Ultimate California Wine Blog

There is something terribly special about being in on the ground floor of something. I certainly feel this way about Calix. With no formal tasting room, I was honored to be invited to a special release party of their 2003 vintage. While 2002 was their first vintage, this is a small winery relying on custom crush facility that I predict will start getting more and more notice. What is documented here in this blog entry was that release party held on a very hot Sunday afternoon by a cool, luxurious pool…

Ron Goldin (and his un-photographed partner, Mark Young) own ten acres of land at what is considered the south end of Calistoga, bordering on the north of Napa on the Silverado Trail. When they purchased this acreage ten years ago, the land housed horses. As local restaurateurs it did not take Ron and Mark long to realize that their property would be better suited to wine grapes than to horses. The property, affectionately named Masked Man, is mostly planted with Syrah but some Cabernet Sauvignon is beginning to appear on the Calix label.

BTW, I have to mention that I love the Calix name — it is the Latin name for cup but imbues far more meaning in that it is more of a sacred chalice, used for celebrations. Pictured here is Rudy Zuidema and wife, Amy. While Ron and Mark provide the grapes and support for Calix, it is winemaker Rudy who crafts the wine and Amy who does all the sales, distribution, etc…

This event was more than a celebration of new wine. It was a revelry of friends and family. A band, placed safely under large white umbrellas, played rhumba music while dogs romped and teased children swimming in the adjacent pool. It was fabulous to meet with new friends as well as see friendly faces, all trying to stay cool under the beating rays of the sun. I envied the children their swimtrunks and inhibitions.

One new friend whose acquaintance I am making is Joel Ehrlich. Joel is the Executive Chef at several of Mark and Ron’s restaurants including Brannan’s and Flat Iron Grill. I was fortunate to dine at both for some recent reviews and couldn’t have been more thrilled at my evening at Brannan’s. Joel catered the Calix release party and was working hard in the kitchen when I snuck in to take this photo. My only regret for the day was the heat. I got to taste one of the Calix offerings over dinner but did not take notes. The notes below do not do the wine justice as it was just plain too hot to fully appreciate what I know to be quality wines. I look forward to tasting them again in the future.

2003 Calix Masked Man Syrah – Chocolate, blueberry, and blackberry aromas. Soft entry that explodes to show balanced tannins and a supple, concentrated finish. $33.00

2003 Calix Parmalee-Hill Vineyard Syrah – Deep, dark purple with explosive smokey bacon bouquet. Rich dark fruit flavors with impressive spice characteristics. $33.00

BARREL SAMPLES

2004 Calix Masked Man Syrah – Flavors of soy sauce, bacon, and blackberry. Dry entry that exhibits dark core of fruit. Still a bit hot. Not yet priced

2004 Calix Masked Man Cabernet Sauvignon – A limited production of 75 cases, when bottled. Blackberry and some greeness. Flavors of chocolate and dark cassis. Not yet priced.

Calix ~
        3433 Scenic Drive ~ Napa ~ CA ~ 94558 ~ 707-363-5574