Make Wine Great Again

A Californian Wine Journey

@ Grand Cru by WineMk | Terroir.mk ©

 
​ Sandra
​ Temova

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Last week, Grand Cru by Wine.mk organized a wine event tasting experience called "Make Wine Great Again."
The event which was held on the 26th  and 27th of February 2025 took guests on a journey through ”California’s most iconic vineyards”, guided by sommelier Aleksandar Milivojevic.
The setting was a true American classic with cheeseburgers and fries alongside some fine Californian wines, and a nostalgic glass bottle of Coca-Cola as a mid-tasting refresher. 

The evening began with a brief introduction to American wine history, highlighting the legendary Judgment of Paris, where California wines shocked the world by competing with French counterparts on a blind tasting.

Today, out of the 354 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the U.S., California has an astonishingly high number of 154 AVAs. The diverse terroirs, from the cool coastal valleys to the sun-drenched mountains, were reflected in the carefully curated selection of wines.​

Make Wine Great Again | Terroir.mk ©

Wine Tasting Selections

Dry Creek Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma 2020
The first wine on the tasting menu was a Zinfandel blend from Sonoma County, made from vines that are on average 75 years old. Aged for 22 months in American, Hungarian, and French oak barrels. This wine earned 90 points from Robert Parker.
It boasts aromas of blueberry and raspberry, framed by notes of white pepper and chocolate. On the palate, fresh berry flavors shine through, with refined and smooth tannins rounding out the experience.

Aleksandar Milivojevic | Terroir.mk ©

Michael David Lodi Zin “Old Vine” 2019
Next, we explored a 100% Zinfandel from Lodi, a wine region on California’s Central Coast known for its bold and fruit-forward wines.
Aged for 17 months in American and French oak barrels, this wine offers plum, dark fruit, oak, tobacco, vanilla, and cherry notes, creating a rich and well-balanced profile.

J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2021
Going to Paso Robles, the  J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the region’s warm Mediterranean climate, with significant day-to-night temperature shifts.
The vineyards are planted on limestone soils, contributing to the wine’s structure. This blend consists of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Petit Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
All aged 12 months in 600L American oak barrels.
Aromas of black cherry, plum, and blueberry intertwine with toasted dark caramel and vanilla. On the palate, firm tannins lead to a fruit-forward yet structured finish, typical for Paso Robles wines

Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2019
The fourth wine of the evening came from California’s flagship wine region, the Napa Valley. This 94% Cabernet Sauvignon blend (with 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc) aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, half of which are new, has received 91 points from Robert Parker.
A rich and layered wine, it features ripe, integrated tannins and an elegant finish. Aromas are dark and complex, while the palate is dominated by black currant and blueberry, with subtle oak nuances adding depth.

Duckhorn Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2018
Continuing with Duckhorn, we climbed the Howell Mountain at an altitude of 462 meters, where this Cabernet Sauvignon blend (with a touch of Merlot and Cabernet Franc) was crafted.
​Aged for 24 months in French oak, this was a powerful and intense wine, offering layers of vanilla, oak, cedar, blackberry, plum, leather, earthiness, and cocoa.

Inglenook Rutherford, Napa Valley 2017
The highest priced wine of the tasting came from Rutherford, an area known for its warm Mediterranean climate, frequent rainfall, and morning fog, which help retain the wine’s freshness.
A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Merlot, aged 18 months in French oak, it earned 93 points from Robert Parker.
​This was a serious and well-crafted wine, featuring firm, grippy tannins, along with cherry, dark chocolate, and subtle spice notes.

A Grand Finale
As a surprise, the hosts unveiled a Michael David Winery Petite Petit (Petite Sirah blend), a smooth, fruit-forward wine with rich black cherry flavors, capping off the night on a high note.
The event was an authentic tasting experience, filled with great wines and great company.
The night ended with a few more surprises, but those will remain a secret, reserved just for the attendees. 

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