A Trio of Delicious Reds from Lodi: Fields Family Wines, St. Amant Winery, and Harney Lane Winery
Hello Friends,
Just about every day, as wine o'clock approaches, you can find me uncorking or unscrewing a new wine adventure. Being a wine enthusiast, wine blogger, and someone who appreciates the liquid expression of place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence -- I find wine to be one of the most intriguing beverages out there. It is an area of interest that you never run out of new things to taste and learn.
The wines selected for this post come from three small, family-owned and operated wine producers in Lodi, California. The region, which is drawing well-deserved attention right now, has a rich grape growing history dating back centuries and produces wines with a wide range of styles; from light, bright and fruity, to rich, ripe and concentrated. These three reds offer good value, are a pleasure to sip, and are excellent accompaniments with autumnal fare as well as cool nights out by the fire-pit. For further information and where you can find these wines, please see my tasting notes below.
Just about every day, as wine o'clock approaches, you can find me uncorking or unscrewing a new wine adventure. Being a wine enthusiast, wine blogger, and someone who appreciates the liquid expression of place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence -- I find wine to be one of the most intriguing beverages out there. It is an area of interest that you never run out of new things to taste and learn.
The wines selected for this post come from three small, family-owned and operated wine producers in Lodi, California. The region, which is drawing well-deserved attention right now, has a rich grape growing history dating back centuries and produces wines with a wide range of styles; from light, bright and fruity, to rich, ripe and concentrated. These three reds offer good value, are a pleasure to sip, and are excellent accompaniments with autumnal fare as well as cool nights out by the fire-pit. For further information and where you can find these wines, please see my tasting notes below.
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| Fields Family Wines 2012 Syrah |
Review: Fields Family Wines 2012 Syrah (SRP $24): Fields Family Wines is a small family-run operation formed in 2005 between proprietor Russ Fields and winemaker, partner, and social media extraordinaire, Ryan Sherman. The duo’s delicious fuller-bodied 2012 estate-grown Syrah strikes all the right notes. On the palate, cedar, smoke, tar and dark chocolate bark are supported by layers of rich and ripe mixed berry and purple stone fruit flavors. It is well-balanced with savory qualities and a supple texture, ending with soft tannins and a nice, lingering finish. Pair this wine with hearty seasonal fare or enjoy on its own by the warmth of a fire-pit on a chilly fall night. Ten barrels (or approximately 250 cases) of this wine were produced. Region: Lodi, California. Other info: ABV 14.5%, cork enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
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| St. Amant Winery Tools of The Trade 2013 Barbera |
Review: St. Amant Winery Tools of The Trade 2013 Barbera (SRP $18): For winemaker Stuart Spencer and company, 2013 marks the 16th vintage they’ve produced this wine. Crafted from 42 year old vines and grown by family friend, Ted Levventini, this delicious wine displays a fragrant and fresh, fruit-forward character driven by ripe red berry fruit, sweet liqueur-like notes and appealing spicy undertones. In the mouth, it is streamlined and harmonious with good length, finishing with soft tannins and a pleasant, lingering aftertaste. Enjoy with pizza, a juicy gourmet burger, barbecue fare and much more. Approximately 514 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Lodi, California. Other info: ABV 14.5%, matured 10 months in 20% new American oak barrels, cork enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
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| Harney Lane Winery Lizzy James Vineyard 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel |
Review: Harney Lane Winery Lizzy James Vineyard 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel (SRP $35): I had an opportunity to visit this beautiful tasting room and property last year. For over a century, the Mettler family farmed vines and sold fruit to other producers. In 2006, the family started to keep a percentage of the fruit and began crafting small lots of estate-grown wines. Made from 111 year old vines, this appealing single-vineyard Zinfandel is substantive yet supple, delivering generous layers of fresh black raspberries, sweet plum, and blackberry preserve flavors with lingering notes of toasty mocha and brown baking spice. It’s ripe, beautifully defined, and well-structured -- a wonderful food wine with good depth and length that’s drinking nicely right now. Approximately 449 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Lodi, California. Other info: ABV 15.5%, matured 20 months in French oak barrels, cork enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: These wines were provided for review. Thoughts are my own.
