Throughout April, SOHO Atlanta Restaurant has showcased the wines and flavors of California. On flight night, Wednesday, April 23, SOHO will finish the month with more exceptional wines and tapas from the Golden State.

Villa Mt. Eden Vineyards

First, SOHO will pour a 2011 Joel Gott Chardonnay from Monterey. The wine features “bright citrus aromas of mandarin and lime that lead to more floral aromas of vanilla and honeysuckle. On the palate, stone fruit and apple flavors are balanced by a clean, bright acid backbone with a rounder midpalate and minerality on the finish.”

Next, SOHO will pour a 2009 Pietra Santa Sassolino from Cienga Valley. The winemaker says: “This Super Tuscan style blend is an ideal showcase for winemaker Alessio Carli’s Italian heritage. This Sassolino is made using 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine exhibits an enticing bouquet and a variety of luscious flavors reminiscent of cranberry, Bing cherry, and plum infused with hints of anise and wood smoke. Full, but polished, the 2009 Sassolino fills the mouth with crushed berry and spice flavors, a smooth texture, and a long, lingering finish reminiscent of Tuscany’s finest red wines.”

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Villa Mount Eden Grand Estate Bien Nacido Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley. The winemaker says of the Pinot Noir: “Dark ruby red in color, this Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir displays aromas of blueberry and cherry, leading to flavor notes of blackberry, plum, caramel, red licorice, cedar and chocolate. As the palate deepens, notes of earth, forest floor, mushroom and tobacco leaf emerge. This is a complex wine with a well-balanced body, soft tannins, and a long, fruity finish.”

SOHO executive chef Joe Ahn has created three tapas plates to pair with each California wine.

2011 Joel Gott Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay
Paired with: Seared sea scallops with passion fruit butter

2009 Pietra Santa Sassolino
70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet
Paired with: Apple and cornbread stuffed pork with a port wine reduction

2008 Villa Mount Eden Grand Reserve Bien Nacido Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir
Paired with: Smoked duck breast and apricot-wild rice salad

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

SOHO Atlanta Restaurant will continue to showcase the wine and flavors of California on flight night, Wednesday, April 17. The wines and tapas introduced Wednesday will be available through Tuesday, April 23, so please join us for a taste of the Golden State this week.

Pietra Santa Winery

First, SOHO will pour a 2011 Ramspeck “Sassolini Vineyard” Pinot Grigio from Lake County. The winemaker notes the Pinot Grigio features aromas of citrus, banana and jasmine flower. The wine is “bright, zippy, fresh on the front palate with generous length on the finish. It has a nice balance of minerality, fruit, and roundness.”

Next, SOHO will pour a 2010 Niner “Bootjack Ranch” Sangiovese from Paso Robles. The winemaker notes the Sangiovese offers aromas of malt chocolate, hot cocoa mix, a dried woody character and tart cran-cherry. On the palate, “vanilla, caramel and nutmeg baking spices round out the velvety flavor profile, with big texture and good tannin structure.”

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2010 Pietra Santa Pinot Noir from Cienega Valley. The winemaker says of the Pinot Noir: “This vintage begins with a beautiful bouquet of subtle lavender and moves to elegant fruit flavors of wild strawberries, raspberries, and Bing cherries laced with an earthiness that is synonymous with the Ciegena Valley and the surrounding northern Central Coast appellation.

SOHO Executive Chef Joe Ahn has created three tapas plates to pair with each California wine.

2011 Ramspeck “Sassolini Vineyard” Pinot Grigio
100% Pinot Grigio
Paired with: Ahi tuna niçoise with white anchovy

2010 Niner “Bootjack Ranch” Sangiovese
94% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot, 2% Malbec
Paired with: Grilled mini Sopressata pizza

2010 Pietra Santa Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir
Paired with: Hot smoked salmon with shaved cucumber and tzatziki

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Flight night at SOHO Atlanta Restaurant on Wednesday, April 10, will feature wines and tapas from California.

Photo from Etude

First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Starry Night Petite Sirah from Lodi. The winemaker says of the Petite Sirah: “Our 2008 Lodi Petite Sirah comes from a small vineyard on the east side of the Lodi appellation. The very limited crop from this vineyard resulted in deep, rich fruit driven flavors of ripe plums and black cherries with hints of anise and white pepper.”

Next, SOHO will pour a 2010 Fess Parker Syrah from Santa Barbara. The winemaker says of the wine: “On the nose, this Syrah has an abundance of bold aromas including blackberry, black pepper, blueberry, graham cracker and baking spices. Bold flavors of black cherry, black berry, dark chocolate and clove combine with smoked meat, vanilla, and espresso.”

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2011 Etude “Lyric” Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara. The winemaker says of the Pinot Noir: “Displaying vibrant hues of ruby that glimmer with a hint of blue, the 2011 Lyric by Etude Pinot Noir opens with classic varietal aromas of black cherry, raspberry and cranberry. The youthful palate generously showcases notes of baking spice and toasted almonds that are enhanced by silky, round tannins.”

SOHO’s Executive Chef, Joe Ahn, has created three tapas plates to pair with each California wine.

2008 Starry Night Petite Sirah
100% Petite Sirah
Paired with: Mayhaw-barbecued Georgia quail over spring succotash

2010 Fess Parker Syrah
100% Syrah
Paired with: Sweet onion and Asiago cheese tart with Marsala jus

2011 Etude “Lyric” Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir
Paired with: Bacon-wrapped Berkshire pork filet with blackberry jus

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!