Our members had a great time visiting with Rosemary Cakebread, winemaker and proprietor of Gallica, an artisanal wine endeavor based on the best vineyards and fruit that the Valley has to offer. The grapes are sourced from vineyards that Rosemary believes are prime sites for her favored grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
It was interesting to taste the 2010 and 2011 Suzuri next to each other. We tasted the 2010 Gallica Suzuri Red Wine Shake Ridge Ranch, Amador County (a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah) a few months back and what a difference a few months in bottle makes– this time around, the wine showed a more savory component reminiscent of dried herbs along with aromatic cooking spices with a core of plum and cherry fruit. The wine showed flesh and a supple texture in the mouth with a beautiful fruit in the mid-palate and a pronounced spiciness on the lengthy finish.
The 2011 Gallica Suzuri Red Wine Shake Ridge Ranch, Amador County showed a violet component along with its red currant, raspberries, and cherries. On the palate, this seemed chewier initially with some noticeable grip on the finish. With air, it showed more dramatic aromatics and a smoother and rounder texture. This vintage had roughly 2% Viognier added to the blend which was co-fermented with Syrah.
The 2009 Gallica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley was about elegance and finesse. Great fruit depth in the palate and great complexity boasting layered floral notes, cassis, black cherry, licorice, and loamy undertones. Well-structured with integrated and ripe tannins. The wine’s balance and flavor depth suggest this is a great candidate for another decade of further cellaring.