October Featured Wines – 2020 Blue Quail Chardonnay, Mendocino, CA & 2019 Tassajara Pinot Noir, Monterey, CA

This is a full-flavored Chardonnay, the hallmark of cool weather climates. It has a bouquet of apple and pear with a long mineral finish. This is not a buttery, oaky Chardonnay. The nose is fresh and bright with orchard fruit aromas and a touch of smoke and flint. Lush notes of ripe pear and apple blend with mouthwatering acidity to give backbone. This is fruit forward and built for food. Alcohol: 13.5%

This Pinot Noir is a food-friendly and sustainably grown with rich black cherry flavors and a smooth silky finish. There’s a touch of game on the nose of this affordable and complex wine, which also shows aromas of smoked berry, clove and garam masala. Roasted strawberry and red plum meet with game, orange rind, herbs and cracked pepper on the well-seasoned palate. Alcohol: 13.5%

August Featured Wines – 2016 Hamilton Creek, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California & 2016 Gen5 Ancestral Red, Lodi, California

2016 Hamilton Creek, Chardonnay Napa Valley is classic California Chardonnay in style. Hamilton bursts out of the glass with powerful aromas of vanilla, ripe citrus, golden apple, custard, honeysuckle, tropical fruit and oak, with more of the same in the mouth. It is buttery but not too much. Enjoy with grilled chicken, pork, scallops and salmon. Alcohol: 13.5%

2016 Gen5 Ancestral Red, Lodi California is a soft but full-bodied wine. It is comforting and inviting with its rich dark fruit flavors, creamy texture, and velvety finish.The grape varietals are 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Zinfandel, 5.5% Malbec, 4.5% Petite Sirah, 3% Merlot, 5% other varietals  which make this great with grilled steaks. Alcohol: 14.5%

December Featured Wines – Truchard Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc “The Shepherd,” Caneros, Napa Valley & Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA

Truchard Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc “The Shepherd,” Caneros, Napa Valley $15

Truchard Vineyards 2017 “The Shepherd” Sauvignon Blanc, Caneros, Napa Valley comes from much improved weather with rains bringing relief from drought before severe wild fires near the end of harvest made this a memorable vintage. Fortunately all of Truchard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc was harvested before the fires broke out. The wines are intense, but elegant with nice acidity and balance. The mouth is crisp and clean with bright flavors of Meyer lemon, guava, and lychee. This wine can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanying baked seafood, roasted vegetable salads, and even Thai food. This is a small production wine so enjoy it while you can. Alcohol: 13.9%

 

 

Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA $15

Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA shows the qualities of a cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Central Coast region. The aroma says this very well – herbs and leather.On the palate, this Cabernet shows an interesting medley of cranberry, pepper, and leather. It has rich tannins and a crisp finish. The delicate blend of the 4 grapes shows great balance. This is a bold wine that compliments a holiday prime rib roast or roasted beef tenderloin. If you are looking for a gift for your host, this Cabernet is a good choice at a great price. Alcohol: 13.8%

April Featured Wines – 2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California & 2015 Goldschmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate, California

2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California $20

2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California is a well-crafted Chardonnay with notes of toast, apple and caramel. It is dry and bright, yet rich. There is a dash of French oak. This is an impressive buy from a higher priced Chardonnay market. Alcohol: 14.1%

 

2015 Goldschmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate, California $16

2015 Goldscmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It is a medium-garnet with red fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry, and jam. There are also touches of vanilla, black cherry and black raspberry flavors. This is a nicely balanced wine with medium weight on the palate due to soft, supple tannins. Alcohol: 14.3%

Opening Reception and Wine Tasting for “Winter Abstracts”

 

Each February Bishop’s Stock’s walls pop with color and energy with Winter Abstracts. Come visit with exhibiting artists and taste wines from California and France.

Featured Wines for February – 2014 R Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California & 2013 Donati Claret, Central Coast, California

2014 R Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California $12

Our featured white selection for February is Raymond Vineyards’ 2014 R Collection  Sauvignon Blanc.   This is a lively, wine with bright aromas of white peach and lime accented by invigorating flavors of pineapple, lychee and green apple. It has a crisp acidity and a smooth, mineral finish which makes this the perfect pairing for a variety of dishes – particularly seafood stews or pastas.

