled fish or any spring BBQ fare.
TASTING NOTES: Bright and lively red fruits such as cherries and raspberries lead the way followed by delightful earthiness.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
This wine smells and tastes French, but is priced like Sonoma Pinot. That could be the entirety of this explanation. Quietly, Sonoma produces twice the Pinot Noir as Napa and the quality is exceptional. If you are looking for a Pinot from the USA, look no further than Sonoma.
The cool and windy microclimate that Schug has in Sonoma keeps the acid at a perfect place, while the warmth of the area provides the bright red fruits a chance to shine.
Pinot is a high-maintenance varietal. It needs just the right conditions and terroir to show how great it can be. This wine is harvested late and that maturity allows the elegance of a French Pinot to display itself in a way that shocked us when we were shown a sample. The gifted winemaking displayed by Johannes Scheid shows what this region in California can do when paired with skill in the production process.
Take this wine on a picnic this spring and thank us later. We cannot think of a more perfect wine to bring in the Spring and welcome the warmer weather to the Ozarks.