Temecula’s Occasional Wine Council met again this past February and had the opportunity to taste six wines from Tin Roof Cellars, a winery that sources their fruit from different regions in California; the North and Central coasts, Lodi and Lake County. None of their wines are priced at more than $12.
Their 2011 Sauvignon Blanc was our starting point. Priced at a mere $9, Sue prepared a duet of Tempura shrimp with soy dipping sauce and asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto with French grained mustard. I found it difficult to pick up much of a nose, and on the palate it was very soft with a hint of sweeteness and some citrus and mineral notes. It was perfect with the shrimp and although I don’t care much for asparagus, it paired nicely.
Crab filled sugar snap peas
Tin Roof’s 2011 Chardonnay is made from grapes grown on California’s Central Coast. I detected stone fruit on the nose and vanilla on both the nose and the palate. It was well balanced with a good mouth-feel and a great value at $9. I found it to be quite food friendly and enjoyed it with Coletta’s crab-filled sugar snap peas, a Tahitian vanilla caramel, chicken liver paté and Mad Mike’s tri pepper sausage.
To the reds we moved, starting with 2009 Merlot made from a blend of North and Central coast grapes. Dark berry on the nose and cherry on the palate, it displayed soft tannins and had a long finish. It paired well with the chicken liver paté that Todd had brought as well as Le Delice de Bourgogne triple crème (what doesn’t go well with that?) and blackberries. You can find it for about $10.
The non-vintage red blend was next, a mixture of Zinfandel, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Black currant dominated the nose. It’s a fruit forward wine, but nothing spectacular. I found it so-so. Karsten made red wine stewed fig tarts that were a good pairing. Chocolate covered grapes worked well, but the winner was the triple crème. Retail price $11.
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon was the next to last wine of the evening. Hate to say it, but there was really nothing going on with this wine. There was little to no nose and it seemed way too young to me. I’d like to see where it goes a year from now. At least we enjoyed the fantasy chocolate platter that Linda provided. This wine sells for $10.
Our last wine was 2011 Zinfandel from Lodi. I picked up strawberries on the nose. It’s not your typical fruit bomb of a Zin. It’s light bodied and very easy drinking. I brought Mad Mike’s sausage to pair with this wine and it worked quite well. It took off with dried cherries! Retail $12.