In this episode of IntoWineTV, host Lisa Kolenda and wine experts Bartholomew Broadbent and Loren Sonkin convene among the vines at Crushpad in Napa Valley to taste and discuss the cult wine brands of Crushpad.
Theme: Cult Wines of Crushpad
Wine: 2008 Calicaro Liberty Bridge Pinot Noir, $45 Buy this wine
Vineyard: Split Rock Vineyard
Region: Sonoma Coast
Alcohol %: 14.8%
Read the IntoWine interview with Dave Ball of Calicaro Wine
Background:
Calicaro's Dave Ball: Our name "Calicaro" is a mashup of Cali and Caro and refers to the fact that we spend part of our time in California and part of our time in South Carolina. We focus on single vineyard Pinot Noir but also make small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, This year we will make small amounts of Viognier and Syrah in addition to Pinot Noir.
With our Pinot Noirs we like to reflect terroir and make Pinots from different AVAs that exhibit the recognized characteristics of these specific places. Our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots are big, rich and hedonistic but still balanced. The Sonoma Coast Pinots are intense but not as weighty as the SLH. Our La Encantada Pinot from Sta. Rita Hills is only lightly oaked, offering up more cool climate acidity from this true Zone I climate and is intended to be a food friendly Pinot for the table.
Common to all of our wines are low yielding vineyards with intensely flavored fruit, hand picking and sorting, and carefully controlled and monitored small lot winemaking with a real focus on quality.
Calicaro can be found at Napa Valley Winery Exchange in SF near Union Square and on the wine list at Greens. We are also sometimes sold online through Benchmark Wine Group in Napa. We are also in a number of the finest restaurants and wine stores in South Carolina.
I am a health care business attorney when I am not involved with Calicaro. I strive to bring the same level of professionalism and attention to detail to both winemaking and law and enjoy the way these two very different passions/professions provide counterbalance.
Experts:
Bartholomew Broadbent, CEO of Broadbent Selections. Bartholomew was named as one of the "fifty most influential people in the wine world" by Decanter Magazine. He is also widely considered to be one of the world's foremost authorities on Port and Madeira. Learn more about Bartholomew Broadbent.
Loren Sonkin is an IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder/Winemaker at Sonkin Cellars.
What is Crushpad?
Crushpad is a facility that enables anyone with a serious interest in wine to participate in the magic of winemaking. With their team of wine industry veterans, modern winemaking technology, and access to some of the best grapes and vineyards around, Crushpad empowers their clients to make the type and style of wine they desire. Crushpad clients are as involved or uninvolved as they wish. Some take a "hands on" approach to every step of the process while others let the Crushpad professionals take care of the time consuming parts. In short, Crushpad is a pathway into the art, science, and business of winemaking for passionate wine lovers who don't own a vineyard or winery. Interested in learning more? Stop by the Crushpad tasting room in Napa Valley or visit Crushpad.com.
