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Temecula Valley wines a work in progress
Although some wineries are content to please the masses and nothing more, others are producing impressive varietals by taking advantage of a climate similar to Spain, Portugal and southern Italy.
August 26, 2011 - With abundant sunshine, shimmering heat and a diurnal shift in line with many coastal viticultural areas , there is no denying that the Temecula Valley is an authentic California winegrowing region. However, setting aside Pierce's disease and the prevailing party atmosphere, challenges remain. Problems with hygiene, brettanomyces and volatile acidity in particular still taint bottlings from less diligent producers. Farming practices too can be relatively lax, compared with the meticulous care taken by Napa and Sonoma growers. Winemakers I spoke to voiced concern that the growers have little interest in the extra work required to improve quality in the vineyard, especially when the average limo passenger is indifferent.
For all this, the valley is producing solid, at times impressive wines of varietal and regional character. The warm-weather varieties common to Spain, Portugal and southern Italy — Syrah, Mourvedre, Sangiovese and Tempranillo — are showing promise, as well as American varieties Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
In general, the red wines have plenty of weight, in the way that Spanish wines or Sicilian reds do: big shoulders, good body, plenty of tannic grip. The 2009 Hart Mourvedre is aromatically spot-on with its scents of spiced strawberry and red-fruit flavors marked by a meaty Provencal rusticity, while the 2008 Palumbo Family Sangiovese, with its dusty cherry scents and firm, grippy tannins, is a bit like an amped-up Rosso di Montalcino. I enjoyed the South Coast Vineyards 2008 Lone Boulder Ridge Syrah, with its exotic scents of anise and black pepper and oak-tinged red plum flavors.
Of course, if you want power, the valley can deliver: The Cabernet-based wines of Wiens Family Cellars knock you back on your heels with their intensity — a familiar Temecula profile. Though the wines of Thornton Winery seemed to depart from this paradigm, David Vergari's 2010s are all below 14% alcohol (with a couple under 13%), lean, zippy wines with refreshing acidity and drive; his youthful 2010 Tempranillo, for example, resembled the Joven wines of Rioja in its bright, cheery red fruit. — Patrick Comiskey
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-temecula-wine-country-box-20110826,0,5385578.story
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Forget Napa, Temecula is home to Southern California’s best wineries
Palumbo Family
Vineyards and Winery is a must-see and has the most amazing 2009
Viognier that is punch full of crisp and fresh notes of honey and floral
hints. Nick and Cindy Palumbo own the 13-acre winery and offer some of
the best handcrafted artisanal wines in the area. And not to mention, a
breathtaking winery with unparalleled views.
http://www.businessreviewusa.com/magazines/4163/20 _________________________________________________
Palumbo's Passion
Palumbo wines are big, complex, powerful, age-worthy wines made to stand the test of time. His Viognier, the first harvested fruit this year, is whole cluster pressed. Whole cluster pressing is a much longer, very labor intensive, yet gentler way to make wine. He equates it to the difference between running grapes through a blender to squeezing
the juice out with your hands. Palumbo believes in making his wine in a purist style: bone-dry, with no residual sugar, thus allowing the fruit to speak for itself. When you visit the Palumbo tasting room you will most likely meet Nick or Cindy pouring the wine; they are always happy to share their passion and enthusiasm with visitors. For more information, visit the website at www.palumbofamilyvineyards.com. - PATRICK J. BARTLETT
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No More Apologies
I am genetically programmed for this line of work," says Nick Palumbo, owner/winemaker of the stunning Palumbo Winery. Hailing from a family of restaurateurs, the San Diego native continues to be fascinated with all things culinary. He believes he fortuitously landed in Temecula. "I was at the right place at the right time," he affirms, but he had no idea that the move would steer his career in the direction of winemaking. His small production Bordeaux blends, refined Viognier and Rhône reds are superbly balanced and noteworthy; and, although Palumbo's wines can be found in high end properties in San Diego County, his growing wine club membership and huge sales through his charmingly rustic tasting room keep Palumbo's portfolio a virtual hand-sell. MORE
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