This summer, I enjoyed a bottle of this very wine sitting outside with a friend in downtown Port St. Joe shortly after Hurricane Michael.  Today, I spotted the 2017 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon at Kroger: Wesleyan Station for $79, which is a good price for this new release. Caymus Vineyards is one of the more recognized wine producers in America, and so is the winemaker – Chuck Wagner.  This wine is generally available at wine stores and on wine lists.  This vintage is certainly full bodied and lush, composed of grapes from all across Napa Valley.  This is a big wine, showcasing berry and oak and cassis.  The vintage was aged for 18 months in French Oak before bottling.

From the winemaker: Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe, velvety tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. We farm Cabernet grapes in eight of Napa’s 16 sub-appellations, with diversification enabling us to make the best possible wine in a given year. Our Cabernet offers layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe dark berries.

In the fall of 2018 I had the pleasure of watching a debut of this wine at the Wine Spectator Wine Experience in New York City.  This is a rosé, using a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre from France, and is made by winemaker Gérard Bertrand. The wine has enjoyed instant notoriety thanks to its producers, Jesse Bongiovi and his father, Jon Bon Jovi.  When I attended the tasting event, we enjoyed a performance from Bon Jovi while sampling this uplifting, fresh wine.  This is a perfect companion poolside on a hot day.  I spotted this wine at Carriage Hills Bottle Shoppe for $19.

From the winemaker: Clean and fresh, with bursts of bright red fruit flavors (cherries, strawberries, and watermelon), balanced acidity, a touch of minerality and a long, dry and refreshing finish. Hand-picked by the finest wine makers the South of France has to offer, Hampton Water Wine is made up of the perfect blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre grapes. What that all means is this wine is the perfect companion for any occasion. To be enjoyed with finger food, salads or seafood.

Route Stock Chardonnay was spotted at Pinebrook Bottle Shop today, July 12th, for $19. This wine  is made by Vance Rose, who has 30+ years of experience (he started at a young age). This wine is called Route Stock Route 121 Chardonnay, named after Route 121 which wanders through Carneros.  Carneros is an AVA of California – split between Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley.  This wine shows off clean fruit – apple, pear, lemon – while also boasting toasty oak.
From the wine maker:

Tasting Notes: Beautiful straw color with an explosive nose of clove, pear and toasted pine nuts. The wine fills the palate with a richness that also shows the fine acidity that Carneros give to us. The exotic flavors of this well-balanced Chardonnay are of apple, pear, lemon rind, jasmine tea and toasty oak that come together to deliver a wine of richness and power, yet with an amazing freshness.

Technical Information

• Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
• Production (in cases): 6,590 cases
• Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• TA: 6.61g/L
• p H: 3.42

On a recent visit to Castello di Amorosa, a winery located in the Calistoga AVA in the Napa Valley AVA of California, I found this quote from Homer: “And wine can of the wise their wits beguile, make the sage frolic and the serious smile.” This quote followed me home to Macon, Georgia, along with some of the wines from this lovely winery.  Macon is home to wonderful people and incredible stories. Here is a toast to capture some of the wine, travel, and local dining for those in central Georgia.