The fruit simply exploded from the glass. I thought this was an exceptional wine. Ken called it "luscious all the way through." Sue called it the perfect Merlot.
Diane and Ken Wilson own the Wilson Artisan Wineries as well as the Grape Leaf Inn. There are eight wineries all totaled and I visited three of them, starting with Matrix Winery. Formerly Rabbit Ridge Winery, the Wilsons purchased the property in 2007.
I recently received an email asking me if I'd be interested in learning about the wines from McGah Family Cellars. The McGah family co-founded the Oakland Raide...
Recently, Sandi took a stack of clay pigeons, put them in the dishwasher and served the family dinner on them. John's wife Eloise exclaimed "We used to shoot those with guns!" Eloise, now 93, is an avid golfer, but Sandi says you'd best not play slowly in front of her. "You'll hear her bitch all night."
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.
"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.
