When a man has spent more than 60 years guiding grapes to their ultimate triumph as fine wine (usually red!) there is no way he is going to sit back and watch the seasons roll by without having a hand in the winemaking process. So, it comes as no surprise that John Parducci, with partners Jim Lawson and Bill Carl, is now the owner of the former Zellerbach Winery, just south of Ukiah in Mendocino County.
While John owns no vineyards, and says he never will, with his new custom crush operation, some of the finest grapes grown in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Napa and Mendocino County from 24 of the most respected growers, find their way to the tidy little winery on McNab Lane. “It’s quite a vote of confidence,” says John, “that all these growers are bringing their grapes here.” Winery activities rest in the capable hands of John and his teammates: Rick Parducci, his grandson; Jess Tidwell, winemaker, and Marty McAvoy, cellarmaster, with a few extra bodies during peak periods.
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Well you’re feeling pretty lucky when you get a chance to try some of California’s benchmark Cab and Cab blends from a vintage that stands out in its decade. 1997 was definitely one of the best vintages in California from the ‘90’s and wineries like Opus One, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Caymus Vineyards can find themselves in the mix when it comes to sifting through wineries, and coming up with some of the “Best of the Best” in Northern Cali.
But when you’re dropping some serious cake, like you will be, and purchasing some of these time proven winners, you have extremely high expectations. And a $175+ bottle can have a hard time living up to the hype. These are some bottles that can, and make you feel pretty good while doing it. This writing however, is less about the reviews and more about just drinking the wines.
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30-Day Beef Binge!
I just got off a 30-day beef-consuming marathon that would make any cattle rancher proud. Not just 30 days of beef, but 30 days of steak, not even one ground beef pattie thrown into the mix. T-Bones, Rib Eyes, Sirloins, Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, you name it, I had it.
I didn’t start out to last 30 days, but after I noticed that 14 days had already passed and I was chowing on steaks for breakfast and lunch everyday, I figured that I might as well go for the whole month and enjoy the red meat before my heart exploded. When you wake up in the morning and go straight for some breakfast ideas, most likely things have gotten out of control.
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Terra Blanca
1998 “Red Mountain”
Washington State
Cabernet Sauvignon
Damn right! That’s my enthusiastic and matter of factly punctuated response to all questions concerning this wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon? Damn right, and it’s loaded with potent juicy, thick layers of dark berry flavors that are surrounded by mild tannins and a thick coating finish with awesome texture.
1998? Damn right, and it was a very nice vintage for the folks growing grapes in eastern Washington, noted as one of the warmest years on record for the region and producing some very ripe and fruit driven wines.
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Caymus Vineyards
Rutherford, Napa Valley CA
Phone 707-967-3010
As you cruise up Route 29 through Rutherford and possibly pass all 500 or so residents you will see many well-known wineries and vineyards. If you are lucky enough to know about Caymus Vineyards then you will know to turn off the main drag and find the winery. Whether you cross the Pope Bridge built in the late 1800’s and take a right as we did or if you take a more direct route, once you get there, you will enjoy.
However, make sure you made your tasting reservations in advance. They recommend up to ten days prior, although we made ours one day in advance and they happen to have a couple spots open. The tasting is free and it will be memorable. It’s not the typical pile up of people at a counter waiting for others to finish.
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