Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Volker Eisele "Terzetto" sings with flavor

If you haven't been to Press Restaurant in St. Helena on a Wednesday night recently, you're missing out on the best deal in town. Every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, the restaurant offers a "Blue Plate" special, one ever-changing dish that is always only $10. But the best part about going on Wednesdays is the 50% discount off the entire wine list and/or free corkage.

The special last week was bacon-wrapped meatloaf with whipped potatoes and green beans, so I showed up at the bar with a friend and a bottle of the 2005 Volker Eisele "Terzetto" (the word terzetto is an opera reference for three voices singing in harmony). The dish was delicious, and the wine was a beautiful representation of my three favorite varietals; the Terzetto is always 1/3 Cab, 1/3 Cab Franc, and 1/3 Merlot and the 2005 vintage really shines with bright, cherry fruit balanced by earthiness and smooth tannins.

Volker Eisele Family Estate is located in Chiles Valley, and if you don't want to make the half-hour-plus trek out Sage Canyon Road, their wines are often available to taste at Cult Wine Central, the Tasting Room at the Napa Wine Company in Oakville.


Volker and his wife Leisel are originally from Germany; they brought with them an Old-World style of wine making as well as a passion for organic farming. The vineyards were planted by Volker back in 1975. Their portfolio of wines, including the 2007 Gemini (a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon), 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2005 Terzetto, are all grown organically on their estate. While the white is crisp and refreshing, the reds are earthy and robust, and with vibrant fruit flavors and sturdy tannins, these wines have tremendous ageing potential.

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