Wine Reviews: New Releases from Oregon

Earlier this year I reviewed some exciting new releases Penner-Ash, and I’ve got a few more in this report. This producer never fails to get my palate fired up, and it’s nice to see them still going strong as they celebrate their 20^th vintage in 2015. There are a few Willamette Pinots from other producers thrown in as well.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. 

2015 Penner-Ash Syrah - Oregon

SRP: $40

Medium purple color. Tart black cherries and plum aromas with some smoky, pepper, earthy notes along with tar, sweet violets and coffee. Silky on the palate but structured with medium acidity and tannins. Tangy black currants and crunchy plum fruit blends so well with pepper, black olive and tar, but I also flower pot and violet petals, some incense sticks. Good now but I’d cellar this for a few years or give it time because it really opens up and gets smooth and expressive. Aged 17 months in 30% new French oak. (90 points)

2015 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley - Oregon, Willamette Valley

SRP: $40

Deep ruby color. Aromas of cool raspberries, black cherries, dusty earth, some rhubarb and rose petals. Medium-full-bodied with suave tannins and moderate acidity, the black cherry and sweet raspberry fruit is chewy but fresh. I get elements of eucalyptus, rose petal, sweet violets, hints of cedar and clove. Bold but vibrant, and a great intro this producer’s excellent Pinot Noirs. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. (90 points)

2015 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard - Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

SRP: $65

Vibrant ruby color. Deep, dark aromas of cherries and rich blackberries, along with violets, clove, espresso, some mushroom, deep but awesome aromatics. Plush, balanced, lovely palate that combines bright acidity, structured tannins, with tangy black cherries and tart plum fruit. A delightful mix of violets, sweet pipe tobacco, sarsaparilla, cherry wood and clove, the flavors are rich but the wine is so lively. I’d love to bury this for five years. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. (92 points)

2015 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Zena Crown Vineyard - Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

SRP: $65

Rich ruby color. Bursting aromatics of dark plums and cherries, a deep, complex earthiness pervades the nose with elements of fall leaves, loam, graphite, and throw in some violets and green herbs. Full on the palate with solid tannins (by no means harsh) but vibrant, crisp acidity. Black cherries and gushing plum fruit, so delicious, mixes with dried roses, pipe tobacco, black olive, and I get some rhubarb and cola notes as well. Complex, balanced, deep, lasting, memorable. Plenty of years of evolution ahead. (93 points)

2016 Illahe Estate Willamette Valley - Oregon, Willamette Valley

SRP: $22

Light ruby red color. Smells of cherries galore, tart strawberries, rose petals, rhubarb and sweet incense sticks. Fresh acidity, dusty tannins, a crisp but bouncy and juicy Pinot packed with cherries, raspberries and strawberries. Rhubarb, roses, clove, root beer, black pepper. Juicy, almost chewy, but consistently fresh. Lovely now. Serious value. (88 points)

2016 Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir Commuter Cuvee - Oregon, Willamette Valley

SRP: $18

Light ruby color. Simple, pleasant aromas of raspberries, strawberry jam, cola. Soft tannins on the palate, medium-body, medium acidity. Flavors of candied red apple, raspberry jam, this is a fun and easy-drinking Pinot with some slight roses and spiced tea. Crowd-pleasing stuff for near-term consumption. (86 points) 

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Regions to Watch

Yours truly, left, helping out Tyler Russell,
winemaker for Paso Robles' Cordant & Nelle.

I'm not very concerned with what's "trending" in terms of wine. My philosophy is: try new things, keep an open mind, find what you like, and drink it.

But with fierce competition for wine markets, technological improvements, adventurous winemakers, wine regions are always trying to reinvent themselves.

If you're looking to try something a bit different, to branch out from what you're used to, there are plenty of exciting wine regions to explore.

Several wine writers, myself included, recently picked some regions worth watching. (Spoiler alert: I picked Paso Robles.)

Click here to read the full piece on Snooth.

Wine Reviews: Long Live California Wines

Like many people, I’ve been so saddened to see the loss of life and the massive destruction from the series of wildfires all over Northern California. So, it’s hard to write about delicious California wines when so many people are suffering. But I recently received a lineup of stellar California wines and, as I tasted them and followed the news of the fires, I was reminded of what makes places like Napa and Sonoma so special. Not just the finished wines, but the people who farm the vineyards, pick the grapes, make the wine, and sell it to eager consumers like myself. 

So let’s all raise a glass to those who have passed, and to the future of the resilient California wine industry. 

This report includes some exciting Santa Maria Valley Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Dierberg, and some solid Sonoma wines from Gary Farrell. I also tasted through two Merlots (La Jota and Mt. Brave) from mountain vineyards in Napa that I found to be flat-out gorgeous. Oh, and a few wines from Napa’s Shafer, including the new releases of their ever-popular Relentless Syrah and their iconic Hillside Select Cabernet. 

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. 

