WTN: Valdiguié

[David M. Bueker]

2012 Forlorn Hope Valdiguié Al Frediani Frediani Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga (11/2/2014)
Way back in my early days of exploring wine I drank quite a bit of "Gamay Beaujolais." This is so much better. Yet, it still retains the totally drinkable, in fact slurpable element that appealed to me with that Gamay Beaujolais. This wine is exactly what I wish was more prevalent in the USA; a quaffable yet interesting wine that eases across the palate, and does not assault the wallet. It's all about crunchy red fruit with a side of warm herbs. There's virtually no tannin, but the acids give a framework, such that the wine is not at all lacking in structure. Simply fun deliciousness.

[David M. Bueker]

This is a great pizza wine by the way.

I've quite liked the few bottlings of this grape I have found out there! My favorite may be the funky Broc Cellars version! From Green Valley in Solano County, so a little cooler climate.

[Jenise]

I believe the only valdigue I've seen in recent years is from J. Lohr. Longer ago I recall seeing some in Sonoma from a winery who grew all kinds of unusual varities, like Topolos (are they even still around?) Just wondering, is it a grape some grow, like cinsault and Alicante bouschet for instance, to use primarily for blending and in some years they bottle it separately?

[David M. Bueker]

Valdiguié has been around for a long time. For most of that time many thought it was Gamay, and it was often sold as such.

If I am remembering correctly, Steve Edmunds was the first to have proper Gamay Noir intentionally planted in California.

[Jenise]

Speaking of Gamay Beaujolais, I remember falling in love with a bottle or three at Beaulieu Vineyards. I was probably about 20 at the time and had been weened to wine on cab and zin pretty exclusively. A medium or lighter bodied red wine wasn't even on my radar until I tasted BV's GB--absolutely loved it.

I just received a bottle of Valdiguie from Idlewild. It's one of the wines in their fall release. Based on my experience with Sam's wines, I expect it to be equally as enjoyable.

[David M. Bueker]

Silly me skipped the Idlewild Valdiguié. But at least I have Cortese, Barbera, Dolcetto and Carignan to sustain me. Sam makes deliciously drinkable wines.

Actually the very first intentional planting of true Gamay (Gamay Noir au Jus Blanc) that I know of in CA was undertaken by Charles Shaw, back in the '70's. He planted it in St. Helena, which is, unfortunately, an area that isn't very well-suited to such an early ripening variety (Valdiguie, by the way, ripens very late, by comparison), and he also planted it at a time when the market seemed to be headed in a direction that precluded much success for light red wines.
When I was fortunate enough to establish a planting of Gamay 15 years ago, many of my friends in the wine world were certain I'd lost my mind. On the other hand, back in 1985, when I told a friend who was a retailer at the time, that I intended to corner the market in Mourvedre in California, he rolled his eyes, and said, very quietly, "yeah, I bet you will..."

Actually the very first intentional planting of true Gamay (Gamay Noir au Jus Blanc) that I know of in CA was undertaken by Charles Shaw, back in the '70's. He planted it in St. Helena, which is, unfortunately, an area that isn't very well-suited to such an early ripening variety (Valdiguie, by the way, ripens very late, by comparison), and he also planted it at a time when the market seemed to be headed in a direction that precluded much success for light red wines.
When I was fortunate enough to establish a planting of Gamay 15 years ago, many of my friends in the wine world were certain I'd lost my mind. On the other hand, back in 1985, when I told a friend who was a retailer at the time, that I intended to corner the market in Mourvedre in California, he rolled his eyes, and said, very quietly, "yeah, I bet you will..."

Hey, Steve....I just bought some of the CharlesShaw wine down at TraderJoe's ystrday. Damn fine wine it is!!!
Do you know if any of his original Gamay plantings survived?? Would that Gamay do good in Carneros??
Tom

So tell us, Tom....

Does the Charles Shaw from the 70s age very well? I demand a full tasting note!