Pine Ridge Vineyards: Wines for Your Holiday Table
Last week I had the pleasure of joining a panel of guest wine bloggers and participating in Pine Ridge Vineyard’s “Wines for Your Holiday Table” TasteLive virtual tasting event. The tasting was put on by the Crimson Wine Group, who owns and operates a small portfolio of premium wine producers, including Archery Summit Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, and Chamisal Vineyards. The tasting featured a live video broadcast that was led by Pine Ridge Vineyard’s winemaker Michael Beaulac and assistant winemaker Jason Ledbetter. Michael and Jason guided us through the tasting of four of their wines, answered questions, and provided some very good information about what was going on from ground to glass for each wine. I’ve included the video in this post and encourage you to review it. A few of the wines we had an opportunity to taste are widely available and reasonably priced, so grab a bottle and check out the video. Pine Ridge included holiday food pairing ideas in the notes which I’ve included in my tasting notes [below]. Overall, this was a very nice tasting experience – both in the quality of the wines and the personal touch the video-based tasting added. We batted 4 of 4 on the wines and since several local shops carry these wines, I will be sure to have some Pine Ridge Vineyards on my holiday table. See my notes and comments below. Cheers!
Pine Ridge Vineyards: Wines for Your Holiday Table
* Pine Ridge 2010 Chenin Blanc + Viognier (SRP $14) - This is a blend of 79% Chenin Blanc and 21% Viognier that marries the brightness and fruitiness of the Chenin Blanc with the texture and aromatics of the Viognier. On the nose this wine offers white stone fruit, bright citrus, and honeydew melon scents. It’s clean and refreshing with crisp food-friendly acidity. Pine Ridge is right on the money with their food pairing suggestion: Dungeness crab cakes or fresh oysters. I would also add grilled calamari or steamed mussels in a white wine sauce. For those of you in Virginia, Total Wine carries this selection for $9.99.
* Pine Ridge 2009 Dijon Clones Chardonnay [Carneros] (SRP $34) – This Chardonnay offers a harmonious composition, citrus and tree fruit flavors, with sweet toast and baking spice overtones. The wine was barrel-fermented, but malolactic fermentation was blocked; therefore, the wine retains a pleasant brightness while the corners are nicely rounded. The palate is well-balanced, nicely textured, and has seamless fruit and oak integration marked by smoothness and elegance. The suggested holiday food pairing is a turkey dinner. I will stick with the poultry theme and add grilled or baked chicken (minimal spices). For those of you in Virginia, Total Wine carries this selection for $26.99. [NOTE: If you're having trouble playing the video below please click here.]
Pine Ridge Vineyards Video Broadcast
* 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $54) - This Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from Napa fruit sourced from Pine Ridge Vineyard’s multiple appellations throughout the valley. The wine offers inviting aromas of raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, chocolate/mocha, and softer toasty/vanilla scents. Supple tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate with good balancing acidity and a nice long finish. Pine Ridge notes this wine's versatility and says it will pair wonderfully with a number of dishes. I’m thinking this wine would complement a nice lamb dish and also sip nicely on its own.
* Pine Ridge 2008 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $80) - Since 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards has produced appellation specific Cabernet Sauvignon wines that showcase the unique characteristics of Napa Valley AVA’s. In the glass, this wine displays a gorgeous deep purple color, nearly opaque, with (very) inviting aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, spiced plum, and caramel with a sprinkling of cocoa and mocha. After some time in the glass I picked up on baked pie scents and pretty [floral] underlying perfumed nuances. This wine coats the mouth, has good structure, a well-integrated texture, round tannins, complex aromas/flavors, and a long-lasting finish. Pine Ridge recommends sharing this selection with close friends and family over a special holiday gathering. For food, they suggest prime rib, with which I agree.
To visit the Pine Ridge Vineyards website click here.
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