-Sonoma 2/20
Participating Wineries: Blackstone, Family Wineries, Kaz, Kunde, VJB and Wellington.
Highway 12 north of Agua Caliente heading into Kenwood...
Where our 1st stop was Kunde winery. Our host was John who poured '01 Barbera ($24) - very nice ripe red fruit with a nutty finish. Their other italian offering was '01 Sangiovese ($24) which has a wonderful nose, floral and a nice oak finish.
But the real gems were out in the main tasting room. Start with the '03 Chardonnay Nu ($20) - no malolactic fermentation - au natural! Don't miss the '00 Cab Franc ($24) - cherry cola taste with a touch of dark chocolate and finish up your tasting with '01 Bob's Red ($15) - a great value - robust red blend. '00 Claret ($25) berry with a pepper finish and the '00 Cabernet Sauvignon/Drummond ($70) - Rich, big andn tasty!
Continuing north on 12, then taking a left on Dunbar is Wellington. They sell over 25 wines ranging from Sauv. Blanc to Port. Unfortunately a bus had pulled in before us...so we grabbed our 5 tastes and we're off...great wine, but too busy.
The next two were pleasant discoveries:
VJB Vineyards is producing some of the best Italian wines that Sonoma has to offer.
We were blown away from the '04 Sangiovese ($24) ...like an unexpected french kiss - this gets you up front with amazing fruit burst. Get it fast only 125 cases produced.
'04 Belmonte Family Estate Montepulciano ($26) is even more limited with only 50 cases being produced. A nice medium red with ripe cherry and plum flavors with a touch of cedar at the end. '04 Primitivo ($26) - an Italian cousin to Zinfandel. This is a spice fruity red that was the one I'd ever describe as being effervescent - refreshing. '04 Barbera ($30) - deep color rich with a blackberry finish...had to taste a few times after the uniqueness of the Primitivo. VJB also produces a very nice Reserve Cab.
KAZ - if you're lucky enough to have the old Kazola wait on you - it will be a memorable trip.
His '03 Sangiovese and '03 Lake Co. Barbera were very nice. But their unique blends are a work of genius. We had so much fun here that I lost my tasting notes...it's been known to happen.
Don't miss VJB and KAZ during your next Sonoma visit.
Ciao!
-Brian
Friday, February 25, 2005
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Wine Tasting in Washington
Just moved to Seattle and after over 10 years in California, I was ready to sample the Washington Wines.
1st trip to nearby Woodinville was great.
Chateau St. Michelle - (on a rainy Sunday) - not crowded and their welcome wine would be one of the best I've tasted that day. 2001 Chateau St. Michelle Reserve - Syrah. Very deep in color and very balanced. List $29 was on sale for around $19. Great Value - need to buy more.
Take the tour at Chateau St. Michelle - the wall of awards is worth the trip. Plus you get to sample some different wines then what's available in the tasting room. Beautiful grounds...can't wait for summer concerts.
Columbia Winery: (same day) Was so excited to find out that I'm a member - because I'm in their sister's wine club Franciscan-Napa. So wine tasting was free and you get to sample all the reserve products. Fantastic service, but can get busy when the wine train is there - then a limited menu of wines is offered. Note: don't worry if you see a lot of people in costume - they do murder mysteries on the train. Columbia has some of the best Bordeaux blends. Full body with great finish.
That was enough wine for one trip. Details on wine tasting in Seattle coming up.
-Brian
1st trip to nearby Woodinville was great.
Chateau St. Michelle - (on a rainy Sunday) - not crowded and their welcome wine would be one of the best I've tasted that day. 2001 Chateau St. Michelle Reserve - Syrah. Very deep in color and very balanced. List $29 was on sale for around $19. Great Value - need to buy more.
Take the tour at Chateau St. Michelle - the wall of awards is worth the trip. Plus you get to sample some different wines then what's available in the tasting room. Beautiful grounds...can't wait for summer concerts.
Columbia Winery: (same day) Was so excited to find out that I'm a member - because I'm in their sister's wine club Franciscan-Napa. So wine tasting was free and you get to sample all the reserve products. Fantastic service, but can get busy when the wine train is there - then a limited menu of wines is offered. Note: don't worry if you see a lot of people in costume - they do murder mysteries on the train. Columbia has some of the best Bordeaux blends. Full body with great finish.
That was enough wine for one trip. Details on wine tasting in Seattle coming up.
-Brian
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Weekly Wine Tasting at Wine Thieves in Lafayette, CA
The secret is out about Wine Thieves in Lafayette, California. Just 15 miles from SF in the East Bay.
Stop by on Fridays from 5:30 - 7:00 pm for the weekly wine tastings and did I mention its Free!
A different distributor or winery brings in around 5 wines weekly for tastings. See schedule at www.winethieves.com Become one of the regulars and you'll be invited to dinner to the casual Bo's barbecue or more upscale Postino. Both worth the trip!
Owners Jim, Bennett and Rod will greet you with a smile and are very knowledgeable about wine. The best aspect about Wine Thieves is the value. They can turn you on to a $10-$15 wines that are a lot better then some I've paid 3-4x that much!
Look for the unbelievable deals - currently Sequoia Grove - Reserve Cab under $20 and the steal in the store is the '99 Belvedere Sonoma County Cabernet - $14.99. They also had Veramonte Primus - very spicy finish perfect with the hot sauce across the street at Bo's.
-Brian
Stop by on Fridays from 5:30 - 7:00 pm for the weekly wine tastings and did I mention its Free!
A different distributor or winery brings in around 5 wines weekly for tastings. See schedule at www.winethieves.com Become one of the regulars and you'll be invited to dinner to the casual Bo's barbecue or more upscale Postino. Both worth the trip!
Owners Jim, Bennett and Rod will greet you with a smile and are very knowledgeable about wine. The best aspect about Wine Thieves is the value. They can turn you on to a $10-$15 wines that are a lot better then some I've paid 3-4x that much!
Look for the unbelievable deals - currently Sequoia Grove - Reserve Cab under $20 and the steal in the store is the '99 Belvedere Sonoma County Cabernet - $14.99. They also had Veramonte Primus - very spicy finish perfect with the hot sauce across the street at Bo's.
-Brian
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