Amorita’s Weekly Wine Picks
August 5, 2008
This week Amorita offers up some sustainable wines (sustainability is so hot right now). In the interest of full disclosure, the wines this week are all part of her portfolio.
Amorita Bastaja / Wine Contributor
Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 $24.99, Available at BC Liquor Stores
Paul Dolan has been making sustainable wine long before people even knew what ‘sustainable winemaking’ was. The former president and wine maker for 27 years at Fetzer as well as the creator of Bonterra, Paul Dolan now has his own wines. This spicy, plummy Cabernet is made from certified organically grown grapes and was a silver medal winner at the 2008 California State Fair Wine Competition.
Paul Dolan Zinfandel, 2005, $26.00, Available at Private Wine Stores
This organic Zinfandel is comprised of grapes from two different counties, Mendocino and Amador. The Zinfandel from Mendocino provides the jammy quality often associated with California Zinfandels, while the Amador county grapes impart spicy, peppery qualities. Classic Zinfandel like this deserves BBQ – pork spareribs, grilled pork chops or hamburgers.
Parducci Petite Sirah, 2005, $17.00, Available at BC Liquor Stores
Parducci Winery, founded in 1912, is the oldest winery from Mendocino County. One of the first wineries to begin producing after the difficult post-prohibition years, Parducci Winery now has another first to tuck under its belt: the first Carbon Neutral Winery in the United States. This Petite Sirah exhibits spicy black fruit such as blackberries and plums, and has a good dose of chocolate to keep things interesting. An ideal wine for rib eye steaks!
Parducci Pinot Noir, 2005, $21.00, Available at Private Wine Stores
When Paul Dolan bought Parducci Winery in 2004, his goal was to restore Parducci back to its original ideals. Adolph Parducci’s vision of grape growing, “like no other way of life, has taught us patience and appreciation for all that we have: family, health and respect for the land.” Now family owned, Parducci’s carbon neutrality is a combination of solar electric power, biodiesel, horses, tree planting and carbon credits. This big boy version of Pinot Noir is dark, rich, and ripe with black cherry and berries.
