The California Wine Institute launched its Fall Vintners Tour 2023 and marked its last tour in Manila on October 23, 2023, at Shangri-La Fort. The main highlight of the tour is the masterclass, where the speaker serves as the American Wine Specialist for JancisRobinson.com, global wine educator, and wine writer, Ms. Elaine Chukan Brown. Followed by a tasting session in the next room that features over 150 wines for trade and media.
I must say that Elaine Chukan Brown is a great speaker. At our table, we had 8 glasses of wine with different vintages on them, and she was able to discuss every wine very well. Elaine also discusses how climate affects the harvesting of grapes and how the land has a significant impact on the wine itself.
These are the wines featured during the masterclass:
- Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir 2019 (Twomey Cellar)
- Schug Carneros Pinot Noir 2022 (Schug winery)
- Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Fault Estate Pinot Noir 2021 (Hirsch Winery)
- Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2021 (Goldeneye)
- Mount Eden Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2019 (Mount Eden Vineyards)
- Hahn SLH Pinot Noir 2021 (Hahn Family Wines)
- Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir, Ryan Vineyard 2019 (Calera)
- Dierberg Pinot Noir ‘Drum Canyon Vineyard” 2021 (Dierberg Estate Pinot Noir)
During the masterclass, my personal favorite was the Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2021; it has a bright acidity yet is tolerable. On the palate, it has a berry-fruit taste and earthy characteristics. recommended for wine beginners.
Next on the spot is the Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Fault Estate Pinot Noir 2021. When you smell it, the aroma is earthy with a touch of mint. While on the palate, it delivers a juicy, concentrated taste that is persistent, showcasing the wine’s exceptional depth.
On the third is the Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir 2019, which smells like cherry and rose, is a bit dry on the mid-palate, and is rich in tannins that leave a spicy finish.
Finally on my top 4 is Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir, Ryan Vineyard 2019. It has an expressive aroma of sweetness, like plum, with a hint of pepper. I must say this wine is food-friendly because it has this earthy taste that goes along well on the palate.
Attending a class like this is good because you get to feed your mind with new experiences from what you have learned and from what the experts teach you. Indeed California wines are great; that’s why if California were a country, it would be placed fourth among the leading wine-producing countries in the world, and I’m looking forward to the next fall Vintners Tour next year.
