And the year end kudos begin...

As we come to the close of the year, inevitably, there are Top Wine lists that pop out from every last publication, both big and small. I would like to give a big shout out to one of the pleasant surprises of 2009, from a great winery here in Sonoma County, Magito Wines. Their Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon not only got 94 points a few months back, but it as also selected as one of the Top 100 Cellar Selections by Wine Enthusiast Magazine (coming in a number 32!). It has great fruit (especially cassis and black currant), with structure that will hold up for many years, but also very drinkable and enjoyable right now. Great choice for a nice bit of prime rib roast for the holidays, or even a big bowl of fresh pasta with a rich beef sauce. I'm particularly proud of them, as I get to work with the owner, Tom Meadowcroft, owner and winemaker, on a regular basis (I do some compliance work for them!). Tom is a great guy, and excellent winemaker, and he lets me taste his wines on a regular basis to see how they are evolving. Besides the Cab mentioned above, Magito has a wide range of wines (Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and more!), and at different price points, to fit most any budget. Ask for them at your local wine shop, or contact them through their website at www.magitowines.com.
Until next time,
David

The funny ways of the wine industry...

The wine industry is an odd mistress - sometimes sweet, sometimes fickle. You may have noticed that my posts trailed off - mostly with the end of harvest, I was inundated with requests for all sorts of projects that took over my time. Not that it's a bad thing, but I have missed being able to share some of the wines I've tasted and places I've had a chance to visit over the last six weeks. Now that things have settled down a bit, I hope you will join me in (once again) finding out more about the crazy world of wine we all enjoy.
Until later,
David