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As the winter months fade making way for the warmer, more enjoyable days of Spring and Summer, wine drinkers start to seek out cooler, less heavier wines to enjoy as the days get warmer. Spring and Summer months tend to result in wine drinkers looking for lighter varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinto Grigio, Pinot Noir and last but not least, Rose wines. These varietals tend to provide wine enthusiasts and novices alike with crisp, fruity finishes that go well with barbecue, pork and seafood at local block parties, beaches and other outdoor gatherings that draw crowds.
In looking for my Spring and Summer wines, I recently had the pleasure of meeting and talking to winemaker James Moss of J. Moss Winery located in Napa, California. J. Moss Winery is a minority-owned winery borne from the vision of Mr. Moss in his pursuit to produce great wines in the California Wine Country. A native of Dallas, Texas, James moved to Napa, California in 1998 to follow his dream of producing great wines.
I can state without reservation that James has produced some great wines. As a "Red Snob" I have always been partial to Cabernets. However, more recently I have been open to trying other varietals that are less filling for the warmer months. After talking to James, I felt compelled to try his Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon. After trying it, I am more compelled to write about it on my blog!
The appearance of this wine is salmon pink in color. The bouquet gave me hints of citrus fruits before the first taste as my nose took in the wines subtle smell. At the first sip, I noted grapefruit, but the flavor profile quickly developed as it made its way over my tongue. I detected peach and melon fruits towards the middle of my tongue before I swallowed. The finish of this wine is light and acidic with a lingering trace of the spring/summer fruits of grapefruit, peach, melon and lastly, lemon.
As I savored this bottle on a sunny, Saturday afternoon, it occurred to me I hadn't eaten, so I pondered what food to eat with this wine without destroying its simple complexity. Rose wines tend to go well with shellfish and other seafoods, salads and fruit based desserts that include apples and pears with light, flaky crusts.
In my opinion, fried foods would not go well with this particular wine, as it requires something light and tasty. I decided to blacken some salmon over watercress salad with cherry tomatoes, orange and grapefruit slices with a speckling of cracked, black pepper. For me, wine is not just about the wine but also its food accompaniment. Fortunately for me the pairing of blackened salmon was a great choice. My meal did not overpower this really good wine but each complemented the other. The wine's subtle citrus notes perfectly brought out the hearty flavor of the salmon and the grapefruit and orange slices further complemented the citrus undertones of the wine.
Ultimately, James Moss has created a beautiful wine that I will undoubtedly purchase again as part of my wine collection. He is definitely a winemaker who has earned his place among the ranks of other great wine makers. I expect more great wines from this vintner in the future!
Remember to drink responsibly and enthusiastically!