Wine For Every time of the day - Review of Cerruti Cellars

One of the great things about living in the East Bay is the close proximity of great food and wine.  You might not think of the 510 Urban Jungle as "wine Country" but it is home to some great finds.  One that Luscious Lush Thea and I toured recently is Cerruti Cellars.  Built in an old produce cold storage facility, it has thick concrete walls that whisper speakeasy secrets as well as  many wonderful contemporary features made from reclaimed wine items.  Barrel staves and racking shelves are transformed into decorative elements  and lighting fixtures.  So cool! But the real story is the wine. 

2010  Honker Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, USA ($13)
Named for the Canadian geese that nest behind the crush pad  where the wine is made in Napa Valley.  A clear pale citrine color with aromas of Asian Pear,  citrus,  tropical hints  and fresh minerality.Lovely fresh tastes of rich pear and sparky acidity touch of honeyed fruit
Lingering changing finish

2009 Tractor Shed Red
Everyday red.  Small Lot efforts with big production.  Fruit comes from various:Sangiovese extreme SoCa,  Zin: foothills Lodi, Merlot:Mendocino,  Cab Franc: Monterey came together in an interesting blend with smoky cherry aromas.  Med+ body and flavors of  dark berry, cedar with briar in the finish

2010 Flat Bed Red
 This turned my preconception of  "California " as designation on its head.  Having a natural terror to most hooch carrying that designation,  I was apprehensive.  But this was very tasty. 95% Zinfandel with 5% Cab Franc.  Deep garnet aromas of red fruit with hint of morning bun with raspberry jam  "History in a bottle" said Thea, of  Luscious Lushes

2008 Tudal Family Winery Napa Valley Cuvee- 
Red blend that includes Petit Sirah,  Malbec and  Zin.  Interestingly like a bright Merlot, this blend reminds me of the Prisoner.  Certain to be a crowd pleaser in elegant bottle at $20 awesome QPR for your wine friends or wino posers alike. 

But don't take my word for it.  Early bird tickets for the Passport to the East Bay Vintners ends in only 4 days.   For $10 extra, you can get a shuttle pass to go from winery to winery with starting points at BART and ferry pickups.  Plan to make Cerruti a stop.  As it anchors what is becoming a Jack London Square triangle of food and goodness what with being across the tracks from Haven and Boca Nova,

or Visit during non-event times
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: 12:30PM – 5:30PM
For Private Tastings call Cerruti Cellars at 510-550-2900
100 Webster Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94607

John Tudal entertaining us

History in a bottle says Thea