What a grand year for wine it has been! I attended approximately 250 wine events at wine shops, restaurants, hotels, wineries and special celebrations tasting thousands of wines and meeting hundreds of wine professionals with a passion for their wines.
I submit the following top ten tastings listed alphabetically without regard to rank. All were equally delicious and are an excellent representation of their varietals. Price to value and availability were also a consideration. Prices can vary and are generally what I have seen on web sites and in the stores that stock them.
This year I have listed two Sangioveses, one from Italy and another from Temecula. There are also two blends: an Italian “Super Tuscan” style from Temecula and a Bordeaux style from Paso Robles. A Napa Cabernet and Chardonanay, an Oregon Pinot Noir, a Central Coast Zinfandel, a San Diego County Viognier and a Sonoma Petite Sirah complete the ten. Enjoy!
Clos LaChance Hummingbord Series Zinfandel,Central Coast CA., 2005. $18. A rare Zin with moderate alcohol which gave it a delicious European style flavor. Aged in natural oak for 14 months. Notes of wild cherry and raspberry. Oak spice on the finish. www.clos.com.
Erath Pinot Noir, Dundee Oregon, 2006. $19. The cornerstone of Erath’s wine portfolio and that of Oregon, this Pinot floats into the palate with luscious ripe strawberries and a slight but beautiful hint of caramel. Buoyant acidity. An artful wine. www.erath.com.
Falkner Super Tuscan Amante, Temecula CA. 2005. $39.95. The signature blend of Sangiovese, with some Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Robust and elegant. Excellent balance. Medium bodied mouthfeel enhances a variety of food pairings. www.falknerwinery.com
Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley Ca., 2006. $42. A venerable, legendary name and hero of the ’76 Paris Tasting that put Napa Valley on the world wine map, Grgich produces its first Chardonnay that is both organic and biodynamic with no artificial enhancers. Alive with delicious acidity. Notes of lemon zest, flowers and honey. Elegance shines. www.grgich.com.
Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles, 2005. $65. A banner vintage in Paso, carefully crafted pruning and perfect crop levels, produced a soft, fruit forward entry with complexity and promise. Aromas of boysenberry, mocha, mint and cassis make this blend an event to remember. This wine will get even better with more aging, up to 15 years.
Pedroncelli Petite Sirah, Sonoma, Ca., 2005.$15. Superb value for this vintage. Rich with ripe blackberry, concentrated flavors, deep and complex. Dry Creek Valley aged for 23 months. www.pedroncelli.com.
Orfila Estate Lotus “67” Viognier, San Pasqual Valley, CA. 2007. $23. The Rhone Valley white that is the talk of the industry and no one does it better than Orfila. A blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne. The perfect 40 acre hillside for this exotic varietal with its tropical aromas and tastes. Earlier vintage won gold in France. www.orfila.com.
Peppoli Chianti Classico, Tuscany Italy, 2005. $23. Delivers classic Chianti earth-taste. Pronounced floral and mineral notes. Medium to full-bodied, with silky texture. Lots to enjoy here. Wide distribution. Wine Spectator favorite. www.winespectator.com.
South Coast Winery Wild Horse Peak Sangiovese, Temecula CA., 2005. $34. Best of Class in California competition, the grapes are grown in 2,200 feet altitude and steep terrain. Unrestrained taste, concentrated and uniquely structured. Winery was awarded the state winery of the year at the ’08 California State Fair competition. www.southcoastwinery.com
Z D Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA., 2006. $50. Dark velvet, stunning Cab, with a heavy scent of berry nectar. Explosive entrance to the palate. Rich coffee, chocolate hints. Balanced and drinkable now and will age gracefully for up to the next ten years. Handcrafted, with two years in oak. www.zdwines.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WINE BYTES
WineSellar and Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego has planned a French Style wine tasting on Sat. Jan. 3 from 11:30 to 2pm. Taste Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone Valley favorites. $20. ea. Another $12.50 for lunch. Call 858-450-9557.
Il Fornaio in Del Mar beigns its 2009 “Festa Regionale” dinners from Mon. Jan. 5 through Sun. Jan. 18. Food and wine from the Trentino-Alto Adige region will be featured. Drink Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio. Reservations call 1-888-ITALIAN.
Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego has a Piedmont Italy wine event on Fri. Jan. 9 from 4 to 8pm. Wines featuring Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera will be tasted. Details by calling 619-236-0005.
Falkner Winery in Temecula offers a Wine Appreciation class taught by in-house Sommelier George Myers on Sat. Jan. 17 from 10:30 to 2:30pm. Cost is $45. pp. Call 951-676-8231 for more.
No comments:
Post a Comment