Calvert’s Zaca Mesa Wine Dinner-Wed, Oct. 28

Posted by Bottle Report on Oct 28th, 2009 in Event Coverage, Featured Articles | 0 comments

Wine Dinner: Zaca Mesa specializes in estate grown and bottled hand-crafted wines. The care they spend with their wines was apparent to the guests at Calvert’s Wednesday night as they enjoyed a great selection of six wines and Calvert’s great food presentation.
Alise Merrit, the regional Zaca Mesa representative, and Augusta native, was the guide for the evening. Zaca Mesa won 3 silver medals and a Best of Show Honorable Mention at the recent CSRA Wine Festival.
Zaca Mesa, family owned, is 100% estate grown and bottled. They were the first in Santa Barbara County to plant Syrah and has the oldest Syrah vineyard in the Central Coast. They have six other Rhône varieties on the 750 acre estate (Mourvèdre, Grenache, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Cinsaut. The Chardonnay served Wednesday night was the only non-Rhône varietal served.

Alise Merrit, was the evening's educator

They “embrace sustainable winegrowing” that helps “express the terrior”(1,500 ft elevation on sandy loam and limestone soils), viewing their estate as “one living, breathing system.” This creates a uniqueness they like to manage. by not selling or buying any of their grapes.
But let’s not forget the evening’s hosts. Craig and Beverly Calvert, Kay Huongraj and Kaye Carl did an excellent job serving the guests with excellent food and of course the great Zaca Mesa wines.
Bobby Johnson, of Georgia Crown Distributors, and Donna Thompson, of Ninth Street Wine Market, helped assist with the wine selection and education presentation.
Where: Calvert’s Restaurant, 475 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 738-4514
When: Wednesday, October 28th, 6:30pm
Cost: $65 per person includes tax and tip.

The second course featured Quenelles a la Parisienne

Here is the evening’s menu:

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Chardonnay 2007
Reception: light hors d’oeuvres
What: From the tasting notes presented by Alise:
We use a combination of stainless steel and barrel fermentation for our Chardonnay, then age sur lie for 10 months in French Oak. … has flavors of ripe fuji apple, pear and banana with hints of tasty oak and vanilla from barrel aging. It is rich and bright, but not buttery, as it does not undergo malolactic fermentation.
From: Ynes Valley, Callifornia
Winery: Zaca Mesa Wines
Year: 2007

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynes Valley Viognier 2007
First Course: Soupe a l’Oignon Gratinee
What: Viognier is a white grape made famous by Condrieu in the northern Rhone Valley of France. In California, Viognier acreage has recently tripled as consumers look for alternative white wines… displays aromas of honeysuckle and orange-blossoms with flavors of melon and peach. It is a medium bodied wine with a hint of minerality on the finish.
From: Ynes Valley, Callifornia
Year: 2007

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynes Valley Roussane 2005
Second Course: Quenelles a la Parisienne
What: Roussanne is a white grape that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. Zaca Mesa has 10 of the 300 acres of Roussanne planted in California. Our Roussanne is a full-bodied wine with rich apricot, spiced pears, figs and roasted nuts, with a hint of minerality on the finish.
From: Ynes Valley, Callifornia
Year: 2005

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynes Valley Z Three Red 2005
Third Course: Coq au Vin
What: This reserved blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre represents the best of our vineyards, while capturing the individual characteristics of each grape. Our Z Three is a full-bodied wine with rich layers and textures, showing flavors of blackberry, cherry, and lush raspberry liqueur that are balanced by by ripe tannins, toasty oak and earth elements.
From: Ynes Valley, Callifornia
Year: 2005

Zaca Mesa Black Bear Block Syrah 2005
Fourth Course: Tournedo Henry IV
What: Our Black Bear Syrah is made from a single 3-1/2 acre block planted in 1978, the first planted in Santa Barbara County. It displays rich blackberry, cassis, mocha, cedar and our signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak.
From: Ynes Valley, California
Year: 2005

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Late Harvest Viognier 2006
The Last Bite: Tarte aux Pommes
From: Ynes Valley, Callifornia
Year: 2006