One grower, Kevin Harvey, a former venture capitalist turned wine entrepreneur, is wagering that here in California, he can produce a great nebbiolo, which has proved difficult anywhere beyond the grape's home territory in northern Italy. View Article
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Sonoma and Neighbors 2022 & 2023: Opposites Attract
"It’s that time of year. New releases from Sonoma County and neighboring appellations are starting to hit the market. This report covers some of the most exciting wines I tasted on my recent trip to Sonoma." View Article
One of the most coveted white wines from Italy, rarely seen in California, is finally coming into the spotlight. Carricante, a grape variety from Sicily, is now considered by some experts to be the finest white-wine variety anywhere in Italy, and wine geeks have developed a craze for it in recent years. View Article
Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle
California, according to Kevin Harvey, has never gotten Italian-inspired wines quite right. He plans to change that. “So many Cal-Ital projects have failed,” the vintner says. “At the low end, it’s not differentiated from the available cheap Italian wines. At the high end, nobody’s really tried.” View Article
Ester Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle
Through his work with Benanti and others, Mr. Foti is spreading the gospel of carricante. One convert is Kevin Harvey of Rhys Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Around 10 years ago, while traveling in Italy, he tasted the 2001 Pietra Marina. “The lights went on for me,” he said. “It had all the aspects of a truly great white wine: ageworthiness, complexity, completeness. I think carricante is one of the world’s great white wine grapes.” View Article
Eric Asimov, New York Times
Reviews
"I don't think there's anyone in California doing Italian varieties better."
Full Review"truly exceptional new releases, including the first full-blown efforts from the Italian wine varietal label of Aeris"
Full Review“The potential here is huge, with new plantings coming of age and eyes wide open for further opportunities."
Full Review"The 2019 Carricante and Nebbiolo are the best yet from Aeris."
Full Review"The 2021 Barbera is gorgeous. Silky, deep and exquisitely layered, the 2021 has so much to offer."
Full Review"These Sicilian varieties are now part of California wine history thanks to Rhys Vineyards and they are delicious."
Full Review"The 2021 Nebbiolo is possibly the single greatest Nebbiolo I have tasted from the United States. Translucent but powerful, the 2021 is captivating."
Full Review"The success of his Centennial Mountain label means they can now provide a California benchmark – and vine stock – to others looking for varieties with the potential to thrive in our changing climate."
Full Review"The 2021 Reserve is superb. A blast of dark fruit, leather, cedar, menthol and licorice saturates the palate."
Full Review"93 Points: Outstanding. A wine of remarkable personality and breed that is well worth seeking out."
Full Review"I have never tasted anything like it. What a wine.” 95 Points: Outstanding. A wine of remarkable personality and breed that is well worth seeking out."
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