Castle Rock

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, crisp, and refreshing, a zesty wine that tastes great with lunch, dinner - or in between! The low price makes it an easy choice for a weekday meal or a large gathering of friends or family. The grapes are sourced from California vineyards with excellent conditions for this variety. The winery describes “aromas of lemongrass, grapefruit and lemon thyme with a hint of minerality. On the palate, it is lively and fresh, with balanced acidity and flavors of pineapple and mandarin, with a lingering citrus zest.” Try it with seafood, chicken, salads, and vegetable dishes.

This Chardonnay is an expression of prime vineyards along the Central Coast, where a favorable maritime climate of sunshine, fog and ocean breezes leads to wines that balance intense flavors with bright acidity. In 2019, Central Coast winemakers hailed a return to the “old normal,” in which a cold winter, followed by a mild spring and summer, led to a harvest that started and ended much later than had recently been the case. Longer “hangtime” enhanced the acidity in the fruit, producing an elegant Chardonnay with a rich, ripe and fruity character. Try it with fish, poultry and lightly sauced entrees.

Dressage is a new label produced by Castle Rock in celebration of 25 years in the business. According to the winery, “the art of Dressage is about the harmony, elegance and balance between horse and rider.” As Castle Rock sees it, the same holds true for winemaking, with the winemaker working to harmonize the grapes, soils and climate into perfect balance. These elements come into sharp focus in this wine, a Chardonnay from select vineyards along the cool Central Coast. Awarded 86 points by the Wine Enthusiast, Dressage Chardonnay pleases with aromas and flavors of apple and citrus with tropical fruit, subtle oak, and vanilla notes. 

Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah (a.k.a. Durif) has been part of California winemaking since the earliest days – whether in the “field blends” of the pioneers or as a varietal wine more recently. Black-skinned and high in tannin and acidity, it can add structure and freshness to red blends or produce a lovely varietal that's hearty, age-worthy and generous with dark fruit, spice and floral notes. According to the winery, “this fruity wine is inky and dark plum in color with aromas of blackberry, highlighted by toffee notes and a touch of plum jam. On the palate, it has a robust structure with lively pomegranate notes and hints of mocha on the long harmonious finish. It makes an excellent accompaniment to beef, game, spicy grilled foods and charbroiled meats.” Spice up your weekday meals with this lively red! Great for weekend barbecues, too!

Located 2 hours east of San Francisco in the San Joaquin Valley, Lodi does not exactly spring to mind as a California wine region. Yet Lodi has had vineyards since the 1850s and currently accounts for 25% of all wine grapes produced in California and 40% of California Zinfandel. Of course, Lodi produces a lot of bargain-priced supermarket wine. But as Lodi’s many old vine vineyards are being shifted away from producing bulk wine, the region’s reputation for bold, full-bodied, and delicious Zinfandel has been growing ever higher. According to the winery, the Old Vine Zinfandel “has aromas of ripe bing cherry, anise and boysenberry jam. On the palate it has rounded tannins, carries a note of raspberry, and finishes with a hint of caramel. It provides an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak or lamb and most pasta dishes.”

If “Washington State” brings to mind gray skies and rainy days, you clearly know little about the largest AVA in the Northwest, the Columbia Valley. Indeed, the Columbia Valley is bathed in sunshine for over 300 days a year and gets about as much rain as the Mohave Desert. On the other hand, at 46° N, it shares the same latitude as the great French wine-growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, allowing for long summer days and a lengthy growing season. The Columbia Valley’s combination of a long growing season, rich volcanic soils, and plenty of mountain run-off for nurturing vines in the dry climate produce bold and nuanced wines, full of structure and balanced acidity. Produced from vineyards on south-facing hillsides, Castle Rock’s Cabernet Sauvignon is rich, structured and supple. Perfect for summer barbecue!

The wine-growing regions of Mendocino remain rural, rugged, and hard to reach compared to Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Small towns, dense forests, ranch and farmlands have changed little over the decades. And while more vineyards dot the hillsides, tasting rooms and tourist facilities are few and far between. Winegrowing in the Anderson Valley is blessed by a cool climate that allows Pinot Noir to develop wonderful aromatics and bright fruit flavors. The 2021 received 90 points from the Wine Enthusiast, which called it “a well-balanced Pinot Noir with a high glug-ability factor and a great bang-for-the-buck value.” It’s a wine that aims to please with strawberries, violets, forest floor, black cherry, pomegranate and savory herbs. Lamb, chicken, salmon and light pasta dishes will all pair well with this wine.

Located between Monterrey and Santa Barbara, the Paso Robles AVA is not among the Central Coast’s cooler climates. Indeed, the Santa Lucia Mountain Range that forms the AVA’s western border, shields most of Paso Robles AVA from coastal fog and winds, which is why Zinfandel, Syrah, and the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon feature prominently among Paso Robles wineries. On the other hand, because Paso Robles features the widest day-to-night temperature swing in California, red wines develop complex flavors over a long growing season. Diverse soils are another key feature of Paso Robles: granite, marine, and volcanic rocks, calcareous shales and sandstone can often be found within the same vineyard block! With Castle Rock’s Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, you get a classic, dark, rich Cab at a price that merits midweek drinking. Pair it with beef, lamb, or even spaghetti Bolognese.

Whereas southern Monterey County is warm, dry, and well-suited to Bordeaux varietals, the northern half, with sandy soils and a moist, cool maritime climate, is perfect for such Burgundian varietals as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Cooler summer temperatures allow for a longer growing season for Pinot Noir, while also allowing extra “hang-time” on the vines, giving way to a characteristic depth and concentration of flavor. Castle Rock’s Monterey County Pinot Noir offers a complex palate of cherry, dark cranberry, earth, and smoked meat. Its elegance, medium body, silky texture, and mild tannins make it an excellent match for lamb and chicken as well as salmon or pan-seared tuna steaks.  

What makes Willamette Valley Pinot Noir stand out from the many Pinots produced along the West Coast? The cool climate, lengthy growing season, and diverse soils of the region are just part of the answer. As important is the devotion to a handcrafted approach, organic viticulture and sustainability practiced by so many of the producers there. The Willamette Valley is now recognized for a style of Pinot Noir that’s well-balanced, supple and crisp, lighter in body but as deliciously fruit-forward as its counterparts in California. The winery describes this wine as offering “aromas of cherry and spice. On the palate, it gives flavors of berries, cinnamon, black cherry, sweet vanilla oak, and floral notes with a long velvety finish.” It should pair well with lamb, chicken, pork, salmon, and light pasta dishes.

After a six-year hiatus, Castle Rock has again produced a Napa Valley Cabernet. While almost three dozen grape varieties grow in the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly king, accounting for 40% of Napa’s grape production. Today, “Napa Cab” suggests a style of wine that is deep, rich, luxurious, hedonistic…. and pricey. However, Castle Rock avoids the pricey part by focusing exclusively on sourcing excellent fruit and making fine wine and avoiding such costly ancillaries as a fancy winery, visitor’s center, or art collection. Sourced from three vineyards, the wine impresses with its dark black purple color, aromas of black cherry, spice and chocolate, and a palate that’s rich and mouthwatering. A Napa Cab that doesn’t require a special occasion to enjoy it.