Elements of Wine Production: Cellar

by: Jorge Ferraez

For more than 25 years, I've been collecting wine and it still makes me feel very excited about learning and knowing how it is produced. I have accepted the fact that a substantial portion of the quality of the wine is the fruit. So, the vineyard and soil qualities, weather and terroir can give you the potential to make a great wine. But the rest is a cocktail of many other elements that go anywhere from attention to detail in how to harvest, to temperatures at fermenting, passing through cleanliness of must and visiting the realms of the techniques of toasting the barrels for cellaring. The former is usually the hand of the Wine-Grower and the latter the one of the Wine-Maker. A duo that when fortunate, produce the best out of any vineyard.

Growers like Bulmaro Montes, Rolando Herrera, Gustavo Avina, Manuel Frias, Hugo Maldonado and Winemakers like Elias Fernandez and Michael Trujillo are great examples of Latinos with the highest levee of quality and professionalism in this industry. Below, I’m fortunate to review some of their wines.

01

KLINKER BRICK WINERY OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2015

  • Region: Lodi, California

  • Varietal: Zinfandel

  • Price: $45

  • Aromas: Vanilla, Ripe Plum

  • Flavors: Spice, Red Currant, Cherry

  • Impression: Nice and round

  • Structure: Full body, Rich

  • Drink with: Short Ribs, BBQ Pork Ribs

  • Why I loved this wine? Easy to understand and enjoy

My Rating: 90 pts.

02

SHAFER ONE POINT FIVE 2016

  • Region: Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $95

  • Aromas: Lots of ripe red and black fruit

  • Flavors: Toasted coffee, vanilla, truffle, black cherries

  • Impression: Elegant

  • Structure: Full body, impressive

  • Drink with: Juicy Steaks, Pork Tenderloin, Ribs

  • Why I loved this wine? Consistent quality and satisfaction

My Rating: 93 pts.

03

HL HERB LAMB VINEYARD 2015

  • Region: Napa Valley

  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $150

  • Aromas: Chocolate, red currant, cherries

  • Flavors: Vanilla, pepper, raspberry compote, mint

  • Impression: Succulent, impressive!

  • Structure: Melodic, complex and elegant

  • Drink with: Big pan-seared Rib Eye, Filet Mignon in green pepper sauce

  • Why I loved this wine? You can really taste those hills vineyard ripe fruits

My Rating: 94 pts.

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