Carmen and Wine Council Mascot Westie Millie

Guest Wine Chix Carmen Micheli is a freelance wine, food and music writer living in Temecula Valley Wine Country. An amazing home chef, mother of two and wine aficionado she writes about those in-the-know and on-the-go. With a pulse on the latest in dining, entertainment, events and more, Carmen delivers the latest news and happenings around the city, showcasing the best that Temecula Wine Country and the SoCal area has to offer.

Laguna Canyon Winery delivers graceful stylish wines for anytime

Laguna Canyon Tasting Lineup

Laguna Canyon Winery is known for their gorgeous location, premium handcrafted wines, and dedication to giving back to the environment and its animal inhabitants.  Located in a majestic canyon in Laguna Beach, California, the wines offered here cover a nice spectrum ranging from “fruit forward social wines” to more luscious and “complex dinner wines”.

Winemaker Marlowe Joseph Huber grew up on the prairies of Central Canada and through cattle, horses and grain farming with his father, his respect and love for the land was born.  He began making wine in the early 80’s and after successfully owning and operating 2 wineries in the Vancouver area with brother, Darren, the winery in Laguna Canyon, CA was built in 2003.  They have been living their sunny Southern California wine country dream and delivering award-winning premium wines ever since.

Food & Wine Pairing

Sourced from low-yield vineyards in Napa and Sonoma, Laguna Canyon Winery produces wine under 3 labels: Laguna Canyon- the main brand; Purple Paws- in which a portion of sales go to the care of homeless pets; and Wyland Cellars- Marine artist ‘Wyland’ artwork adorns this label and a portion of sales go to the Wyland Foundation which supports clean rivers, oceans, and the protection of sea life.

The  Occasional Wine Council reviewed six wines from the Laguna Canyon label.  Each was a star representative of the individual grape variety and while they were the focus of our elaborate holiday gathering, I was delighted to find all were enjoyable sipping “anytime” wines.  They were able to hold their own with no food pairing needed, but when accented with the appropriate food pairings, new layers presented themselves and changed the wines delivery a bit.  Listed in order of tasting:

2011 Los Carneros Pinot Gris- $20- Gold Medal Winner, OC County Fair

The very polished pale yellow color of this Pinot Gris is reminiscent of morning rays of the bright California sunshine of its origin.  The Los Carneros wine region is situated at the southern tip of the Sonoma Mountains and is one of the oldest and most recognized viticultural areas in the United States.  Fresh aromatics of early spring blossoms and mint lead into enticing flavors of pear and honeydew melon.  The very clean mineral finish is pleasantly light and crisp and makes it ideal with shrimp, white fish and white sauced pasta dishes.  My bet is that a classic Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo would be exquisite.

2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay- $26 –

Shrimp Salad

This stellar Chardonnay has a golden caramel color that is mouthwatering at a glance.  I am greeted with an excitingly smooth and buttery mouth feel with ripe apple and vanilla bean notes and flavors that blend extremely well with a not too oaky finish.  A bright red and green citrus shrimp salad and interestingly enough, BBQ deviled eggs are a divine pair.  This is an all around, just plain good Chardonnay.

2009 Lodi Petit Syrah- $30 –

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

Very intense and jammy as expected, but this Petit Syrah really surprised me with a bit of a peppery, almost spicy kick in the finish.  Philly Cheese steak Pizza and a Classic Brownie were great pairs although each complemented the wine in a different way.  The Classic Brownie brought out more of a bold peppery finish; while the Philly Cheese steak Pizza allowed for more of the jammy sweetness to come through with the spice in the end.

2009 Rockpile Petit Verdot- $44- Gold Medal Winner, OC County Fair-

Carmen’s Organic Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

The brilliant garnet color gives this wine a sort of “love at first sight” appeal.  Oak and dark berries on the nose with notes of ripe fig enter into a deep, lush finish.  I love everything about this wine.  It pairs especially well with Blue Cheese Sheppard’s Pie, Fig Bruschetta and Organic Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

2009 Rockpile Malbec- $42- Gold Medal Winner, OC County Fair-

This is an outstanding sipping wine with a flavor profile that is nicely balanced with bittersweet blackberries and intense lingering tannins.  Pair with hearty stews, lasagna or maybe even an Italian meatball sub.  Blue Cheese Sheppard’s Pie and Philly Cheese steak Pizza are great pairings for this stand up Malbec.  It is the unanimous number one group favorite wine of the six reviewed.

2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon- $48- Gold Medal Winner, OC County Fair – 

Tom Plant and 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet with Wine Soiree

This classic, bold and earthy Cabernet Sauvignon has hints of ripe black cherry, rich vanilla, and a long layered heavenly finish.  We used the infamous wine soiree’ to enhance and decant this rich red for optimum and immediate aeration.  Ever heard of it?  Check out the intriguing details at http://www.winesoiree.com/.  Serve with smoked foods, steak, lamb, and chocolate truffles.  Organic Chocolate chip banana bread makes this a nice last course wine.

Laguna Canyon wines are available in 15 states throughout the U.S., online at http://www.lagunacanyonwinery.com/ with shipping available in California and other select states, and in their 2 tasting rooms located in Laguna Beach, California.  Visit the main winery tasting room, open 11am-6pm, Tuesday through Sunday (except holidays) at: 2133 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.  Or, the Downtown Laguna Beach tasting room: 380 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.  Reservations required for groups of 8 or more.