2015 Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Valley - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $35
Light gold color. Aromas of plump yellow apple, bruised pear, some lime, mixed with peanut shell, buttercream, daisies. Big and bold with plump, creamy texture, moderate acidity. Apricot, bruised apple, pears, the fruit blurs together with honeyed biscuits buttercream, and also some chalky and floral tones. Yummy and crowd-pleasing but shows some solid complexity. Aged 9 months in 30-40% new French oak. (88 points) 

2014 Dierberg Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
SRP: $32
Medium yellow color. Nose shows raw almond, sea salt, honeycomb and lilies on top of yellow apples, limes and lemon curd. Pithy and bright on the palate with saline-infused acidity but some plump texture. Green apples, salted lime, kumquat, the fruit is laced with chalky minerals, sea salt and limestone, but also some richer elements of nougat, honeyed tea, and biscuits. Long, brisk finish. I’d love to re-taste this in three or four years as it has lots to show. 13.8% alcohol, aged 14 months in 15% new French oak. (93 points)

2015 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $45
Deep ruby color. Aromas of crisp raspberry, juicy strawberry, cranberry jam, along with a pretty combination of smoky, earthy and floral tones. Medium-bodied, silky tannins and juicy acidity, with some raspberry, strawberry and sweet cranberry fruit. I also get some cola, sweet pipe tobacco, rhubarb. Lively and fresh but shows some balance and excitement. Delicious for drinking of the next year or two. Aged 10 months in 40% new French oak. (88 points) 

2014 Dierberg Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
SRP: $44
Deep ruby colored. Aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, juicy red currant, along with rhubarb, tangy herbs and rose petals. Crisp acidity throughout, but structured tannic grip, this wine shows aging potential but vibrancy and balance in its youth. I get bright raspberries and strawberries, mixed with tobacco, sage, rose petals, cinnamon spice and leather. Gorgeous now but this has many years ahead of it. Another stunner from this producer. Aged 14 months in 20% new French oak. (93 points) 

2014 Dierberg Pinot Noir Drum Canyon Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
SRP: $52
Medium ruby color. Exquisite aromas of black cherries, red and black plums, mixed with roses, rhubarb, incense, earthy/clay notes – wow. Medium-bodied presence on the palate, solid grip on the tannins, medium acidity keeps it refreshing. Black cherry and crunchy plum fruit, ripe but nuanced, laced with cola, roses, rhubarb, clove, cedar, eucalyptus. Juicy and fruity but layered and complex. This will improve for five+ years easily. Aged 14 months in 20% new French oak. (92 points) 

2014 Shafer Relentless - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $92
Dark, dark purple color. Intense, extracted nose of boysenberry, blueberry, black pepper, sweet coffee, vanilla and nutmeg — a lot of time need to coax out these aromatics, but lots in here. Deep and dense with a huge, chewy mouthfeel but there’s also velvety tannins, medium-low acidity. Rich and plump with suave black and blue fruit, rich but so delicious, and mixed with black pepper glaze, charcoal, coffee, anise, clove and vanilla, all woven in so well. Lots of time, obviously, I’d bury a bottle for five to ten years. 89% Syrah and 11 % Petite Sirah, aged 30 months in all new French oak. (93 points) 

2013 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
SRP: $285
Deep purple color. Gorgeous aromatics of black currant, plum skin, blackberry compote, laced with graphite, tobacco, smashed rocks, cedar, mint chocolate chip, so much aromatic complexity to unwrap. Full-bodied and brawny with serious tannic structure but surprising acidity that wraps up the bold fruit. Waves of blackberries, blueberries, crunchy plums, the fruit is packed with cocoa, coffee, charcoal, pencil shavings, birch wood, cola. So complex and expressive despite its depth, concentration and youth. A pure and alive Cabernet, but I’d love to bury this and forget about it for a few presidents. All Cabernet aged 32 months in all new French oak. (95 points) 

2014 La Jota Merlot - California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
SRP: $85
Bold purple color. On the nose, I get waves of black currants, gushing plums, black cherries and pomegranate, along with rich earth, eucalyptus, sage, sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla and violets — just lovely stuff. Gorgeous structure on the palate, velvety but sturdy tannins, moderating acidity. Plums, currants, black cherries, blackberries, exquisite fruit. Tons of charcoal, graphite, iron, mineral, notes of mushroom and soy, along with cocoa, vanilla, cedar and violets. Deep and complex yet effortless and elegant. So much time ahead. From a 1,800 foot vineyard, this contains 10% Petit Verdot and is aged 19 months in French oak. (94 points) 

2014 Mt. Brave Merlot - California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
SRP: $75
Bright purple color. Gorgeous aromatic blend of red and black currants and crunchy plums, mixed with violets, espresso, potting soil, tobacco, some pencil lead. Vibrant acidity, structured tannins, a velvety feel that is both deep and fresh at the same time. Tart black cherries, blackberry and juicy cherries come in waves, and the fruit is backed up by graphite, cocoa powder, espresso, rich earth, charcoal and pencil shavings notes. Complex, rich but also vibrant – although this has years of development in the cellar. Beautiful mountain vineyard Merlot. All Merlot aged 19 months in French oak. (93 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Killer New Releases from Oregon's Troon Vineyard

Troon Vineyard does it again with these new releases — wow! This winery is based in the Southern Oregon appellation of Applegate Valley, and they produce a range of exciting varietal and blended wines. (I reviewed some different wines from Troon earlier this year.) From a stellar Riesling orange wine, to exciting Vermentinos, Rhone blends, Tannat, etc., the wines show panache, brightness, depth, aging potential. 

