Tre Rosso Cali 2009—Three Reds of California
Don Naumann, winemaker and owner of Naumann Vineyards, has produced an interesting wine called Tre Rosso Cali, which translates to three reds of California. This is his first release of this particular blend of three red varietals—Merlot 60 percent; Cabernet Sauvignon 30 percent; and Cabernet Franc 10 percent—and it comes together beautifully.
I first tasted it at the Vintners’ Festival in June where Michael’s on Main in Soquel hosted several wineries.
The red grapes for this blend were all grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and then aged in French oak barrels for nearly two years prior to blending and bottling—which is all done by Naumann at his winery in Cupertino. Harvested in October of 2011, this vintage produced only about 220 cases, and I imagine it won’t be around very long. With a wonderful balance of up-front aromas of chocolate and fine leather combined with a warm taste of currants, plums and mocha, this voluptuous nectar fills the mouth with huge exciting flavors. It’s not surprising that this velvety purple wine won a double gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this year. It sells for about $30 a bottle and you can probably find it at Vinocruz in Santa Cruz, or at Cava Wine Bar in Capitola Village.
Naumann Vineyards, 16505 Montebello Road, Cupertino. Tel: (408) 867-7871. Naumannvineyards.com.
Wine Events
Soif’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Soif Wine Bar & Merchants will be celebrating their 10th anniversary with a huge affair that is sure to be memorable and fun. There will be Santa Cruz’s first-ever Waiters’ Race, a street café and live music by Hot Club Pacific. Race teams, judged by Santa Cruz’s finest foodies, will navigate a course on Walnut Avenue, which will be closed to traffic for the event, and the winning team will take home a great five-liter bottle of wine. Team entry fees, which will be a $100 gift certificate from each participating restaurant, will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank for auction at their September fundraiser. The event is from 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 5 and is free for onlookers and team supporters. Wine, beverages and food will be sold—and everybody is invited to come out and have a good time. Congratulations to Soif for giving us 10 years of superb food and wine. Cheers! Soif Wine Bar & Merchants, 105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020. Soifwine.com.
Bargetto Winery’s Thursday Night
Music Series Bargetto Winery continues with its wonderful Thursday night events of music, food and wine from 6-8 p.m. until the end of August. Food is by Erika’s Catering (available for purchase), wine is by the glass and there is no cover charge. Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258, bargetto.com.
