Why is it that there are never martian sightings in the large metropolis of the world, rather UFO’s seem to prefer the nice grassy fields of Kansas or Oklahoma? If this is in fact true, and E.T.’s do like farm fields and the like, you won’t be surpised to hear martians have landed in the fairly rural industrial estate of Santa Maria…and I spent my last weekend with their leader!

Luckily enough the only probing that went on was from a wine thief…….into barrels (you sickos)

Martians!!! AHHHHHH!

Mike Roth, is the new winemaker at Martian Ranch and Vineyard’s  and we spent the morning tasting through the trials and tribulations of the year.

Mike and I actually met randomly when he was making wine at Koehler about five years ago, now he is dividing his winemaking duties between Demetria and Martian.

Although she wasn’t there this past weekend I’ve also met Nan Helgeland, the owner of Martian, as well. She or rather the brand is an easy one to remember as the labels are a lovely bright orange. Nan even had the foresight of making some orange branded spit cups, I thought I had one laying about here somewhere but sods laws…when you need it, it ain’t there!

By the way the name Martian doesn’t come from any sort of extra terrestial beliefs from Nan (none that are publicly known) but rather a conglomeration of her two kids names: Martin and Ian. She does allude to Martians on the label though and has a little doodle of a space invader on some of the labels.

Mike Roth and Martian's beehive landing pods

The vineyards, located in Los Alamos, are on their third year of biodynamic transformation, they will be official next year sometime. As for the wine….well Mike is somewhat different in his approach but that’s in a good way.

He has taken on the whole low interference/low alcohol way of thinking (most of what I tasted was around 13% mark) and is very interested in the natural side of winemaking.

I am not going to go into much detail defining natural wine here, as it is interpreted differently, but for Mike he uses very little, to no sulphur in his wines.

Here’s a little tidbit on Mike’s philosophy….try not to get brain washed.

As for the wines, my favorites were the Grenache and Syrah. The Grenache was fragrant, light and delicate. Rather nice and made completely naturally. The rosé especially had a beautiful soft pink hue and a lovely fresh nose of berry fruits.

The Syrahs too were impressive. Martian has a couple of different clones, 99 and one from Alban…99 had a distinct olive tapenade, more dense/heady aromas while the Alban (they called it that, I don’t think it’s the official name) is more aromatic, with perfumed berry aromas. Individually the two were impressive. They will most likely end up in a blend though and I found they would complement each other immensely.

I forgot to also mention all the wines are estate grown and Martian has some interesting grapes planted, there is an Albariño, Grenache Blanc and some Tempranillo…

For me though the stands out were definitely the Rhône reds.  Look out for this winery…their labels are easily spotted on the shelf, like some sort of homing device. Most importantly though, you’ll be impressed with what’s inside.

So, when I found a wine book that comes in comic book form, for a split-second my body went into a sort of comatose state.  This was quickly followed by the  “don’t buy it, walk away” angel on one shoulder being smashed with a sledge hammer by the “BUY IT NOW” little devil on the other shoulder.  At such speed did this happen that I had my money out and was paying for the books before I’d even grabbed them off the shelf.

The Drops of God - Tadashi Agi & Shu Okimoto

I’ve only heard of The Drops of God, it’s a manga comic (Japanese) and from what I remember, about a sommelier of some sorts, think he might be a detective.  Regardless, I now have them in my possession and will be reviewing them shortly…stay tuned.

Suffice to say Chaucer’s Book Store on upper State St has come up trumps once again, they are an amazing local book shop and if you don’t know them and live in Santa Barbara, what is wrong with you!?…adding to that, I won’t be walking in there any time soon…that is to say, until I get through my list.

1. Read more books– Goal: 3 books a month.
This is my most important resolution.  I have a sort of impulsive buy reaction when I see interesting books.  This reflex goes in to hyper-drive when said books are about wine and food (I won’t even go into my comic book buying impulses).  The result is a collection of 100+ tomes that have traveled with me across three countries and a countless number of dwellings, sadly some have never been read…in 2012 I plan to read through all my wine books.

my wine bookshelf

To help me along I will list all the books on a new tab “Read more wine books” and will be writing a review of each one. (FYI – I am currently reading Feiring’s naked wine and Goode & Harrop’s Authentic Wine).  Also, as a caveat to this, I plan not to buy any wine books for a while

2. Write more blog entries – Goal: 2 a week
Pretty self-explanatory – and yes I am counting this list as an entry.

3. Write more for other people – Goal: 2 features a month
I am very lucky to have my forte-nightly app column in the Santa Barbara News-Press (every other Thursday in Food section – next one Feb 2nd).  Besides that I need to be racking my brains for more in print or other people blog stories…hey pitch me if you think you’ve got something news-worthy enough — especially if it’s Santa Barbara or Central Coast related.

