Our Next Tasting

Mount Peak Winery

Vintners tasting dinners begin at 7:00 p.m., sharp. Doors open for registration and hors d'oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m.

     Thursday May 16, 2019

Reservations Closed
Course Pairing / Description Wine
Hors D’oeuvres California Rolls of Crab, Avocado and Mango New Potato Caviar with Cream
J Vineyards’ Exclusive California Cuvée (61% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and 3% Pinot Meunier) is a stylish assemblage from their best cool-climate vineyard sites throughout California, notably from the Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Mendocino County. The grapes were primarily grown in the 2015 growing season. In that vintage, a warm spring and little rain ushered in the earliest harvest in the history of J Vineyards, with plenty of mouthwatering acidity and rich, concentrated fruit. In the final blend, 7% reserve wine from previous vintages was added to round out the mouthfeel. The grapes for the California Cuvée were primarily hand-harvested into small half-ton bins and placed as whole clusters, without destemming, into their presses for a gentle, low-pressure pressing to minimize the breakdown of grape skins and seeds. Each vineyard lot was fermented and kept separate until blending. Ultimately, the Cuvée was assembled and cold-stabilized to remove excess tartrates and then bottled in March 2016. As is customary for traditional method sparkling wine production, the secondary fermentation occurred in the bottle. The wine was aged on the yeast in their cool cellars for a minimum of 24 months, developing deeper complexity as it aged. A dosage of aged reserve wine and cane sugar was added for further complexity. The California Cuvée was then further aged on the cork for at least four months before release.
J Vineyards California Cuvée NV
Salad Course Vidalia Onion Tart, Mixed Greens, Lola Rosa, Roasted Baby Squash with Sherry Vinaigrette
In 2016, the growing season in California was warm and dry. Following suit with the previous vintages, the year continued to be an earlier, more compact growing season. Plenty of winter rains and a warm spring brought on early bud break and a warm, fast-paced summer growing season. Another early harvest, 2016 finished a full 10 days earlier than average. Consistent warm temperatures through September rewarded J Vineyards with incredible intensity and depth of flavor. In 2016, they looked to Napa, Sonoma and Monterey Counties to deliver complex layers of aroma, flavor and texture for this truly distinctive Chardonnay – 42% comes from Napa, which provides richness and notes of tropical fruit; 39% comes from Sonoma, which contributes notes of crisp apple and Meyer lemon; and 19% comes from Monterey, which delivers notes of ripe peach, yellow apple and sweet mango. This bright and layered Chardonnay opens with appealing aromas of crisp yellow apple, ginger snap and vanilla custard. There are layered notes of baked peach, pineapple, roasted almond and Madagascar vanilla blend on the plush, full-bodied palate. The finish is long and bright, with hints of ginger and toasted coconut macaroon.
J Vineyards Multi-Appellated Chardonnay 2016
Beef Course Beef Carpaccio with Arugula, Shaved Parmesan and Pickled Ginger
Gravity® Red Blend is named for a remote, hard-to-reach block on one of the lowest slopes of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, probably the most storied vineyard in Sonoma County. Five varietals - Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache - lend power and depth to this red blend. Grapes were selected from the Monte Rosso Vineyard (84%), Stefani Vineyard (7%) and Frei Ranch (6%), both in Dry Creek Valley and 3% from select vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. The 2015 season was outstanding – steady, dry and warm without heat spikes through the Spring and Summer. The even, mild temperatures helped the fruit ripen slowly and completely, developing great depth and complexity. The long harvest allowed picking at optimal ripeness and yielded well-structured, small grapes with excellent concentration and outstanding complexity and flavors. The wine is layered with concentrated notes of black cherry plum, black cherry, plum, blackberry and hints of cocoa powder and coffee. Woven together are layers of black truffle, caramel and toasty oak with assertive tannins and a long, concentrated finish. This wine received a rating of 91 points from The Wine Advocate.
Mount Peak Winery Gravity® 2015
Pork Course Roasted Pork Loin with Bacon-Onion Jam, Creamy Polenta and Cotija Cheese
Rattlesnake™ Zinfandel is a tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, the highest point of the Monte Rosso Vineyard and a site known for rattlesnakes living among the vines. During the day, the snakes seek the abundant sunshine and in the evening, they coil inside and around the vines. Grapes were selected from the Monte Rosso Vineyard (86%) including the Rattlesnake block, Scherrer Vineyard in Alexander Valley (7%) and from vineyards in Dry Creek Valley (7%). The exceptional 2014 season started with an early bud break and stayed dry and warm – but not too hot – throughout the Spring and Summer. The mild temperatures helped the fruit ripen slowly and completely. The long harvest allowed picking at optimal ripeness and yielded well-structured grapes with excellent concentration and outstanding complexity and flavors. This Zinfandel is filled with an enticing mouthwatering quality with robust notes of ripe blueberries, blackberries, cherry jam and fig all tied together by a brambly undertone. Accents of white pepper, licorice and smoke weave through wine, deepening throughout the luscious finish. This wine received a rating of 92 points from Robert Parker.
Mount Peak Winery Rattlesnake™ 2014
Assorted Cheeses, Dry Fig Jam, Fresh Berries and Walnuts
Sentinel™ Cabernet Sauvignon is inspired by the shield-shaped block overseeing the entrance to Monte Rosso Vineyard, a site that produces grapes with the layers and power that are the foundation of great Cabernet. Fruit was selected from the Monte Rosso Vineyard (49%) including the Sentinel block and from vineyards in Napa including William Hill Estate Vineyard (32%), Cypress Vineyard (7%), Sun Lake Vineyard (6%) Stagecoach Vineyard (2%) and 4% from select vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. The 2015 season was outstanding – steady, dry and warm without heat spikes through the Spring and Summer. The even, mild temperatures helped the fruit ripen slowly and completely, developing great depth and complexity. The long harvest allowed picking at optimal ripeness and yielded well-structured grapes with excellent concentration and outstanding complexity and flavors. This beautiful, deep crimson colored wine possesses full tannins and intensely concentrated fruit. Savory aromas mix with lavender and dark fruit leading to a rich mouthfeel with waves of dark cherry, blackberry and a touch of spice. The extended finish melds the fruit together with hints of nutty toasted oak, pecan praline and caramel. This wine received a rating of 93+ points from The Wine Advocate.
Mount Peak Winery Sentinel™ 2015