Behind the Cork™ - J Dusi Model M Red Blend

2020 J Dusi Model M Red Blend ($17.99)

On a recent visit to Paso Robles, I had the pleasure of spending some time in the tasting room at J Dusi with Janell Dusi, the “J” in J Dusi and a fourth-generation winemaker in the Dusi family.

Janell was born and raised on the Dusi Vineyard where her grandfather Dante taught her the old world Italian style of winemaking. The Dusi family’s heritage and history in Paso Robles Wine Country dates back to the early 1920’s, where grape growing has been a craft that has deep roots in the Dusi family. The sustainable farming practices that were implemented by Janell’s great-grandparents ninety years ago are still the standard followed today.

This red wine blend is named for their 1939 Model M tractor that has been a workhorse for the Dusi family in Paso Robles for three generations.

This 2020 J Dusi Model M wine is a red blend with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Syrah. It is a medium ruby red in color with wonderful aromas of red and black fruit. On the plate, this medium-full bodied wine has great fruit flavors of red and black plum, black cherry and cassis. It has balanced tannin and acidity and finishes with jammy fruit and some spiciness.

Model M red blend from J Dusi is a wonderful wine at a great price. It’s also widely available. This makes Model M the perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Sonoma Grove Zinfandel

2022 Sonoma Grove Zinfandel ($8)

This Sonoma Grove 2022 Zinfandel is produced for the Navigator Wine Collection (formerly Precision Wine Company). They cellar and bottle the wine. The actual wine producer is not available.

Sonoma Grove wine is from Sonoma County, a great region for Zinfandel, especially the Dry Creek region.

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel is medium purple in color with jammy fruit aromas and a hint of sweet tobacco leaf. On the palate, this Zinfandel is indeed jammy, with sweet flavors of boysenberry and blackberry jam. It finishes lean.

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel is a great value and a good fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Book Review: Stikky Wine

Stikky Wine ($12)

Looking for a good, beginner’s-level, easy to read book to learn about wine? Stikky Wine is a great place to start.

The book does not rely on taking notes or memorization. It clearly states “Read the three sections…stop after each section and practice in the real world…promise yourself that you will try to answer each question in the text. Keep these promises, and what you learn will stick.” Hence the name, Stikky Wine.

The sections are a quick-read with information on how wine is made, grape types, easily identifiable aromas and flavor and common red and white wines. No technical jargon, just simple, easy to understand facts about wines. And, some quick checks along the way to check your understanding.

Stikky Wine is a breeze to read and brings together the essential wine knowledge in straightforward, easy-to-grasp language, all enhanced by beautiful illustrations. It’s a fantastic guide for anyone new to the world of wine. Cheers!

Stikky Wine is available on-line, visit https://stikky.com/collections/books. Provided by Book Publicity Services Inc.

Behind the Cork™ - 2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec by Domaine Bousquet

2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec ($85)

Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit. The Ameri label of wines is named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s co-owner.

Ameri wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

This “Wild Roots” Malbec is a limited, single-block wine from Eva Estate’s Block 3, of stony calcareous soils and deep-rooted vines.

The Malbec grapes used to produce Ameri were harvested by hand, with careful selection of clusters and berries. Fermented occurred with native yeasts in 400-liter oak barrels, followed by a total maceration of 30 days. The wine the aged 12 months in French oak and refined for one additional year in the bottle.

Ameri ‘Wild Roots” Malbec is deep purple in color with dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied Malbec has deep, rich dark fruit flavors and soft tannins. It’s well balanced, complex and finishes smooth and soft. (ABV: 14.5)

Domaine Bousquet’s Ameri Wild Roots Block 03 Malbec is an outstanding wine! A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc by Domaine Bousquet

2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc ($35)

Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit, is introducing their 2024 single-vineyard Ameri Sauvignon Blanc, the first white wine from the winery’s Ameri label. Named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s “Ameri” wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

The grapes used to produce Ameri Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from the heart of Plot No. 9 of their Eva Estate vineyard in Gualtallary Argentina at an elevation of 4124 ft (1,257 m), a high-altitude wine region in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. The sandy-calcareous soils have been found to be the most expressive sections of the vineyard.

The grapes were hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve their freshness. The grapes were then gently pressed under reductive conditions (i.e., minimal exposure to oxygen) with dry ice to protect the aromatic profile. The wine fermented in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% second use) at low temperatures (13 °C / 55 °F), with no malolactic conversion. The wine was then aged for 8 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle.

This Ameri Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color with nice tropic fruit aromas, some baked pear and a touch of vanilla from the oak aging. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has wonderful tropical fruit flavors of pineapple along with green apple and pear. It is light and bright but finishes smooth with just a bit creaminess.

This Domaine Bousquet 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc is a real treat at this price, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet