Saturday, March 30, 2013

An Ideal Wine Followup : Rhys Vineyards

Reading An Ideal Wine turned me on to the interesting Rhys Vineyards.

I signed up for their mailing list on their web site and received an unfortunate response:

9/19/11

"We have added you to our waiting list. We currently sell all of our wine to our active mailing list. We estimate that there is a 1-2 year wait before you will be able to purchase wine and move onto our active mailing list."

A year later it was more of the same:

9/20/12

"We would like to thank you for your interest in our wines and for your patience. Unfortunately, we do not have enough wine to add new customers to our mailing list at this time. We do expect this situation to improve by early next year. We will be in touch in late January, hopefully with an email offering for you to order from our Spring 2013 Release!"

It all turned around this year:

1/15/2013

"It's been almost two years since we've been able to offer wine to customers on our waiting list and we are excited to finally be able reward your patience. This offering of 2010 Rhys Bearwallow Pinot Noir is a great introduction to Rhys and we believe it is our best Anderson Valley bottling to date."

They allowed/allotted me to order 4 bottles of 2010 Rhys Bearwallow Pinot Noir at $60 a pop. I begrudgingly purchase special wines in that price ranges on occasion, but rarely one's I've never tried. 4 untasted and expensive bottles seemed extremely risky, and probably stupid, but it was my first allotment, and I didn't want them to forget about me in the future. I also put 2 bottles of 2010 Rhys Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir on my wish list, but was informed later that none of my wishes could be fulfilled.

The bottles arrived yesterday and we eagerly tried one last night. It tasted good, but young, and dissappointing. I reviewed the accompanying documentation to find: "We recommend cellaring all of our wines for 5+ years to reveal their full personality...". 5 minutes of in glass aeration does not equate to 5 years of in bottle aging. I marked the other 3 to open in 2018 and put them in the frig. I guess we'll know how ideal it is in 5 years, 7 years after reading about them. I'm not certain I'll purchase any from the next allotment; we'll see how silly I am then.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Putting the Chronicle's Gold Pinots to the Test

After reading the results of the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, I set about getting a hold of all of the Double Gold and Gold winning Pinots from the Santa Cruz Mountains for a tasting.

Double Gold
2008 Muccigrosso Vineyards

Gold
2011 Beauregard Vineyards, Byington
2010 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards Muns Vineyard
2010 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards Regans
2010 Soquel Vineyards Reserve

Tasting

The weekend of Pinot Paradise we all got together. We started off with a delicious 2011 Beauregard, Bald Mountain, Chardonnay. All the usuals except Lili were in, 10 of us in total, requiring more than the usual one starter. I added a nice 2011 Woodenhead, French Colombard. We enjoyed cheese, Michel's truffle pâté, some scrumptious, sometimes mouth burning bacon wrapped potatoes, and catching up as we waited for everyone to arrive.

I brought out my Waterford wine glasses, a gift from years ago. The weekend before I gave all the glasses a 10 minute dip in a vat of CLR to remove all those embarrassing hard water stains that had prevented their appearance.

Jose arrived with a wonderful gift, a birthday gift if you will: A 2009 Stag's Leap Cellar, Fay. He told me that it was supposed to be really good and it had been given a rating in the mid 90s. I was thankful for the gift. At the time I found it ironic, thinking that Jose had rated the same wine, although a different vintage, a 1 in our Return to Napa Cab Tasting. Paul had brought the 2007 Fay and still gets riled up whenever Jose's rating is mentioned. I knew everyone would get a kick out of this and dutifully told them as they arrived. Jose later claimed the 2009 was rated much higher than the 2007. I didn't follow up.

Correction: The following Monday Jose alerted me that my ginkgo hadn't been working. In the Return to Napa Cab Tasting, Jose actually gave the Fay a 3. I had confused this with another tasting where Jose gave Paul and Jennifer's SLV a 1. My sincerest apologies for the accidental slander Jose.