4. Do more random winery tastings– Goal: 3 tasting rooms a month
I have a plan here…and I am busting it out in 2012

5. Change my Twitter avatar – Goal: with something representing my life in wine
Below is the picture I am choosing.

6. Tidy up my tasting note taking
Please tell me everyone has this problem?  I am a messy lefty writer, I’m not in to the whole typing notes thing…just need to clean it up a bit.

Maybe I should take a calligraphy class?

7. Post more stuff to my tumblr and google+ accounts
I’ve had my tumblr thing for ages….now I’m going to do something with it. Ditto with google+

Red Wine (that’s all it said on the label, tasted like it had some Cab Sauv and Merlot)

Strawberry jam nose and just a juicy ripe wine. Bit of tannin gives just enough grip to drink by itself. Lots of ribena/welchs flavors. Went well with pepperoni pizza. Worth it, especially as a relaxing drop after a long day.

Emoji Review – 😄😄😄 👍🍓🍓

Windfall Farms - site of the 2011 Garagiste Festival

Sadly, I didn’t have enough time to try all forty odd winemakers at the festival, but I did succeed at about half that amount … I had an inclination this would be a good tasting, mostly because I hold the belief that when made in small quantities, wine tends to be at its best, by no means a revelation,  just something to think about.

So here is my best of show (of what I tried)

Ambyth Wine Estates

Ambyth was the discovery of the show.  It was such a delight to find a winery that was not only biodynamic (in both the vineyard and winery!) but also natural (ie no added sulphur). Natural wines are few and far between here in California so discovering this producer was a real treat.

Phillip Hart & Mary Morwood Hart of Ambyth Estate

There range is comprised of Rhône varietals and they make a pretty damn good Zinfandel too.

Since finding them I’ve told just about everyone I come across about them…you see, there’s obvious debate about natural wine, myself I’m pro-the stuff, and a lot of the promblem people have is stability,or rather lack of…

Ambyth had about thirteen or fourteen wine on offer and each one was fresh, full of flavor and lacking in those very tell-tale signs of degradation a lot of these wines can have.  The stand out wine for me was their Grenache dominated blend – a very crisp, juicy blend with bowls of mixed berry fruit, but their Syrah and Zinfandel were both impressive as well.

Ambyth Estate 2009 Grenache

Piedrasassi

If you have a ‘one to watch’ file put Piedrasassi in it…with a star next to it…and add some sort of reminder on your mobile.

I’ve mentioned them before with the New Vineland labeled Viognier.  This was the first time I saw their new label and bottle design, very classy indeed.

Piedrasassi

Melissa Moorman of Piedrasassi. Pouring Rim Rock 2008 while giving a master class in jazz hands

The 2008 Rim Rock, sourced from a vineyard in Nipomo, is an impressive wine. Chewy, dense, multi-layered, dark berry fruit, with so much time to evolve…decant the beast if you open it now but it’s got until 2020 to drink, probably a bit longer.  I’ve tried 2009 in barrel and think that’s even better.

Another wine to note from these guys is their absolutely ridiculous Sauvignon Blanc – think Condrieu/Didier Dagueneau/a touch of Te Koko,  extreme doesn’t begin to explain it.

Ranchero Cellars

Amy Jean - you had me at 'Carignan'

Much  like Don King, Amy Jean woke up one morning and had an epiphany…luckily for her wine career it wasn’t changing her hair style.  Rather it was to make wines from her heart (yes, I can hear those tear drops splashing the keyboard now) this is how Ranchero Cellars started… Amy Jean is a Davis graduate, and I must applaud her for leaving the Stormtrooperesque style that plagues many a Davis alum and decided to go freestyle with feeling, with gut, that and she had a Carignan on offer.  That’s like crack to me.

I’ll finish my Garagiste Festival round up next week

But mash is not what this blog post is about (nor the roast chicken that accompanied it)…the back of Barrel 27‘s bottle says “Each bottle of this wine represents a dream realized by three friends.”  I first came across this winery about five years ago, they must have just started.  Some friends of mine (Cielo & Erin) had gone to university with them up in SLO and kindly gave me a bottle.  I packed it back to London and opened it with some sommelier people…and remember we all enjoyed it.

So, upon my permanent return Stateside I was very pleased to see Barrel 27 at my local bottle shop (The Winehound) …and last night decided their Grenache would go well with my 3 pounds of butter added mash. (It did!)

2008 Barrel 27 'Rock and a Hard Place' Grenache

Here’s a tasting note:
2008 Barrel 27 Santa Barbara County
Rock and a Hard Place
Grenache, 15.6%

Crisp and juicy with the ripest of berries.
A little bit of sherbert too.
An easy drinker, the wine quenches your taste buds.
After a little bit of time the wine changed completely.
Dark licorice and a more broody character all together.

(tried the last dredge the next morning, still really bright and crisp…decided to add two years to ageability, due to the crisp acidity.)

BTW very well balanced at 15.6%…

Drink now until 2016 — I paid $17.99

A very enjoyable wine indeed, most especially at that price point, very happy with the purchase and will buy it again.

