I had seen Phil Baily earlier and he sent me off with a bottle of his Baily Winery 2008 M & M, 60% Merlot/40% Malbec blend. Tony wasn’t shy with his opinion: “Super great nose!Awesome taste! Drinks like a $100 bottle.”
From Sonoma County we meandered to Spain via the 2010 Robaliño Albariño from Rias Baixas. Albariño is a delightful Spanish varietal and this one didn’t disappoint.
We stayed down under for the 2008 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz from Barossa, Australia. “What a deal”, said one of us. Most liked the nose, calling it smoky and earthy. Tony felt it got better as it sat in the glass. At $10 we all felt it was a terrific value.
Verging on sensory overload I approached the final wine, a 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel. Now back in the day a good California Zin was one of my go-to favorites. I eagerly breathed in the familiar aromas of rich raspberry with a hint of cinnamon and cloves. I could picture the gnarley, twisted old vines with their earthiness and pungent leathery smells.
Listen to the names of some of the wineries that will be represented: Heitz Cellars, Joseph Phelps, Cain, ZD, Venge and Darms Lane.
“What we’re trying to do here is something at the highest level in the Napa Valley. I can guarantee that.” It’s his hope that people leave with a sense of what it takes to make his wines.
I admit I am a bit of a “Janie-Come-Lately” to the wonders of Wiens Family Cellars. They have been producing and pouring wines in the Temecula Valley since 2005, but I did not wander by until the 2010 Wild Women of Wine Country 5K wound through their beautiful property. It was 9 am and I [...]
Learn more about our excellent Temecula tours. Contact us today.