Bob and Carolyn arrived with a lovely arrangement of tulips, which Sue couldn't stop going on about.


After everyone arrived, we tasted, compared notes, and enjoyed each other's company.

Results


Top to Bottom from Left to Right

C - 2010 Soquel Vineyards, Partner's Reserve, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.65. It cost $60.

We went to Soquel earlier in the year. We even bought this award winning Pinot. Unfortunately, I bobbled it when transferring it into the house, breaking it in the driveway. I was glad to see it on the list, so I could try it again. I called them up and ordered another one for the tasting.

E - 2010 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards, Regan Vineyard came in second place with an average of 3.54. It cost $50.

My daughter Alex needed some practice before taking her license test, so she drove us up to Savannah Chanelle. We picked up their winners, which interestingly enough, were not even being generally sold yet.

D - 2011 Beauregard, Byington Vineyard came in third place with an average of 3.48. It cost $40.

Sue and I went to Beauregard for Winter Passport and luckily picked up a couple of their 2011 Byington.

A - 2010 Savannah Chanelle Vineyards, Muns Vineyard came in fourth place with an average of 3.19. It cost $50.

B - 2008 Muccigrosso Vineyards came in last place with an average of 2.95. It cost $35.

We had never tried Muccigrosso. They do not have a tasting room. You can purchase their wine from the website and they'll bring it to your door. I mistakenly got the wrong vintage, 2009, and they were gracious enough to get me the 2008. After trying them both, I believe I prefer the 2009.


After

Sue then served us a spectacular meal of seafood chowder, lobster mac and cheese, coleslaw, and beef, chicken, and shrimp kabobs. We enjoy some Windy Oaks and a Domaine Serene that Michel brought.

For dessert we enjoyed a delicious Kahlua cake Shannon made and some Mochi Jose brought.

What was Left of the Cake

We saved the Artimesis Paul and Jennifer brought, along with the Fay for another day, perhaps even another tasting.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Super Bowl of Storr's Zins

We had some of our non Super Bowl attending friends over to watch the big game. Since Jose was coming over, fresh from his business trip to Prague, I brought out the three Storrs' Zinfandels to determine the best of the bunch in a serve yourself blind tasting.

Casual Tasting Ready

Sue whipped up some of my sister's latest party recommendation: Bacon wrapped potatoes. We had these for New Years; they were excellent! This time she also found a bacon wrapped shrimp and scallops recipe.

Sue Consults the Recipe

Lili brought her famous secret ingredient guacamole. I was too timid to try it, no matter how much Bob tried to persuade me. Everyone seem to really enjoy it, though no one seems to recall what the secret ingredient was. We'll have to wait until Lili gets back from visiting her mother to know for sure.

Sue also brought out some chicken meat balls and Nathan's pigs in a blanket. I contributed some organic gummies from my Burrell Zin seeking trip to Whole Foods, Nummy Bears or whatever they are called. Needless to say we had plenty of junk to enjoy as we watched the game.

At half time we tallied up the scores and revealed the winners.

Results


Top to Bottom from Left to Right

A - 2009 Central Coast came in first place with an average of 3.59. It cost $20.

B - 2006 Lion Oaks Vineyard, Santa Clara County came in second place with an average of 2.84. It cost $30.

C - 2006 Rusty Ridge, Santa Clara County came in last place with an average of 2.55. It cost $30.


Surprisingly the more reasonable Zin won. While I thought the Lion Oaks wasn't great, the other two were both excellent.

Storrs makes a large number of reasonably priced, great wines. Go try some for yourself!

Friday, January 25, 2013

2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Clara Valley Winners


Santa Clara Valley also had a great showing in the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. There is no shortage of good wine regions here in Silicon Valley. We've only been in the area once, which is sad given how close we are, so I'll reserve any ratings.

