Wine Review: 2010 Heitz Cellars Grignolino - A Zesty Red from Napa

At Ancona's, we are always exploring new places, varietals, and winemakers. Our ultimate goal is to find wines that engage your palate and make you think. This week, we are excited to introduce you to our latest find, 2010 Heitz Grignolino! Our first case of this wine arrived on Friday. We opened a bottle on Saturday and sold through the entire case in less than 3 hours. It was a total hit! Who knew this seemingly unknown Italian grape varietal grown in Napa would garner such an enthusiastic response. On Monday we decided to buy the remaining 5 cases from our distributor and today we are pleased to present this fascinating wine to you. 2010 Heitz Grignolino is a truly captivating bottle that will pique your curiosity and entice your palate.

2010 Heitz Grignolino is pale in color-bringing fourth a slightly tart strawberry/raspberry fruit accompanied by a spicy nutmeg, clove, and a slight phenolic bitterness that will be well tempered by food. This is a fairly lean wine that is soft on tannins and high in acidity and one that will be beautiful beside Bolognese and curried salmon alike. This wine is produced from a small planting of Grignolino owned by Heitz in Napa Valley. According to Heitz; "The Heitz family's love affair with Grignolino began in 1961 when Joe and Alice purchased their first 8-acre vineyard. Previous owner Leon Brendel christened the property "The One & Only", an homage to the only varietal he planted-the zesty Grignolino often referred to as 'the little strawberry' in its native Italy." Mostly planted in Piedmont, this might be the only varietal Grignolino produced in the United States. According to Jancis Robinson et al., "In California, Heitz of the Napa Valley persist with their Grignolino plantings, making a rose' and sometimes a port-style wine from them."

4th of July Wine Picks

Looking for quick ideas for the 4th of July? Look no further, we have a great selection of items to choose from. There is nothing better than fireworks and wine!

Here are my pick's for the weekend:

2008 Earthquake Zinfandel
A rich, powerful red. Great concentration and a warm, lasting finish. Cinnamon and red berry on the nose with jammy, expressive fruit on the palate. Hints of mocha and spice rounding out the finish. Perfect to accompany savory barbecue dishes.

2008 Tangley Oaks Merlot Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
This Napa Merlot is plush and easy drinking. Ripe flavors of plum and dark cherry on the palate are accompanied by mocha and herbs. A round, medium body is followed by a smooth finish.

2010 Wolffer Rosé
I love this rosé! A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is dry and crisp in style, making it perfect for hot Summer evenings. Enjoy by itself or paired with summer salads or grilled seafood.

2010 Loca Linda Torrontes
Beautiful floral notes on the nose with crisp citrus flavors on the palate. It is bright and clean, tastes like Summertime in a bottle. A great wine to enjoy while watching the fireworks.

Cheers!

Wine Review: 2008 Marc Ripoll Sans ‘Black Slate’ Priorat Gratallops

2008 Marc Ripoll Sans Black Slate’s intense aromatics are accompanied by bold, rich flavors. On the palate powerful, earthy tones are balanced by a generous amount of fruit. Black Slate has a long finish with silky smooth tannins. This masculine, strong blend from the small region of Priorat will not disappoint. Its lush, full-body will benefit from being served alongside beef or lamb. Black Slate gets its name from the region’s unique soil that is composed of tiny bits of slate. This wine is a great example of how the marriage of climate and soil can result in a fantastic bottle of wine.