Q2 2024 Daily Drinker Club

Brian David Wines

• Wine is made at B Cellars in Napa Valley
• No dedicated tasting room, but they host tastings at B Cellars, Oxbow Wine Merchant, Rutherford Wine Vault and Auberge Stanly Ranch
• Produces ~800-100 cases per year
• Brian Kulich is a former restaurant professional and Advanced Sommelier who has moved over to the wine production side and he and his wife are running the entire business on their own.

The Real Ones RoseWine is a tantalizing blend of flavors that to say the least is a true crowd pleaser and ready to go on any occasion. It graciously unfolds beautiful hints of raspberry and strawberry, delivering a vibrant and fruity profile. As you delve deeper into the tasting experience, the wine reveals subtle notes of coastal brush, reminiscent of Sonoma County’s picturesque landscapes. This blend of flavors makes it an exceptional choice for wine enthusiasts in search of a unique tasting journey.

2022 ‘Real Ones’ Rose

• 225 Cases produced
• 78% Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and 22% Pinot Noir from Calesa Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap

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Wise Decision Wines

• Produced in Santa Barbara County
• No public tasting room available
• Produces ~1,000 cases per year

2021 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

• 448 cased produced
• 100% Pinot Noir from multiple sites throughout Santa Barbara County with an emphasis on Sta. Rita Hills.
• 20% new Franch oak for 10 months

The 2021 Wise Decision Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is a delightful wine that seduces the senses with its multifaceted character. On the nose, it exudes tantalizing aromas of just-ripe strawberries and raspberries, embodying the quintessential brightness of young berries. The classic Santa Barbara sandalwood notes provide a backdrop that exudes warmth and complexity. On the palate, it continues to surprise and delight. To round out the sensory experience, a beautiful bouquet of coastal garrigue brings an element of freshness, evoking images of the verdant Santa Barbara landscape. Truly, this is a wine that tells a story – a story of terroir, tradition, and meticulous craftsmanship.

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Dresser Winery

• Located in Paso Robles, with a tasting room open to the public
• Produces ~2,000 cases/year across 15-20 different wines from the 7 varietals grown on their estate (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec, Sangiovese). They produce a mix of single varietals and blends while also sourcing limited fruit for their white wines (Viognier and Pinot Gris) and for their rosé (Grenache).
• They are a small team consisting of Kory and Catherine Burke (husband and wife) and a ranch hand. Between the three of them, they manage the entire vineyard, handle all facets of winemaking and host each of their tasting experiences. Dudley Vineyard/Dresser Winery is the epitome of a boutique, family run winery. 

2019 Kaia Lee Zinfandel

• Only 200 cases produced
• 100% Zinfandel
• Aged 15 months in a mix of American and Hungarian oak, 75% new and 25% once used. 
• Named in honor of their now 7-year-old daughter, Kaia Lee, who also creates the artwork for each of our Kaia Lee vintages. 

The 2019 vintage of Kaia Lee has matured to more black fig and ripe plum notes on the nose.  Earthy spices of raw cinnamon, clove, natural eucalyptus are shining through and bringing a complexity to the nose and palate.  This wine would pair nicelywith an earthier BBQ rub on grilled skirt steak or grilled portobello mushroom.

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Due Ruscelli Winery

• Located on Limerick Lane in Healdsburg, CA
• Tasting room is by appointment only
• Produce ~600 cases per year across Rosé of Primitivio, a Super Tuscan Blend, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Barbera and Primitivo

2020 Russian River Valley Primitivo

• Produced 172 cases 
• 94% Primitivo, 6% Syrah
• 24 months on French oak, 30% new

Tasting notes: 
Starting off with a quick swirl, the lovely light fruity aromas of raspberry and cranberry waft up from the glass, with trailing notes of vanilla and a light, woodsy eucalyptus. A light-catching crimson color, this wine has gorgeous glints of deep red within.

Immediately offering a smooth raspberry flavor, this wine is juicy with bright acidity. Some tartness offers interest, and the slight herbal garden notes help elongate the oh-so-smooth and lasting finish.

Pair this lovely gal with a grilled onion and blue burger and savory sweet potato fries.

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Frias Family Vineyard

• Tasting room located at 1886 El Centro Ave, Napa, CA 94558
• Produce ~2,700 cases per year across 7 different wines

In 1977 Manny Frias Sr. purchased 100 acres at the base of the iconic Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. In 1985, five of those acres were planted, and FRIAS Family Vineyard was born. The first vintage was 1991, and since then, the vineyards have expanded to over 13 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. FRIAS also produces wines from single vineyards in Oakville and Yountville from families with whom they have long-standing relationships.

Second-generation brothers Fernando & Manny Frias Jr. are now at the helm, and continue the quest for excellence with their family-owned and artisanal winery. Winemaker Todd Heth has been with the team since 2004 crafting these polished and powerful wines.

2020 Lady of the Dead Red Wine

• 1,300 cases produced
• 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, 7% Tempranillo, 1% Graciano
• 21 months in 16% new French and Hungarian oak

The 2020 LADY OF THE DEAD features a dark fruit core of bramble berries, Morello cherry, candied fruits, vanilla, cedar, allspice and tilled earth along with notes of leather. The soft fruit entry comes with spiced dried fruits, a nice acid and tannin balance to support the medium weighted body and fruits that linger and gently gain weight. The bright plum-laced concentrated fruit finishes with an uptick of spices and toasted oak.

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Bartholomew Estate

• Located at 1000 Vineyard Ln, Sonoma CA 95476, their tasting room encourages reservations, but walk-ins are welcome. And they are dog friendly!
• Produce ~3,700 cases/year across 11 wines from 6 varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne-Roussanne, Viognier, Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
• The winery is owned by the Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation a 501c Non-Profit.  The winery mission is to share and preserve the park history and its beautiful serenity for future generations and natural habitants to come. 100% of all wine sales profits go to support the foundation and this mission

2021 Bart’s Calling Cabernet Sauvignon

• 340 cases produced
• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 15 months on neutral oak
• The wine is named after Frank H. Bartholomew, who purchased the historic property as a birthday gift for his wife Antonia in 1943. Frank’s nickname was Bart and the wine “Bart’s Calling” is a call to action in charitable giving. Having no children of their own, the Bartholomew’s wished to share their love of the historic property with future generations and that can only be accomplished through the work of the Foundation and the wine and experiences crafted to generate the revenue needed to support the park. The 375-acre park is open to the public at no charge and contains 2 hiking trails approximately 3 miles long.

Bart’s Calling is a lush, approachable expression of classic Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s a savory note to the nose, complemented by rose petal, ripe raspberries and tobacco leaf aromas. The palate is loaded with juicy blackberries, vanilla cream and a hint of cedar. The finish is silky and smooth.