Wine Banter - December 2011
Trecini is a small
family-owned winery producing award winning wines in the heart of Sonoma
County. John Vicini grew up in Tuscany immersed in its wine-making traditions
and, at age 29 he carried that knowledge with him to the United States. It took
many years of running one of the finest Italian restaurants in Santa Rosa
before John was able to realize his dream and start his own vineyard and begin
making wine.
John now runs the winery
with his wife Cathy and son, David. Trecini Winery utilizes “sustainable wine
growing practices” in order to ensure long-term viability of the land, improved
wine quality and conservation of natural resources. Trecini’s wines consistently win awards year to year and
just about all wines released are of a very high quality. From the current releases, my three top
picks are all from their red wine selections:
Trecini 2009 Pinot Noir,
Vicini Vineyards, Sonoma County (ret $30-$35) Multiple Awards including: Best
of Class, Double Gold, Eastern Wine Competition. A dark fruit characteristic
and very smooth, very approachable with a finish that is unlike any other pinot
noir I’ve ever tasted – cola. This
pinot noir can be enjoyed now or aged for four years and, unlike many pinot
noirs, would be a great pairing for grilled beef loin, rare.
Trecini 2007 Merlot,
Russian River Valley (ret $25-$28) Multiple Awards including: Gold at the San
Francisco Wine Competition, Best of Class Gold Long Beach Grand Cru, Best of
Varietal Eastern Wine Competition. This rich velvety merlot with its soft
tannins is an enjoyable sipping wine and will also pair well with grilled ham,
and chicken. It’s ready to enjoy now needing no decanting.
Trecini 2007 Rockpile
Zinfandel, Rocky Ridge Vineyard (ret $32-$50) Multiple Awards including: Best
of Class Gold Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Double Gold American
Fine Wine Competition.
Rockpile is an
appellation within an appellation (within Dry Creek, Sonoma County). Jack
Florence came to Dry Creek to grow oranges but soon found its climate and soil
was perfect for growing zinfandel.
Jack Florence was the force behind having Rockpile recognized as an AVA
(American Viticultural Area). His application had originally been over-looked,
being presumed to be a practical joke requesting a new wine growing region be
named “Rockpile”.
Fortunately upon review,
with the full evidence of its distinctive soils and climate in place, Rockpile
was formally recognized as an AVA in 2002 and produces some of the finest
Zinfandel in the United States today. Jack Florence planted his Zinfandel
vineyards in the southeastern end of Rockpile using Zinfandel from a vineyard
planted in the 1870’s in Cloverdale owned by the St.Peter’s Church, one of the
oldest surviving vineyards in California and now the source of most of
Rockpile’s Zinfandel today.
The Trecini 2007 Rockpile
Zinfandel is one of the finer zinfandels from Rockpile, smooth and rich, with
dark fruit characteristics, hints of spice and toast from the barrel. The 2007
is ready to drink - a great pairing for prime rib and other hearty holiday
fair.
Trecini does offer
tastings to the public by appointment only, from 11am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
– call 707-525-9400 to make an appointment. Trecini Winery is located at 441
Beaver Street Santa Rosa, Ca, 95404. Visit their website at: www.trecini.com.
.
‘Tis the Season
With
Christmas and New Year’s upon us,
it’s time for some holiday sparkling wines to share good times with the ones
you love:
Lucien Albrecht Sparkling
Blanc de Blancs Cremant, France (ret $24)Crisp, dry with flavors of green
apple, an exquisite sparkling wine.
Grandial Blanc de Blancs
Cremant, France (ret $9) A dry sparkling perfect with a little “crème de
cassis” for a “kir royale” or to enjoy as a dry brut, and a great price.
Collet Brut Champagne
Split (375ml), France (ret $30) For a more “yeasty” dry champagne, Collet
(available as a split).
Gocce di Luna Moondrops
Prosecco, Italy (ret $16) A light sweetness on the front of the palate, round
fruit flavors, this prosecco finishes dry.
Wishing you a very safe
and happy holiday season!
John Haggard is owner of
Sophie’s Cellars in Monte Rio, California.
