The following 4 wines from Riboli Family of the San Antonio Winery were featured at Chicago Gourmet in September 2017 at Millennium Park. You must check out this link below and scroll down to view the video to appreciate this hard working family and how large this winery is.
http://riboliwines.com/riboli-family-paso-rob
Maddalena is this gorgeous woman from Italy below who Stefano (not bad looking himself) married and worked to start a wine business upon immigrating to the US.
Here is a picture of Stephano (around 94 years of age) and Maddalena now.
This is proof that wine makes you look good and live a long happy life!!!!!!!!!
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- Maddalena Pinot Grigio 2015
Origin: Arroyo Secco Monterey
Grape: Grigio
Body: Medium
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 1%
Price point: $18
Year Reviewed: 2017
This Pinot is from the Loma vista Vineyard that has just the right climate (and similar to the cooler climate in Northern Italy) to harvest beautiful Pinot Grigio grapes. This wine is fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks. This well balanced wine will give you flavors of citrus, melon, green apple, wild flowers and hints of mineral notes. Enjoy with light sushi, other white fish or chicken and light cheeses. Perfect on a very hot day as it was at the Chicago Gourmet.
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- Maddalena Chardonnay 2013
Origin: Mainly Arroyo Secco Monterey
Grape: Chardonnay
Body: Medium
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $15
Year Reviewed: 2017
I like to say that the winemaker was pretty smart here when making this wine, but you know the winemaker is 94 years old now…..so what does that say. There are two types of Chardonnays out there: the light citrus, green fruit kind and then the buttery, heavier, dark yellow colored ones. This wine is actually in between these two types of production methods, and hence, is enjoyed by both types of Chardonnay drinkers. WHY? The production process starts with only 35% of the grapes going through the Malolactic Fermentation process and not 100% of the grapes. The grapes are grown in a region where a morning fog routinely storms over them. American and French Oak is utilized for aging. On the nose, you will get citrus, ripe fruit and some orange. On the palate, expect a surprise with a lot of structure, balanced acidity with flavors of tropical fruit. I guess I am the Chardonnay drinker that enjoys this “in between” complexity. Not too heavy and not too light for my taste.
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- San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Origin: Paso Robles
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon + a bit of Petit Verdot
Body: Full
Year: 2012
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $25
Year Reviewed: 2017
The location of these grapes sit well as the cool Pacific Ocean breezes make for cool nights and successful growing of Cabernet grapes. 24 months in French and American Oak. The Petit Verdot adds some complexity to this wine giving flavors of plum, black raspberry, cherry, currant and cocoa. Nice tannins with a nice long finish. Try with lamb kabobs and hummus and stronger flavored foods, as this can complement them quite well. 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, 90 points from Wine Spectator, and 94 points from The Tasting Panel Magazine. Not your flimsy cab…..nice and bold with fragrant aromas.
San Simeon, California from Goggle Maps
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- Opaque Darkness Red Wine (Blend) 2014
Origin: Paso Robles
Grape: 60% Red Zin, 12% Syrah, 10% Cab, 10% Petit Sirah, 5% Grenache, 2% Petit Verdot (For you math stars out there, this only adds up to 99%, so well-kept secret as to what the other 1% really is)
Body: Full
Year: 2014
Alcohol: 1%
Price point: $30
Year Reviewed: 2017
Again some vines from the Paso Robles region. Only 14 months in French and American barrels makes this beautiful blend. Flavors of deep blackberry, raspberry and spice with just a hint of vanilla. (personally I don’t appreciate over vanilla’d wines.” Rated 94 points by Tastings.com Rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast. Tight at first upon opening so let it get some oxygen for about ½ hour before enjoying fully.
The family winery picture for Riboli Winery. Hard work does pay off!