In this day of corporate acquisitions and hostile takeovers of smaller vineyards, it's good to see there are still some old-fashioned, family-owned operations in business.
Wente Vineyards is one of them. The Livermore, Calif.-based outfit has been around for 131 years and is now entering its fifth generation of ownership by the same family. Even the chief winemaker, Karl Wente, is a direct member of the family. The Wente formula for success is very simple - good wines at good prices.
Wente 2010 Reliz Creek Pinot Noir ($28) The grapes for this wine came from a vineyard in the famed Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. It derives its name from the creek that runs through the vineyard. Arroyo Seco is noted for producing some of the best pinot noir grapes in California; this wine is an excellent example of just that. It is a wine with a medium body and a bright, clear ruby color. The aroma is a melange of strawberries and red raspberries, as well as black cherries mingled with oak. In the flavor department, the true characteristics of the pinot noir grape are explored to the fullest. Black cherries dominate the flavor, with hints of vanilla, soft oak and chocolate in the background and a big, fruit-filled finish. Take our word for it; this is one of the better pinot noir wines of the 2010 vintage.
Wente Sandstone 2011 Merlot ($18) At a time when merlot wines have become commonplace and often mediocre, the Wente Sandstone 2011 Merlot is a refreshing change from the ordinary. The wine is big, full-bodied and showcases the aromas of anise, green berries, oak and tobacco. The flavor is a masterful blend of cherries, plums and cassis, with a background of oak and vanilla. The finish, which lingers in the mouth for a very long time, also is something special. For those of our readers who specifically enjoy a merlot wine, we suggest this offering from Wente as one of the best you can buy.
Wente 2012 Morning Fog Chardonnay ($14)Here is a perfect example of a modern California chardonnay and illustrates what can be accomplished by a dedicated winemaker working with great grapes. The aroma is a barrel of green apples followed by tropical fruits and backed up by suggestions of oak, cinnamon and vanilla. In the flavor department, it is alive with sweet apple, pineapple, coconut and oak bringing up the rear. The finish remains true to the Wente style - long, complex and interesting.
Wente Southern Hills 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)The grapes for this wine were sourced in the Livermore Valley, which borders San Francisco Bay and assures a cooler grape growing region, which results in a wine with a noticeable Bordeaux character. The deep garnet color announces the cassis and berry aroma of the wine, which is followed by a positive background flavor of oak, derived from 14 months of aging in oak barrels and a telltale under-flavor of mint. While the wine has all of the true cabernet sauvignon flavor and aroma, the tannin, that astringent element found in most red wines, has been held in check so that the wine may be enjoyed now or set down for further bottle aging. This is a distinguished wine that can complement any hearty red meat dish.
Wente Riva Ranch 2012 Chardonnay ($22) There are plenty of chardonnay wines on the market, so for one to stand out over the others, it has to be exceptional. The Wente Riva Ranch 2012 Chardonnay is just that, exceptional. The aroma is overflowing with vanilla, tropical fruit, honey and spice, while the flavor prominently displays apple, orange blossom and vanilla that carry over to a long-lasting and complex finish. This wine also projects that soft, velvet, buttery mouth feel so sought after by all chardonnay winemakers.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.[[In-content Ad]]