I honestly haven’t tasted an unexceptional wine from this producer. And the quality-to-price ratio for some of these wines is bonkers good. 

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. 

Troon's Vermentino vineyards in Applegate Valley produce some exceptional, crisp white wines.

2016 Troon Vineyard Vermentino - Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Bursts with aromas of dandelion and honeysuckle, along with lively lychee, apricot, juicy nectarine – very pretty aromatic display. Dry and brisk but pleasantly juicy, waxy texture, and the balance is gorgeous. Lots of apricot, guava and lime pith, but a unique mix of chalk dust, green tea, raw almond. A lingering sense of mineral and talc. Wow, this is serious stuff and an insane bargain. (91 points) 

2015 Troon Vineyard Vermentino Cuvée Rolle - Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley
SRP: $22
Pale lemon color. Floral, perfumed nose with cut lilies, dandelion, chalk dust, lemon pepper, along with nectary and pithy limes. Plush texture on the palate but so much saline, chalky, zesty intensity as well, and the balance is very nice. Nectarine and lemon play off of chalk dust, cut flowers, almond shell, lemon pepper and oregano. Deep, precise, exquisite example of this grape variety. (92 points)

2016 Troon Vineyard Blanc Kubli Bench - Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley
SRP: $25
Light gold color. On the nose, a mix of banana, pineapple and yellow apple with tangy lime, chalk dusty, lamp oil and floral tea. Textural richness rocks but vibrant acidity keeps it fresh. Yellow apple, apricot, kumquat fruit mixed with salted almond, wet chalkboard, yellow flowers and honeycomb. Really pretty, delicious and complex, I’d love to cellar this for 4-5 years and see what happens but this is also good to go. 54% Viognier, 46% Marsanne, 12.5% alcohol. (91 points) 

2016 Troon Vineyard Grenache - Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley
SRP: $25
Shining ruby color. Aromas of crushed raspberries and strawberries, along with roses, rhubarb and black pepper, some candied red apple peel. Big on the palate but surprising balance with smooth tannins, medium acidity and a warm, inviting mouthfeel. Jammy red and chilled black cherries mix with cocoa, tobacco, pepper and sweet roses, and the clove and roasted chestnut elements are woven in well. Love it. (90 points) 

2015 Troon Vineyard GSM - Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley
SRP: $25
Deep ruby. Aromas of juicy black cherries, red plums, fresh and lively but also really floral and spicy with elements of herbs, coffee, violets and cedar. Medium-bodied with great balance between structured but smooth tannins, medium-acidity, and waves of tangy black and red plums. Laced with graphite, pepper, mushroom, fallen leaves and clay pot notes. Lovely now but lots to show over the next 4-7 years. Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Sangiovese. (91 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Kukkula - Raw Paso Robles, Exceptional Wines

I’ve had the privilege of touring vineyards and wineries all over the world, and I feel lucky to have seen such tremendous beauty. Still, I never lose the ability to be awestruck by pristine natural spaces.

On a recent trip to California’s Paso Robles wine country, I was blown away by the varied, dynamic terrain, and the thriving winemaking culture carved into this land. But Kukkula Winery was the most stunning place I explored. If I believed in auras or new age-y vortex shit, I’d be convinced Kukkula was one such spot. It is a magical place fit for a pilgrimage.

Rising up steep slopes in Paso’s Adelaida District, owner and winemaker Kevin Jussila has built something special with his estate winery, vineyards, and family home. This used to be a walnut orchard, until Kevin and his wife Paula (then living in Los Angeles), purchased the property and moved up to the Central Coast in 2004.

As I toured the property and talked with Kevin, I got the impression of a man who, once an idea became lodged in his mind, was driven almost to obsession to make that idea reality — a quality I recognize and respect. He knew exactly what he wanted with the property he found on Chimney Rock Road, and he pulled it off.

Kevin farms organically and does not irrigate his vines, but this area (so close to the coastal ridge) gets about twice as much rainfall as the average spot in Paso, and these steep slopes provide great drainage. “We’re pretty stoked not to have to farm with water,” Kevin said.

The vines cling to steep hills of rich clay and sedimentary rock soils — Kevin is Finnish, and the name of the winery means “hill” or “high place” in Finnish. The hike to the top got my heart rate going, and the lack of traditional trellising systems left me with the impression I was hiking through a bizarre, primordial vine forest. Because of its location and aspect, these vineyards have a wild and raw feel. And it’s a thriving ecosystem, with living things all over the place. 

From atop the property, near the house Kevin and Paula built, I watched as the late-morning fog rested atop the ridgeline that divides the Paso Robles appellation from the Pacific Ocean. The sun warmed up and the fog began pouring in through a crack in the ridge — providing those cooling winds that are such a critical part of winegrowing in western Paso Robles. Red-tailed hawks hunted lazily as gophers scampered into hiding. I was consumed.