Castillos Hillside Shire Winery

  • 2010 Castillos Winery, San Benito, Chilbec $30.00 - Silver (All Red Blends - $25.00 - $34.99)
  • 2009 Castillos Winery, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $28.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Franc)
  • 2010 Castillos Winery, San Benito, Malbec $25.00 - Bronze (Malbec)
  • 2010 Castillos Winery, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $26.00 - Bronze (Merlot - $25.00 to $29.99)

Fortino Winery

  • 2008 Santa Clara Valley, Charbono $40.00 - Gold (All Other Red Varietals)
  • 2010 Estate Bottled, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • NV Red Table Wine, Central Coast, Maribella $18.95 - Best of Class (All Red Blends - $15.00 - $24.99)

Guglielmo Winery

  • 2009 Private Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, Charbono $25.00 - Bronze (All Other Red Varietals)

Jason-Stephens Winery

  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon $28.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Meritage $34.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $24.00 - Silver (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Malbec $30.00 - Silver (Malbec)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Mourvedre $28.00 - Silver (Mourvedre)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petit Verdot $32.00 - Bronze (Petit Verdot)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $32.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Franc)
  • 2011 Estate Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $30.00 - Silver (Chardonnay - $30.00 to $34.99)
  • 2011 Estate Select, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $20.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $20.00 to $24.99)

Martin Ranch Winery

  • 2009 Therese Vyds Dos Ninas, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $28.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2008 JD Hurley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $25.00 - Best of Class (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2009 JD Hurley Merlot, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $23.00 - Gold (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2010 JD Hurley Carignane, Santa Clara Valley, Carignane $25.00 - Silver (All Other Red Varietals)
  • 2010 JD Hurley Griva, Arroyo Seco, Riesling $25.00 - Silver (Riesling - RS<1.49)
  • 2009 Therese Vyd Lester Family, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah $35.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2011 Therese Vyds Griva, Arroyo Seco, Sauvignon Blanc $27.00 - Silver (Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $20.00 & Over)
  • 2010 JD Hurley, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $24.00 - Silver (Zinfandel - $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2008 Therese Vyds Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $45.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Sauvignon - $40.00 to $49.99)

Sarah's Vineyard

  • 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Chardonnay $29.99 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2009 Central Coast, Zinfandel $19.99 - Silver (Zinfandel - up to $19.99)
  • 2011 Central Coast, Pinot Noir $19.99 - Gold (Pinot Noir - up to $19.99)
  • 2011 Central Coast, Chardonnay $19.99 - Silver (Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99)
  • 2009 Santa Clara Valley, Cote de Madone $30.00 - Silver (Rhone Blends)
  • 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Pinot Noir $34.99 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $30.00 to $34.99)
  • 2011 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cote de Madone Blanc $25.00 - Silver (White Blends Over $15.00)

Satori Cellars

  • 2008 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petite Sirah $24.99 - Gold (Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Joyous $34.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Cabernet Franc $29.00 - Silver (Cabernet Franc)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $29.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Estate Zen Zin, Santa Clara Valley, Primitivo $28.00 - Double Gold (Primitivo)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Harmonic Convergence $30.00 - Bronze (All Red Blends - $25.00 - $34.99)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Petite Sirah $24.99 - Silver (Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $28.00 - Bronze (Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $24.99 - Double Gold (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)

Solis Winery

  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $28.00 - Bronze (Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Merlot $32.00 - Gold (Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2009 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah $24.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2010 Santa Clara Valley, Seducente $24.00 - Bronze (Italian Blends - Up to $24.99)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Clara Valley, Sangiovese $24.00 - Bronze (Sangiovese)
  • 2010 Santa Clara Valley, Baciami $30.00 - Silver (Rhone Blends)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Santa Cruz Mountains Winners


Santa Cruz Mountains wineries had a great showing at the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Cheers!

