Spring Celebrations with Herzog Wine Cellars

^{This post has been sponsored by Herzog Wine Cellars. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+.}

Today, we’re happy to review a 2022 Herzog Lineage Pinot Noir, produced Kosher for the Royal Wine Corp

As always, we’ll be taking a look at where the wine is produced, providing you with a crash course on what makes Clarksburg, California, tick as a wine region. From there, we’ll be sampling the wine, discussing aromatics and flavors, before ending off on pairing suggestions.

Now, without further delay, let’s get tasting.

The Where – Clarksburg, California

The Clarksburg American Viticultural Area (AVA) is divided among three counties, nestled among the Sacramento Delta waterways, east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The lion's share of Clarksburg’s grape growing takes place in Yolo County (yes, Yolo) and Sacramento County, with the remnant occurring in Solano County.

The climate of Clarksburg is best described as “typical California” – which is to say “enviable for grape growing.” Balmy, sun-drenched days made bearable by cool sea breezes typify the climate of Clarksburg, with copious fog courtesy of the San Francisco Bay, while mineral-abundant soils of clay and alluvial, grace the almost perfectly flat growing fields. The flatness of the terrain means generally poor drainage, combined with the area’s constant warmth, are traits that combine to make this a Californian AVA best suited for high-yield vines rather than boutique vines.

Nevertheless, Clarksburg tends to create wines that are best described as ‘balanced’ and ‘flavor-forward.’ As such, it should be no surprise that the area is best known for its Chenin Blanc, which offers refreshing acidity, rich floral aromatics, and flavors of ripe stone fruits. Despite being known for its Chenin Blanc, however, Chardonnay is also planted extensively in the area, producing wines that exhibit bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with crisp acidity and just a touch of minerality.

In addition to white wines, Clarksburg also produces notable red wines, including Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. These red wines typically showcase rich fruit flavors, velvety textures, and supple tannins, reflecting the region's warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings.

Tasting and Aromatics – The Review

The Herzog 2022 Lineage Pinot Noir: The wine introduces itself with a bouquet of cherries and raspberries off the top of the glass, with syrupy cranberry on the second whiff. A hint of dark chocolate mixed with baking spice manifests deeper into the glass, grounding the bouquet with earthy undertones, punctuated by notes of oak. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and dry and features a well-balanced acidity, while the fruits from the bouquet carry over very pleasantly.

What to Eat – The Pairings

Appetizers & Small Bites

1. Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes & Basil – One of the most ‘by the book’ pairings for a good pinot noir, with the fresh tomatoes, especially, complementing the wine beautifully.
2. Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese – Another go-to pinot noir pairing, what we’re looking for here is the salty-sweet contrast, which pairs well with the red fruit notes in the wine, especially in the aromatics.
3. Charcuterie Board – You want mild cheeses, such as Brie, Gruyère, or Camembert, alongside cured meats such as salami and prosciutto. Throw in some nuts and dried fruit, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

Main Dishes

1. Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin – You want lighter meats, such as pork, and you want to stick to herbal crusts or stuffing. Though medium bodied, the wine is nevertheless on the lighter side of the scale, so meats that are too rich or too fatty will overpower it.
2. Duck Breast with Cherry Reduction – You can never go wrong with roast duck and pinot noir, provided you pair it with something like a tart-sweet cherry sauce and stay away from heavier dressings.
3. Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill Butter – The wine’s light tannins make it an ideal pairing for salmon. Pan seared with dill butter or planked with figs and herbs would also be a great pairing.
4. Grilled Chicken with Herbs & Garlic – Clarksburg wines and grilled chicken are almost always a great pairing, and today’s pinot is no exception. A simple yet perfect pairing with the wine’s bright flavors.

And that’s our review of Herzog’s 2022 Clarksburg Pinot Noir. If you enjoyed this review, tried this wine or any of the pairings, be sure to let us know in the comments below. we always love hearing from you!

Cheers!

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