2010 Rochioli, Valdequié Estate Grown, Russian River Valley.
Formerly known as Gamay, the Rochioli Valdeguie is a rare treat that is sadly very limited and only available in the tasting room, though if you call they might sell you a few bottles. I caught wind that it was released and trekked up west of Healdsberg on Westside Road to the winery to get some, and lucky for me they still had some on hand, and they even had the Rose of Pinot Noir, making for a great catch on my part. I have missed out on these wines in the past and been very sad, so it is with a happy smile I write this review. Valdeguie is a rare grape, and for decades it was thought that it was Gamay, the grape of Beaujolais, though in recent years through vine DNA testing it was found not to be Gamay at all, but the lowly Valdeguie that has almost been wiped out in its original Southern European homeland. That said, it can prove to be a worthy and interesting wine in California and I have been a fan of this wine for many years, even when it was “Gamay” labeled and enjoy it’s pure fruitiness and freshness. It has wild strawberry, cherry and pomegranate layers and zingy acidity and can be drunk slightly chilled or served with BBQ or Asian cuisine. J Lohr makes a light Valdeguie from Monterey County, again where it was thought to have been Gamay Noir, but Rochioli’s version is more interesting and richer with a lingering blueberry finish.
($20 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive

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