Bargetto

  • 2008 Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, La Vita $60.00 - Bronze (All Red Blends - Over $35.00)
  • 2009 Reserve Regan Vnyds, Santa Cruz Mountains, Merlot $40.00 - Silver (Merlot - $40.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $25.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Reserve Regan Vnyds, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
Tasting Room: B, Wine: A, Cons: Reserves Expensive

Beauregard Vineyards

  • 2010 Beauregard Ranch, Ben Lomond, Zinfandel $45.00 - Silver (Zinfandel - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2011 Ben Lomond, Ben Lomond Mountain, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2011 Byington, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot noir $40.00 - Gold (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2010 Zayante, Santa Cruz Mountains, Merlot $35.00 - Bronze (Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2011 Bald Mountain, Ben Lomond Mountain, Chardonnay $45.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $40.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Nelson, Santa Cruz Mountains, Syrah $45.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $40.00 & Over)
  • 2009 Bald Mountain, Ben Lomond Mountain, Chardonnay $45.00 - Silver (Chardonnay - $40.00 & Over)
  • 2011 Muns, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
Tasting Room: A, Wine: A, Cons: Expensive

Domenico Wines

  • 2007 Napa Valley, Miscela $39.00 - Bronze (Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $35.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: C, Wine: B, Cons: Urban Winery

Kathryn Kennedy Winery

  • 2010 Small Lot Cab, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $38.00 - Bronze (Cabernet Sauvignon - $35.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: NA, Wine: A+

Kings Mountain Vineyards

  • 2007 Kings Mountain Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Meritage $60.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2009 Kings Mountain Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $60.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
Tasting Room: NA, Wine: A

La Honda Winery

  • 2010 Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay $19.00 - Silver (Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99)
  • 2010 Sequence, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $24.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2011 Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc $19.00 - Bronze (Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $14.00 to $19.99)
  • 2009 Lonehawk, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $34.00  - Bronze (Cabernet Sauvignon - $30.00 to $34.99)
  • 2010 Salinian Block, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $29.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Exponent, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Blend $21.00 - Silver (All Red Blends - $15.00 - $24.99)
Tasting Room: B+, Wine: A, Cons: Urban Winery

La Rusticana d'Orsa

  • 2009 La Rusticana d'Orsa Cinqu, Santa Cruz Mountains, Bordeaux Blend $45.00 - Silver (Bordeaux Blends - $40.00 to $49.99)

McHenry Vineyard

  • 2010 Estate Swan Clone, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $32.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $30.00 to $34.99)
Tasting Room: B, Wine: A

Muccigrosso Vineyards

  • 2008 Santa Cruz Mtns, Pinot Noir $34.99 - Double Gold (Pinot Noir - $30.00 to $34.99)
  • 2008 Lyn Zin, Santa Clara County, Zinfandel $19.99 - Bronze (Zinfandel - up to $19.99)
  • 2008 Stan Zin Moniz Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, Zinfandel $24.99 - Silver (Zinfandel - $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2005 California, Table Two $24.99 - Bronze (Italian Blends - Up to $24.99)
Tasting Room: NA, Wine: A, Personal Service A+

Muns Vineyard

  • 2009 Muns Vineyard Estate, Santa Cruz County, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2010 Muns Vineyard & Estate, Santa Cruz County, Syrah $25.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
Tasting Room: NA, Wine: A, Personal Service A+

Naumann Vineyards

  • 2010 Estate, Santa Cruz County, Bordeaux Blend $29.95 - Bronze (Bordeaux Blends - $20.00 to $29.99)
Tasting Room: A, Wine: C

Perrucci Family Vineyard

  • 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon $34.00 - Silver (Cabernet Sauvignon - $30.00 to $34.99)

Picchetti Winery

  • 2010 Santa Cruz Mountains, Brut Rose $49.95 - Silver (Dry)
  • 2011 Truchard, Carneros-Napa, Pinot Noir $39.95 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: B+, Wine: A

Rexford Winery

  • 2009 Regan Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Merlot $24.00 - Silver (Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99)
  • 2009 Regan Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2010 Regan Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Gris $24.00 - Bronze (Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio - $15.00 & Over)

Sante Arcangeli Family Wines

  • 2010 Split Rail, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $35.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
  • 2010 Hidden Mesa, Sierra Foothills, Syrah $25.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Split Rail, Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay $26.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)

