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A SLEEPOVER IN ARROYO GRANDE
Part 2
(Saucelito
Canyon Vineyard)
When last we “talked,” Richard and I were enjoying a
beautiful day wine tasting in Arroyo Grande with friends Candace and Craig and
their daughter Liza. The day was not
only beautiful because of the weather (a much welcomed reprieve from the 100
degrees + we were experiencing in L.A.),
but also because of the lovely countryside dotted with vineyards.
We pulled into the Saucelito Canyon Vineyard tasting room amid the vineyards
and, after seeing how crowded it was
inside,
we again opted to taste outside.
 |
| Liza multi-tasking - tasting & texting |
We started our flight with the 2010 Zinfandel Estate ($32) –
a full-bodied red wine that had a fruity “nose” and rich berry taste and
gravelly terroir. (OK, that’s French
which, I’m told doesn’t have a single English word translation and means a
wine’s sense of place; the soil in which
the vines grow; how much sun the grapes get, the topography – all add up to the
wine’s unique personality.
“Topography,” “soil” – in other words, “dirt.” But there’s nothing dirty
about this wine, just a wonderful earthy taste.
See, I found one English word – earthy.
Well, maybe not. Recommended
pairing from the winemaker: a T-bone steak with peppered shoestring fries or a smoked mozzarella and chipotle
pizza. My mouth’s watering just typing
that.
The 2010 Zinfandel Dos Ranchos ($32) – is a robust (love
that word) wine with a wonderful spicy ‘kick’ to it. Pairing suggestions: Open a bottle the next time you grill a rack
of lamb or broil some lamb chops or try it with a balsamic-glazed portabello
burger. Now I’m really hungry.
Next was the 2010 Tempranillo ($28) – a dry, smoky, hearty
wine that I really enjoyed and would be perfect paired with a marinated steak
or, perhaps, a tandoori chicken with garlic, as the winemaker suggests.
As the tasting day was winding down, Tom Greenough, Saucelito Canyon’s young winemaker joined us as we
sipped a 2010 Sauvage Estate red ($34) - a blend of French varietals.
Like all the reds, there was nothing
“insipid” about this wine… dark, deep and delicious. No food needed - just give me a straw. (Gotta
wrap this blog up – my stomach’s growling and my taste buds are craving any one
of these Saucelito
Canyon reds.)
As we chatted with Tom we learned that the vineyard started
in 1880 on an original land grant when three acres of zin grapes were
planted. A century later, Tom’s father,
Bill, bought and restored the vineyard, which had been abandoned years earlier,
and started making zinfandels using modern methods in sustainable wine growing
coupled with his own ideas on winemaking.
Son Tom, who became the winery’s winemaker in 2009, has carried on the
family traditions.
As the tasting room witching hour approached, we were sated
and happy as we reluctantly left Saucelito Canyon Vineyard nestle in the
countryside amid the old zin vines.
Ciao – I’m off to
lunch now.
Saucelito
Canyon Vineyard
3180 Biddle
Ranch Road
San Luis Obispo,
CA. 93401
805-543-2111
1 comment:
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