12/29/2023 0 Comments La fenetre wineIt lacks the explosion of fruit flavor that the great French Burgundy has, that made pinot noir famous, but it is certainly acceptable to compliment everything from salmon to lamb, vegetables and pasta. The pinot noir is also typical of the California pinot noir clone, and has that special fruit flavor that only pinor noir has, with good acidity to activate the palate. It’s perfect for something like chicken in a cream sauce, or anything spicy. The chardonnay, like most Californian chardonnay, doesn’t have much minerality, but it is nicely balanced with fruit, mild acidity, and a fullness from a touch of oak. Like most small production wines they aren’t cheap. The two new wines of interest are the Fig pinot noir and Fig chardonnay, made especially for the restaurant by winemaker Joshua Klapper. ![]() So I already knew that the wines were selected by someone that knew what he (or she) was doing. That happens to be my favorite Picpoul, and I love that wine with oysters and shellfish. The first thing that caught my eye on the wine list was the Picpoul de Pinet by the Felines Jourdan family. Well, almost.Īnd by way of full disclosure I should mention than the food director’s wife is married to the nephew of my best friend, which in Jewish tradition makes us family. Fortunately, when my editor asked me to review their new wines I liked them and had nothing negative to say. (John Blanchette people are as nice as the staff at Fig at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel it’s hard to write anything negative. Oh, and that Clendenen Family Refosco, it’s a future, too, even though it’s the 2005 vintage and will sell for around $20 retail.Chef Ray Garcia (L) and winemaker Joshua Klapper of La Fenetre vineyards collaborated on the Fig’s new house wines. The blend of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Friulano tasted like something you’d try to sneak back in your suitcase from Italy. More expensive is the 2012 Buoni Anni Bianco Santa Ynez Valley made by Doug Margerum. The 2012 Carlson Blanc Santa Ynez, the first year for this summery blend of Gewurztraminer, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, will retail at just over $20. Santa Rita Pinot prices can get up there, but not everything is in the $40 range. ![]() I really liked his Santa Barbara County chardonnay as well, a perfect oyster wine with its sharp minerality. Joshua Klapper of La Fenêtre was out of his À Côté rosé, but was pouring an interesting Pinot Gris that will retail for just over $20. I also enjoyed chatting with South African winemaker Ernst Storm, who produces Storm Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley and two mid-priced Pinot Noirs from Presqu’ile Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley and John Sebastiano Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. Especially the 2012 Tatomer Riesling from Kick-on Ranch in Santa Barbara, where he’s able to do multiple pickings. I really liked the Austrian varietals from Graham Tatomer of Tatomer, who spent three years working with Knoll and Hirtzberger in the Wachau region of Austria. Moorman’s 2011 Stolpman Estate Syrah Santa Ynez Valley is dry-farmed and organic, a beautiful bruiser of a Syrah that will sell for under $30 - and he made 5,000 cases of that one. But the wine from 42-year-old vines is magic if you like more chiseled chardonnay. Sashi Moorman made just 140 cases of the 2011 Sandhi Chardonnay “Sanford & Benedict,” and the price is in the high $40 to $50. Some of the wines are very small production - 45 cases or 92 or something like that. So many great Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noirs, too many to mention here. ![]() That’s an Italian varietal little grown in California. And when I got to the Au Bon Climat and Clendenen Family Vineyards table, I had to taste the gnarly 2005 Refosco. ![]() At Richard Sanford’s Alma Rosa, I liked the 2012 Chardonnay “El Jabali Vineyard” Santa Rita Hills for its crisp acidity and minimal oak. Jenni Bonaccorsi was pouring three Bonaccorsi 2011 Pinots, including a stunning one from Cargasacchi Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills with both power and finesse. These are the wines you’ll want to seek out. The Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting was held at the courtyard in front of Les Marchands, a new wine shop and wine bar in the Funk Zone, i.e., on the beach side of the 101. On a beautiful day in Santa Barbara last Saturday, wine enthusiasts were able to taste unreleased wines from a collection of Santa Barbara County’s top vineyards.
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