In celebration of California Wine Month, Fleming’s is offering special Wine Flights from the Golden State throughout September. Each week, choose one of three different wine flights—white, red or reserve—from California appellations. All the wines are selections from the new Fleming’s 100 wines-by-the-glass list or reserve list, and over half come from family-run wineries. Wine flights are a fun way to compare flavors, refine your tastes and discover a new California favorite. Cheers!
Week 1: September 3–9
California Chardonnays
AU BON CLIMAT, Santa Barbara County, 2005
This wine has aromas of citrus, stone fruit, fennel and custard apple. The fruit flavors are smooth, creamy and integrated, with nuances of apricot, apple and lemon verbena.
KENDALL-JACKSON, California Vintners Reserve, 2005
Tropical flavors of pineapple and mango predominate, with a touch of nutmeg on the nose. Lightly buttered toast accents the rich, indulgent, lingering finish.
CHALK HILL, Russian River Valley Chalk Hill Imagine, 2004
This Chardonnay has fresh acidity, with exotic aromas and flavors of fig, green apple, pineapple and mango, along with spice, hazelnut and caramel.
Central Coast Pinots
CAMBRIA, Santa Maria Valley Julia’s Vineyard, 2005
This wine has a nose of cranberry with hints of vanilla and cherry. It’s medium-bodied, with light acidity and strong spiciness on the finish.
LAETITIA, Arroyo Grande Valley, 2005
Medium-bodied, with nice acidity, this wine has floral aromas and luscious blackberry notes on the palate, with hints of mushrooms and earth.
ESTANCIA, Santa Lucia Highlands Stonewall Vineyard, 2005
This is an exceptionally muscular Pinot Noir, with flavors of spice and deep cherry on the mid-palate. The tannins are silky, with a lingering finish.
Sonoma Reserves
PATZ & HALL, Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch, 2005 This luscious wine displays aromas of lemon curd and passion fruit with hints of honey, buttered toast and caramel. The finish shows great finesse, with integrated acidity and a wet stone minerality.
HARTFORD COURT, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Land’s Edge, 2005
Lush dark cherry, violets and cedar aromas are followed by flavors of ripe, firm, black and red cherries. Allspice and coffee notes complement a long, complex finish.
LANCASTER, Alexander Valley, 2003
This powerful, elegant and layered Bordeaux blend has aromas and flavors of black cherry and plum fruit, accented by cloves, anise and violets. The tannins are beautifully ripe.
Week 2: September 10–16
California North-to-South
WATTLE CREEK, Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino, 2006
The nose of this Sauvignon Blanc is dominated by zesty green lime and grapefruit, with a hint of fennel. The finish is crisp, elegant and round at the same time.
FRITZ, Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, 2005
A nose of crisp lemon, grapefruit and honeysuckle gives way to a palate dominated by pineapple. The creamy lemon finish has elegant pear flavors and light acidity.
SANTA BARBARA WINERY, Chardonnay Santa Barbara County, 2005 This fruit-forward Chardonnay has supple flavors of green apple and lime slate, with full flavor development and great balancing acids.
Red All Over
MACMURRAY RANCH, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 2005
This 100% Pinot Noir from the former ranch of actor Fred MacMurray is light-bodied, with hints of vanilla on the nose. Juicy blackberry and cherry flavors are balanced by great acidity and mild tannins.
QUPÉ, Syrah Central Coast, 2005
The intense initial nose opens up to expose beautiful notes of cherry with underlying smoke. Hints of spice and balanced fruit and acidity make this an easy-drinking wine.
SCOTT HARVEY, Zinfandel Amador County, 2004
This wine has balanced, jammy flavors of cherry cream pie, raspberry, allspice and cloves. Its moderately firm tannins and long, lingering finish give this wine a European-style drinkability.
Napa Valley Meritage
ROBERT CRAIG, Affinity Napa Valley, 2004
Luscious black cherry, raspberry and plum flavors are accented by herbal, violet and tea notes. This multi-layered, Bordeaux style blend finishes with ripe, round tannins and a balance of power and finesse.
CONN CREEK, Anthology Napa Valley, 2003
This robust blend exhibits both black and red fruits with a spicy edge and creamy oak balanced by silky tannins.
