It’s interesting that today, on July 8th, the temperature outside is supposed to reach 76 degrees for the high. It’s been a cool summer so far, and we started three weeks late on the budding. If everything ripens by harvest, it should be a spectacular vintage!
But speaking of spectacular, we entered Rucksack wines into the California State Fair and the El Dorado County Fair to help “build the brand”. (This last bit is important simply in the fact that I don’t believe in wine competitions as any representation of the quality for any particular person’s palate. However, when Rucksack does well, my hypocrisy kicks in and I rationalize that finally a competition got the quality aspect correct!)
Of particular note in terms of results, every wine we entered won a medal! The ’16 Zinfandel took Gold at El Dorado and the ’16 Cabernet Franc and ’18 Chenin Blanc both took Golds at the California State Fair. So of course we had to put the Chenin Blanc into your July Club Shipment!
All three wines in this month’s shipment are new and pre-releases. In fact, as a package, you can show-off at a dinner three wines that most probably your friends have yet to try!
2018 Rucksack Cellars Chenin Blanc—This small production lot of dry Chenin Blanc comes straight off Estate at Rucksack. The hints of Bartlett pear, honey and citrus with a wonderfully luscious texture (but still having enough acidity for the freshness) make this a cornucopia of balance. Think scallops with a butter/tarragon sauce as a great pairing!
2018 Rucksack Cellars Barbera Rosé—Bright, fresh, racy, invigorating and dry, this year’s Rosé encapsulates everything we look for in a Rosé. High-tone fruit of cranberry, strawberry and pie cherry fill the aromas while the palate is vibrant with berry/citrus fruit. It’s a go-to wine for us during the summer, and perfect with an intense paella!
2016 Rucksack Cellars Barbera—The mixture of berry fruit characters in this wine highlights the picking decision we made back in 2016. Not overripe or overbearing, it’s all about the purity of fruit. Bright cherry with hints of blackberry and raspberry dominate the nose. The entry onto the palate is almost floral, and then the Barbera freshness kicks in. Having just returned from Italy a month ago, this wine takes me back as it’s almost more expressive of the Barbera than California often tastes. And for this, Pasta Carbonara with its richness and salty/smokiness will be a perfect pairing.
We hope you enjoy the wines, and check out more information (and the upcoming concerts) at www.RucksackCellars.com. Enjoy!!!
