This summer, we enjoyed two wines from an emerging, yet still relatively unknown, area in California -- the High Valley Appellation. High Valley offers a unique combination of volcanic and alluvial soil, which, combined with the cool climate, makes it ideal for growing top-quality grapes. We tried the Brassfield Estate Winery 2006 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2004 Pinot Noir - both of which were enjoyable and easy-to-drink. We had the Sauvignon Blanc with cheese, crackers and other light hors d'oeuvres at Alice's parents house. Everyone agreed that the tangy pear, melon, and floral flavors of the Sauvignon Blanc made it perfectly refreshing on a warm summer's night. The Pinot Noir was more medium-bodied, with a nice cherry and spice aroma and a long, silky finish that fills your mouth. While these wines may be relatively hard to find (the Pinot Noir says "sold out" on the web site), they're definitely worth trying if you can get your hands on them.
A&T Ranking:
Pinot Noir - 8/10
Sauvignon Blanc - 9/10
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