This Cabernet and Syrah blend comes from the family's small country estate, where steep hillsides produce grapes of wonderful richness and intensity. There's black currant, cassis and graphite on the nose and deep resonant flavors of black cherry with hints of chocolate on the palate. This wine is soft and smooth with well-integrated oak and a long finish.
Black currant, black cherry, graphite, wet earth and cassis.
Located on a mountainside high above Dry Creek Valley, Montemaggiore's rocky soils produce intensely flavored grapes at naturally low yields. The winemaking style reflects the traditions and handwork of owner Vincent Ciolino's ancestral home in Italy, a small hillside village called Montemaggiore. Vincent only makes one Syrah bottling called Paulo'sVineyard and this Superiore blend, which includes Cabernet Sauvignon. Because they do everything by hand, with pride and personal care, only 650 cases of the Superiore were produced. The vineyard is certified biodynamic, and even the chickens on the property roam free. Approximately 16 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dry Creek Valley is one of the smallest enclosed American Viticultural Areas. Roughly 9,300 acres of vineyards extend along the valley floor, the surrounding benchlands and hillsides, and 63 wineries produce a diverse selection of wines. The history of grape growing and winemaking in Dry Creek Valley is among the longest in California, with its roots beginning more than 135 years ago.
This wine is all-American in style and a great match for burgers. My recipe for Stuffed Mozzarella and Chili Paste Hamburgers is a first-class take on the everyday burger and calls for stuffing the hamburger with mozzarella and, surprisingly, chili flakes (use as little or as much as you like). The spiced nuances of the wine and its ripe, fruity flavors work wonderfully with the rich combination of the grilled beef, mozzarella and heat from the chili flakes.
Because hawks and eagles were poaching the free range chickens, Montemaggiore recently purchased a protective rooster. It's still early days, but he's off to a good start.
