Family Winemakers of California Tasting 2006
Instead of giving notes on everything I tasted, which was well over a hundred wines, (yes, I spit almost everything) I'm going to pick out my favorites, surprises, and bargains as special call-outs. I just can't deal with that much information. I think most of my readers will appreciate just the special mentions of the wines I feel one should be on the lookout for.
But first, a short rant! I know not everyone takes these events as seriously as I do, but I spent a lot of my time running away from people with perfume and cologne on. It's hard enough to try to parse that much sensory overload, of the buds and ears, without being bombarded with the scent of thirty-somethings trolling for mates. If you're there to smell and taste wine, don't wear any scent. OK, enough of that, on to the wines...
Just so you all understand how I survive these tastings, check out my ZAP primer from January 2006. For this tasting, I went on to the excellent Family Winemakers site and printed out all the participants ahead of time. I then went through and highlighted the places I've heard good things about from friends or magazines, then I go through the last few issues of Food and Wine, and Wine & Spirits, and pick out some highly acclaimed wines to seek out that I haven't heard of or had yet. That was 50 wineries this year. Yikes. Alas, I didn't hit them all.
Top Picks, Any Varital
Littorai Wines 2004 Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir
This was one of my favorite Pinots of the day, from a little vineyard north of the town of Philo in Anderson Valley. It's multi-clone, Dijon 114, 115, 667, 777, Swan, and Pommard. Dark in the mid-palate but bright fruity aromas. Great bottle $55.00.
DuNah 2004 San Giacomo Pinot Noir
Wonderful round Sonoma Coast Pinot. Just yummy. $45.00.
La Jota 2001 Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon
This was just extraordinary. Huge and complex from Howell Mountain, with wild cedar, cigar-box aromas. A meal on its own. Certainly one of the most expensive things I tasted at $90.00.
El Molino 2003 Rutheford Pinot Noir
Who knew that you could make good Pinot in Rutheford? Can't say I've ever had such a good one before. I thought Rutherford dust was just for Cabs. This had ample new oak, but was still balanced and tasty. Open this for a special occasion in a few years. $60.00
Pahlmeyer 2003 Proprietary Red
86% Cab, 6% Merlot, 4.5% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, .5% Malbec. One of the most complex things I tasted all day. This will be released Oct. 1, 2006. Aged in new Taransaud barrels, which must be pretty mild barrels, as this wasn't an oaky beast --just perfect balance. $110.00.
Nickel & Nickel 2003 Rock Cairn Cabernet Sauvignon
Spectacular minty-scented blockbuster. Another to drink on its own. Big Oakville scent to it. I belive it was $60.00.
Tin Barn 2003 Zinfandel Napa Valley, Dalraddy Vineyard
This is from 30 year old dry-farmed vines in Chiles Valley.
Bright and lovely zin from one of my favorite producers. Not massively over-extracted, just a nice clean expression of fruit and soil.$27.00
Barnett 2004 Merlot
Best Merlot of the show. Spring Mt. fruit, just down the road from Pride. If you like Pride wines, give these a try. You can taste the Spring Mt. terroir in a huge way. Big and spicy with gobs of blueberry flavors. Half new and half once-used barrels. $45.00
Collier Falls 2003 Petite Syrah
This Dry Creek Petite reminded me of Christopher Creek's PVs. Really lovely. I'm a huge fan of their zinfandel. $36.00 100 cases made. Get it while you can.
Oakville Ranch 2002 Robert's Blend
This blend is mostly merlot and was one of the juciest things I had all day. Just wonderful. $80.00
Best Surprises:
Per Bacco 2004 Arroyo Grande Pinot
This was a treat from San Luis Obispo with the Santa Barbara County fruit I love in Pinots. This one was only $28.00 and I liked it much better than the reserve which was $50.00. Only 60 cases left.
Melville 2004 Estate Pinot Noir
Another great Pinot from the Santa Rita Hills. Yummy and sold out! $28.00
Praxis and Arbios wines. I enjoyed all their wines, especially the Arbios 2001 Cabernet. All but the Cab are $15 or under. I ran out at lunchtime and bought an 04 Pinot at the Wine House for $14.00. A steal.
Ovene 2004 "the Puzzle" Pinot Noir
This is another San Luis Obisbo County wine and was a deal at $30.00
Best Spent 30 minutes
Meeting Matt Cline from Trinitas and tasting though all his yummy wines and learning about his departure from Cline and his focus on smaller batch, boutique products. I wrote about his zin in May of last year. It was great to talk to him about his interest in older grapes in Contra Costa County and taste his 2002 Bigalow zin.
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