Mambo #5! Cornerstone 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Craig Camp from Cornerstone says it's one of the best growing grapes in Napa. Chardonnay does not grow well there. $30 sourced from Howell Mountain and St. Helena, older vineyards. Very soft for a Sauvignon Blanc. Would be extremely food friendly, nice and crisp.
I haven't been on a ski lift in decades and I've never ridden one on a mountain without snow. We gathered at the Roundhouse Express to take the lift to Roundhouse Restaurant at the base of Mt. Baldy for the Festival's Martini and Caviar party.
When the folks at the Temecula Convention and Visitors bureau scheduled this year's media day, they hit the jackpot with the weather. The sun was shining and hi...
One taster who left their name off the sheet said 'It tastes like more, as in I definitely want more." They thought the nose was amazing and that it rivaled some well known Pinots from the Willamette Valley and the Santa Rita Hills. Tony said "yum yum yes!"
2009 Lake County “Ranch Collection” Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the favorites of the evening, this deep red cab was full of tart berry tastes, with hints of smoke, cherry wood and vanilla. It went well with the sharp cheddar, mustard and nuts but was especially enhanced by the chocolate and the desserts, particularly the genoise with its sweet lemon flavors. We agreed that this was an excellent buy for the quality at $19.
First sniff - acidity. Had the Riedel glass allowed the acids to escape more readily? Sniff-sniff. Where are my pleasant layers? In fact where are any aromatic sensations? Now this wine is totally off-balance and I don't have the slightest desire to taste it, or even recommend it.
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.
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...
At the WBC, speed tasting while blogging, 2008 Maycas del Limari 100% Chardonnay, 10 month French Oak MT from Chile, 8 miles from coast, breezy desert. Hints of...