2011 Woodbridge Chardonnay

Surprisingly, in fact VERY SURPRISINGLY, this little bottle is perfect for just whetting my appetite for dinner tonight.  Distinct lemon on the nose and crisp apple on the palate I am slightly amused at how drinkable this wine actually is…

My view from the train...not the brightest day but beats looking on to Crawley!!

I don’t know the price but I’m looking at the slightly confusing food and drink menu… I think it’s between $6.50 and $8.00

I leave you with this iPhone shot of Rincon…it’s a famous beach and you should know about it.

About as flat as Rincon gets...

As excited as I was to see the land of the tree giants I was equally as excited to to try a couple of wines I’d been holding on to…

Tin Barn Vineyards, a winery up in Sonoma, was kind enough to send me a bottle of their 2006 Coryelle Fields Vineyard Syrah.  The grapes are sourced from a vineyard near Jenner - I have yet to go there but from what I hear the vineyard is up a dirt track and planted on a fairly element exposed spot. Sounds great to me!

Tin Barn Syrah 2006 Coryelle Fields Vineyard

As for the Syrah the nose is full of dark berry fruit and spice but where this wine excels is its take on earthy Rhône.  We’re not talking dank Gigondas here, but for something out of California there is a lot of earthiness, soil even, and plenty of smokey savoury bacon, flavors.  Basically, a perfect wine for sitting around a campfire.

Tin Barn Syrah is available at the winery for $25 or you can go order it off their site

Giant Sequoia

2007 Rey Syrah - Great with steak

Rey has mostly Syrah in it but there’s a bit of Grenache and even less Cab.  Immediately on the nose you get hit of fresh bluberries as well as fresh aniseed and licorice.  The palate is crunchy with just enough tannin to roughin’ up your inner cheek.  This wine is very nice and very affordable at only $19.

2007 Rey Syrah

If you live in SB I believe Winehound carries it, if not they can probably get it for you. It’s worth a note too that DSP has just been awarded 92 points for both their Grenache blend and Roussanne…worthy of a look.

A meadow near "End of the Road" in the Kings Canyon

As for Sequioa, even with spending a week there, we only touched the surface as it were.  We will definitely be going back again soon.

Adieu for now.

This is your brain on Ethyl Acetate

I am a fan.  This is mostly influenced by the winemaker guy, Gavin Crisfield, I worked  for  in the Languedoc.  Gavin really likes VA and played the winemaker’s equivalent of Russian roulette by intentionally oxidizing his wines, mostly in the form of long barrel aging.

But faithful readers…what are your thoughts?

Would you be so kind as to vote below…merci.

Take Our Poll

There was a time that I could enjoy a non-acid-searing white wine, but those days have long gone…

This disdain, avoidance, dislike, of whites, mostly of the Southern French variety, didn’t come to me in the middle of the night as a message from God but rather was a sort of pebble in the shoe for a while.  What I blame most is my lengthy time spent in the Languedoc, surrounded by fat whites, no acidity and an overall blah taste in my mouth.

This is why I stir clear of most Rhone white varieties, why I will always drink dry Riesling, certain Grüners, some Chardonnays, and most if not all Colombards from SW France.

I like crisp!

Recently, when I was generously handed a bottle of Vionier from Sashi Moorman, I was of course skeptical, would this bottle from Lompoc be the saving grace?

I first met Sashi about eight years ago. I was a pretentious, know-it-all, sommelier, visiting from the UK;  Sashi was a young ambitious winemaker, gaining respect in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Much has changed since then…now, Sashi’s main job (he’s got like twelve) is head guy at Evening Land Vineyards.  He also owns his own label Piedrasassi and the second label from that New Vineland.
Myself, I am no longer a sommelier.

I mentally committed to try the wine, so I thought why not put it through a small test of matching to culinary delights! I went to the local Commerçant Joe and purchased a variety of cheeses and cured things.  I only mention this because there is  a cheese there that you must try…it’s called Delice de Bourgogne Double Cream (I think it was $6-8)…well I could have had that cheese and this wine all night long!! Suffice to say the wine was very impressive and stood up to the pairings.  The cheese has been locked away to save my waist line.

Don’t forget white and cheese is sometimes better than red.

As for the wine, here’s the note:

2008 New Vineland Viognier, Santa Barbara County, $22.00

On the nose was lots of citrus, especially tangerine and peach.
The palate I particularly enjoyed, there was quite a lot of quenching fruit, but also fresh almonds and best of all distinct minerality -  like a freshly cut slab of wet granite…loved it!

As Viogniers go, I actually did enjoy this guy.

Piedrasassi’s tasting room is located within the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc. Sashi’s wife Melissa can usually be found there.

They are open from Noon-5pm Friday to Sunday
And you can call them for an appointment on other days

1501 E. Chestnut Ave.
Lompoc, CA
805-736-6784

www.newvineland.com

@newvineland

Oh and a little tidbit for you… New Vineland was going to be the name of Lompoc but for some reason Lompoc (which is Chumash for stagnant waters or lagoon) was already chosen.