One of my dear cast of characters has sent me a couple of wines that she has enjoyed and that is why I say she touts. I should further add that tout means to suggest, and isn’t used that often, think of the colorful characters in the opening act of Guys and Dolls and the very melodic “Fugue for a Tinhorn.” Ms. Yoga is a very old friend of ours and the rumor has it that she will be in town in the near future. We have dined with her at The French Laundry and many other various eateries down the food chain. In honor of her forthcoming visit, I thought I would mention the two latest wines that she has sent to me, that I should try.

The first wine that she touted was De Proprio Gravitas 2014 from Bonny Doon Vineyard. This wine is basically a White Bordeaux blend with a twist. The wine is a mix of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with just a dollop of Orange Muscat for a touch of sweet, as most white Bordeaux wines that I have had are on the dry side. The wine carries a California AVA, but the vineyards are listed by the winemaker and the wine was aged for five months in Stainless Steel before bottling, so I would venture to say that it should have a bit more of a crisp taste. Ms. Yoga did not elaborate other than to see that she enjoyed this wine and that it wasn’t sweet and very reasonably priced.

The other wine that she touted and enjoyed was Jax Vineyards Y3 Taureau Red 2013. Jax Vineyards is in Napa Valley and the fruit was harvested in Oak Knoll and Calistoga, and the fruit for this wine is a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. Her very terse remark for this red wine was “this is good.” If anyone can add, I would be pleased to hear.