2 minute read
toP wine Picks
Storm Curtis Vineyard Cabernet Franc ($38)
Though originally hailing from South Africa, winemaker Ernst Storm has taken Santa Barbara by storm (pun intended) with his highly nuanced wines . New to his lineup, this carbonic Cabernet Franc hits the mark for spring sipping; it’s highly quaffable but not lacking in character . Offering mouthwatering notes of bright red fruit, pepper, and herbs, as well as a firm structure and juicy finish, no doubt this will be a fun wine to sip all spring . Serve chilled .
Brander Sauvignon Blanc ($20)
Since first planting Bordeaux varieties in Santa Barbara County in 1975, Fred Brander has made a name for himself
Spring fling
FIVE WINES UNDER $40 IDEAL FOR SPRING SIPPING
by hana-lee sedgWICk
At Storm Wines we follow one rule - make the wines we like to drink. So it was only natural for us to add a carbonic Cabernet Franc to the line up!
Artwork by Elsa Storm
Tasting Notes
Bright cherry fruit and bell pepper dominate the nose with hints of tea leaf and red pepper flakes. The palate is bursting with berry fruit and held together by fine tannins and a firm structure.
Production Details
• 100% Curtis Vineyard • 85 cases produced • 100% Carbonic
as a top producer of sauvignon blanc in California . His estategrown Sauvignon Blanc, which represents over 50 percent of Brander’s entire production, offers bright notes of grapefruit and stone fruit, with an emphasis on fruit expression and freshness . Besides being approachable and ideal for pairing with spring’s bounty, it offers incredible value, making it an easy one to reach for all spring and well into summer .
Lumen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir ($36)
Made by trailblazing female winemaker Lane Tanner, this Pinot Noir from three coolclimate vineyards showcases appealing aromas of ripe strawberry, cherry cola, and wild sage . Blue and black fruits intertwine with notes of peach and melon on the palate, which reveals a lithe yet vibrant texture and persistent finish . Bright, honest, and low in alcohol, it’s a lively, exciting wine on par with Tanner’s signature style .
Story of Soil Grassini Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($35)
Winemaker Jessica Gasca has gained a loyal following for her small-lot, single-varietal wines, sourced from single vineyards throughout the Santa Barbara region . Her Sauvignon Blanc, hailing from Happy Canyon’s Grassini Family Vineyards, is a lovely choice for the season . Brimming with notes of white flowers, white nectarine, and lime zest, the palate is lifted by a generous dose of acidity, which maintains freshness .
• 14 day ferment • Aged is 600 liter barrels •10 months aging on lees •No fining or filtration While innately crisp and bright, barrel integration during the Alc. 12.5% | pH 3.55 | Total Acid: 5.9g/l fermentation and aging process adds roundness to the texture, making it a natural choice for pairing with food .
Frequency Rosé ($32)
For winemaker Zac Wasserman’s family-owned and -operated Frequency Wines, he sources fruit from single vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County to produce the purest expressions of the region’s PO BOX 393, SOLVANG 93464 • 530.409.1875 • INFO@STORMWINES.COM WWW.STORMWINES.COM distinct growing areas . Sourced from Camp 4 Vineyard, this 87 percent grenache and 12 percent graciano rosé displays delicate notes of grapefruit and tangerine, with a subtle backbone of minerality on the crisp, dry finish . As with many rosés, it’s best enjoyed on a sunny day, with or without food .