Oh, and the wines I tasted were flat-out fantastic.

Kukkula uses only estate fruit, sourced from their 50 acres of vines. This is a Rhone-centric effort, with vineyards planted to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel rounding things out. In the winery, Kukkula utilizes native yeast fermentation, judicious use of new and used French oak, 18-months of barrel aging, no fining or filtering.

As with most of the Paso wines I fell for on my trip, they are not easy to find. Kevin doesn’t make much wine (about 1,500 cases per year), and he told me he sells about 95% of that to winery visitors or through the wine club. But if you’re traveling through San Luis Obispo and are looking for a wine experience you’ll never forget, Kukkula’s your spot. 

Go there.

Here are my notes on the wines I tasted…

2013 Kukkula In The Red - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

$42                                                                                      

Nose shows dark currants, blackberries, cedar, clove and cinnamon. Sturdy/dry tannins with moderating acidity. Dark plums, tart black currants, rich but bright and pretty fruit. Mix in some clove, root beer, spiced tea, dark chocolate shavings, also some underlying mineral and dusty/rocky elements. Wow, so pretty now but a long time to evolve in the cellar. 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet. (92 points)

2014 Kukkula Aatto - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

$40

Aromas show tart strawberries, cranberries, it’s really spicy with sour ale, smoke, pepper and herbal notes. Plum and chewy on the palate, velvety and voluptuous but also bright and lively. Strawberry jam, raspberries, rich fruit but so juicy. Super peppery with bacon fat and olives, a really fun and delicious salty presence that balances out the punchy fruit. Love the mineral-laden, long finish. Three-to-five years would really do wonders for this wine but it is gorgeous now. 48% Counoise, 38% Mourvedre, 14% Grenache. (92 points)

2013 Kukkula Pas de Deux - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

$45

Savory herbs and spices on the nose with black and red cherries, red licorice, wood planks. Full and velvety with smooth tannins and medium acidity. Juicy cherries and red and black plums, tossed with licorice, anise, clove, lots of spicy/herbal complexity. Chewy and bold but still vibrant and nuanced. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. (91 points)

2013 Kukkula Sisu - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

$45

I get some tart black currants and juicy plums on the nose along with leather, clove, cedar and toasted walnuts. Full and structured nicely but suave, too, with moderating acidity and lots of crushed blackberry, tart dark plums, smoky blueberries. Laced with earth, loam, pepper, leather, dusty library, not to mention some charcoal, mushroom and mocha. Big but beautiful and full of nuance, this will be even more beautiful in five years. 55% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre. (93 points)

2014 Kukkula Noir - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$50
Really cool stuff! On the nose, I get cedar, roasted chestnuts and walnuts on top of black cherries and plums, black pepper glaze, black olive, smoke, charcoal, tar – I love it! Bold presence but plush with velvety tannins and moderating acidity. Black cherry, gushing blueberry, mixed with smoky tar, graphite, mushroom, pepper, bacon fat, spiced black tea — I’m not kidding with these complex nuances, this wine is full of them. Coffee and anise on the long finish, this is a savory but juicy wine with lots of aging potential. 89% Syrah and 11% Counoise. (94 points) 

Built to Last: How a Jersey Kid in Ukraine Found Strength in NY Hardcore

Growing up on the Jersey Shore, I became aware of New York hardcore quite early. There were thriving music scenes all over New Jersey (Asbury Park was just a few beach towns north), and I was surrounded by all sorts of punk-related influences. But, at that point in my life, I found the stuff coming out of New York to be a bit too gritty, too intense.

Albums from Agnostic Front, Sick of it All, Warzone and others intrigued me, but I couldn’t quite relate to the anger, the desperation, the pain. Punk and ska seemed more appropriate. After all, I was a happy-go-lucky surfer kid from a beach bum town with a loving, caring family — I didn’t need hardcore anthems about resilience and persistence in the face of crisis.

That all changed after I moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, in the mid-90s.

“Will you stay with those who will only drag you down? Or do you cut the ties and open yourself and hold your moral ground?”

I was a young teenager, but I didn’t have to look for trouble — it looked for me. Drunk adults trying to pick fights. Gangs of Ukrainian teenagers trying to rob me for anything of value. Neo-Nazi scum with no patience for Americans. Cops looking to snatch up Westerners and shake them down for cash. Mafia types with short tempers, strutting around like they owned the streets. 

I saw a man’s body face down in an apartment complex with his throat slit, the floor puddled with blood. I saw homeless people with rotting sores, packs of wild dogs roaming the streets, a drunk man get his skull crushed by a car.

It frightened the shit out of me. At the time, I didn’t have the coping mechanisms I needed to process it all.

“Side by side we wave the flag of discontent and faith… We stand defiant, we can’t be silent. We might never change the world, at least we’ve had our say. The wheel’s been set in motion as we slowly chip away.”

