We would like to thank Stacey Vreeken who writes for the Santa Cruz Sentinel for such a great article on our wines. Stop by the winery and see what Stacey is talking about. To see the original article go to the link at the bottom.
California Wine of the Week: Russian Ridge 2011 Concerto Blend and the art of dark fruit
By Stacey Vreeken, Wine Press
Posted: 12/02/14, 3:41 PM PST | Updated: 4 days ago
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Owners and winemakers Scott and Joan Townsend say their wines speak for themselves, and they shout quality: balanced, fruit-forward, yet restrained where it counts. New on the scene, Russian Ridge Winery has opened a tasting room in San Carlos recently to showcase rich, dark syrahs, cabernet sauvignons, merlots and petit sirahs, and refreshing pinot grigios and chardonnays.
The winemaker >> Along with assistant winemaker Spencer Townsend, the Townsends source fruit from the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara Valley, Paso Robles and Napa to make single-vineyard varietals and blends. The syrah is restrained, the pinot noir needs a little more time in bottle and the cabernet sauvignon has a nice profile, which will develop with age. The Concerto blend shows best that these winemakers love of fruit runs deep, and they’re serious about creating well-balanced wines.
Why like it >> This blend is a dark symphony, with melodic undertones and throbbing beat. The darkness begins in the ruby color and deep fruit aromas, persisting throughout the vintage. The full-bodied wine is brimming with cranberry, plum, raspberry and a bit of strawberry. Pepper, cardamom, chocolate and spices offer counterpoint. Oak, tannins and fruit are all well-blended in this intense, pleasurable wine.
Pair it with >> Game meats, mushrooms, steak, chocolate cake.
Cost >> $28
Tasting room >> 919 Washington St., San Carlos. 5-9 p.m. Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.
Details >> www.russianridgewinery.com.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/…/california-wine-of-the-w…