smooking loon, true perspectives of value, satisfaction
I often find that there is more gratification to be found with wines that represent tremendous value. Value. A concept seemingly trite in consumerism. We are subject to endless marketing campaigns, endorsements, etc, etc, centered around the excellent 'values' for the dollar. Reaching back into my Business degree background, in highly simplified terms, the amount of 'value' assigned to a purchase equates to one's 'satisfaction' relative to the price. An economist would describe both 'value' and 'satisfaction' as mere perceptions of the consumer--but naturally, our perceptions become our realities.
So, satisfaction. Extending this beyond the vernacular of marketing and business, is satisfaction not the denouement we seek as we choose our wines? Lighting upon a wine that is truly of venerable quality, varietal purity, balance--a poised wine, a wine suggestive of layers and layers of viticultural wisdom, however hidden and enveloped--while it may even step behind a veil of modesty; this is one of the most rewarding phenomena for the celebrant of wine. To ascertain value is to be pleasingly shocked, intriguingly perplexed by the loveliness of a wine hidden behind that veil of modesty--this is, contemporarily, increasingly realistic; that veil being the minor risk involved, a humble pricetag.
Myself, I must admit I am fairly liberal with wines I would nominate as valuable; obviously, any one with passion as fervent as mine would have difficulty in being too discriminate towards the world's finest wines. Value. I find it where there is an undeniably clear provenance; where there is evidence of graceful cosseting, wines enshrined in barrel to a lengthy maturity; I find value where the understanding, the clarity I have is that there will never be another wine that smells and tastes exactly the same. I also find value where the experience of a varietal is definably pure, legitimate, precise--with the varietal purity comes appropriate balance in the finished wine.
The wines of Smoking Loon are both poised and veiled by modesty. Sebastiani & Sons is an incredibly modern winemaker that leaves a great deal of its Old World origin and sensibility intact. Sonoma became home to the Sebastianis' family, of Italian lineage, at the turn of the 20th century; the winery evolved and ownership was passed through the family, and by the next 100 years, a modern form of a European negociant was formed for 'upscale, but moderately priced' wines. Their grapes for their seven separate labels hail mostly from the NorthCoast appellations of California (Napa, Sonoma); some Central Valley and Bay Delta appellations (Clarksburg, Lodi); and Central Coast appellations (Paso Robles, Monterey). Sebastiani & sons' --here on 'Don & Sons'--Chilean vineyards in the Valle Central also contribute.
The wines of Smoking Loon I focus on here are made of grapes blended from various sites among these California areas, with a few varietals grown in the Valle Central of Chile.
On a handful of occasions have I chosen Smoking Loon wines. These wines are, firstly, criticallly esteemed for their balance, purity, and consistency; I can justly contend then that with this esteem I fell into step, abided, and will continue to do so. Frankly, Don & Sons Smooking Loon wines are remarkable--as I am sure any oenophile would be, I am rather smugly satisfied with myself to partake of the value of these wines. The prosaic notions of satisfaction and value; again, they must be framed appropriately: rarely have I found more precision, purity in varietal bottlings that sit behind that modesty veil-- Don & Sons chose classical noble varieties to brandish and have veritably succeeded. I was reminded of my affection for the Smooking Loon recently by the 2007 Syrah; it assured me that 'You knew your night was about to get a little bedda, now that Smoking Loon had graced you with his presence'. How undeniably true. With this, the Sebastianis' Italian dialect ringing in my mind's background, it was easy to identify the Old World sensibility, the storied layers of said viticultural wisdom, [ even though Syrah is French in provenance] implemented a century ago by an Italian expatriate.
The Syrahs that result are virtuous Syrahs. Straight away redolent of a jammy blend of strawberry, blueberry, the sweetness here balanced with an abundance of wonderful savory notes. Herbs, dried--brushy, savory herbs--a hint of smokiness; and a richly buttery chocolate presence. The characteristics Syrah should show from whatever provenance. Dark luscious berries, herbs, meatiness. Did I mention that Syrah-based wines tend to make my favorite reds? I have written about my unerring love affair with Rhone Valley wines. The only uncharacteristic bit for Smoking Loon's rendition was the body of the Syrah-- much lighter, more reminiscent of the weight of Pinot Noir. At any rate, my affection for the Loon is enhanced with the memory of my [future] brother in law, who once at Thanksgiving asked me to select his wines as gifts; I chose this Syrah. I do in fact believe Syrah based wines are beautifully perfect for Thanksgiving.