So I bought a pair of brass knuckles and a cache of switchblades, and I made a pact with myself that I wouldn’t leave the house without at least one knife (preferably two in case I lost the first.) At Gidropark, a dystopian fairgrounds located on an island in the Dnipr River, I found a sand dune where people had constructed a crazy outdoor gym. I began bench-pressing tank treads, curling pipes, deadlifting old truck tires. When I got jumped or chased by Ukrainian dudes calling me a faggot, I was always outnumbered. But at least I could up my odds.

“Brother, I’ll always look out for you… Sister, we’ll brave the outside world…”

To pass time, I would frequently buy cheap Ukrainian cigarettes and beer and roam the streets of Kyiv, looking for places to explore or hunker down. One afternoon I found a sketchy-looking basement with a Slayer poster in a cracked window. Inside, the light was on, and I saw a bunch of music, so I assumed it was some primitive Ukrainian version of a record store. I took a deep breath and entered.

The guy behind the small counter had a cigarette in his mouth, tattoos on his hands, no hair on his head. He said something to me but I just smiled and nodded, hoping he wouldn’t realize I was an American. Most of the albums were thrash metal or bootleg tapes of Michael Jackson and other American pop stars. But one cassette jumped out at me with its simple design of an old, rusty American truck and a dragon logo on the front. Sick of it All’s Built to Last was the first New York hardcore album I purchased, and I paid that scary dude a handful of Ukrainian koupons for it without saying a word. 

“When it’s us versus them, you can always count on me.”

I ran that cassette tape into the fucking ground. Now I could relate to NYHC. Now I understood what these motherfuckers were yelling about. Perseverance, pride, strength, yes, but also devotion, honor, friendship. I didn’t have many friends except for my younger brother, but Sick of It All sang about unity, self-respect, resilience. I needed all of these things in my life.

As a lonely American teenager in Ukraine, those anthems gave me inspiration and strength. The intensity of the sound, the power of the lyrics, the positive aesthetic, it empowered me to spit in the face of chaos and uncertainty. I was still scared as shit, but I told myself I could refuse to let fear control me. 

My brother, three years younger, was in similar situations, and as we listened to the music together, I saw it take a similar toll in his mind. He soon let my sister give him a Mohawk and — holy shit! — random Ukrainian dudes lost their minds over that.

Today, to be honest, this album is not one of my favorite hardcore albums, although I think it holds up quite well. But when it comes to naming the album that has had the most significant impact on my life? No question: Built to Last.

“You’re not in this all alone, just look around and you’ll see. The answer’s right before your eyes. I’m here for you, and you for me… True friends will always be there.”

I made it back to the States after high school and moved to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. I was broke, working at Kinko’s, and paying my way through college. At night I slept in a basement that cost me $500 a month (under the table, of course) and frequently flooded with sewage. What little cash I had I spent going to CBGBs to watch bands like Agnostic Front, TSOL, Youth Brigade, Sham 69. 

When I heard Sick of It All was playing at CBGBs, I told my boss at Kinko’s I got food poisoning that left me suffering from “violent diarrhea.” She didn’t ask any follow-up questions. Fuck yeah — I had the night off.

Per usual, CBGBs was packed and sweaty as hell. And Sick of It All killed it. The chaos of the crowd combined with the precision of the music, the insanity of Pete Koller’s guitar jumps, and the sincerity of Lou Koller’s belted lyrics. And when they played the song “Built to Last,” of course I thought back to Ukraine in the 90s. 

I had made it out, relatively unscathed, and I was at the home of New York hardcore, watching the band that had helped me power through.

I screamed with Lou until I lost my voice.

Built to Last turned 20 years old this year. And, fuck, I feel old. When I realized the album was turning 20, I had an intense flashback to the specific time and place where I bought that tape. It had been a few years, but I listened to the album and the memories came flooding back in visceral fashion. The music that had inspired me as a 13-year-old still had power.

And you know the best thing about this album and countless other NYHC albums like it? Scared misfit kids from all over the world have stories just like mine.

Long live NYHC.

Paso Robles - Beyond Bordeaux & Rhone Reds

A vineyard in the Templeton Gap District of Paso Robles, which I visited in early September.

Paso Robles built its reputation on big, juicy red wines made from Rhone or Bordeaux varieties. That reputation is well-earned, as there are thrilling Cabs, Syrahs, Mourvedres, and all sorts of blends, coming out of Paso. But, after spending a few days exploring the wine scene in this Central Coast wine region, I came away impressed with lots of wines, made from grapes that might surprise you. And a lot of them are really, really good.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape in Paso Robles, and Bordeaux varieties make up 55% of the region’s vineyard acreage, according to the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. And there are Rhone grapes (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, Petite Sirah), all over the place. Add in Zinfandel, and you’ve got most of Paso’s wine covered.

But to focus solely on those wines (as good as they are) would be to miss out on a lot really cool stuff. I found several white Rhones that were salty, brisk and delicious (Grenache Blanc, usually blended, seems to do exceedingly well here.) More producers and releasing rosé, both from Rhone and other grapes, so there are plenty of lively, spicy pinks out in Paso. Then there are wines made from Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian grapes.