Savannah Chanelle Vineyards

  • 2010 Muns Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Gold (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Armagh, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Coastview Vine, Monterey, Syrah $28.00 - Silver (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Tondrgs Grape, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Regans, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Gold (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
Tasting Room: B+, Wine: A, Cons: Reserves Expensive

Silver Mountain

  • 2008 Muns Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $38.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
  • 2007 Central Coast, Syrah $28.00 - Bronze (Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2007 Central Coast, Alloy $28.00 - Bronze (Bordeaux Blends - $20.00 to $29.99)
  • 2010 Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay $28.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2008 Tondre's Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir $38.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: B+, Wine: A, Say hello to Gerald

Sonnet

  • 2010 Tondre, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir $38.00 - Gold (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
  • 2010 Muns Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $38.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: C, Wine: A, Cons: Urban Winery

Soquel Vineyards

  • 2010 Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $40.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2010 Luna Matta Vineyards, Paso Robles, Nebbiolo $50.00 - Silver (Nebbiolo)
  • 2009 Luna Matta Vineyards, Paso Robles, Sangiovese $40.00 - Silver (Sangiovese)
  • 2010 P.Reserve Lester Family, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Silver (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2010 Reserve, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $50.00 - Gold (Pinot Noir - $50.00 & Over)
  • 2011 Schmierer Vineyard, Lodi, Zinfandel $25.00 - Silver (Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2011 Olivia's Reserve, Edna Valley, Chardonnay $25.00 - Gold (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2011 Lester Vnyd, Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay $25.00 - Silver (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
Tasting Room: A, Wine: A, Cons: Expensive

Storrs Winery and Vineyards

  • 2008 Christie Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $42.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2007 Rusty Ridge, Santa Clara County, Zinfandel $30.00 - Bronze (Zinfandel - $30.00 to $34.99)
  • 2007 BXR, San Francisco Bay, Bordeaux Blend $44.00 - Bronze (Bordeaux Blends - $40.00 to $49.99)
  • 2010 Viento Vineyard, Monterey, Gewürztraminer $16.00 - Bronze (Gewürztraminer)
  • 2011 Viento Vineyard, Monterey, White Riesling $17.00 - Silver (Riesling - RS<1.49)
  • 2009 Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $36.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $35.00 to $39.99)
  • 2009 Central Coast, Grenache $26.00 - Gold (Grenache)
Tasting Room: B, Wine: A

Thomas Fogarty Winery

  • 2011 Scheid Viento, Monterey, Gewürztraminer $18.00 - Silver (Gewürztraminer)
  • 2011 Skyline, Monterey, Riesling $15.50 - Silver (Riesling - RS<1.49)
  • 2009 SCM, Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay $29.00 - Bronze (Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99)
Tasting Room: A, Wine: A, Cons: Expensive

Villa del Monte Winery

  • 2010 Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir $28.00 - Bronze (Pinot Noir - $25.00 to $29.99)
  • 2009 Moon Vineyard, Carneros, Merlot $30.00 - Silver (Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99)
  • 2008 Moon Vineyard, Carneros, Merlot $33.00 - Bronze (Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99)
Tasting Room: C, Wine: B

I'm already planning a number of tastings. Get out there and taste some wine!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Soquel Vineyards

This past summer, we headed up the road from Hunter Hill to our second stop: Soquel Vineyards. The hostess at Hunter Hill said we couldn't miss it, and if we did the road dead ended so we couldn't go too far past them. She was right, it was very easy to find.



We were offered two tastings: A $5 general tasting, which took  place inside in the tasting room, or a $10 reserve tasting, which took place outside. We chose the outside in the beautiful sun option. I can't imagine anyone not choosing this option, unless it was crappy out, but what do I know.

The outside area was cosy and beautifully surrounded by flowers and vines.


All the wines were excellent, though a little pricey.

One of the the owner's, the Bargetta family, daughters had gotten married the night before and a couple groups of wedding guests were there, talking about this and that.