Don & Sons six other labels are built with the same premises: veracity, poise, geophysical uniquess (some more than others), value. The Pepperwood Grove label of theirs is one that frankly astonished me with the sense of place, the varietal puritiy, and the inherent value; they have extremely modest pricetags. These grapes are sourced both from California and Chile. The others include The Crusher, skn, The Paso Project, B Side, Aquinas. Each project of the winemaker is met with a great deal of veneration. From my perspective, this is justified, and they are indeed lovely.
So, satisfaction. Extending this beyond the vernacular of marketing and business, is satisfaction not the denouement we seek as we choose our wines? Lighting upon a wine that is truly of venerable quality, varietal purity, balance--a poised wine, a wine suggestive of layers and layers of viticultural wisdom, however hidden and enveloped--while it may even step behind a veil of modesty; this is one of the most rewarding phenomena for the celebrant of wine. To ascertain value is to be pleasingly shocked, intriguingly perplexed by the loveliness of a wine hidden behind that veil of modesty--this is, contemporarily, increasingly realistic; that veil being the minor risk involved, a humble pricetag.
Myself, I must admit I am fairly liberal with wines I would nominate as valuable; obviously, any one with passion as fervent as mine would have difficulty in being too discriminate towards the world's finest wines. Value. I find it where there is an undeniably clear provenance; where there is evidence of graceful cosseting, wines enshrined in barrel to a lengthy maturity; I find value where the understanding, the clarity I have is that there will never be another wine that smells and tastes exactly the same. I also find value where the experience of a varietal is definably pure, legitimate, precise--with the varietal purity comes appropriate balance in the finished wine.
The wines of Smoking Loon are both poised and veiled by modesty. Sebastiani & Sons is an incredibly modern winemaker that leaves a great deal of its Old World origin and sensibility intact. Sonoma became home to the Sebastianis' family, of Italian lineage, at the turn of the 20th century; the winery evolved and ownership was passed through the family, and by the next 100 years, a modern form of a European negociant was formed for 'upscale, but moderately priced' wines. Their grapes for their seven separate labels hail mostly from the NorthCoast appellations of California (Napa, Sonoma); some Central Valley and Bay Delta appellations (Clarksburg, Lodi); and Central Coast appellations (Paso Robles, Monterey). Sebastiani & sons' --here on 'Don & Sons'--Chilean vineyards in the Valle Central also contribute.
The wines of Smoking Loon I focus on here are made of grapes blended from various sites among these California areas, with a few varietals grown in the Valle Central of Chile.
On a handful of occasions have I chosen Smoking Loon wines. These wines are, firstly, criticallly esteemed for their balance, purity, and consistency; I can justly contend then that with this esteem I fell into step, abided, and will continue to do so. Frankly, Don & Sons Smooking Loon wines are remarkable--as I am sure any oenophile would be, I am rather smugly satisfied with myself to partake of the value of these wines. The prosaic notions of satisfaction and value; again, they must be framed appropriately: rarely have I found more precision, purity in varietal bottlings that sit behind that modesty veil-- Don & Sons chose classical noble varieties to brandish and have veritably succeeded. I was reminded of my affection for the Smooking Loon recently by the 2007 Syrah; it assured me that 'You knew your night was about to get a little bedda, now that Smoking Loon had graced you with his presence'. How undeniably true. With this, the Sebastianis' Italian dialect ringing in my mind's background, it was easy to identify the Old World sensibility, the storied layers of said viticultural wisdom, [ even though Syrah is French in provenance] implemented a century ago by an Italian expatriate.
The Syrahs that result are virtuous Syrahs. Straight away redolent of a jammy blend of strawberry, blueberry, the sweetness here balanced with an abundance of wonderful savory notes. Herbs, dried--brushy, savory herbs--a hint of smokiness; and a richly buttery chocolate presence. The characteristics Syrah should show from whatever provenance. Dark luscious berries, herbs, meatiness. Did I mention that Syrah-based wines tend to make my favorite reds? I have written about my unerring love affair with Rhone Valley wines. The only uncharacteristic bit for Smoking Loon's rendition was the body of the Syrah-- much lighter, more reminiscent of the weight of Pinot Noir. At any rate, my affection for the Loon is enhanced with the memory of my [future] brother in law, who once at Thanksgiving asked me to select his wines as gifts; I chose this Syrah. I do in fact believe Syrah based wines are beautifully perfect for Thanksgiving.
Don & Sons six other labels are built with the same premises: veracity, poise, geophysical uniquess (some more than others), value. The Pepperwood Grove label of theirs is one that frankly astonished me with the sense of place, the varietal puritiy, and the inherent value; they have extremely modest pricetags. These grapes are sourced both from California and Chile. The others include The Crusher, skn, The Paso Project, B Side, Aquinas. Each project of the winemaker is met with a great deal of veneration. From my perspective, this is justified, and they are indeed lovely.
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