Paso’s varied soils and microclimates allow conscientious winegrowers to explore all sorts of grapes for all sorts of wine styles. More than 40 grape varieties are grown in Paso Robles, and there is likely room for growth in that department.

These wines were tasted in Paso Robles, sighted, usually with the winemaker.

2016 Brecon Estate Viognier-Grenache Blanc

$34
The aromas on this white blend pop like crazy with white peaches, green melons, lime zest, floral perfume. Plump and peachy with guava nectar, honey, slight oily note, but also fresh and lively. Medium acid from the Grenache Blanc, juicy honeyed fruit from the Viognier, this is a fun blend with a good combo of oily-honey aspects with crisp, salty aspects. (50/50 Viognier and Grenache Blanc) (89 points)

2015 Brecon Estate Albariño
$30
Bright but tropical nose with white peaches, pineapple, and some almond, sea salt notes. Crisp but nice weight on the palate (a stirred lees character is evident, and adds complexity). Peaches and green melon, orange zest and honey, but a bright salty streak throughout, this is a very pretty and quite complex Albarino. There are a bunch of producers in Paso taking this grape seriously, and it shows. (90 points)

2016 Vino Vargas Albariño Aha!
$24
The nose shows peaches and bright oranges, along with flowers and sea breeze. Zesty and bright on the palate with a dry, mouthwatering feel despite the solid depth of peach and apricot fruit. Flowers and sea salt, drizzled with lime, that’s the finish. Lovely. I’m stoked a bunch of Paso winemakers are taking Albarino seriously, because it can work really well. (90 points)

2010 Denner Viognier
$ n/a
Oily and rich on the nose with almond and lemon curd. Creamy but shows vibrancy. Lemon, quince, almond, hay, candle wax. Oily but not heavy and surprisingly fresh at this age. A great example of how Paso wines (and not just reds), can age very nicely. From winemaker Anthony Yount's first year as winemaker, this is an excellent effort, an eye-opening one for me. (91 points)

2015 Denner Viognier
$48
Aromatics show peaches and lemon curd with brighter floral tones and notes of almond and candle wax. Richness and creaminess is helped by moderate acidity. Peaches and lemon curd blend with spiced tea, honey and almond. Very nice stuff, and an interesting comparison back-to-back with the 2010. (90 points)

2013 Le Cuvíer Viognier
$58
Bold golden color (this is made with significant skin contact). Awesome aromatic blend of honey, almond, olive oil, dried mango, circus peanuts. On the palate this is plush and waxy but actually shows some acidity to balance it out. Plump apricot, mango slices, orange marmalade, I also get flavors of warm honey and tea, almond skin, clove, green tea leaves. Whoa, this is unique, crazy, wild, delicious stuff. It’s made like a red wine and aged 42 months in old oak and served at cellar temperature. Very cool. I could see lots of people disliking this, but I find it fascinating and delicious. (91 points)

2012 Derby Wine Estates Project España
$32
Nose shows fresh red fruits and bright roses. Medium tannins, vibrant acidity, crisp red fruit, this is a spicy, pepper, herb-tinged homage to Spanish Tempranillo-based blends, and it pulls it off well. But it still has this saucy fruit/fresh mineral combo that is uniquely Paso. Really fun stuff. Tempranillo with Graciano, Grenache and Carignan. (89 points)

2015 Wild Horse Blaufränkisch Reserve
$30
The nose is spicy and awesome, with red and blue fruit, laced with cinnamon and dark spiced tea. Plush and juicy on the palate with solid tannic bite and medium/fresh acidity. Lots of spice cake, cinnamon, herbal tea. Seriously deep and fresh. (91 points)

2015 Pasoport Wine Co. Chenin Blanc Per Caso
$27
I was stoked to finally taste a Chenin on this trip, and I was shocked by how good this one was. Nose is super zippy with lemon pith, lime, sea salt, chalk dust. Full of acidity and salinity on the palate but pretty texture and weight as well. Lemon/lime and pineapple blend with crushed shells and rocks, sea spray and almond shell. Really cool stuff. (90 points)

2012 Pasoport Wine Co. Per Caso Iberian Blend
$45
Aromas gush with red and black cherries, blueberries, rolled together with coffee and incense sticks. Great concentration on the palate, sturdy but refreshing, with black cherry and currant compote-style fruit, along with complex elements of clove, spiced coffee, pepper, mint and earth. Long finish, long time ahead, I’m really enjoying this blend of Portuguese grapes. 63% Touriga Nacional, 29% Tinto Cão, 8% Souzão. (91 points)

2013 Pasoport Wine Co. Touriga Nacional Per Caso
$49
Bursting aromas of raspberry jam and red currants, along with spicy clove, sweet herbs and red licorice. Juicy on the palate but nice grip to the tannins, gushing red fruits mix with pepper, charcoal, black tea, cocoa and coffee notes. Per Caso’s Glenrose Vineyard wines are making me think I need to see more Paso wines made from Portuguese grapes, because these wines are firing. 100% Touriga Nacional. (91 points)