We ran into another couple that turned out to live very close to us. They lived very similarly to us too, winewise. While they liked the Pinots at Soquel, they believed where they really shined was in Sangiovese. We tried one that day, and it was very good. Their favorite Pinots were from Heart O' the Mountain. They especially loved the Pommard Clone and Triple Seven, joking how she would say how bad it was to try to get everyone else to not buy it all up. We've never been there. It's a tough one to get to. I've only seen it open on Passport days and one Groupon. They asked for our emails and said they would invite us the next event they went to. How awesome is that!

We also talked to an older woman out enjoying wineries by herself. Her boyfriend wasn't into wine, but he was busy, leaving her free to explore. She was looking for a good white wine. Unfortunately, we couldn't help there, though we did point her to some good Roses.


One the way out we picked up a Olivia Chard, Lester Pinot, 16 Clone Pinot, and the 2008 Nebbiolo. I joked that we were in the wedding party and should get the family discount, as everyone else was, but they didn't buy it. They also didn't reimburse the $10 tasting fee, a disturbing trend that day.

On the trip home we stopped at Summit Store to pick up some lunch. As we waited for our sandwiches to be made we browsed the wines, noticing a $20 Partner's Reserve from Soquel. I couldn't tell the difference between it and the $60 16 Clone I had loved at the tasting. I figured for $20 it was worth the risk that it wasn't the same.

While unloading everything at home I bobbled the wine and smashed one on the driveway. I was hoping it was the $20 bottle we had just picked up, but wouldn't you know it, it was the $60 16 Clone. As it turns out they are different.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Hunter Hill

This past summer, we headed over the hill on a beautiful Saturday to hit a couple of wineries that we'd never been to. The traffic was unusually light, making for a pleasant ride. Both wineries were on Glenn Haven Road in Soquel. We past Bargetto on the way, winding this way and that. It's a bit out of the way in AT&T No Service land.

We arrived at Hunter Hill shortly after opening, around 11:15. There were already cars in the lot, a group at the tasting bar, and another enjoying the outdoor area. I was a little surprised we weren't the first, but I took it as a good sign.

The tasting room was spacious and had character. One wall had a big buffalo head, taken by the winemaker Vann Slater. The Slater family winery came complete with pictures of the grandparents. The tasting bar was a tad small, with room for 3 smaller groups of tasters, but wasn't a problem given the size of the room and the access to the spacious outdoor area.




Lana served us and answered all our questions with a smile. The vineyard was once an apple orchard, but converted to grapes in 92. They now grow Pinot, Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel, sourcing Barbera, Sangiovese, among other varietals from other California regions. They are known for their Pinot, which I thought was pretty good. They also had a special Pinot: Warrior Pinot; all the proceeds from this $50 bottle go to a worthy cause: Widows and children of deceased Navy Seals; Van used to be a Seal. What a great way to give back! The wine was very nice.

Talk at the tasting bar was abundant and interesting due to the friendly wine tasters we found there. I would never have guessed there were mosh pits at Hank Williams III concerts, though apparently he has a metal band in addition to his country gig. While I had heard of people eating buffalo, I'd never heard of beefalo, a bison, cattle mix. One of the other patrons was ready to kill his pygmy goat which he claimed got rambunctious and buck the backs of the legs. Christine Slater, one of the owners, offered to take it off his hands, sighting how useful they were in a vineyard. I found all of this very interesting.

The outdoor area was gorgeous, very spacious, and surrounded by the vineyard. There were plenty of places to set and enjoy the wine and surroundings, including a cute koi pond and a waterfall. In and around were lucious flowers, including a number of sunflowers. It was very peaceful, a great place to enjoy as we tasted the wine.




The Waterfall Hides Behind the Flowers
We picked up a couple of bottles to sample later and headed up the road to Soquel. Unfortunately, the $5 tasting fee was not refundable, a practice I've never understood.

Sue Grips our Haul as We Head Out