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Cline Cellars
Sonoma
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www.clinecellars.com |
Although Cline Cellars certainly doesn’t expect to end the reign of Cabernet Sauvignon in California’s vineyards, they are certain that they’re at the forefront of the state’s viticultural future. Ex-surfer Fred Cline is riding the Rhône wave. The courageous flavors, spicy overtones and richness of fruit that is typically associated with the classic Rhône varietals are truly the perfect complement to the boldly flavored food that Americans favor. Their incredibly concentrated and highly idiosyncratic wines have garnered enormous acclaim.
Drawing upon extensive vineyard holdings in the Contra Costa AVA (Approved Viticultural Area) —planted to a diverse and truly remarkable collection of old-vine Rhône varietals — Fred crafts wines of breathtaking concentration and purity of fruit. Because of Cline’s dedication to those unique Rhône varietals—such as Mourvèdre, Carignane, Syrah, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet—they’re known as pioneering Rhône Rangers—outlaws living at the fringes of the dominant Californian viticultural paradigm. Cline’s decision to focus on these more esoteric varietals is twofold: First, they have little competition in a market glutted, they say, “with hack Cabernet and Merlot”; second, they have ready access to several of the state’s oldest and most historic vineyards, planted “long before Merlot ever became fashionable”.
More recently, Cline Cellars has dropped jaws with its Zinfandels. While the origins of this unique varietal remain largely obscure, if ever there was a wine to think of as native Californian, it would invariably be Zinfandel. In the flavor spectrum, Zin tends towards the extremes; when vinified in a sensitive fashion and lavished with care and attention, it produces a wine of uncommon richness, depth of blackberry aromas and flavors and a take-no-prisoners type of concentration “that often leaves tasters with purple teeth and wonderful, life-long memories of greatness”. Their Contra Costa vineyards, dry-farmed in extremely sandy soil, produces their Zinfandel and Mourvèdre wines from 80 to 110 year-old vines.
Their Sonoma ranch, chosen for its cool climate, is planted to Syrah, and the white Rhône grapes Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Cline Cellars is at the cutting edge of Californian wine—ironically, with some of the state’s (and world’s) oldest and most historic vineyards.
Fred Cline--owner of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and Cline Cellars in Sonoma, California--talks about getting his start wine making, his grandfather Valeriano Jacuzzi of hot tub fame, and how you can start a successful winery with $9,000. |
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Cline Cashmere 2011
Characteristics: Cashmere is a very flavorful, smooth wine offering bright cherry, raspberry, chocolate and toast with hints of cracked black pepper and plum.
- Charles G. Tsegeletos, Winemaker
Cline Cellars proudly supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and over the years has contributed more than $240,000 to breast cancer foundations.
Origin: USA California - Sonoma
Average Rating: 4 out of 5
Type: Red
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Price: |
$17.00/bottle |
Bottle size: 750 mL
Bottles Per Case: 12 |
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Cline Cellars Oakley 82 Reds 2010
Characteristics: 30% Syrah, 27% Merlot, 15% Barbera, 7% Zinfandel, 5% Alicante Bouchet, 4% Cabernet Franc, and a mysterious 12% from a field blend comprised of the fruit from unknown vines bearing red grapes.
Dark notes of Syrah meld with smooth Merlot, spicy Zinfandel, and bold Cabernet Franc. Italian and French varietals Barbera and Alicante Bouschet round out the sweet blend that is the 2010 Oakley 82 Red. Bright but full-bodied, Oakley 82 Red combines jammy boysenberry with mild pepper flavors and a delicate green olive note. Luscious fruit is complemented by smooth tannins that ensure the flavors will age well into the future.
Tasting note from the winery
Origin: USA California - Sonoma
Average Rating: not available
Type: Red
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Price: |
$12.00/bottle |
Bottle size: 750 mL
Bottles Per Case: 12 |
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Cline Cellars Oakley 82 Whites 2011
Characteristics: 43% Sauvignon Blanc, 37% Palomino, 8% Viognier, 6% Malvasia Bianca, and 6% Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc, Palomino, Viognier, Semillon, Malvasia
The bright flavors of Oakley 82 White pair well with tomatoes and mozzarella, salads with extra virgin olive oil, and lightly-spiced chicken or fish dishes. This is a great everyday wine that suits a variety of cuisines.
Tasting notes from the winery
Origin: USA California - Sonoma
Average Rating: not available
Type: White
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Price: |
$12.00/bottle |
Bottle size: 750 mL
Bottles Per Case: 12 |
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Cline Cellars Pinot Gris 2012
Characteristics: First off I really must mention how great and thorough Cline’s commitment to sustainability is with their Green String methods. They are leading the charge for a winery of this breadth. This Pinot Gris is just as lovely as the principles behind it. Apples and pears wash over the palate and leave it clean, fresh, and ringing with a mineral echo of orchard fruit. Balanced and refreshing, this is structured to look on the bright side of life but for all its uplifting juicy acids, all the fruit on the palate is ripe and thoroughly engaging –a real snappy Pinot Gris for an aperitif, with hors d’oeuvres, or as an accompaniment to roast chicken or tilapia laab.
Origin: USA California - Sonoma
Average Rating: not available
Type: White
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Price: |
$17.00/bottle |
Bottle size: 750 mL
Bottles Per Case: 12 |
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Cline Cellars Viognier 2012
Characteristics: Cline’s Viognier offers distinctive aromas of pears, apricots, orange blossoms and honeysuckle. Its bright flavors and full-body mouth-feel make it an ideal match for spicy stir-fries, curried Thai dishes and grilled fish topped with fruit salsa. Serve slightly chilled.
Origin: USA California - Sonoma
Average Rating: 4 out of 5
Type: White
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Price: |
$12.00/bottle |
Bottle size: 750 mL
Bottles Per Case: 12 |
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