Wine Chicks Guide™: Clif Family Winery

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Clif Family Winery The Climber Red Wine 2010

Happy New Year! Every year after the ball drops, we vow to change bad habits, focus on the things that are truly important to us, spend more time with our families, etc. In essence every year we single out all the things we feel could use a little tweaking and vow to make a change. Many of these resolutions don’t last 3 days; most others will be a distant memory before we find ourselves gorging on Valentine’s candy. So why do we do it? Is it the hope that we can become something other than we are now or is there some kind of internal trigger set off at the stroke of twelve every January 1^st that says, you must make changes? As I contemplate a better approach to the New Year’s Resolution, I can’t help but notice my choice in wine last night, need not change one bit. Clif Family Winery The Climber Red Wine Blend, was a perfect start to a new year and new wines.

Aromas full of cherry and blackberry. Raspberry and vanilla combine with firm and well structured tannins. A hint of black pepper in the finish rounds out the flavors.

Varietals - 50% Zinfandel, 36% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot
Alcohol - 13.9%
SRP - $14

I bet the Clif Family is hoping to see another year like 2010. A wet spring was followed by a long, cool growing season and some late heat spikes that helped the grapes reach full maturity. While the weather was a bit like a rollercoaster, the unpredictable weather resulted in subtle yet elegant wines. For more info on Clif Family Wines, click here.

Last week I read an article by a local columnist challenging us to make a big change this year, one that would surprise even our closest friends and family. Since I made a huge change last year by moving from Tampa, FL to NE Georgia I’m racking my brain trying to figure out what I could do to top that one. I think it’s important to take a chance, and not become too complacent in your current life or situation. Too often, I hear people complain about their lives yet they never make an effort to change it. Many people didn’t know my husband and I were even considering the move until 6 weeks prior to loading the truck and setting out for our new adventure. While we had each other to offer support through the stress and uncertainty, all you really need is belief in you.

When we began talking about moving, I pictured myself living another way. One outside of a subdivision, away from miles and miles of asphalt but instead surrounded by acres of land. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. Whether it’s giving up smoking or breaking away from a relationship that is no longer working, start with small steps, and then few bigger steps until you see yourself reaching your goal. “You are what you are and you are where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and you change where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” – Zig Ziglar.

Hmm, maybe I can find a resolution or two to work on after all….

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Clif Family Winery Kit’s Killer Cab Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Tuesday I felt like a kid waiting for Santa, except I was waiting for a little snow fall. Is there any better way to get into the holiday swing than a nip in the air, tiny little snowflakes and a little something in your wine glass? I can’t think of a single thing. To help get us in the mood, I chose a wine that I hoped stood up to its name and did it ever! Clif Family Winery Kit’s Killer Cab was like an early Christmas present. My husband and I needed a little pampering after spending 30 hours with no running water. Ah, the joys of living in the country and getting water from a well. Seems one of the hoses had a quarter size hole that for two days allowed sediment to come into the pipes and mid-Sunday, allowed no water at all into the house. You never really appreciate in-door plumbing until it’s gone. Heck, I would have been happy with outdoor plumbing at that point. All is well now so back to Kit’s Killer Cab.

Seductive plum and leather aromas draw me in for the first sip. Flavors are full of cherries, cocoa and vanilla. Well structured tannins and a long spicy vanilla finish. A great holiday splurge to bring to the table or just to drink on its own.

Appellation – Napa Valley

Varietal Blend – 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cab Franc
Alcohol: 14.1%
Release Date: Spring 2011
Cases Produced: 250
Winemakers: Sarah Gott and Bruce Regalia
Suggested Retail Price: $38

When I first wrote about Clif Family Wines, I was two days away from moving from warm, sunny and flat Florida to sometimes warm, sometimes sunny always hilly and mountainous NE Georgia. I spoke then about how the Clif Family embraces a certain lifestyle and I longed to have a different way of living myself. In the three months we’ve lived in our home, we’ve taken to more of a living off the land and buying local lifestyle. We’ve purchase 1/8 of a cow from Loganberry Farms in Dahlonega, my husband planted a small winter garden and plotted where multiple gardens, berry patches, fruit and nut trees will be planted in the upcoming months.

As I look out our front window, I marvel at the thousands of leaves blanketing the lawn. Every day the landscape takes on more of a wintery look. Makes me wonder, will the last of the leaves still clinging to their branches be covered with a fine white snow later today? No, I guess not but I look forward to waking up to a wintery wonderland in the near future. Just hope I don’t have to drive anywhere that day! Good thing I always have plenty of wine in the house.