FRANCISCAN OAKVILLE ESTATE, Magnificat Napa Valley, 2003
Aromas of plum, dried cherries, tobacco and chocolate lead to flavors of dark cherry, clove and cocoa. This wine has elegant tannins and a long finish, with sweet toast oak notes.
Week 3: September 17–23
Oaky & Toasty Chardonnays
BUENA VISTA, Carneros, 2005
Green apple, orange blossom, clove and Meyer lemon on the nose lead to a palate of apple and pear, layered with bright citrus and lemon curd. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add texture and round off the smooth, toasty finish.
CUVAISON, Napa Valley, 2005
Floral aromas give way to white peach, nectarine and apricot on the palate. This creamy, oak-aged wine has good natural acidity, great structure and a long, clean finish.
ZD, California, 2005
Pineapple, pear and vanilla aromas mingle with notes of lime, coconut and toast. The tropical and apricot flavors of this full-bodied wine integrate beautifully with the spicy American oak.
Sonoma Merlot
ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS, Alexander Vly. Wetzel Fam. Est., 2004
This wine has a nose of cranberry with hints of vanilla and cherry. It’s medium-bodied, with light acidity and strong spiciness on the finish.
SEBASTIANI, Sonoma County, 2004
This complex wine presents a bouquet of cranberry and black cherry, with hints of toast and tea. Cherry fruit dominates on the palate. The texture is deliciously velvety.
SIMI, Sonoma County, 2004
This Merlot blend displays aromas of bright red cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cedar and cocoa. It has medium body, with cherry and cranberry flavors and balanced tannins.
Sonoma Reds
MATANZAS CREEK, Merlot Bennett Valley, 2004
This Merlot exhibits aromas and flavors of black berries and cherries, blueberries and a hint of espresso. It finishes with an edge of melted toffee and a touch of smoke.
SIMI, Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Reserve, 2003
This is the quintessential Alexander Valley Cab. Rich dark fruits with hints of cassis, tobacco and eucalyptus lead to a rich finish with notes of cinnamon and chocolate.
FOREFATHERS, Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2004
This is a voluptuous wine. The soft berry fruit on the initial palate develops into rich,
powerful blackberry with complex layers and a velvety, seamless texture.
Week 4: September 24–30
Cool Climate Sonoma Whites
FRITZ, Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, 2005
A nose of crisp lemon, grapefruit and honeysuckle gives way to a palate dominated by pineapple. The creamy lemon finish has elegant pear flavors and light acidity.
CHALK HILL, Chardonnay Russian River Valley Chalk Hill Imagine, 2004
This Chardonnay has fresh acidity, with exotic aromas and flavors of fig, green apple, pineapple and mango, along with spice, hazelnut and caramel.
BUENA VISTA, Chardonnay Carneros, 2005
Green apple, orange blossom, clove and Meyer lemon on the nose lead to a palate of apple and pear, layered with bright citrus and lemon curd. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add texture and round off the smooth, toasty finish.
Napa Cabernets
LIPARITA, Napa Valley Enlace, 2002
This delicious wine has aromas and flavors of currant, blueberry, spice, black cherry, mint and loam. Exceptional structure and depth accompany the long, lush finish.
HESS, Napa Valley Allomi, 2004
This wine has a lush yet firm texture, with good acidity. Firm tannins and distinctive Bing cherry, ripe plum and anise flavors are followed by cedar, currant and toast.
CLOS DU VAL, Napa Valley, 2004
Robust aromas of black fruit, dried herbs, fennel and leather lead to a full, powerful palate with rich dark fruit flavors. The finish is seamless and seemingly never-ending.
Best of the Best Reds
LANCASTER, Alexander Valley, 2003
This powerful, elegant and layered Bordeaux blend has aromas and flavors of black cherry and plum fruit, accented by cloves, anise and violets. The tannins are beautifully ripe.
QUINTESSA, Rutherford, 2004
A sumptuous blend of all five Bordeaux varietals, this wine has floral and dark fruit aromas, leading to blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors and a long, complex finish.
RUBICON ESTATE, Rutherford, 2003
Black sour cherries and violets intermingle on the palate with concentrated black
currant, wild berries and sweet vanilla. The finish is long, luxurious and dense.