2013 Seashell Cellars Balboa Reserve

$25
Love the charred herbs on the nose, and some black cherries, raspberry jam and cocoa powder. Silky, velvety, beautiful texture and nice balance, with lots of crushed blueberries and plums. Notes of mocha, charcoal, herbs, tobacco, and anise. Grippy and forward but delicious and complex, too. Tempranillo-based blend. (91 points)

2016 Clesi Malvasia Bianca San Bernabe
$24
Punchy nose with apricots, mango, floral extract. Floral and bright on the palate with so, so much lychee, and some peach and honey. Dry, super tropical and a bit heavily floral but it stays fresh and goes down easy. (87 points)

2014 Clesi Dolcetto Nevarez Vineyard
$28
Aromas of sweet black cherries, red flowers, cola and tar. On the palate it shows dusty tannins, zesty acid, lots of black cherry and currant compote. Smoky herbal tones meet sweet violets. Delicious, well-balanced example of this grape – very impressive. (89 points)

2014 Clesi Sangiovese
$36
Pretty red currants, violets and roses on the nose, with some spiced berry tea. Pretty, so pretty on the palate with silky tannins, fresh acidity, spicy red currants. Notes of violets, cola, tobacco and rosemary add complexity. Nice stuff. (89 points)

2014 Clesi Convivio

$34
Aromas of red currants and cherries, along with evocative waves of fruit and spice, violets and black tea. Silky, fleshy red fruit with spicy earth, tar and clove flavors on a medium-bodied, sturdy but fresh frame. This producer’s only blended wine, it’s 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 20% Sangiovese. (90 points)

2012 Clesi Aglianico
$36
Wow, the nose is super spicy and awesome with cherries, red currants, pepper, bay leaf, tar. Structured with bold tannins and medium acidity. Grippy but vibrant, delicious but complex with currants, iodine, tar, pepper and leather – lots going on here, and lots to show over the next five years. (90 points)

2013 Clesi Aglianico
$36
Fresher than the 2012, with more juicy cherries, some delicious leather, pepper and sage. Grippy but silky, vibrant acidity. Black cherries and red currants mix with sage, pepper, tar and mocha. Another awesome interpretation of this killer grape. Chris knows his stuff! (90 points)

2013 Clesi Aglianico Amphora
$36
Wow, this is fascinating to taste this next to the one aged in barrel. The amphora adds this airy, floral delicacy to a wine that can be dense and powerful. Spicy floral, lifted aromatics, tarter red fruits. On the palate this has great grip but such freshness and vibrancy. Pretty red fruits and spices – bold flavors but also airy and elegant. (91 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Tasty, Inexpensive Puglian Wines from Cantine San Marzano

When I was first legally able to purchase wine, a lot of my early buys hailed from Puglia. These wines were inexpensive, reliably delicious, and they paired with the kinds of food I was cooking at the time (bastardized New Jersey/Italian dishes, mainly).

Puglia is still home to inexpensive, tasty (mainly red) wines, including a lineup from from Cantine San Marzano. These wines are cost about $17 bucks, and a few of them are seriously good for that price. These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Feudi di San Marzano Rosé di Primitivo Tramari - Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT
SRP: $17
Pale copper color. Nose is zesty and bright with white cherry, red apple, nettle, perfume, a mixed garden of green herbs thrown in. Plush presence but fresh acidity. Juicy melon, cherry and red apple mixed with dusty, earthy tones and some peppery spice, which keep it interesting, but it’s also simply delicious. (87 points)

2013 Cantine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Talò - Italy, Puglia, Primitivo di Manduria
SRP: $17
Deep ruby. Aromas of spicy red currants, raspberries, rhubarb, pepper, leather, roasted herbs. Juicy but tangy on the palate with medium tannins and medium acidity. Juicy but tangy red currants and tart plums, mixed with baked figs and sweet jammy notes. Notes of coffee grounds, violets, roasted herbs, tobacco pipe, pine resin — cool stuff! Rich and chewy, hint of sweetness, yet stays bright and lively, showing significant complexity and depth. (89 points)

2013 Cantine San Marzano Salice Salentino Talò - Italy, Puglia, Salice Salentino
SRP: $17
Medium purple color. Aromas of roasted figs, dark plums, black cherry jam, a cool mix of coffee, spicy black pepper, and sweet lavender. Good tannic backbone, medium/low acidity, dense with black fruit (currants, blackberries). Laced with graphite, dark chocolate, sweet coffee, cola, incense sticks. A pleasantly earthy quality lingers on the finish. Still quite young and capable of improvement, this is very pretty despite its density. (89 points)

2014 Cantine San Marzano Malvasia Nera Talò Salento IGT - Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT
SRP: $17
Medium ruby color. Aromas of spicy raspberries, juicy black cherries, green herbs, black pepper, some vanilla, too. Fleshy texture, dusty-light tannins, medium-low acidity. Cranberry jam and baked plums and figs mix with rich, hedonistic flavors of sweet cola, vanilla, anise cookie. Ripe, chewy, a bit baked, makes it hard to discern the regional and varietal nuances underneath, but it’s still a fun and tasty wine for near-term consumption. 85% Nergroamaro, 15% Malasia Nera. (86 points)

