California Dreamin'

The wines of California seem endless in variety---that, owing to a climate conducive to the growing of the vine! Problems do occur such as droughts, heavy rains, diseases and the ever present fruit fly  but these are problems that countries all over the world experience.
 My ultimate favourite wine is still a Californian from Los Olivos called Fess Parker's Rodney's Vineyard Syrah that maintains an outstanding reputation with this writer. Again, my taste to like what I like!
Here are some recently tasted Californian wines that impressed me.

    District 7 Pinot Noir


District 7 Pinot Noir            Monterey, CA                $19.95              92/100 points
Colour: Clear brilliant garnet red  
Nose: Cherry, raspberry and pomegranate with some subtle oak
Palate: Medium with a sense of strawberry and mocha on the finish. Food wine for sure! 



Blue Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon    Monterey, CA   $18.95        94/100 points
Colour: Dark Red, clear
Nose: Dark Fruit (blackberry, cherry, cassis, plum), vanilla oak, anise spice
Palate: Full bodied with forward fruit and vanilla fruit---long finish  Excellent price/quality ratio! Tasted twice.

Pareto Estates Red Blend 80/20       Monterey, CA     $17 95     90/100 points
Colour: Vwey Dark Red----Almost Purple!   (This is a unique blend of 30% Petit Sirah, 25% Syrah, 19% Petit Verdot, 13% Cinsault, 11% Merlot and 2% Riesling).
Nose:  Pepper, dark fruit, coffee and some fig
Palate: Full bodied, nice tannin, black berry jam, long finish. Nice wine for the price.