Wine Reviews
The Napa Wine Project Review
MJA Vineyards produces wine under the Serene Cellars label and is located on a hillside not far from the northern most arm of Lake Hennessy. The winery is about a 10 minute drive from the Silverado Trail all on narrow windy roads. There are several other small vintners in the area and a visit here is always pleasant and is as far from the heavily touristic winery experience you often find along parts of Highway 29. This winery is owned by Marin Artukovich whose route to becoming a vintner has taken an interesting path… [continue reading]
Good Times Santa Cruz Wine Review
A delectable wine and the mystical music of Indian sitar turn out to be a perfect partnership at Don Quixote’s in Felton – a well-known international music venue. My husband and I had gone there to listen to Ashwin Batish – a master sitar player who happens to be a local resident as well. I want a wine that matches the complexity of a raga – something sensuous with lots of body and dark fruit – so I take along a bottle of 2006 DaVine Cab.
I had sampled this interesting wine at MJA Vineyards (DaVine Cellars is an offshoot of MJA Vineyards) tasting room just a couple of weeks before – and bought a bottle ($30) to drink another time. Blackcurrant, tobacco and coffee aromas leap out immediately – plus hints of ripe plums and vanilla. Swirl this wine around the glass for a while and you’ll get a fabulous olfactory fix before you even [continue reading]
Good Times Santa Cruz DaVine Cellars Review
A few weeks ago, I wrote about MJA Vineyards and its offshoot—DaVine Cellars. When I went to the Swift Street complex to check out this brand new winery in the area, I bought two bottles—a Cabernet Sauvignon, which I have already written about, and a Rosé. Rosés are making much more of an impact than in days of yesteryear, when a lot of folk would not give them the time of day. Now, Rosés are in demand, especially during warm summer weather.
This DaVine Rosé ($16) is awash with flavors of strawberries, cherries and peaches — refreshingly crisp, and simply delicious served chilled. And this 2008 Napa Valley Rosé can be very easily tasted at MJA Vineyards’ new tasting room. MJA is a Napa-based winery, but is now setting up roots in our neck of the woods. And whilst I’m talking “local,” …. [continue reading]
Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews
Sauvignon Blanc Reviews
