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.
Tony said "Oh my! That's a good one. My fav of the night" and gave it a perfect five-star score. Brian called it an excellent Cab with dark fruit, earth and spice.
Specializing in small-batch brews, Refuge is perhaps best know for their Blood Orange Wit. A few sampled their non-alcoholic root beer and declared it extremely tasty!
As luck would have it, Robert was there and he stopped by to say hello and visit with us while taking a break from the demands of harvest. Server Andrew took great care of our group and concluded our tour with a visit to the member's lounge.
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.
What have we had in our glasses recently? Lots of good juice, that's for sure. We assembled at Kim and Brian's house. Glasses in hand and food on our plates, we...
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!"