2014 Cantine San Marzano Negroamaro Talò Salento IGT - Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT
SRP: $17
Medium purple color. Aromas of black cherry ice cream, juicy blueberries, rich and jamy with some anise, tobacco pipe and asphalt notes. Some structured tannins but rounded edges, medium acidity helps balance it out against the loads of black cherries, blackberry and blueberry jam. I love the combination of dark soil, smashed rocks and gravel, and the way it mixes it with coffee, dark chocolate shavings, sweet black pepper glaze. Could open up with a few years but this is good to go, and straight-up delicious. (89 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Pure Paso: The Wines of Zenaida Cellars

Zenaida Cellars - Templeton Gap District, Paso Robles, California

Last month I spent a few days immersing myself in the wine culture of Paso Robles, California. I fell in love with the place, the people, and, of course, the wines.

During my trip I spent some time chatting and tasting with Eric and Jill Ogorsolka, the husband/wife duo who own Zenaida Cellars and make its wines. Zenaida is pure Paso — they produce a range of Zins, Rhone blends and Cabs packed with lush fruit and lots of complex spice elements. Like many of the producers I visited on my trip, they don’t make a ton of wine, and most of it is sold directly to the consumer (through the wine club or the tasting room).

Zenaida is located in the Templeton Gap District, one of 12 appellations within the larger Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. Nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Range of coastal mountains, the Templeton Gap (a perforation in the coastal ridge) pulls in cool air from the Pacific Ocean, cooling down the vines and allowing for a long, steady growing season. Paso Robles was an ancient seabed, and today the 35-acre property (with 22 acres planted to vines) sits on calcareous and clay soils that impart a real sense of vibrancy to the finished wines. Eric showed me a fossilized whale vertebrae he found one day while plowing his vineyards. 

A fossilized whale vertebrae found in Zenaida's vineyards.

Eric studied at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo and the UC Davis Extension, and worked with Paso pioneer Ken Volk at Wild Horse before starting his own estate project in 1998.

If you’re every traveling to Paso (which I highly recommend), this place would make a great stop.

2016 Zenaida Cellars Force de Fleur - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$32
Super zesty and peachy on the nose with limes, daisies and honey. Zesty and spritzy on the palate with saline and chalk dust combining nicely with perfume, orange peel and peach nectar. 55% Grenache Blanc, 45% Viognier. (88 points)

2014 Zenaida Cellars Grenache - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$37
Aromas of tangy cherries, rhubarb, roses and pepper – lovely to sniff. Juicy but good tannic weight on the palate and some acidity to help it balance out. Raspberry and red apple fruit is pretty and ripe and mixed well with roasted chestnut, pepper, clay, smoke and olives. Complex and delicious stuff that will get more so with a few years. (90 points)

2015 Zenaida Cellars Zinfandel Estate - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$35
Smells like raspberry jam, plum cake, sweet cola, spicy pepper and earth. Juicy and fleshy texture on the palate. The wine is full of lots of red and black cherries, but the savory notes really pop (broth, oregano, soy, tilled soil, spice rub), a really fascinating and delicious flavor profile. Very impressive stuff that should age nicely in the coming few years. (91 points)

2015 Zenaida Cellars Wanderlust - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

$42
Juicy raspberries and black cherries with some briary, herbal, peppery notes. Full-bodied and bold but impressive balance. Tart plums and black cherry, packed with smoky charcoal, savory spices, oregano, tar, violets, graphite and sweet cola. Delicious, complex, lovely stuff. A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre. (91 points)

2015 Zenaida Cellars Syrah Estate - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$40
Holy smoky aromatics! Lovely campfire and hot tar notes on top of blackberries and plums. Dark but not heavy with juicy blackberries, along with savory broth, black pepper, barbecue sauce, sage and charcoal. Lovely, complex Syrah with a few years before it hits its stride. (90 points)

2015 Zenaida Cellars Petite Sirah Knucklehead - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$42
Deep and bold on the nose with boysenberry, violets, pepper and grilled Portobello mushrooms. Surprisingly juicy and fresh on the palate, this is big but also smooth, even vibrant. Blackberry and boysenberry fruit play well with pepper, clove, violets and anise. All Petite Sirah from three different vineyards. (90 points) 

2015 Zenaida Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$40
Aromas of bright red and black currants and cherries, bell pepper and eucalyptus. Solid tannins on the palate with bright acidity. Plummy, tart currants, mixed with bell pepper (not too much), with clove, tobacco pipe and eucalyptus. I would love to taste this again in three to five years. (91 points)

2015 Zenaida Cellars Estate Fire Sign - California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
$45
A richer aromatic display with baked figs and cinnamon. Rich and bold, darker than the plain Cab and their other wines, showing more black fruit but still balanced with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. Oaky, but it has a lot of other things going on for it, so the oak doesn’t dominate. A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 25% Zinfandel. (90 points)