The Rhone Rangers [www.rhonerangers.org] is an organization dedicated to promoting wines produced in the United States from grapes historically grown in France’s Rhone Valley. There are twenty-two grape varieties that qualify, the best known being…
Red:
Syrah
Grenache
Mourvedre
Petite Sirah
White:
Viognier
Roussane
Marsanne
Grenache Blanc
Annually, the Rhone Rangers holds an event in the Los Angeles area. I recently attended the media/trade tasting on August 8th, 2010 held at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica.
Upon receiving the tasting book, I noted that there were less wineries pouring at this event than the one last year, although the Rhone varietals were still very well represented, most notably from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County, many of which I have previously written about. This actually worked out well, as I was able to taste some white and rose wines before starting on the reds. And when I was done, there were still a lot more wines that I did not taste than I did.
The whites I enjoyed the most were:
2007 “Beachcomber” White Blend from 10 Knots Cellars
2009 “Apparition” Viognier from Clavo Cellars
2009 “Prelude” White Blend from Ecluse Wines
2008 “Estate Blanc” White Blend from Edward Sellers Vineyards and Winers
2009 “XCV” White Blend from Jada Vineyard & Winery
Tasted a couple of roses that really stood out:
2009 “1149” Rose Blend from Jada Vineyard & Winery
2009 “Summertime” Rose from Vines On The Marycrest
Then I was onto the reds…
The reds that made the greatest impression on me were:
2007 “Syrah Selectionnee Five Vineyards, Barrel Select from Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
2007 “Revelation” Red Blend, Santa Barbara from Epiphany
2007 Syrah, Napa Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard from Epiphany
2008 “Cote a Cote” Red Blend from L’Aventure Winery
My wine of the day was the 2007 “Dreamer” Petite Sirah from Clavo Cellars, a winery that has impressed me in the past and definitely delivered this time as well.
All in all, it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Michael Perlis provides outsourced controller services to businesses that do not need a full-time controller. He balances this with his interest in wine: reading and writing about it and, of course, drinking it. He is still trying to figure out how to combine these two pursuits. Feel free to contact him about either at mcpfinancial@aol.com or michaelthezinfan@aol.com.
