The Tasting Panel magazine

March 2013

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Publisher���s PICKS THE VOICE OF FIVE GENERATIONS Adventures in Wine Wente Vineyards Celebrates 130 Years ADVENTURES IN WINE IS A PRIVATELY HELD IMPORTER and I am extremely proud to announce that 2013 marks my family winery���s 130th anniversary. Our family business has thrived based on our commitment to consistent quality and excellence through multiple generations as well as our entrepreneurial spirit. PHOTO COURTESY OF WINTE VINEYARDS distributor of ���ne and rare wines, founded in 1982 by Merrick J. Dowson with the goal of offering the ���nest selection of wines from around the globe. Dawson initially built the business through a large selection of vintage ports, for which Adventures in Wine is still well known. I recently tasted through a captivating selection of French and American wines from the company���s portfolio with Southern California sales representative Fran��ois Laurient. ���M. M. Domaine Autard 2009 Ch��teauneuf-du-Pape, France ($48) This 2009 Ch��teauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache with Syrah and Counoise aged in old small barrels) is aromatic and rich, a rolling-on-the-tongue velvet of dried cherries, raspberries and black truf���e.The acidity is tremendous, and the resulting juicy cinnamon ���nish is exciting. 94 Domaine Gautier 2010 Vouvray ���Argilex,��� France ($17) The Gautier domaine in Vouvray has been in the family for seven generations. Beno��t Gautier, the present viticulturist, took charge in 1981 and began the policy of domaine bottling, whereas previously the wines were sold to n��gociants.The soil is the classic tuffeau, or limestone-chalk, for which the central Loire is famous.The average age of the vines is 25 years. In 2004, Gautier launched a new and original cuv��e, Argilex, derived from white clay (argile) soil mixed with crumbled quartz (silex) in speci���c hillside vineyard sites in the communes of Rochecorbon and Par��ay-Meslay.The silex layers are from coral in the ancient sea-bed dating back one million years. The wine���s exotic sandalwood nose gives way to a creamy gem with sparkling stoniness���dry and clean���and touches of gardenia, lanolin and apple tart. 90 Sol��na Estate 2011 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley ($20) The nose commands notes of orange blossom, vanilla, honeysuckle and graham crackers. On the palate this mouthwatering white seems almost gilded by its mineral qualities. Honey-toned and lush with perfumed pear and tropical tartness. 96% Pinot Gris, 4% Gew��rztraminer. 90 L���Ecole No 41 2009 Syrah, Columbia Valley ($26) Plum deep, a pool of opaque, dusty tannins and mushrooms seep into a well of sweet blackberry preserves. Black olive nuances lend a salty ���nish. 91 Brella 2011 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($23) Streamlined and silky, bright cherries and dusty roses just out of the soil combine to show off a desirable and intriguing Oregon Pinot that ���nishes long with anise, cocoa and sweet spice. A true ���nd! 92 66 / the tasting panel / march 2013 4th and 5th Generations of the Wente Family (left to right): Christine, Philip, Arel, Karl, Julie, Carolyn and Eric. When I relect on the milestones Wente Vineyards has accomplished, it���s important to take stock of what has helped us remain relevant in an evolving industry. In 1912, my grandfather Ernest Wente brought Chardonnay cuttings to California. Today the Wente clone of Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California, and the varietal has become the #1 selling in America. We were the irst winery in the U.S. to varietally label Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in the 1930s, and between 1955 and 1965 my father, Karl, developed overhead irrigation, the centrifuge for iltering wine and stainless steel fermentation. He also started a certiied nursery in Arroyo Seco to help fuel the ledgling California wine industry in the early 1960s. As a family, we have come together to build our brand, including expanding our farming from Livermore Valley to Arroyo Seco, Monterey, exporting wines to over 70 other countries and continuing to produce estategrown and sustainably farmed wines that consistently over-deliver on quality for the price. We were raised with wine as a part of our lifestyle. As we continued to grow the winery, we recognized that many people don���t truly understand what wine country living is all about. So, 26 years ago, we opened The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, started our Concert Series, and began engaging people in the wine country experiences that enable guests to enjoy our wines and create memories. There are many moments to be proud of, but I remember those that helped build this company everyday���family, friends, peers, business associates . . . With their dedication, we���ve maintained our mission: To run a respected, sustainable business that creates and delivers outstanding wines and wine country experiences. Here���s to another 130 years! ���Carolyn Wente

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