Saturday, April 9, 2016

Best Santa Cruz Mountains Value Pinots (Under $30) - Round 3

We were joined by our friends to taste the third batch of 6 random Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots under $30 on a cool Spring night that was close enough to my birthday to elevate the event.

Days before Sue had performed a successful trial run of bacon wrapped potatoes in her new air fryer.



I brought out some of my big bottles to celebrate my birthday.


We warmed our taste buds with some yummy whites: A 2013 Dariush Chardonnay, a 2012 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay, and a 2014 Picchetti White Pavone.

Sue served up all my favorites: Bacon wrapped potatoes, pot stickers, cheese and charcuterie. We all enjoyed the bites as we tasted. Occasionally some screamed of Trump and Obama. Our neighbors enjoyed our renditions of the Gambler and more.

Results



Top to Bottom from Left to Right

All the wines we tasted were really good. Ted mentioned many times that he thought this was the best batch yet.

F - 2013 Villa del Monte, Santa Cruz Mountains came in first place with an average of 3.39.

E - 2012 Storrs, Santa Cruz Mountains came in second place with an average of 3.26.

D - 2012 Nicholson, Cuvee, Santa Cruz Mountains came in third place with an average of 3.24.

C - 2012 Trout Gulch, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fourth place with an average of 3.20.

B - 2013 Alfaro, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains came in fifth place with an average of 2.68.

A - 2009 Domenico, Santa Cruz Mountains came in sixth place with an average of 2.54.


After the tasting we enjoyed some special treats.

We enjoyed the double magnum of 2010 Kings Mountain Pinot from last year's Silicon Valley Wine Auction. This was the first double magnum I have ever served. Pouring from a double magnum is an incredible feeling. The bottle is huge! Magnums are fun, but they do not compare. The Kings Mountain was delicious! I'll be looking to win this again, at this years event.



We enjoyed a 1999 Trout Gulch, that Gerald Turgeon had given us to throw into a blind tasting as a ringer. What an incredible gift to share with us! Thank you Gerry. I've never tasted something so old.



Sue rounded out the night with Fred's steak, salad, other fixins, and some cake.