Hawaii Food and Wine Festival

This year's Hawaii Food and Wine Festival is now in full swing on Oahu having started on the neighbor islands last week. And while we only plan on attending one event, the festival brings in the who's who of celebrity winemakers so this year Vino hosted several winemakers for special tasting events.

On Wednesday evening, it was Jason Drew from Drew Family Wines and his exquisite Pinot Noir, Syrah and Albarino from the extreme northern California coastlines of Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge.

                                       2012 Drew Syrah “Perli  Vineyard”

                                  Superb cool climate Syrah (5% co-fermented Viognier)

                                       from 1200 feet up on a wind pounded hilltop.

 

2014 Drew Syrah “Valenti Vineyard”

95% Syrah (clone #1), (co-fermented with 5% Viognier) from 1200 to 1600 feet up in the Mendocino Coastal range, six miles from the ocean.  50% whole clusters, 50% new oak.

 

2013 Drew Pinot Noir “Morning Dew Ranch”

Morning Dew Ranch is owned & operated by “Hall of Fame”, Pinot maestro, Burt Williams, the co-founder of Williams & Selyem.  Jason Drew gets two heirloom/heritage selections—old Rochioli & 828 (La Tache).  Wild yeast fermented, 40% stem inclusion, 30% new oak.  166 case production.

 

2015 Drew Albarino

A VERY limited, absolutely stellar, riveting, wonderfully alive & perfumed contemporary white wine.

My fave was the Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir but alas, it will soon leave the Drew portfolio of wines and Burt Williams (of Williams Selyem fame) sold the vineyard to V. Sattui. However, his Syrahs were no slouches an I'd happily stock my cellar with those wines along with his Albarino.

Then on Thursday, they hosted Napa vintner extraordinaire, Mia Klein from Selene with her fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

2004 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon “Napa Valley”
100% Stagecoach Vineyard. 
 
2002 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon “Napa Valley”
100% Stagecoach Vineyard.  Her first commercial vintage of a Selene Cabernet.
 
2006 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon “Dead Fred Vineyard”
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Dead Fred Vineyard down in southern Napa Valley.
 
2006 Selene “Chesler”

A true Cabernet Franc based star from the Frediani Vineyard near Calistoga, which clearly showcases the huge potential this grape variety has.

My faves were the 2004 Cabernet which had roasted green chile on the nose and a perfect flow over the palate along with the Chesler which evolved in the glass as the evening progressed. Of course, all of Mia's Cabs are great and I wouldn't say no to any wine she produces.

Of course, the formal tastings aren't simply limited to the "invited" guests of honor and because Chuck Furuya is the "senior" Master Sommelier in the 50th, several winemakers spend their evenings at Vino including Mark Tarlov formerly of Evening Land and currently of Chapter 24 Vineyards, Jim Varner of Varner Wine and Foxglove and the larger than life Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and Clendenen Family Wines.