Volume 2 of “Tasting with Tony”

04 Aug Volume 2 of “Tasting with Tony”

2018 Tendu Cortese

Steve Matthiasson is arguably one of the most influential winemakers from California. He and his wife Jill began producing wines in 2003 in Napa. Steve has a background in organic farming, and treats winemaking like an extension of working the land. His farms diligently and thoughtfully, and creates his wines to represent the land in which they came from. Matthiasson produces excellent examples of trademark Napa varietals like Cabernet and Chardonnay, but for me it’s his expertise with Italian varietals that really grabs my interest. Cortese originates in the Piedmont area of Northwest Italy. Steve and Jill do a great job representing the varietal. Aromas of lime, meyer lemon, grapefruit, and oyster shells are complemented by high acidity, ripe citrus, and a fresh squeezed lemonade texture. This wine takes me straight to sunny California. I would pair this wine with grilled shrimp, arugula and nectarine salad, or roasted chicken with lemon and fresh herbs.  $21.99

2013 Riverdito Barbera

Michael Reverdito is one of the few young winemakers in historic Barolo. He farms all of his land sustainably, which for him means no herbicides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers. Even though Michael is a newcomer in Piedmont, he makes his wines in a traditional fashion. Hand harvesting, wild yeast fermentation, and large, old barrels give Michael’s wine a true sense of place.  Flavors of tart red cherries, raspberries, leather, and hints of oregano have me thinking about Italy. I would pair this wine with grilled lamb chops, seared duck, or a simple fresh pasta with tomato sauce.  $19.99

2014 Paul Dolan Pinot Noir

Paul Dolan founded is Mendocino winery in 2006. He sources his grapes from organic and biodynamic farms in Mendocino. His wines offer a nice balance of ripe California fruit with a hint of restraint. This particular offering has notes of cherry, vanilla, and raspberry. Oak is present, but it does not dominate the fruit. This wine should please any California Pinot drinker. I would pair this wine with picnic fair, cheeseburgers, and a friend who owns a pool. Was $24.99 now $19.99