Laura thought it was a fun, kicky wine good for easy going evenings on the patio. Jim and Judi thought the name suited it to a "t" and liked the bright red fruit and body. Kim called it spicy and very nice and Brian called it a heavy duty wine, "subtly sexy."
Jim and Judi called it "excellent! Tastes like the grape it's made from." Brian called it "smooth and dark like a sultry night that you want never to end."
Trust me, I'm just scratching the surface of what you will find Friday night at Pechanga. Chef was so excited about what he's preparing I wasn't able to keep up with everything he told me. I suggest you go find out for yourself.
The '06 is the third in the trilogy of 2004, 2005 and 2006. The next vintage release will be 2009. Every vintage release is different, but she strives for consistency in the non-vintage releases. She believes that aging adds complexity.
The music continued and the smell of smoke from meat being grilled began to waft into the room. You expect Malbec when you attend an Argentinean tasting and we tried two from 2012; La Posta Pizzella from Mendoza and Colome Estate from Salta.
This wine offered plenty of citrus on the nose, mostly lime and was mineral on the palate. It proved quite food friendly and was wonderful with the St. Géric blue-veined triple crème from Fromagerie Guilloteau.
He called it an "incredible value and a must buy" at $14. Cindy gave it four out of five stars and said it "tastes more expensive." Tony thought it drank more like a $30 or $40 bottle.
We ended the evening with a yet to be released wine, 2011 "The Phantom" from Lorenzi Vineyards in Temecula. Al loved the nose and the wine. Chris commented on the dark ruby color with chocolate and dried cherries on the nose and thought it was nuanced.
Brian called it "superb, unbeatable at the price." Kim called it smokey, leggy and oaky. I liked the expressive nose and picked up cherries and berries.
