The Good Juice

For this edition of The Good Juice we have selected a Supertuscan from Terrabianca along with a big complex California Cabernet Sauvignon from Ladera Vineyards located in the Napa Valley.
Ladera Vineyards, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lone Canyon
$74.95 – 6 pk.

The 2003 Ladera Lone Canyon which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is truly an expression of the Lone Canyon Vineyard itself. The unique terroir of this vineyard allows the fruit to showcase the vintage at hand. Lone Canyon Vineyard is located adjacent to Mt. Veeder in the Southwestern hills of the Napa Valley. The ranch consists of 480 acres of which 75 are planted to vineyards. The topography is very steep in some areas with elevations reaching 1,100 feet above sea level. The elevations, as well as its specific location in the Napa Valley, contribute to the cooler climate at Lone Canyon. The clay loam soils are of moderate depth and are very well drained.

The 2003 growing season was an interesting one. With substantial rainfall in the winter months, plant growth was abundant with bud break taking place in mid March. In April, over 5 ½ inches of rain fell in the Napa Valley. This slowed down the progression of the vines and bloom was not complete until late June. A warm summer with temperatures consistently in the high 80’s followed. In September, the weather was cooler than average and was followed by a very warm October. This allowed for even ripening over a longer period. The end result of this unique growing season was a late harvest of high quality.

The 2003 Lone Canyon Cabernet is a perfect example of how rich, bold and extracted the wines from this property can be. This wine is exuberant in colour and the aromas are alive with spicy and herbal fruit. The nose is further complimented by earthy, brambly undertones and silhouettes of cola. The wine is layered with textures that are bold and firm yet maintain tannins of a velvety character. The dark and ripe fruit flavours intertwine with the tannins to carry through to a long and plush finish.

This is a big, chewy, complex California Cabernet. It’s one of those wines that you open up and you know after your first taste that, “this is what I have been looking for “. Typical pairings with Cabernet Sauvignon would be roasted meats like Beef, Lamb, Venison, Duck and Buffalo. Since I don’t have a recipe handy for Buffalo I would recommend Roast Prime Rib with Cabernet – Vegetable Jus and herbed Yorkshire pudding and then a little snooze in the den afterwards! Enjoy.

Fattoria Terrabianca, 2004 Campaccio $36.95

In medieval times Podere Terrabianca found itself in the ambiguous situation of being situated in the part of the countryside under the rule of Florence and, at the same time, also in the diocese of the Bishop of Siena. Today the winery Terrabianca is located at the heart of the Chianti Classico region, in the middle of Tuscany, 12 km from Siena and 50 km from Florence. The soil which consists of layers of chalk, sand and clay from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic ages has the ideal composition to grow grapes of highest quality. On 307 acres there are vineyards surrounded by olive groves. They are in the best position, south and southeast exposure, at 250 to 500 meters above sea level. The winery grows Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Canaiolo, Chardonnay, Malvasia and Trebbiano Toscano to produce a total of 350,000 bottles a year.

Campaccio is 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes for this wine are sourced 40% from Chianti Classico and 60% from Maremma. The wine is barrel aged for 12 months in French and American oak barriques followed by 12 months in the bottle before it is released. The colour is a bright, deep ruby red not surprising given the presence of the Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose you will find dark berry fruit, hints of cocoa and toasted almond, tanned leather aromas. In the mouth the wine is very well balanced, with a nod to concentration and freshness. The Campaccio exhibits overall balance with very well developed tannins, it is a solidly built wine.

I have always been a big fan of the wines from Terrabianca and made it a point to visit the winery when I was in Tuscany a number of years ago. If you can get over to Tuscany I would recommend that you put this winery on your list and if possible try to see their relatively new location as well, Fattoria Il Tesoro. You won’t regret the fact that you made the effort. I would pair this wine with penne, sausage and fennel ragu. The recipe that I have for this dish calls for a fragrant vigorous red, the ’04 Campaccio is certainly that and more.

How to order

Phone: 416-598-0033 extension 243 to speak directly with Allan Leal, or you can
E-mail him at aleal@profilewinegroup.com

All orders are COD. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or cheque. Your credit card will not be charged until the product is shipped.

Minimum Orders: There is a one case minimum order (12 bottles unless otherwise noted).

Delivery to a single destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is free of charge. Delivery outside of the GTA can be arranged.

You must be 19 years of age or older to place or receive a wine order.