Narsai David Wine Review: Lazy Creek Wines And Clarksburg Wines
BERKELEY (KCBS) - Here are three delicious wines: a pinot noir from Mendocino County and the others from Clarksburg near the Sacramento Delta.
KCBS' Food and Wine Editor Narsai David:
The Lazy Creek Pinot Noir from Lazy Creek Vineyards in Mendocino County is a non-vintage blend of 2010 and 2011. It has a light to medium garnet color with a fine bouquet of earth tones touched with rose petals. A fine backbone on the pallet with balanced fruit and acid, here's a pinot noir in the classic style. It's light and elegant, a perfect match for king salmon or maybe a roast chicken. This would also be splendid with a holiday turkey at $19.99.
Next, two wines from the Clarksburg Wine Company made of chenin blanc. Gerald Asher, the longtime wine editor at Gourmet once devoted a whole essay to this grape, "Clarksburg, the Right Grape in the Right Place".
Let's start with the 2010 Chenin Blanc. Firm floral aromas with a delicate, fresh melon touch lead to a surprising mouthful of wine. This is not a dainty wine like the California chenin blancs of years ago. It has a beautiful balance of acidity and fruit with a nice backbone. The fruit flavors linger, making it a perfect wine for a lunch entrée or a simple grilled fish. The price is $16.
Clarksburg's 2010 Chenin Viognier has 15 percent viognier. Its lush fruit bouquet and flavors are perfectly matched and beautifully balanced. The viognier grape adds a honey-like richness to the high acidity. This would be a splendid match for scallops, and a really nice value again at $16.
Narsai David is the KCBS Food and Wine Editor. He has been a successful restaurateur, chef, TV host, and columnist in the Bay Area spanning four decades. You can hear him Saturdays at 10:53 a.m., 12:53 p.m. and 4:53 p.m., and at 2:53 a.m. Sunday on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
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