Wine Critic Owen Bargreen Tasting June 2023

Wine Critic Owen Bargreen Tasting - June 2023

"It brings me great pleasure to share one of the outstanding producers of Paso Robles. Caliza, Spanish for 'limestone', connects the name to the 20-acre Caliza vineyard located on the west side of Paso Robles. The vineyard is predominantly comprised of hillsides with south-facing slopes which leads to maximum sun exposure. Set at 900-1200 feet above sea level in Templeton Gap area, the vineyard faces strong diurnal shifts which creates some nice tension in the wines. Having visited this spot last year, it is extremely windy which further stresses the vines, producing very concentrated grapes.

Proprietors Carl and Pam Bowker, purchased this land which is located near stalwarts L’Aventure and Booker. Bowker has a degree from Napa Valley College’s Viticulture and Enology associate program and his wines have improved with each year. I love the new Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is smooth and viscous with fantastic flavor range. Here are the outstanding new wines by Caliza."

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2022 Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ White Wine- This edition of the ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ includes 38% Viognier and 32% Grenache Blanc with smaller parts Picpoul and Roussanne. It is viscous and marvelously textured with bright underlying acidity and good weight. Kiwi, sweetened gooseberry and green melon flavors combine with copious minerals and salted nut undercurrents on the palate. Enjoy this complex white wine now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2021 Caliza ‘Kankret’ Grenache- This 2021 edition was aged entirely in concrete tanks and utilizes Grenache clonal selection 362. Deep and concentrated on the palate, this shows Mandarin orange rind flavors that mingle well with ripe strawberry, red currants, and shades of stony soils. Very juicy and delicious, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will live on for at least another ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2020 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Azimuth’ combines mostly Mourvèdre (44%) with smaller portions Grenache and Syrah. Smoked meats, lavender and dense dark fruits mark the nose. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured with a rich mouthfeel. Loaded with boysenberry and black cherry cordial flavors, with smoky and herbal accents, this is delicious wine that has already hit its stride. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2020 Caliza Syrah- Aged in mostly new French oak (70%), the 2020 Caliza Syrah offers black olives, blackberry jam, cigar ash and shades of citrus blossom on the palate. Neatly textured and dense, with a killer mouthfeel, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2019 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine- Always one of the unique wines of Paso Robles, this 2019 edition of ‘Cohort’ includes mostly Petite Sirah (65%) with smaller parts Mourvèdre and Syrah. Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak, this delivers concentrated blueberry compote, mocha, tar and black licorice flavors, with salty and stony undertones. Very dense, yet showing bright underlying acidity, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94

2020 Caliza ‘Companion’ Red Wine- A wine inspired by Provençale reds, the 2020 ‘Companion’ is equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that was stored for 18 months in new French oak before bottling. Rich dark currants collide with smoked brisket, black olive tapenade and copious minerals on the palate. Really fresh and lithe, with a smooth mouthfeel, this is outstanding to savor right now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

- Owen Bargreen

Summertime Sippin' and Perfect Pairings!

                                                     

Get creative in the kitchen this summer through food and wine pairings with our second label: End of the Day. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a gathering, our ready-to-drink wines are sure to heighten any at-home culinary experience. These favorite summer recipes and suggested wine pairings will please any palate!

 

                                                              

Summer Shrimp Boil 

Ingredients:

• Water, for boiling
• 4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
• 8 oz. baby potatoes, cut into halves
• 2 ears corn on the cob, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 12 oz. smoked sausage, cut into pieces (Hillshire Smoke Sausage Rope)
• 1 lb. shrimp, shelled, deveined, tail-in
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnishing

Cajun Butter:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (McCormick)

 

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall stockpot halfway with water. On high heat, bring the water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the Old Bay Seasoning, follow by baby potatoes and corn. Cover the pot and boil for 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender.
3. In the meantime, make the Cajun Butter by combining the melted butter with Cajun seasoning together. Stir to mix well and set aside.
4. Add the smoked sausage and shrimp, boil for 1 minute, or until the shrimp turn pink. Remove the pot from heat and drain all the ingredients using a colander. You may need to do it in two batches if your colander is not big enough.
5. Heat up a skillet on high heat. Add the Cajun Butter and all the shrimp boil ingredients together. Stir to combine well. Transfer the shrimp boil to a sheet pan or serving platter, garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with a chilled glass of Albariño.

 

 

                                                          

Classic Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta, uncooked
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 12 ounces sliced pepperoni
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces olives, sliced

Vinaigrette dressing:

• 1 ½ cups olive oil
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
2. Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside. 
3. In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine. 
4. Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
5. If your pasta salad has been chilling for several hours/overnight and very cold, allow it to warm up slightly at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, then give it a toss to redistribute the dressing just before serving with a glass of Cuvée.

 

                                                         

Savory Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 18 mushrooms whole mushroom caps, fresh
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sauteing
• 2 cloves garlic pressed using garlic press
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

• Heat oven to 350.
• To prepare the filling, start by heating 1 tablespoon oil over medium and adding garlic and about ¼ of the stems chopped up. Stir and heat until most of the moisture is gone and then add the rest of the ingredients, stirring until mixed smooth.
• Arrange mushroom caps on a baking sheet. Fill each mushroom cap with a nice heaping spoonful of the filling. (Use a piping for the easiest method!) When they are all filled, place in preheated oven for 20 minutes and serve with a glass of Cab. 

 

                                                        

Marinated Beef Flank Steak

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 -2 pounds flank steak
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 TBS EACH onion powder, garlic powder
• 1 tsp EACH paprika, pepper, red pepper flakes, dried dill weed
• 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried rosemary, ground coriander

 

Instructions:

1. Whisk marinade ingredients together in a freezer-size Ziploc bag. Reserve 2 tablespoons to use later. Add steak, press out excess air and seal. Massage marinade into the steak with your hands through the outside of the bag.
2. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
3. Preheat outdoor grill (or indoor grill pan) to medium-high heat, (450 degrees F when lid is closed).
4. Grill steak for 5-6 minutes per side, or until an internal thermometer reads 130-135 degrees F for medium rare or around 140 degrees for medium. Grill time will vary depending on thickness of your steak and desired level of doneness.
5. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Slice steak into thin strips against the grain (perpendicular to the long strands) or ½-inch cubes. Drizzle with the 2 tablespoons reserved marinade.