#greg blyth

Where: Thai Sa On Royal Thai Cuisine in Calgary, Alberta

When: Nov 2nd, 2017

On a cold and snowy afternoon in Calgary, I got a chance to catch up with Greg Blyth from Vice Imports at Thai Sa-On and get introduced to Craig Becker from Somerston Wine Company out of Napa Valley.  Mr. Becker is the director of wine making  and also wears the hats of co-founder and general manager giving him unique insights into the project and its wines.  The tasting consisted of 4 wines from the Priest Ranch line and 2 of the Somerston Estate portfolio. 

2014 Priest Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

We started the tasting with a splash of this $33 Sauv Blanc that showcased notes of peach, lemon and a touch of lime.  While unoaked, it exhibited a roundness on the mid palate that is atypical of most Sauvignon Blanc where the acid usually takes over and finished without a hint of bitterness or burn, which is no small feat considering its rather elevated alcohol level at 14.3%.  Available at Britannia Wine Merchants and select Highlander Wine locations.

2015 Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc

Our second wine was a grenache blanc which is typically found in the Rhone in France; a region that Mr. Becker holds dear.  When prompted around other white Rhone varieties, he discussed plans to cultivate more of these Rhone varieties and was looking forward to experimenting with these.  Grenache Blanc is a pretty rare bird and this $33 retail example was outstanding with a richness of peach, lemon and flowers while maintaining acidity over a mineral tinged finish.  This was a great pairing to Thai Sa-On deep fried stuffed chicken wings and spring rolls. This is a really cool wine that your wine friends will geek out to but has a drinkability that will appeal to all.  

2013 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 was a blockbuster vintage in Napa and this is beautifully expressed in the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Priest Ranch. This inky purple giant showcases blackberry, cocoa, licorice and herbs with additional notes of violet. It soars on the entry and is powerful and oppulent over the mid palate and finish.  It does carry a touch of heat at 15.1% alcohol but stays drinkable.  This is a 15+ year wine despite Mr. Becker indicating his goal was to make a more approachable style of Cab that you don’t have to cellar for ages.  Around $72 retail and available at Willow Park Wines and Spirits, Highlander Wine and Spirits, Crowfoot Wine and Spirits and Britannia in Calgary. 

2014 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

While not in our Alberta market yet, the 2014 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon provided a glimpse into the next vintage.  Again, this is 100% cab but the 2014 vintage is decidedly more elegant and less powerful than its older sibling from 2013. While it carries the standard richness of dark berry fruits, this example had more soy and balsam punctuated with gorgeous vanilla character.  The oak program for both Priest Ranch cabs is 24 months in French oak of which 40% is new.  The 2014 provides great accessibility today and will over a 15 + year cellar window. Expecting a similar price of $72 retail.

2013 Somerston Estate Stornoway

Coming in at a mere 490 cases of production, the 2013 Stornoway is Mr. Becker’s hommage to the Right bank of Bordeaux.  It is a blend of estate grown fruit from the Stornoway single vineyard for the 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc from the Deer Hound vineyard and tips the scales at a whopping 15.1% ABV.  This last detail is a moot point as this blockbuster blend showcases plum, milk chocolate, smoke and black currant wrapped by soft tannins and structured with a backbone of acid that will reward cellaring.  This wine is exactly what Bordeaux lovers are looking for in the best vintages and while retailing for around $135 is a comparitive bargain compared to wines from the likes of Pavie or Angelus.  This is the real deal friends and is a cornerstone wine for the cellar.  $135 and available at Willow Park, Highlander and Crowfoot Wine and Spirits. 

2013 Somerston Estate Celestial Cabernet Sauvignon

Another 490 case masterpiece here, this example is sourced from a single blocks of the high altitude Celestial vineyard which is home to the finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on the estate. Showcasing a bouquet and palate of blackberry and black currant initially, it evolves in the glass showing secondary notes of graphite, cola, cedar and hoisin. It is a classically scored wine at 95+ points and is the puncutation of a near perfect growing season coupled with expert wine making.  The experience will set one back about $188 retail but for those collecting / cellaring or looking for a special gift, this 2013 Celestial is an excellent consideration.  Available at Willow Park Wine and Spirits and select Highlander Wine locations.