DRINKS LIKE CHICKEN (COMBATTING URBAN SPRAWL TO GET TO A WINE OASIS, OR INFILTRATING VINTNER SELECT’S WINO PALACE, PART THREE)

Revisiting the wines of Frog’s Leap Winery with Brian and Jeff at Vintner Select was a bit of a shock, not having had most of them in years. For some time now, Frog’s Leap has been more of an on-premise (restaurant-only) item, and in the past, we’ve only been able to get small amounts and undeterminable time frames. Obviously with the economic defecation these days, more of these primarily on-premise brands are becoming available to us retailer slag.

John Williams and Co. founded Frog’s Leap back in 1981 on the site of an old frog farm in Rutherford, California. John and his partners have become increasingly intent on pursuing completely organic, sustainable agricultural practices. They have become LEED ceritifed (leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and have gone 100% solar powered, all helping them to create varietally-correct, consumer-friendly wines without leaving a massive carbon footprint stain on the planet.

Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Lemon verbena, white flowers, grapefruit and mineral notes with just a touch of lemongrass and cherimoya.

Frog’s Leap Chardonnay Napa Valley 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Aged in both stainless steel and barrel, this well-balanced Chardonnay exudes balance with its apple, peach and tangerine notes, a bit of toffee, vanilla and buttered toast, finishing with pleasing acidity.

Frog’s Leap Zinfandel Napa Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Blended with 19% Petite Sirah and 1% Carignane, this medium-to-full-bodied red shows off spicy wild red berries, cinnamon, blueberry, white pepper and a hint of clove and cardamom.

Frog’s Leap Merlot Rutherford Napa Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. Slightly dry up front with soft red cherries, cassis and dark plum characters, intermingling with garrigue, cigar box, baked earth and dusty mineral undertones.

Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. With 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, this red feels more like a wine from the Pauillac with its black currant, anise, mint, cedar and graphite notes, though you get some heavier blackberry, black raspberry, mocha and brown spice characters as well.