 

 

2013 Donati Claret, Central Coast, California  $16

This is Donati’s  most popular wine. It is the only California wine that can be called “Claret” just as the French do for such blends. The grapes are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It is rich and intense and features aromas of ripe strawberry and cocoa with notes of cherry and cola on the finish. This is a great steak wine but one that also compliments veal and pork

March Featured Wines – 2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay & 2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, California

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2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay, Central Coast California  $11

2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay grapes that are stainless steel and barrel fermented. The nose is fresh cut pineapple, peaches and pears. On the palate this Chardonnay is light and clean with a vibrant refreshing finish. As you would with lighter Chardonnays, pair this with buttery dishes or just enjoy as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

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2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast California, $11

2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and is barrel fermented. The nose carries black cherry and currants. On the palate flavors are spice, chocolate and berries. As we get our grills ready for warmer weather think about pairing this with juicy steaks or dressed up burgers. Alcohol: 13.5%

December’s Featured Wines – 2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay & 2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California

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2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay, Monterey, California $15

2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay is rich and layered wine that relies on the natural acidity from the acidity of the Santa Lucia Highland fruit. This Chardonnay has a medium straw color with aromas of lemon custard, rich vanilla, cream and toasted oak notes. The palate is generous with it’s layered tropical notes of mango, papaya and pineapple which then transitions into silky rich custard and caramel toffee notes and does so in an integrated fashion.This wine pairs well with lobster or crab served with drawn butter and lemon. Try it with grilled wild King Salmon, wilted greens and roasted fingerling potatoes.

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2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California  $15

2014 Vinum Pinot Noir is a vibrant, medium garnet in color. It has aromas of black and rainier cherries with slight earth and black pepper notes. The palate is full with ripe cranberry, sweet and sour cherry flavors and is wrapped in exotic spice flavors such as star anise and cinnamon and fold into a blanket of integrated French oak, vanilla finish. This wine pairs well with many entrees but try it with duck or pork where the cooking method uses lots of black pepper.

March Featured Wines – 2012 DeLoach Chardonnay & 2012 DeLoach Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California

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2012 DeLoach Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California       $19

Chardonnay fans will love this California style version of the variety. It’s wonderfully fruity, with ripe pineapples, tangerines and papayas, and a rich, sweet taste, like bananas sautéed in butter and drizzled with honey. The acidity is perfect. This is a fruity, smooth Chardonnay that received 91 from Wine Enthusiast. Alcohol: 14.5%

 

 

 

Deloach Zin2012 DeLoach Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California             $19

This wine opens aromatically with enticing notes full of boysenberry and blackberry accentuated with hints of dust and violet. Dark red, almost purplish, this wine is medium to full-bodied with excellent balance and great structure. True to its varietal, DeLoach’s  Russian River Valley Zinfandel has nice acidity, just a touch of toast on the palate and is ready to be enjoyed upon release.  Wine & Spirits gives this big and bold Zinfandel a 93. Alcohol:  15%

December Featured Wines – Toad Hollow Risque French Sparkling Wine, Languedoc, France & 2012 Boneshaker Red Blend, Lodi, California

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Toad Hollow Winery Risque French Sparkling Wine, Langue Doc, France       $17

The white selection for the month is Toad Hollow’s Risqué French Sparkling Wine. While Toad Hollow is a California producer, they like adding wines not from California to their portfolio. This sparkling wine uses Mauzac grapes from Languedoc, France. It is made with the Methode Ancestrale style which is different from most sparkling wines since there is no second fermentation. The wine is bottled before the first fermentation is completed. This is a softer sparkling wine with less bubbles and just 6% alcohol. It is just slightly sweet with tastes of apricots and pears. Consider this an appetif or an after dinner sipper. Great packaging!

 

 

Boneshaker Red2012 Boneshaker Red Blend, Lodi, California          $17

The red selection is a new wine produced by California’s Hahn Family Wines under their Boneshaker label. 2012 Boneshaker Red Blend uses 43% Zinfandel for which they are known but adds 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% petite Sirah to give a rich blend of dark fruit with dark chocolate and espresso. This wine is smooth on the palate and may make you think of blackberry cobbler. As you settle into rich chili for the New Year football games, pull out this wine.