GRAPE: Albariño APP: Sierra Foothills COUNTRY: USA AVE PRICE: $28
I knew I’d feel so sad when the bottle ran empty and I do. 2015 “al basic” Albariño @laclarinefarm Thats right, 7 months skin contact, unfined & unfiltered. A beautifully colored wine and flavors that are beyond descriptions. And the next vintage of this might just taste a bit like my feet, since after all I spent 3 days on the farm doing punchdowns ankle deep in fermentation.
WEB: La Clarine Farm
Being an adult looks stressful. That’s why I decided to toast to all you miserable fucks driving back and forth on Sunset Blvd with this most delicious creation by Ryan Severy @sevvies he is the Director of Liquid Bread @silverlakewine I’m sure you know him and I’m sure he’s poured more wine into your glass than most of you would care to admit. He’s also friendly and not bad looking. Ryan set out to make a white ale brewed with coriander, orange peel, & chamomile. But yeast has another plan and took this in another direction, sour. But not a full on Sour. However, this is more of a partial sour. And as the beer warmed the sour element softened and became much more subtle and I started getting some baked lemon and soft spiciness. I decided to snack. Look, I’m a hungry man. I had salty chips and made heavily limed guacamole. Perfect pairing. And smoked half a Davidoff cigarillo which also worked well. I’m not sure how many bottles Ryan has left but it would be worth it to bother him about it. Someone please back Ryan so he is brewing beer full time soon. I’m thirsty.
GRAPE: Petit Manseng APP: Sierra Foothills COUNTRY: USA AVE PRICE: $25
This is the first bottle of wine I’ve consumed that I was involved in the bottling of the juice. Bottling is factory work and you need to be careful not to zone out, otherwise you’ll fuck something up or lose a finger. But if I’m going to risk losing a finger it better be for something as good as the 2015 La Clarine Farm, petit manseng.
WEB: La Clarine Farm
GRAPE: Albariño APP: Sierra Foothills COUNTRY: USA AVE PRICE: N/A
Dear Albariño “al basc” 2015 Sierra Foothills White Wine,
I can’t get you off my mind. You’re a bottle of sunshine. You have 7 months skin contact. You’re an unfined and unfiltered beauty. You’re a mouthful of definable and undefinable flavors. You’re delicious and addictive. And if I heard Hank correctly, there are only 20 cases of you. And you’ll only be available to those on the mailing lists. If I could, I’d keep you all to myself. I know I’m selfish, but I just can’t help it. I’m fortunate to have tasted you and lucky to have 1 bottle of you. I’m saving you for a sad and rainy day, the sad will most likely come before the rain. Until then, take care.
Sincerely,
WEB: La Clarine Farm
GRAPE: Muscat APP: San Diego County COUNTRY: USA PRICE: $26
7 bottles minus 4 bottles equals 3?! I’m way too generous with my favorite juice 2014 Los Pilares LaDona’s Sparkling Muscat. This wine has gone from a full on fun slamming orgy party wine and now after sometime on its lees is now transformed into a library in a strip club. Brains, beauty, an orgasm on your tongue kind of experience. I’m declaring war on the remaining 2014 inventory. Fingers crossed the 2015 is even better after time in the bottle. My 3 remaining bottles will be used for a nude tasting I’m arranging, message me for details.
WEB: Los Pilares Wine
GRAPE: Fiano/Arneis APP: Sierra Nevada Foothills COUNTRY: USA PRICE: $25+
Well, the night hasn’t even begun and it’s just gone downhill fast. My bottle of La Clarine Farm 2014 FNA ran dry (56% Fiano/44% Arneis) To be honest there was only a half glass left, but what’s most unfortunate is that half glass was the best of the bottle. This bottle had been open for three days and something special was happening. I don’t get the craze of trying to preserve wine. Let it do what it’s going to do. Let it evolve. What are you afraid of? Caroline and Hank make beautiful liquid earth. Each wine is distinct and there is an invisible connecting thread making La Clarine wines uniquely identifiable. “It’s the yeast!”, according to both Caroline and Hank, natural of course. Personally, I can’t get enough.
WEB: La Clarine Farm
GRAPE: Chardonnay APP: Napa Valley COUNTRY: USA AVE PRICE: $48
Where were you 23 years ago? Is your structure still in tact? Are your still filled with piss & vinegar? Some people have closets are filled with treasures, thank you @kingfishnv for your generosity. Drinking aged wine is a treat. This creature is still holding lively acid, fruit (citrus & tropical),minerals with a nutty center and a body like Marilyn Monroe.
GRAPE: Muscat APP: San Diego County COUNTRY: USA PRICE: $25
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Sparkling Muscat from San Diego County! If this bottle was a book it would be a page turner. Once open, it’s hard to put down this bottle. I had the good fortune of meeting and speaking to @michaellospilares of Los Pilares about all things wine in San Diego County and his passion is backed up by the evidence in the bottle. I remember the moment @amyatwoodwine poured me a taste, once the glass was close to my nose it was over, and once it my mouth I felt a cool chill and goosebumps, at that moment I knew this would be one of my favorites this year. Fun and thoughtful, foot stomped whole clusters, bottle conditioned, slightly bubbly, not disgorged, so much flavor, so much heart, a wine made without fear. It’s strikes a chord of perfect harmony & dissonance.
Update: I opened another bottle of the 2014 LaDona’s on 6/5/2016, and I assure you it is alive and kicking hard. It’s better than ever and I only hope there are a few bottles left.
a word to the wine 