March Featured Wines -2021 Blazon Chardonnay & 2021 Brazon Merlot, Lodi, California

February 29, 2024 · by ·

The March Oak Ridge Winery selections come from the multigenerational Maggio family of winemakers. The family tradition continues at Oak Ridge with a twist. Its operation is overseen by three great grandaughters of the partiarch, Angelo. Their Maggio label has been a wine club selection with Maggio Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. We also offered Maggio Estates Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon at a great price as a holiday duo. (We still have some of these special bottles on hand.)

This month’s wines are under the Blazon label. What makes Blazon wines different from some of the other Oak Ridge Winery labels is the relationship of wine and oak. Both wines 2021 Blazon Chardonnay and 2021 Blazon Merlot are aged 10 months in oak, the Chardonnay primarly in French Oak and the Merlot in Hungarian Oak. Both of these wines will offer a chance to better understand how oak affects fermentation and taste values. Once again, for those who “think” they do not like Merlot, the Blazon may change your mind.

2021 Blazon Chardonnay, Lodi, California $11

This Chardonnay has a rich, creamy texture and medium-bodied; tropical notes with aromas of pineapple, mango and ripe peach. Toasted coconut with a slight hint of vanilla contribute to a lingering finish. It is 95% Chardonnay topped with 5% Pinot Grigio. A nice well-balanced and full bodied wine. Alcohol: 14.5%

2021 Brazon Merlot, Lodi, California $11

One review calls this a “fantastic wine! Easy to drink, soft tannins, fresh fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Really enjoyed this!” This is a perfect way to get past Merlot’s reputation This is in fact 84% Merlot, 10% Petite Sirah 6% Petit Verdot so there is a nice soft mouth and light tannins. Alcohol: 14%

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Featured Wines for October – 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc & 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, California

October 1, 2023 · by ·

For five generations the Maggio family has been growing wine grapes in Lodi, California, providing winemakers with superb fruit to make their wines. In 2002, the family started making their own wine using the same estate grown fruit they sold for so many years. They now produce wines under the family name, Maggio Family Vineyards by the Oak Ridge Winery.

October’s white selection 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc will bring a California Sauvignon Blanc to our shelves. The red selection is 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are sustainably grown in the Maggio vineyards. At $11 these wines come from their most affordable Maggio line. Their expensive labels are Maggio Estates, but for the price, this month’s wines are versatile and enjoyable, not $35-$40. If you attended any performances at the Freeman Stage this year and purchased wine, you were drinking Maggio Family Vineyards. Tastings will be against another California Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa.

2021 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi, California $11

This unoaked wine has a smooth and refreshing mouthfeel and exhibits an array of citrus aromas. With white stone fruit accents and its softer lingering finish this wine offers a lighter alternative to white wines such as Chardonnay.This wine is perfect with light appetizers, grilled poultry, pizza, pork chops. Alcohol: 12%

2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi California $11

This Lodi Cabernet has rich berry fruit with oak and vanilla notes. With hints of baking spices, it reminds one of a mouthwatering berry pie, tasty crust and all. It has a medium body and gentle tannins making for very pleasurable wine drinking. This is a go-to wine for food pairing flexibility with grilled or roasted meats. Alcohol: 13.5%

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