2005 Joughin Vineyard Lagrein
Lagrein is one of the indigenous grapes grown around the town of Bolzano in the Alto Adige; Italy’s northern most wine growing region. Locally known for its big, rich tannins and very dark color, this is a remarkable food wine.
The key is a richness of fruit character, instead of hard tannins that delights and surprises the mouth at the same time. This grape yields the darkest, most saturated wine we haveve experienced, remarked Winemaker Bruce McGuire. Mr. Andrew Joughin, who also happens to be the vineyard manager at our Lafond Vineyard, planted the Joughin Vineyard.
It was his idea to look for unusual grape varieties from around the world that would be suitable for his soils and Los Olivos climate. Of course Winemaker Bruce McGuire was happy to offer some suggestions that would also add to the wide variety of wines he makes for Santa Barbara Winery. The harvest of 2005 gave up yields that made Mr. Joughin smile.
The seven tons from this four acre section gave us a fruit forward, lush wine. Pair with angel hair pasta in a light tomato garlic sauce to much heartier foods. This is also a great wine to taste with cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Fontina, semi-hard Gouda, or your own selection in the fresh goat’s milk catagory. This wine should age nicely through 2010.
Suggested retail: 30.00/750ml
To order:
We have recently visited Santa Barbara Winery’s tasting room and tried their Lagrein. We absolutely loved it and took a case with us. It is one of the best wines in its price range we have tried in the last couple of years. Deep, dense, rich, with none of the undesirable acidity sometimes present in the aftertaste of cabs. I would pair it with dolce gorgonzola and fig preserves. (And of course with any good quality red meat dinner.) Congratulations, SBW.