Hey, did you know Parducci winery in Mendocino, California is the only carbon neutral winery in the United States?

That’s OK, neither do the guys at the wine shop in London that sells it. Apparently saving the environment means little, yet there is an entire section of the shop dedicated to the vineyards that save the soil: the organic wines. Food for thought.

The 2004 Parducci Petite Sirah costs £7. Get it. It is one of the best values for money InterWined has seen in awhile. Fig and plum on the nose, with nice tannins, which lead to a good finish. Its heavy body makes it a wine better suited for food pairing, especially since the nose is a bit lacking in complexity — unlike many other California wines. 8.8 points.

The 2003 Napa Valley Sanctuary Cabernet Sauvignon (Usibelli Vineyards) costs more than twice the Parducci, at £16, but the name says it all — it’s a wine. Kidding!

But for a Napa Valley Cabernet, this wine is laying low. It’s not bold and in-your-face, in fact, it’s the opposite, slipping under the radar. I know what you’re thinking: that doesn’t make any goddamn sense. And you’re right!

So maybe this tasting note will help to confuse you more (I kid you not, this is what I actually wrote):

The nose is dominated by a blackberry lollipop flavor, with a surprising and delightful rosehip dimension. The body is leather-bound, like boots that have been wading through fresh soil. There is just enough tannin to give a little grip, but after being opened an hour, the Sanctuary becomes a smooth and elegant player. At the very end there is a taste of this toasted white bread native to the Champagne region of France. 9.0 points.

Both wines tasted twice, with similar results.

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