Galleron – 168
Monday, September 26th, 2005
Old timer, die-hard wine lovers know the Galleron name as an historical icon dating back to pre-prohibition days. The Galleron family has a long and deep-rooted (no pun intended) history in the Napa Valley as quality grape growers. Virgile and Angele have bootlegging stories around the Prohibition era but it is was their sons, Paul and Virgil Galleron, whose grape growing business blossomed after World War II with the brothers’ entire first harvest being purchased by Gallo.
Today, it is Gary Galleron, son of Paul, who has taken the reigns of the family’s agricultural business and turned it into a world class winery. While no formal tasting room or facilities are available for visitors, I had the pleasure of meeting Paula Galleron, Gary’s sister, at a Copia tasting. It is Paula who runs the office and keeps the business cogs well-oiled while Gary makes the wine. As a winery that produces only a thousand-or-so cases of premium juice each year, it is wine that to acquire, will have to be sought after and researched. But is well worth the effort.
2001 Rockpile Zinfandel – The Rockpile vineyard lies above Lake Sonoma. Having some mountain fruit quality, there is a dark, black raspberry aroma that seems to just grasp at its spicy, clove partner. The mouth entry is deep and rich, with supple tannins and a tease of sweetness. The spicy finish is refined and complex. $32.00
2001 Jaeger Merlot - I have had a deep and abiding admiration for what the Jaeger brothers have been growing for over twenty years. In this wine, Gary has taken the Jaeger’s grapes and created a wine that is velvety soft with a subtle coffee scent along with a core of dark berry. The flavors are deep and balanced, showing spicy dark berries and silky, balanced tannins. $32.00
2001 Morisoli Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – Over-the-top bouquet of sexy black fruit, vanilla and spice, and a tease of cocoa. The initial taste is ballsy and enthralling, displaying erotic flavors of blackberry, black plum, and black currant. So much is going on in the smooth tannins and well-integrated flavors. Would love to sit on one of these for a decade or so… $100.00
Galleron Signature Wines ~ P.O. Box 2 ~ Rutherford ~ CA ~ 94573 ~ 707-265-6552